Letter . . . from the Editor :
Fall is finally trying to make an appearance – and in Texas we are ready ! We ’ ll take anything 80 degrees or below – just sayin ’. And we ’ re giving you a full and interesting issue for this oh-so-welcome Fall season !
Featured on our cover and in an article by Tammye Nash , is KATA MAYA , an outstanding , continuously performing dancer , who we ’ re delighted to present from her beginnings at our own Isis Studios and Academy of Performing Arts . So proud of this exceptional and beautiful dancer !
And we are excited to announce from the United Kingdom , HOSSAM RAMZY ’ s upcoming new column Ask Hossam ! … he ’ s looking forward to your submitted questions ; it ’ s a phenomenal opportunity , so bring ‘ em on ! We have included a review of Hossam Ramzy ’ s CD El Berencesa – Baladi , the Heart and Soul of Egyptian Dance by Oriana . Also , don ’ t miss Hossam Ramzy ’ s fascinating article on the fabulous Nagwa Fouad of Egypt .
At our annual Yaa Halla , Y ’ all event , The Isis Foundation presented a well-earned Lifetime Achievement Award to the talented and charming Zahra Zuhair , inducting her into the Dance & Music Hall of Fame . And in our Spotlight , one of our favorites troupes - The Desert Darlings of New Mexico , interviewed by Tammye Nash with photos by Bidewell Photography . Plus special recognition for the acclaimed Best Foreign Feature Documentary award presented by the Lebanese Independent Film Festival to The Fez Documentary by Roxxanne Shelaby !
And if you are into Competitions or just thinking about it , be sure to read Jasmin Jahal ’ s The School of Hard Raks - What ’ s your Score ? Preparing for a Belly Dance Competition . And you know we love showcasing photos of Dance and Music Events and Competitions . This issue includes pictorials of the winners of Yaa Halla , Y ’ all 2018 in Texas Belly Dance Star Competitions … Andalee ’ s Hot Raqs 2018 in California … and Carnival of Stars 2018 in California . Plus an event review : The Mendocino Experience in Northern California by Zann Darbuka , Ahava , Ron Perovich , Benjamin Alderson and Alan Williams , complete with a pictorial from Carl F . Sermon , and the marvelous Bed , Breakfast , and Bellydance : My Diva Intensive , hosted by Ma * Shuqa Mira Murjan and Carl F . Sermon , written by Donna Carlton .
A unique production - the fascinating Majinga ’ s Magic from Around the World – The Story of the Magique Bazaar , written by Michael Stroud and the Cast is fascinating .
And some “ don ’ t miss ” articles : “ Call it What it is ” Debate by Nizana , What Would You Have Done ? by Amaya , We Should Belly Dance by Holly H Fischer , How to Master Technique and Create a Unique Performance by Ma * Shuqa Mira Murjan , PLUS CD Reviews : Cairo Nights Volume 7 by Dr . Samy Farag and Unity of the Heart by the Yuval Ron Ensemble , both reviewed by Ma * Shuqa Mira Murjan .
We are so grateful for the marvelous photographers whose dynamic photos bring the emotion and the action to life !! And this issue features more photographers than ever – thank you for your talents !
Hugs always going out to you and yours – we do love and appreciate you – our readers , writers , photographers and advertisers . We wish you a happy Halloween , Thanksgiving and Christmas and Holiday Season - have a glorious fall and early winter of dance , music , creation , family time , and connections with those you love !
With much love and hugs , and Del
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6 The Belly Dance Chronicles � October 2018