and that I intended to stay for the long-term. But the word
“established” is a funny one, because the larger your circle
gets, the more you keep having to update your status of being
established!!! It kind of never ends! As you grow, your goals
and expectations also increase. So, as far as I’m concerned,
we never really reach the top, per say. We can only say that
hopefully, at each moment we were given an opportunity,
we did our personal best in that moment. Our best should
grow and evolve. I’ve been in Egypt going on 8 years, and it
has been a life changer on so many levels–not just regarding
to dance, but life lessons. I have certainly grown up since
being here! I’ve seen some tough times! There was a period
of time when I basically ate nothing but eggs! In Sharm El
Sheikh (with my troupe) we survived some really difficult
times, especially after the first revolution in 2011. I even
moved into the staff housing, and took a flat that still didn’t
have a stove or a refrigerator! We went to cook next door in
the girl’s flat!! Talk about community living! Sometimes the
water or electricity would get cut. (I distinctly remember one
occasion where we just lit the shamadans with the candles
in them when the lights went out!) What doesn’t kill you,
makes you stronger. And in Egypt, even though I did have
help from friends and colleagues, I learned self-reliance in a
way that 8 years in NYC could never have taught me.
What has kept you there?
“I just want to Dance!”
After the Luxor contract ended, I went to Sharm el
Sheik and started working solo. My first audition was at
the Maritime Jolieville 5 Star Hotel in Naama Bay. I was
offered shows there 3 nights a week. After people knew that
I was working there, it became easier to find more work
opportunities. Managers could come and see my show, and
this worked out very well. As time went on, I discovered that
a lot of the hotels and other performance venues wanted
to work with an agent who could provide all the various
types of shows and entertainment. It was easier for them to
call one person who could send everything: Belly dancers,
tanura dancers, Egyptian Folklore show, musicians, singers,
magic, fire guys, etc – So, the next step was to start an
Egyptian Folklore dance troupe. We did that with the help
of the late Mr. Mohamed El Hariri (Artistic Director of
the Beni-Suef Ministry of Culture Folklore Group), as we
were able to use some of the dancers from his company. Mr.
Hariri helped set several numbers: Dubki, Saiidi, Falahy, and
Eskanderani. I bought costumes, made a variety of other
folklore choreographies (shamadan, ghawazee, girl’s cane, to
name a few) then set up auditions at different hotels for the
entire group. I remember riding in the van, on the way to
July 2016
The Belly Dance Chronicles
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