Even though I had worked my first Arabic Club with “Iklas” in Chicago, I was not use to an all Arabic band. Detroit would change that. It was certainly different from the Greeks, Armenians and Turkish that I was accustomed to. I always had a great sense of timing, a natural “beat” It was easy to feel and pick up. This kind of music allowed me to grow and again watching how the dancers there interpreted it. It was still cabaret, but not. The dancers used the same kind of costuming as in New York but the ambiance was completely different and of course the culture. I was a quick study. Although I didn’t think I could be impressed any more, I was wrong. The two best dancers in my opinion at that time, in Detroit, and still are the amazing “SHEBA” and “NOORA.” Since that time when schools started popping up they were giving names to certain movements. “The Choo Choo?” Like a train. Anyway, if you are in the business you know the movement. Let me tell you, Sheba had that down pat and was doing it back in the 60’s and the only dancer I had ever see do it ever, not even in New York. And she did as easy as we walk. She also had unbelievable stomach muscle control making half her stomach roll up separately and then down the other side simultaneously. Bitch, I love her! She was glamorous, refined, beautiful and a classic with a heart of gold. Noora, ahh, Noora did the best Belady on the face of the earth. Some movements cannot be duplicated. Some styles stand by them self. Noora on Belady was the instrument, the music. Belady and Noora are one composition. She out-shined the music. To watch her dance Belady was hearing the song for the first time. My two beloved life time friends. Unfortunately I have no pictures of Sheba, only a old video and a oil painting that Noora did of her that I will share.
Blog #14: Zeyna goes to Chicago
Love ruins a lot of things. When your hormones kick in your brain quits. Alas, I fell in love and left for Minnesota. Needless to say, they are a lot of stories between what I write here, so I went home to Mama and reflected a lot on what I had learned. New York was music, dance, costuming & cultures. Puerto Rico was real entertainment, costumes, makeup, public relations.
Still, looking back I have to reference a few personal opinions. I worked with many, many musicians and some absolutely excellent but for me during those years the best Oud player that I personally worked with that was helpful and kind and always kept my back was Dicky Barsamian. He is still working in New York and is on you tube and has some CD’s. His Cd (The Dick Barsamian Trio). Live at the Tripple Inn has the best “Karsilama” I ever heard. The taxim is incredible.
Another favorite musician is Sudan (or Souren) Baronian. An Armenian born in New Jersey that plays sax and clarinet or anything else he can put his lips to, A jazz lover that plays Mid Eastern rhythms to jazz. He is also on you tube. My favorite CD is (Taxim-It’s about time) Try dancing on it!
I called a talent agency and went on the road mostly around Wisconsin and Illinois working week-ends here and there that had night club acts. The pay was very good especially for those years, 2 nights, $200. I ended up finally in Chicago. I worked every club there at the time and had the honor of working with “Dahlena” and “Iklas ” (Iklas was a phenomenal
entertainer and the first dancer I saw using a cape. Iklas used (rock glasses, not shot glasses) during her act and —–When I started teaching Neenah, I told her I would teach her from my memories. Some things I couldn’t personally do, but I could explain and get her to do them. This is how we came up with the shot glass idea!). “Dahlena” and “Iklas” were the only 2 dancers that had impressed me since I left New York and both of them were beautiful ladies on and off stage.
Bringing Belly Dancing to Women This Summer
“Bringing Belly Dancing to the Women” is a unique concept with the simple goal of making belly dancing available to all women for summer fun. Exactly what does “Bring Belly Dancing to the Women” mean? We’ve heard from women everywhere that they simply can’t find the time to do belly dancing on a regular basis. We want to make it possible for every woman to “sample” belly dancing before committing to a routine regime. Belly dancing is an amazing form of exercise that strengthens the belly, torso and back muscles; sculptures the body to the beautiful hour glass figure that is hidden in every women; enhances flexibility and balance, lets your body move to rhythms that are so foreign to the feminine body, but exciting to the mind.
The beauty of belly dancing is that it is challenging, yet not too extreme and therefore accessible to every women. The ages of our students range from 8 to 80. Belly Dancing has many benefits because it is great for the mind, body, and soul. This experience can be had for a very affordable temporary price. In a world of stress, especially in the HOT, HOT, HOT summer, belly dancing helps women escape and achieve a sense of inner feminine strength.
The Summer Session Begins June 2 and ends August 15!
$10 Summer Drop in Fee for an Hour of Belly Dancing Fun
Schedule
Tuesday-7:30pm-8:30pm
Wednesday-6:45pm-8pm
Saturday-11:30am-12:30pm
Location: Dana’s Dance Academy: 414 S. OConnor Road, Irving, Texas 75060
Join us every this Summer (June 2-August 15) for peace of mind.
The Harem Jewels welcome you with open Arms.
We want you to feel as good as we do.
Re-Create yourself with Belly Dancing!
Happy Shimmies and Summer Fun, Love Neenah
Email us if you have any questions www.belly-dancing.net or call 214-497-7984
Blog #6: Zeyna speaks about Marlena, Premier New York Belly Dancer in the 1960’s
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.