The Giza Club

June 2002

The foremost rising stars are Randa Kamel and Dendesh, both WOW dancers who did "knock 'em dead" performances at the opening Gala for the festival. Randa did what I heard was a great class, which Dendesh attended, by the way, much to her credit!!

Not much to report on in the new music field. I got some tips from some "in" music production people here on how to re-issue my CD* with a new cover at much less expense than previously. I plan on using these tips and doing it, starting right after I get back.

Soheir Zaki's workshop (dance along with the great one) was wonderful. She's a gorgeous dancer in all senses of the word in her sweatpants and t-shirt!!! Definitely worth the $60 just to watch!

Dina also did a knock-out performance at the opening gala. I don't usually enjoy her shows and I thought she was GREAT!

The closing show had Randa (great performance again), a representative sample of the foreign festival attendees, including Hadia of Canada and Leyla Zahar of Puerto Rico who has become a really good dancer since winning the B.D. of the Year 3 or 4 years ago, and a Brazilian and Spanish dancer who were good.

Well, all I talked with agreed that I definitely got the "people's choice" award for the open stage nights, so there! ;-) I heard compliments and thank-yous every day from Sunday night when I did my performance, through the closing gala from both Egyptians and foreigners. What an experience!

Leyla Lanty
(Via e-mail.)