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Blog entry - 20th January 2008 Yallah - Andover Haflah I was invited to perform at the 'Yallah' Haflah in Andover,I decided to dance to "Ala Rimsh Eyouna". I had a warm welcome when I arrived and I was pleased to see some of my Basingstoke students were there too. I was on in the second half so I could sit back and enjoy the first section. I had a marvellous time while performing and I could see the audience watching my every move. After my performance I received a lot of favourable comments and was expecially pleased when one member of the audience told me she had really enjoyed my performance and how I had interpreted the music, because it reminded her of the old stars and had taken her back to her childhood. I really enjoyed the evening watching Yallah who made us all very welcome, and loved watching everyone dance, my favourites were; Covert Bling, Raheesha, Rebekah and Desert Diva's. Blog entry - 2nd January 2008 Mirror Ball - Rivermead I had a brilliant time dancing at the Mirror Ball event, we were hired(myself, Helen and Nadine) for 6 nights as part of the entertainment along with acrobats, singers and a live band.First of all we had to plan our sets - the hardest task was choosing good music which would appeal to non bellydance audiences. We decided to open with isis wings on the stage as they would provide a dramatic and impressive start, then we would dance round the tables. For the second set opener we would start with veils then get rid of them, and the other songs would be around the tables again.We spent every spare evening/weekend we could to choreograph and rehearse, and training with the isis wings (which demands alot of upper body strength).On the first night we arrived nice and early and we were shown to our changing rooms - the glamorous 'male' changing rooms, thankfully they gave us a key and we had sole use. Once we had dropped our bags we decided to have a look in the main hall All our performances were well received, at first the audience didn't know what to expect Blog entry - 8th October 2007 Dance Queens of the Nile Show - London Everyone back stage was excited and really looking forward to performing / helping with the show.The atmosphere was electric and so positive - enough to tempt me to quit my day job and try and become a full time dancer! We had a few run throughs of the finale and a few transitions between our numbers, then it was time to get ready (where does the time go?). It was quite strange putting a black wig on but once we all had our make up and costumes on we really looked and felt the part. I was steadily getting nervous about performing, I didn't want to let Hossam or Serena down so I kept running through the choreo's in my head, I needn't have worried because once I was on the stage all my worries went and I really loved performing. Both Hossam and Serena were pleased with our performances and the audiences loved it too, the audience were great and I could see that they were watching every move. All in all it was a brilliant evening and the girls and I had a great time, we had so much fun rehearsing over the past weeks it is a shame the show is over. Fingers crossed we will be able to work with each other again.   Blog entry - 5th October 2007 Dance Queens of the Nile Show - London Well tonight is the night of the show, and I am feeling rather nervous and apprehensive about a few of the numbers I am in (namely the opening and finale) but I have spent the last two weeks at long rehearsals with the girls so everything should be fine, but it doesnt stop the old butterflies from making an appearance. I am looking forward to working/dancing with fantastic people, I know the atmosphere back stage and on stage will be amazing and electric, hoping it will calm my nerves:-) Blog entry - 1st October 2007 Planet Egypt was FANTASTIC. The girls and I arrived nice and early (Rachel, Helen, Nadine and my very good friend Kathryn G), so early we were the first ones there. We had time to get something to eat and drink before people arrived. When Anne White arrived I popped over to her, and she showed me her new business cards (which we worked on together), I was gobsmacked by how damn good they looked, I now carry a few around with me just because they are so lovely. It was soon time to get ready so we all headed off for the changing room, all the soloists in the first half were in the same room and the atmosphere in there was relaxed and friendly. We were all very supportive of each other and doing our best to keep our nerves down. Hossam and Serena popped in to see us and gave us a pep talk before the show started. I didn't see many solo's as I was third on, but the audience loved each performer. I was slightly nervous but thoroughly enjoyed performing, I held everyone's attention and they were watching every single move I did, it was fantastic. In the second half we were treated to Hossam and Serena performing, Hossam played a few tabla solo's which were incredible and three men got up to dance, one of who is Syrian and had amazing shoulder shimmies. Serena performed several times for us too and she was amazing, she makes it look so easy and effortless, her interpretation of the music was beautiful. Thursday was one of the best nights out I have had in a long time. The atmosphere was electric and the audience were amazing they loved all the solo's from the girls on the Ramzy course (Rachel, Katie, Helen, Nadine and myself). Everyone was cheering and clapping along, couldn't have asked for a better audience. Thank you Anne for creating a wonderful evening! www.planetegypt.co.uk Blog entry - 15th August 2007 On sunday I had a training session with Hossam and Serena Ramzy (part of their course). As usual I spent the first 2 hours with Hossam, learning about Rhythms and playing them on the tabla. Since Hossam has taught me the Rhythm basics and how they are related to each other, I find it easier to recognise them in music. The next 2 hours were spent with Serena, I am currently developing musical intrepretation, listening and response skills. At the start of the session Serena asked if I would like to perform at their special evening on 27th September held at Darbucka, on a Planet Egypt night. Obviously I was delighted and overwhelmed, but very excited. Hossam and Serena suggested I perform to Bahlam Beek. So between now and end of September I will be rather busy with Bahlam Beek! For more details please visit www.planetegypt.co.uk Blog entry - 31st July 2007 What a wonderful weekend, one of the best dance festivals I have been too, Kay Taylor certianly surpassed herself with this weekend. Once again the amosphere was extremely friendly, very welcoming and well organised, everything ran smoothly. The dance venue and hotel were amazing, couldn't fault a thing. The workshops were well thought out and planned, during each workshop I felt I had been given individual attention and mini challenges. The teachers gave careful consideration to all students which is very refreshing to see. Throughout the whole weekend I was completely submersed with live Egyptian music - workshops, Friday night haflah and Saturday's show, it was brilliant! My performance with the band on Saturday night was amazing, I loved every minute of it. It was a whole new experience dancing with a singer, I was slightly nervous but thanks to Kay's workshop earlier that day (Dancing with a Singer) I was really looking forward to it and actaully feflt quite calm before I went on stage. The whole performance and interaction with Safaa and the band felt very natural, it was incredible. It felt like my best performance to date. Blog entry - 25th July 2007
Farha Tour
27-29th July © Egyptian Bellydance - Kathryn 2007/8 |
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