Instrument of the Week
This week's instrument is the accordion. Commonly found in beledi music, it is also used in oriental and other music for bellydancers. It was adapted from Western accordions by Egyptians to play the quarter tones used in Arabic music. It is also used in Rom music. It is nice to use squishy torso moves to go with the squishing instrument. I have also seem American dancers interpret it as a shimmy, but it never feels right to me, personally.
This week's instrument is the accordion. Commonly found in beledi music, it is also used in oriental and other music for bellydancers. It was adapted from Western accordions by Egyptians to play the quarter tones used in Arabic music. It is also used in Rom music. It is nice to use squishy torso moves to go with the squishing instrument. I have also seem American dancers interpret it as a shimmy, but it never feels right to me, personally.
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Prop of the Week
This week, the Meleya. This is a modesty garment common in Egypt many years ago, and was used as a character prop for a long time. The dance we generally associate with it comes from the Reda Troupe's performance with it. (We'll get more into the Reda Troupe during the folklore unit.) It is associated specifically with Alexandria because the troupe performed it as part of an Alexandrian tableau, but it's not specific to just Alexandria.
This week, the Meleya. This is a modesty garment common in Egypt many years ago, and was used as a character prop for a long time. The dance we generally associate with it comes from the Reda Troupe's performance with it. (We'll get more into the Reda Troupe during the folklore unit.) It is associated specifically with Alexandria because the troupe performed it as part of an Alexandrian tableau, but it's not specific to just Alexandria.
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Song of the Week
This week it's Bitwanees Beek! Also spelled Betwanis bik, etc. It's a very dynamic song, popular with bellydancers, by the late and great Warda, who was prolific during the 80s and 90s. Here's a playlist of versions including Warda singing it herself, and a car commercial that featured it! And a link to the translation.
This week it's Bitwanees Beek! Also spelled Betwanis bik, etc. It's a very dynamic song, popular with bellydancers, by the late and great Warda, who was prolific during the 80s and 90s. Here's a playlist of versions including Warda singing it herself, and a car commercial that featured it! And a link to the translation.
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