What is with Lessa Fakir?? - it stirs something in me

janaki · 02-03-2008, 01:18 PM

Hey you oum kholthum fans,

Lessa Fakir stirs very intense emotions inside me. All Oum Kholthoum songs stir up something in me. I am sure it happens to everyone right?? I have seen so many interpretation of this dance including the ballet fusion. Check this one from Zizi Moustafa. Didn't like it very much. What do you think??

Farasha Hanem · 02-04-2008, 12:08 AM

Y-you want my honest opinion?

I'm by NO means an expert, but, but...well...her execution seemed a little sloppy and...raunchy at times; to me, she looked like she failed "Bellydance 101." Her interpretation of the music just didn't seem to fit her moves.

I really hate to give this kind of critique, because as I said, I'm not really knowledgable enough yet about bellydance to critique, and for all I know, she's probably an accomplished dancer (certainly more accomplished than I am). But still...

I dunno, maybe I oughta just scoot on out of here before my big fat keyboard types more stuff that'll get me in trouble.

Ranya · 02-04-2008, 08:41 AM

Huh, I had the impression she was dancing to another song in the beginning, seemed out of rhythm to me. Well...

Moon · 02-04-2008, 01:10 PM

I didn't like it much either. Especially the beginning was so busy.. and like she wanted to show some technique regardless of the music.
Also it seems like she has her feet quite wide appart or is it just me?

summerdance · 02-06-2008, 09:50 PM

This is Zizi Mustapha. She is a retired dancer from the early days. She has since donned Hijab and given up dancing.

This lady has always intrigued me for many reasons. For one thing she gave birth to one of my absolute favorite Egyptian Actresses- Menna Shalaby. She also had an amazing personal history. Please bear with me as I share a little of it.

Zizi Mustapha began her dancing career as a runaway. She had seen dancing all her young life and she ran away from home, some say because of abuse. She went to a friend's house, but her girlfriend's mother could not let her stay, so she basically ended up with no where to stay and accepted an offer from a street girl to work in this small cabaret.

She got famous really fast, both for her youth and for her boneless hips. She danced at different places and eventually retired after 20 years.
She has done some acting, before and since her retirement. Her daughter is truly gifted dancer.

This clip just shows her style. She asked the audience what song they wanted to hear and they chose Lisa Faker. She does what most people want to see zizi do. Everyone always wanted to see these ("Astik" i.e elastic hips)

Anyway, I love her and I adore Um Kulthum. Although, like most Arabs I am deeply offended when a dancer tries to dance when Um Kulthum herself is singing.

janaki · 02-07-2008, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by summerdance

This is Zizi Mustapha. She is a retired dancer from the early days. She has since donned Hijab and given up dancing.

This lady has always intrigued me for many reasons. For one thing she gave birth to one of my absolute favorite Egyptian Actresses- Menna Shalaby. She also had an amazing personal history. Please bear with me as I share a little of it.

Zizi Mustapha began her dancing career as a runaway. She had seen dancing all her young life and she ran away from home, some say because of abuse. She went to a friend's house, but her girlfriend's mother could not let her stay, so she basically ended up with no where to stay and accepted an offer from a street girl to work in this small cabaret.

She got famous really fast, both for her youth and for her boneless hips. She danced at different places and eventually retired after 20 years.
She has done some acting, before and since her retirement. Her daughter is truly gifted dancer.

This clip just shows her style. She asked the audience what song they wanted to hear and they chose Lisa Faker. She does what most people want to see zizi do. Everyone always wanted to see these ("Astik" i.e elastic hips)

Anyway, I love her and I adore Um Kulthum. Although, like most Arabs I am deeply offended when a dancer tries to dance when Um Kulthum herself is singing.

Hi Summerdance,
Tks for the info on zizi. I like her dance in other clips I have seen but not in this clip. Reputation on the way for you.

Janaki

chryssanthi sahar · 02-07-2008, 03:56 AM

I like Zizi's interpretation of Lissa Faker. Well, the beginning was indeed kind of hectic, but one should never judge an Egyptian dancer by the beginning. The longer they dance, the better they are

taheya · 02-07-2008, 07:48 AM

I like Zizi's interpretation as well...I think she really feels the music. Summerdance can you tell us whether it would be socially acceptable to dance to Om Kalthoum songs when another singer is singing?? Or are you saying that it is better to dance to instrumental versions of Om Kalthoum songs?

Maria_Aya · 02-07-2008, 07:50 AM

I'm a big fan of Zizi Moustafa ! for me she is not aknwolidged to the level she deserves. True egyptian raw dance with egyptian feeling. Whatever she do, its her self. Yes some parts are kint of "too much" but isnt egypt too much by her self?

Maria Aya

summerdance · 02-08-2008, 05:41 PM

Hi Taheya ( Love the name by the way! Another Egyptian Legend,Taheya Karioka)

Um Kulthum's songs are best performed instrumentally. Many singers will actually not perform her music simply because of the inevitable unfavorable comparison.

Only Nancy Ajram has successfully sung an Um Kulthum song and she was only encouraged because she was young,13/14.

If you must dance to while Um Kulthum sings, do it for a younger audience and while being respectful. It does not hurt to point out that you know you shouldn't, but the song moved you or whatever. You were artistically inspired or whatnot.
Egyptians as a rule do not accept that, but you won't be heckled. Most likely the audience will feel offended. Um Kulthum has such a place in our hearts. It's hard to explain. If you get a chance check out the documentaty, Um Kulthum, A Voice Like Egypt.

