In the entrance to the Britania, in New York, was a 6 foot picture “not this one” of this Prima Ballerina Marlena from Brazil that I would later meet and work with in Chicago and later continue our friendship here in Houston. She died here in Houston in a car accident in the late 70’s. I will always remember her finale. She would go into a fast spin, lift one foot up to her knee and finish the last 5 to 6 spins, spinning on one foot, then gently curtsy. Damn!
Zeyna meets Sabah: A New York Belly Dancer with Amazing Rhythm!!!
1965-Now working at the Britania making $30 a night
Sitting on stage all night was not easy. We only got off to change and dance. 6 nights a week with dancers 3 feet in front of you was a hell of a school.
The real first “power house” I worked with was Sabah. Most dancers that knew how, played drum with the band and for the other dancers just to have something to do. But Sabah was mind blowing. This girl had beat not only on that drum but in her dancing. Until today no one can compare to this woman’s sense of rhythm. Even after she quit dancing she continued drumming with the best groups of musicians in New York. She taught me and guided me but I never touched her talent.
Some years back Neenah and I went to New York and Sabah joined us. I asked her please to get up and play. 6/8, 9/8 and even 7/8 rhythm, which is an Armenian rhythm called “Laz” Mind you, she was already 70 years old. She sat in with the band like it was yesterday. I would recognize her hands any where. Artistic and magical, she choked up my heart.
Zeyna’s Experience with her First Belly Dancing Show: Ozel Turkbas: 1964 New York City Supper Club
1964 New York City Supper Club
Ozel Turkbas was the first Belly Dancer I ever saw and she blew me away. She was beautiful, feminine, her nails were manicured and polished, and she was a Belly Dancer from Turkey! WOW! Her costumes were dazzling and absolutely gorgeous. I had never seen this before, but she took men on the stage and taught them to shake a little and the crowd went hysterical with laughter.
Hell, I was from Minnesota, what did I know? My start: I had been a customer at the Istanbul in New York on 8th Ave., getting up learning the Greek dances when the singer approached me and said that I should try and belly dance and she would make me a costume.
So now, back to 8th Ave. Greek Town U.S.A. The Istanbul Club: Dancing about two months, thinking I was hot shit. I wanted costumes like Ozel Turkbas, but I was clueless and none of the belly dancers brought men up on the stage. I would not have dared anyway. I thought to myself, it is time to check out all these other clubs and see what the other belly dancers were doing. After checking out all the other clubs and other belly dancers, I realized when the light bulb flashed that I knew crap about the art.
In the 60’s, there was not anything such as a belly dance school, so every night I had off, I lived in the other clubs, studying the moves of the other belly dancers and listening, really listening to the music and how and what they did and where. The more I learned the more I knew I didn’t know. However, thank God I had a natural ear and love for music. I understood the beats of music and I could hear and feel it. Big Thing for my start in the Belly Dancing World!
Love You, I will tell you more in my next BLOG. Zeyna!!
Aliki is back teaching Belly Dancing on Wednesdays Nites starting March 7, 2012
Aliki comes to the ABDA with wealth of dance knowledge and we are so excited to have her back teaching. Beginners @ 6:45pm-8pm and Intermediate @8-9pm.