Can't make it to the Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival?

Here's a little something for those of us who can't be at the Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival, which opens this week in Cairo, Egypt. It's my favorite YouTube clip from last year's event. The dancer is Aziza.

A new festival's in the works...

And it'll be in Orange County!! Thanks to troupe Incognito.

Mark your calendar for Sunday, Oct. 12, and plan to be at Mile Square Park Recreation Center in Fountain Valley from noon to 4 p.m. The festivities will include workshops with Sooz, Robin Johnson and others; Middle Eastern food from Chicken Dijon; and all-day performances. How great is that?

Nikki Malero, a member of Incognito and one of the event's organizers, also kindly agreed to share a little more about what they have in store.

Will the event focus on a certain form of belly dance (tribal, cabaret, gothic) or be open to them all?

Open to all.

What is the inspiration for the event? Did you see a need for more local events, or was it something else?

Yes, we want to see more events in the O.C. and South O.C. area.

How will it be similar to or different from other regional belly dance events, such as Raqs L.A. and Cairo Carnival?

Well, it will be smaller, of course. Plus, it is a privately sponsored event. This was the idea of Sherri Higley, Incognito's director and our instructor. So we're hoping that will put it's own little twist to it.

Could you elaborate on the kinds of volunteer opportunities you have?

We need people to help us set up, take down, decorate, check in people to the show and workshops, checking in performers, runners, and whatever else we can think of.

Where should people go for updates?

We will continue to post updates on www.sherrihigley.com, Tribe.Net/Nasira, www.myspace.com/troupeincognito, and the O.C. Bellydance Meetup group, as well as your site. And anywhere else I can think of.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

SPREAD THE WORD, POST EVERYWHERE! We want to advertise this as much as possible. We will also be advertising in The O.C. Register, so we are hoping to have a good public turnout, as well the BD community.

Thanks, Nikki! I can't wait...

(The photo of Incognito above was taken by Richard Lowe Jr. at MECDA's Belly Dance Carnival.)

Didn't go to MECDA's Carnival?

If you'd like to see what you missed, these are terrific photos of what happened on the inside stage. This photographer is awesome!

http://weathervaneimages.com/cairocaravan



UPDATE: Richard Lowe now has his pics from the event posted, too. He was stationed at the outside stage and there are lots of great shots, as usual! You can find them here.

MECDA Carnival...the day after

Despite the heat, despite the higher admission price, despite the drive, it was a great festival. I especially loved the new layout for the stages. The Gypsy Camp stage was larger and nicer than it's been in the past, and the inside stage was oriented so the pillars didn't block as many views. So a big thank you to whoever figured out those logistics :-)

It was great to see so many vendors, too. There seemed to be fewer than past years, but there were definitely more than attended Raqs L.A. One vendor we talked with who attended both events said that between the two, he did better business this weekend, but that neither came close to the business he did last year at Cairo Carnival. So it's hard to say whether the drop was caused by competition or high gas prices. It'll be interesting to see whether the rumors about Raqs L.A. moving to Memorial weekend next year come true. Miles has said they'll be announcing the dates soon...

As usual, I didn't see nearly as many performances as I'd hoped. But who can complain when there are so many dance friends to catch up with and shopping to do? I saw at least most of the performers I was hoping to see, and every one of them put on a terrific show. Here are some of the highlights in the order they appeared:

Ya Harissa Bellydance Theater
(I'd never seen this troupe before. Don't they look great?)

Om Sisters

(I've seen the Om Sisters a few times, and I enjoy them every time. They did a cool change of costume between songs. They have very sassy Melodia pants under those silky skirts. That should give you some idea...)

Kassar
(A featured duo this year, and these photos really don't them justice. I'd heard lots of good things about them, and they completely lived up to the hype. They blew away my theory that slow taxims are much more fun to do than to watch.)

Mara

(A terrific dancer, and one of my favorite people.)

Princess Farhana with Donovan drumming
(This was the first time I've seen her perform. She's definitely as good as every says!)

