Aisha Azar

Dear Fatinah,
I think that it is rather one sided to say that older dancers have more to offer than younger ones, or that fat dancers better than thin ones. I have seen many older dancers who seem so desperate to hang on to their youth that their sexiness looks false, too. The fact is that dancers of every age bring certain attributes to the table if they are good dancers. That freshness and beauty of youth that so adds sparkle to the dance can not very often be seen in an older dancer. The older dancer brings experience and depth to the dance if she/he is good, but then again, there are young, thin, dancers that can do the same.
In other words, it is not the age of the dancer that matters. Instead it is the truth of the dance shining out that makes a dancer wonderful, no matter what her/ his age. And, in each age of her/his dance the dancer hopefully grows and offers more to the dance itself, but there are just to many young, lovely dancers out there for them to be dismissed out of hand. I am saying this from the age of 55 and from the experience of dancing for 34 years and from a body that is nearly twice as big as the one I danced in in my youth. Each age of dance has its own sweetness and we need to appreciate that.
Regards,
A'isha

fatinah

Thats kinda why i said in my opinion and "different things for different peeps".

Im actually classed as young and thin so I dont have an agenda Im just saying I think sometimes it looks better.

Didnt mean to cause offence

Caroline_afifi

As far as I am aware, Dina is 45 ish.

back to fatinahs sister, I did predict this in a discsussion on another thread some time back.

Aisha Azar

Dear Fatinah,
I was not offended by your comments at all and thought you stated your opinion very well. But I do think we need all need to understand that the dance itself has many phases and stages and that there is something for dancers of every age to say through it.
I agree with Caroline about Dina's age. I have been seeing her on video for about 25 years. She is very beautiful and hangs on to her youthful looks, but I see a more mature dancer there for sure.
Regards,
A'isha

adiemus

It all seems to boil down to being authentic and honest as yourself, doesn't it? In terms of what is portrayed in the media, and also what is portrayed as you dance.
Gonna quote my Dad again...he won't let my 15 year old daughter sing songs about lost love and things until she's got a bit of life experience behind her, which I agree with.
In terms of dancing - it's a bit hard to dance flirtatiously in the same way when you're younger as when you're older - you may mean the same thing 'hey boy, come and check me out!', but you'll do it slightly differently as you become more mature.
And in terms of the media - some people are going to be put off dance because yes they expect pulsating dance grooves and synthesised dombek and what they actually get is oud and zills and singing! But they will have at least had a look, which is more than what might have happened had no-one been a part of the show! Others might get interested once they go and have a real ball - look at us!!

__________________
He wahine, he taonga- Every woman is a treasure(Maori proverb)

Caroline_afifi

I could not agree more which is why I dont really enjoy watching kids wiggle their bottoms in two pieces.

adiemus

for a moment I misread this: "kids wiggle their bottoms in two pieces" and was trying to see how on earth a kid could wiggle each butt cheek in isolation!! I know it can be done but the mind boggles!!!

__________________
He wahine, he taonga- Every woman is a treasure(Maori proverb)

jenc

Unfortunately that is a lot of what they will get around here - dancing to Shakira and electronic music!!!