The Giza Club

June 2002

I am also just back from the festival, I must say I think it was a wonderful event, very well organized and even though I arrived to Cairo sick with the flu, and spent much of my time there seriously ill, I pushed myself though because i was excited to be there and wanted to attend and get as much out of the event as possible, it was an incredible experience and wonderful time (especially the last few days as I was returning to health).....

I can say that it definitely beats any of my previous trips to Cairo, where I have never felt satisfied, I never felt satisfied with the limited amount of dancing I could see. Well this festival had it all.... I can highly reccomend it to any serious dancers interested in visiting Cairo. And if you are like me, and not really much into 'the group tour' feeling, well, basically outside the hotel where the festival is held, you are on your own in Cairo and can have your own special and individual experiences out there, well except maybe when visiting other costumers when you are more than likely to run into other dancers, but hey that's nice!

There was so much going on, and lots to choose from though impossible to attend everything. Of course the classes I attended with the 'master level instructors' were great, and I especially loved the class with Ebraham Ikef, what a guy!!! I must say that I also got so much out of the other classes offered by the 'not so famous' local dancers, I highly recomend taking their classes, even though there were others in those classes who seemed not to get the 'follow me, no english' approach to the dance, -a way that i personaly tend to learn well with - we each have our preferred ways.... Morocco's lecture was a wonderful addition to the event, a lot of what she said I was familar with from her writings her, but hearing it was very interesting and much appreciated, I wish there was more time, there is so much we can learn just listening.....I love her.

One thing that I noticed was the proliferation of bootleg CDs in Cairo, actualy being sold and marketed as legit CDs. Another thing I was very suprised to hear was so much modern Turkish music in Cairo!! Yes, at both the openiong and closing for the festival, before the bands played I clearly recognized some realy cool tracks off of (Turkish Percussion group) HAREM (CD#2), although it is highly doubtful that anyone there in Cairo recognises that it is indeed Turkish music, as it is most certainly off of some bootleg cd that gives no credit what so effort to the musicians.

I also picked up such a Cd at Rakkasah, (I was unaware at the time, it was a bootleg!!) that clearly started with tracks I know well off of the lovely Cd made for Turkish (number one famous) dancer Asena, and continuing on to HAREM, and even Omar FT!!! No credits whatsoever given!! and different track titles..... How do they get away with this, I wonder??!!

2 summers ago I returned to Japan, from Turkey and visited my Turkish musician friends over here who were on contract to play at the' cultural village', they were all very home sick and I brought them the brand new and lovely cd by HAREM (first cd)... they loved it, and one friend said "Ahh, this is a cd we can be proud of, and we can even export it to Egypt!!! because as you know, we are always accepting the Egyptian music in Turkey, but never they accept our music...."

Well, related...what a surprise it was to me, as I was in Farida Famys workshop, to hear from the other side of the (very thin) wall separating workshops, that Yousri S. was using that same bootleg cd with asenas music and Harem. The track that he taught a choreography to was none other than by HAREM, entitled VARDA on their first Cd. I know without a doubt, because I have used this song very often in the past 2 years. I wonder if he himself knows that it is indeed Turkish?? Another dancer I spoke with mentioned to him, and he said that it was from a cd he bought in Egypt...... (like I said they sell the bootleg stuff like it is legit!!! but you gotta wonder when NO musician credits are given....ya??_) since it is on more than one 'bootleg' cd I found in cairo, the origin may not be recognizable, however since I am spending much time in Turkey (I love Turkey) and I am good friends with Harem's manager, the track is unmistakably Turkish!!!! (Harem is one of the most popular and best selling Turkish groups in Istanbul, they are great!!!) It's a great modern Oriental song, and that even the wonderful choreographer Yousri has chosen to use this track, well it only reminds me of what my friend said, that this a CD they can be proud of, I think so too. (added note: the featured clarinet player on the cd has also worked over here at the cultural center before returning to Istanbul and recording with Harem).

But never did I imagine hearing so much Turkish music in Cairo!!! I was pleasantly surprised.

Oh I forgot to mention I fell in love with Dina!!! It was the first time I saw her live in person, and alls I can really say is that all the pictures and video clips I've seen of her, and the gossip/articles I've read of her, well.... none of it really does her justice....... I adore her, and could never get bored watching her.

The most beautiful thing that was reconfirmed for me on this trip, is that the most important thing in 'Egyptian' style is 'feeling', and that the great dancers have their own way of feeling and expressing this.... where as the not yet/or not so great dancers tend to look like they are merely imitating the others or performing steps, where those who clearly have it are confident comfortable/talented and well then it just flows...

I had a great time, I'll definitely be back......

Of course I got some beautiful costumes, but even more exciting and something I had my heart set on for years was bringing back a big Egyptian tent..... I'm sooo excited to use it for festivals here, Tokyo has never seen the likes of such a tent, - Yet!! : )

Raqia did an amazing job bringing so many dancers together from around the world!!!