Angelika Nemeth Dance Ensemble, followed by a solo by Angelika
(Easily the best show I saw all day. Totally professional, perfectly executed, and a pleasure to watch. I felt bad for the performer scheduled to appear after them. I think I would've been a no show, too)

Cairo...er, MECDA's Belly Dance Carnival this weekend

So I haven't gotten used to the name change yet, but that hasn't stopped me from getting pretty darned excited about this year's event. Sure, MECDA has gone through some major changes this year, but from what I've gathered by talking to people and reading the online discussions (mostly on Tribe.Net), it sounds like the event formerly known as Cairo Carnival is going to run much the same as it has since it moved to the Santa Anita Racetrack from the Glendale Civic Auditorium a few years ago. (Honestly, Rio Hondo College was still my favorite venue. A much kinder drive for those of us coming from Orange County, don't you agree? And what happened to the rumors about moving to the Phoenix Club in Anaheim? But I digress...)

I'll be attending Sunday, which means I'm sad to be missing the Saturday performance of my great friend Katerina and her Kabuki Dolls. Her pieces are always well-staged and entertaining, so if you'll be there Saturday, don't miss her. The schedule has them on the Gypsy Stage somewhere at the later end of the 12:30 to 1:43 p.m. segment.

The acts I'm going to make a point of checking out on Sunday are the Om Sisters, Tsingani, Princess Farhana and Cleopatra's Court on the Gypsy Stage, and Marina, Kassar, Fahtiem, Mesmera, J.J. and the Habibis, Feiruz and the Angelika Nemeth Dance Ensemble on the inside stage. But the thing about me and festivals is, I go with the best intention of watching a bunch of dancing, and somehow I end up spending most of my time trolling the shopping bazaar. So we'll see how well I resist the lure of shiny, jingly things this time...

Ban-dal's ch-ch-changes

Over the past few years, Ban-dal has distinguished itself as one of the region’s most popular tribal fusion troupes. These dancers blend traditional American Tribal Style movements with fun, upbeat choreographies to create performances that never fail to entertain. (Think I’m kidding? Check out the troupe’s “Thriller” and “Dancing Queen” videos on You Tube, here and here, respectively.)

Like any troupe, they’ve had a few member changes here and there, but they’ve weathered them all with grace. Now they have a new challenge: Abby Duval, who has held the role as the troupe’s director, is relocating. Here’s her announcement:

“…I wanted to let everyone know that August 1st, I am going to be moving to Arizona for a while” … [personal reasons removed as a courtesy]. … “I plan to be out here ALL THE TIME though, for my family and friends and the dance troupe, Ban-dal is still here, and they are still my life. Ban-dal will still be performing, but just maybe not as much. … I appreciate everyone's support, and hope to see some of you very soon!”

I’m sure I’m not alone in saying we’re going to miss having Abby all to ourselves in Orange County. She’s not only a great dancer, but a great motivator and has been one of the only tribal teachers in the county (thank goodness we still have Sooz and Sashi).

Abby told me today she’s in the process of updating the troupe’s Web site (www.ban-dal.com) with new performance information. Check it, and make a point of seeing these terrific dancers if you can. Abby adds that the Web site will also be the place to keep up with the troupe’s schedule after she moves, so be sure to bookmark it and check it often. And don’t forget to wish her well.

(You might not be able to read the credit on the main photo. It was taken by Richard Lowe Jr. at Gothla U.S. in February, and used with gratitude and appreciation.)

O.C. Belly Dancer Spotlight: Jheri St. James

Talk to anyone in the region about the Orange County belly dance scene, and you can bet Jheri St. James’s name will be mentioned. She’s a prolific performer who began teaching Middle Eastern dance through the Laguna Beach Parks & Recreation Department in 1986 and formed one of the county’s best-known troupes, J.J. & the Habibis Laguna Beach Belly Dancers, in 1990. In 2004, her mastery of the dance form earned her the title of Belly Dancer of the Universe in the divine category.

Beyond her dancing skill, Jheri also has been an enthusiastic supporter of many local festivals and events, and this year marks her 26th as the belly dance director for the Sawdust Art Festival in Laguna Beach. (Check the O.C. Events—column to the right—for the venue’s upcoming schedule.)

For this inaugural O.C. Belly Dancer Spotlight, which I hope to make a regular series, I couldn’t be more pleased to feature Jheri St. James.

What is your style of belly dancing?