I agree, C. Sahar, many Egyptian dancers need to warm up before they can be fully appreciated. Egyptian dancers rely so heavily on audience interaction that the their performance improves depending on how well the audience is invested. Sometimes, a dancer's show can be completely turned around, especially if she planned a fast show and they wanted Sha'by

02-03-2008, 01:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
janaki V.I.P. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: hong kong Posts: 1,211	What is with Lessa Fakir?? - it stirs something in me Hey you oum kholthum fans, Lessa Fakir stirs very intense emotions inside me. All Oum Kholthoum songs stir up something in me. I am sure it happens to everyone right?? I have seen so many interpretation of this dance including the ballet fusion. Check this one from Zizi Moustafa. Didn't like it very much. What do you think??

02-04-2008, 12:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
Farasha Hanem Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: In the heartland of the USA Posts: 597	??? Y-you want my honest opinion? I'm by NO means an expert, but, but...well...her execution seemed a little sloppy and...raunchy at times; to me, she looked like she failed "Bellydance 101." Her interpretation of the music just didn't seem to fit her moves. I really hate to give this kind of critique, because as I said, I'm not really knowledgable enough yet about bellydance to critique, and for all I know, she's probably an accomplished dancer (certainly more accomplished than I am). But still... I dunno, maybe I oughta just scoot on out of here before my big fat keyboard types more stuff that'll get me in trouble.

02-06-2008, 09:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
summerdance Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 65	Lisa Faker This is Zizi Mustapha. She is a retired dancer from the early days. She has since donned Hijab and given up dancing. This lady has always intrigued me for many reasons. For one thing she gave birth to one of my absolute favorite Egyptian Actresses- Menna Shalaby. She also had an amazing personal history. Please bear with me as I share a little of it. Zizi Mustapha began her dancing career as a runaway. She had seen dancing all her young life and she ran away from home, some say because of abuse. She went to a friend's house, but her girlfriend's mother could not let her stay, so she basically ended up with no where to stay and accepted an offer from a street girl to work in this small cabaret. She got famous really fast, both for her youth and for her boneless hips. She danced at different places and eventually retired after 20 years. She has done some acting, before and since her retirement. Her daughter is truly gifted dancer. This clip just shows her style. She asked the audience what song they wanted to hear and they chose Lisa Faker. She does what most people want to see zizi do. Everyone always wanted to see these ("Astik" i.e elastic hips) Anyway, I love her and I adore Um Kulthum. Although, like most Arabs I am deeply offended when a dancer tries to dance when Um Kulthum herself is singing.

02-07-2008, 03:56 AM	#7 (permalink)
chryssanthi sahar Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Posts: 1,482	I like Zizi's interpretation of Lissa Faker. Well, the beginning was indeed kind of hectic, but one should never judge an Egyptian dancer by the beginning. The longer they dance, the better they are __________________ Oriental dancer and instructor of Greek origin, living in Germany www.chryssanthi.com

02-07-2008, 07:50 AM	#9 (permalink)
Maria_Aya Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Athens, Greece Posts: 2,221	I'm a big fan of Zizi Moustafa ! for me she is not aknwolidged to the level she deserves. True egyptian raw dance with egyptian feeling. Whatever she do, its her self. Yes some parts are kint of "too much" but isnt egypt too much by her self? Maria Aya __________________ ... www.orientalexpression.gr

02-04-2008, 08:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
Ranya Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cairo, EGYPT Posts: 535	Huh, I had the impression she was dancing to another song in the beginning, seemed out of rhythm to me. Well...

02-04-2008, 01:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
Moon V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 3,623	I didn't like it much either. Especially the beginning was so busy.. and like she wanted to show some technique regardless of the music. Also it seems like she has her feet quite wide appart or is it just me?

02-07-2008, 07:48 AM	#8 (permalink)
taheya Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: uk Posts: 520	I like Zizi's interpretation as well...I think she really feels the music. Summerdance can you tell us whether it would be socially acceptable to dance to Om Kalthoum songs when another singer is singing?? Or are you saying that it is better to dance to instrumental versions of Om Kalthoum songs?

02-08-2008, 05:41 PM	#10 (permalink)
summerdance Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 65	Lisa Faker Hi Taheya ( Love the name by the way! Another Egyptian Legend,Taheya Karioka) Um Kulthum's songs are best performed instrumentally. Many singers will actually not perform her music simply because of the inevitable unfavorable comparison. Only Nancy Ajram has successfully sung an Um Kulthum song and she was only encouraged because she was young,13/14. If you must dance to while Um Kulthum sings, do it for a younger audience and while being respectful. It does not hurt to point out that you know you shouldn't, but the song moved you or whatever. You were artistically inspired or whatnot. Egyptians as a rule do not accept that, but you won't be heckled. Most likely the audience will feel offended. Um Kulthum has such a place in our hearts. It's hard to explain. If you get a chance check out the documentaty, Um Kulthum, A Voice Like Egypt. I agree, C. Sahar, many Egyptian dancers need to warm up before they can be fully appreciated. Egyptian dancers rely so heavily on audience interaction that the their performance improves depending on how well the audience is invested. Sometimes, a dancer's show can be completely turned around, especially if she planned a fast show and they wanted Sha'by