Tarik Sultan

You rock dude!

Tarik Sultan

Hey Pops:

Like others have told you, there is no difference between the movements that women do. The movement vocabulary is the same. There is only one DVD out that is specifically geared to men and I do not recommend it. The people who made it are well intentioned, but they have no connection or exposure to the real culture or how men from that culture actually dance.

The basic foundation of the professional dance is the social dance which is done by both sexes. I must say though that what makes egyptian dance what it is, is the emotional quality which drives the movements. Both men and women are supposed to be sensual, sexy, fun, joyous and have a playful sense of humor. You have to be fluid and relaxed in your body so that you can express not only your emotions, but the texture, feeling and spirit of the music. Rather that being rigid and strictly isolating the movements, allow the energy of the movements to flow through your body. I've included my playlist of Middle Eastern men dancing as well as professional dancers. All these clips are of guys who have a positive male vibe that you can relate to, with out being stiff and unnatural. They will help to give you an Idea of what the moves look like on a male body as well as how men in the culture actually express the emotional quality that gives the dance its identity. and if you have any questions, you can always contact me.

First check out this interview


YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

Brea

Thanks for putting these up, Tarik. They are great references. PM'd you!

__________________
www.breamorgiane.com

Tarik Sultan

I didn't get it. I've been meaning to get back to you. Probably tonight. Speak to you soon.

Tarik

Brea

Sounds good, Tarik. Odd we have this weird communication failure, eh? You send me things I don't get, I send you things you don't get.

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www.breamorgiane.com

Zorba

Wait a minute - I thought you said you hated me!

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-Zorba
"The Veiled Male"
http://www.doubleveil.net

Caroline_afifi

Just to shed some 'up to date' light on Sherif, he achieved 'Best Actor of Upper Egypt' award about a year or two ago and has been working on the major production called 'Memories of the Sphinx' that was staged in Sharm but is now destined for Luxor. He is also a writer and based in Cairo.
Tarik, if you get the chance, do this again but not at 3.00am!

He would have plenty more to say..

Farasha Hanem

Welcome to the forum, khanjar, we're very glad to have you join us. As you see, there are so many wonderful and helpful people here. I'm sorry about the discrimination you've been experiencing where you live. Please know that any time you need encouragement or advice, you have a lot of friends here. Best to you, and don't give up.

Zorba and Tarik, thank you for being such wonderful examples to us; you're both an inspiration, and a blessing.

Aniseteph

Welcome Khanjar! Keep at it - I don't think there is no hope.

There are well known male dancers who perform and teach regularly at belly dance events in the UK - IMO any teacher who has seen them dance or been to a workshop ought to be thinking very carefully about how unfair a No Men policy is. I think the profile of male dancers is growing here.

Maybe there is less of a problem in the USA because people are more aware they might get into trouble for it. Found this on a UK government site (so it must be true!)

Quote:

When discrimination is lawful Under certain limited circumstances, it is lawful to discriminate when providing services. These circumstances are usually linked to the specific nature of the service or the provider. Examples might include: - services which are single-sex for reasons of privacy and decency, or which would cause ‘serious embarrassment’ if members of the opposite sex were present - services by voluntary groups or charities whose primary purpose is to provide services to one sex - services offered by a religious organisation, if they are offered in a place which is used by the organisation or if restricting the services to one sex is in line with the doctrines of that religion - circumstances in which the service provider would be otherwise unable to provide the service - if the service is provided in the interests of national security, and can be justified as such.

I don't see how your average belly dance class could cite any of those - except possibly that learning belly dance with a male student in the room is an affront to decency or privacy, or constitutes "serious embarrassment". ( I must go to really tame classes then...). It is up to the teacher to show it would seriously embarrass the other students.

I can't speak for others, but for me as a student, guy in class is just another student. If it's a friendly class and he is friendly in an appropriate way he will probably get looked on as an honorary girl

khanjar

'' Pops '' ?

Thankyou , to both yourself, Zorba and the fairest sex here who have offered both words of encouragement and welcome. Things are as they are here in my country, but things are changing slowly and for the better, not only in terms of artistic expression. The immigration that we have here I see as a good thing as it dilutes the rigid and conservative though process of much of the country. It also brings different culture which I feel for one, we need. It is with this thought that with hope in areas where there is a strong populace of immigrants from North Africa and the orient more opportunities may well become available for all.

With this desire to learn ME dance, I do seek what you mention, the fluidity of form, the expression of my soul. I have never danced, but always longed to, that side of me which was always held in check by the perceived rigidity of my society. I have since left that side of me and adopted an artistic lifestyle where I express my creativity through art and craft, this of course has brought a relaxation of thought and I see dance as my next step. Why ME, well I have always played the music, it contains an air of the evocative that lures the human in me, I do enjoy many things which could be called oriental in nature, the art, their food the nargile and oh so delicious turkish coffee. So ME dance appeals on so many levels.

My beliefs are that both sexes, male and female are just part of the whole as humans, therefore aside from obvious activities specific to gender, there should be no bar on expression and the learning of that expression.

Women I believe want to see more male dancers, then they are effectively instrumental in creating that possibility by being more open minded and actively encouraging classes with a male contingent.

I do also understand the reservations of women when they say a 'male free zone', but rest assured not all males see learning to do something as an excuse to date or otherwise pursue the opposite sex. In fact for the minor numbers of males that might be present in a class, as a minority engaged in what some in Britain might call a woman's pastime, they are pretty couragous to be there, and being there is not a statement on their masculinity as the west sees it. I am for a male am wholly comfortable with myself and follow no one else's ideals. I defy the typical male stereotypes and do what makes me feel good, basically, I see myself as free.

A class would be an ideal, but, for now, I will content myself with video instruction.

I am aware of the teacher up there in Bideford, North Devon, but as I lack transport at the present, that perhaps will have to wait for the future with me.

Oh of course of my country, there is a national dance of sorts but I do no think Morris Dancing is my thing.