I would call my style American belly dancing, as I am an American woman and have no pretenses about being Turkish or Egyptian. I do perform in both of those styles, however, and in my classes always reference what style we are working in. And I hope never to become an “ethnic policewoman,” assessing how perfectly anyone else is dancing in another country’s style. Also dance in tribal styles, American and Middle Eastern.

How long have you been belly dancing, and how’d you get started?

I have been dancing for a couple of decades now and got started as a result of an argument with my boyfriend. I was just so fed up with him and all my prior boyfriends, that I thought, “I’m going to do something wild now and forget all this crap,” signed up for two classes, and the rest is “herstory.”

Who are your favorite or most influential teachers?

Angelika Nemeth at Orange Coast College was my first and main instructor and how blessed I am—feet, hands, correct posture—to have had her as my belly dance “mother.” Other important influences have come from Mahmoud Reda, Faten Salama, Karim Nagi, Sahra Kent, Shareen El Safy, Dahlena, Hassan Deeb, Alexandria from Santa Barbara, Aziza from Washington, etc.

What is your favorite place to dance?

Right now my favorite place to dance is the Southern Rennaissance Faire, as I was invited by Baba Ku, the band in the Turkish section, to dance there this year, and did so twice. Total ecstasy! The trees, the sky, the live music ... yum!

What music do you most like to dance to?

Gosh, there are so many genres here available for an American dancer. I really enjoy that great, rich acoustic Egyptian music with taxim; I also love dense and dissonant Turkish sounds. But I have been known to melt to Dead Can Dance and some of the newer Gothic music. Shuvani’s gypsy music, and Jamila’s Raks Sharki also come to mind.

What was your most memorable performance?

Sorry, there are more than just one: This summer, dancing with Baba Ku at Ren Faire. Winning two trophies at Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition. Dancing with the Habibis for “America’s Got Talent” audition (120 out of 6,000). The year I danced for Senator Howard Metzenbaum’s retirement party. And looking forward to the one on my 100th birthday for all my family and friends who are still alive.

What is your dance regimen?

Yoga practice as a foundation. As I am teaching six classes a week right now, that pretty much covers my dance regimen. I get to practice with zills, veils, work on my figure 8s and shimmies (17 so far), practice my choreographies (30-plus) while teaching them, and whatever else the topic for the week is. As well as work in improvisational format with my Level 4 dancers. We are co-creating a new dance now. Personally, I love balancing dances, and bringing yoga postures into dance. I have a new prop right now that I’m looking for the right music and refining how to balance that thing on my head.

To you, what separates an accomplished dancer from an amateur?

Angelika always used to say you’re not a professional until you dance with live music. The results of that kind of improvisational experience definitely show in moment-to-moment confidence and poise onstage. The twirling hands thing is always a dead giveaway to a beginner, and moving too fast, doing too much. Americans need to slow down and layer their movements, not be busy little housewives doing every chore on the list in one minute. Eye contact and smiling are always good, too. Fake it till you make it!

As there is always room for improvement in dance (just as there is in all art forms), what are you still working to improve?

First, I am always working to bring a yoga/spiritual center to all my life, personal and dance. I’m also working hard on the 17 shimmies and more combinations, refining my choreographic abilities, and studying to be a better teacher. As well, I am always refining my communication skills with other dancers, and networking in the field to promote dance and find/make more dance ops for all. I am particularly interested in findings ways for dancers and women to be supportive of each other, rather than competitive. Women could save the world if they ever really stopped outdoing each other in separative ways like appearance, weight, age, fashion, men, dance and you get the idea.

How long have you been in Orange County?

Since 1971. I came to Laguna Beach after living in San Francisco. I was originally an Ohio farm girl. They’re shaking their heads down on the farm...ha.

Jheri's next class sessions in Laguna Beach, at 515 Forest Ave., will begin on July 8 for Level 1 (at 6:30 p.m.) and Level 2 (at 8 p.m.). Level 3 (7:30 p.m.) and Level 4 (9 p.m.) will begin July 10. The cost is $100 for eight weeks.

If you’d like to learn more about Jheri St. James, visit her Web site at http://www.pinkgypsy.com/habibis/jj.htm.