Belly Dancer Kaylah - Melbourne
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Dancing Like an Egyptian

10/6/2013

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Published in The Shimmy - Newsletter for the Organisation of Middle Eastern Dance in Australia - April 2013.

In December 2012 I travelled to Egypt to participate in two very different dance programs. I love the Middle East and have visited many times. This was my second visit to Egypt and I was extremely excited.

At the time there was a political situation in Egypt, and some dancers decided not to travel there. I did my research and, although I cancelled a scuba diving trip off the Sinai Peninsula, I kept my plans to attend the dance programs and felt safe during the time I was there.

Sphinx Festival 2012 – Red Sea Odyssey

The first program I participated in was the Sphinx Festival held at the beautiful coastal resort town of El Gouna, five hours drive from Cairo. Here the sun was shining every day, the water was turquoise blue and the sand was a dazzling white.

Keti Sharif organised the festival with the theme of “Water” expressing fluidity and flow in Egyptian dance. Workshop instructors included Mahmoud Reda, Farida Fahmy, Liza Laziza and Essam Said.

Sphinx Festival Egypt - Belly dancer Kaylah Melbourne
Sphinx Festival - Participants
A busy schedule filled the five-day program with morning yoga, dance workshops, cooking classes, costuming talks, a beach photo shoot, Bedouin music under the stars, a boat trip on the Red Sea, dance performances and cultural tours. I didn’t want to miss anything … so I did everything!

The majority of the dance workshops consisted of technically challenging choreography. I particularly enjoyed learning Mahmoud Reda’s “Ahsan Nas” choreography which includes various folk styles. I bought the DVD so I could revisit it once I returned home. I also really enjoyed Liza’s workshops, which covered improvisation using emotion and expression.
Mahmoud Reda Workshop Egypt - Belly dancer Kaylah Melbourne
Sphinx Festival - Mahmoud Reda Workshop
I took the opportunity to perform at the Poolside Bellydance Party for festival participants and residents of El Gouna. It was an honour to perform before Farida and Liza sitting in the front row.

After the festival I stayed for an extra rest day at El Gouna where I booked a Hamam – a luxurious Turkish bath, and a sunset camel ride to take in the final views of the Red Sea.
Belly dancer Kaylah - Melbourne
Spinx Festival - Beach Filming
Embodied Bellydance Intensive – Return to the Source

The second program was Return to the Source held in the village of Abu Sir, an hour out of Cairo near the pyramids – a five-day program organised by Maria Sangiorgi.

Here we participated in activities that included a camel ride to the pyramids, dance workshops, exploring village life, a tour to Saqqara Pyramid, a private show by a Baladi band, meditations by the pyramids and a session with the Mazaher Ensemble.
Egypt - Bellydancer Kaylah Melboure
Return to Source - Camel ride to Pyramids
All the participants stayed in a large family guest house with a dance area covered by a beautiful dome-shaped roof. The family were very friendly and welcoming, though the women were still a little shy with guests. We were treated to some delicious home cooked food.
Egypt - Belly dancer Kaylah Melbourne
Return to Source - Workshop in the Dome
The dance sessions were focused on learning to understand the body to create movement and individual artistry. We worked with a lot of world music to find expression, and with Baladi progression music for improvised dance. The techniques  we learned were useful for helping to better understand my body, connect with my dancing, and allow me to open up emotionally.
Egypt - Return to Source Belly Dance Workshop
Return to Source - Participants
My trip to Egypt was certainly challenging, particularly when I was sick for several days with a head cold and stomach upset. The weather too was much colder than I expected. But I understood that this was part of my journey and it soon passed.

What I will always remember, apart from the dancing, is being part of a gathering of amazing women from around the world.
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Movie Review "Just Like a Woman" featuring Sienna Miller Belly Dancing

9/4/2012

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We will be soon reviewing the movie "Just like a Woman" featuring Sienna Miller. The actress dons a brunet wig and undertook 3 months of dance training to learn some moves for the film. We will be sharing our reviews soon. Have you seen it yet?? Let us know what you think?? 
Sienna Miller Bellydancing
Actress Sienna Miller bellydancing
Night of the Awalim Show & Workshops - Melbourne 13th-15th April 2012

I was very excited when I heard that Yasmina of Cario was coming to Melbourne for a bellydance show and series of workshops. I had heard fantastic reviews of her workshops overseas and now after participating in her sessions I know why! She is great - as a performer she really knows how to light up a room and as an instructor she is friendly and generous in her teaching. 

The Friday night show at the Thornbury Theatre was a real firecracker – enough to spark up any dancer thinking of retiring to the couch for winter! The show
featured the beautiful Yasmina, Shamira from Adelaide, Amera from Sydney, many Melbourne dancers and the crowd favourite; Yasmina’s 10 year old son as the MC who managed to charm us all!

Yasmina’s style is Egyptian Oriental with her own individual flavor. I enjoyed her dances as well as her unique and colorful costumes. My favourite routine of the night was Yasmina’s funky Shaabi piece with a lot of cheeky attitude. To reflect the street-style of the dance, Yasmina wore fitted denim jeans and a
denim bellydance bra, both covered in sequins, hearts and crystals!!
 
I participated in 3 of the workshops over the weekend; Cairo Technique, Egyptian Film Session and Shaabi. I found Yasimina to be an excellent workshop teacher, taking time to explain the various techniques and how they fit to the music. I believe the workshops sold out, which is understandable considering the quality of the tuition.
Yasmina Belly dancer, sometimes known as 'The English Rose of Cairo'Yasmina of Cairo
I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from Yasmina of Cairo and would like to thank Barbara and all the ladies at Bellydance Kizmet for their hardwork organising it all.

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Upcoming Events February 2011

11/2/2011

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18-24 February 2011 - Australian Body Art Awards - Daylesford
Kaylah will be performing at the Australian Body Art Awards! 
A week of National Face & Body Painting competitions and public performances at the Daylesford Town Hall.
Free face painting for children on Saturday 19th February between 9am to 10am at The Rex Arcade Daylesford.

The Australian Body Art Awards & Face/Body Painting Convention will be held in Daylesford Victoria from 18th to 24nd of February 2011. It is Australia's Face & Body Painting event of the year!!! For the first time in Daylesford, the public will be able to experience the live art form unfold.  Painted models will be performing on stage at The Daylesford Town Hall on Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th of February at 8.00pm.  

There are competitions in Face Painting, Body Painting, UV Body Painting & Special FX. These National Titles are affiliated with The World Body Painting Association. Daylesford will be hosting this unique event annually, attracting the best face and body artists in Australia and the World. Competitors are from all around Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia & Korea. The Australian Body Art Awards are the most prestigious awards in the country for Face & Body Artists.

Daylesford Town Hall, 76 Vincent St., Daylesford. Contact us for more info.

Saturday 19 February 2011 - Werribee Wetlands Community Festival
Werribee Wetlands Community Festival is an annual event that aims to celebrate and promote diversity and harmony throughout Wyndham. You are invited to enjoy an evening of exciting local talent, dance and workshops that promise to entertain all members of the community. Come along to taste the amazing food and join in the fun!

Belly dance demonstrations and ‘come and try’ bellydance workshops presented by Kaylah & Sianna accompanied by their live drummers.

Time: 5pm to 10pm - Belly dance workshops every 30mins
Venue: Heathdale Glen Orden Wetlands Mel Ref: 206 C3
More Info:Here

Sunday 5 Febuary 2011 – Wholistic Festival of Life - Preston
Come and visit the Expo and meet with up to 50 Exhibitors who will be offering Tarot, Angel Cards, Crystal Ball and Palm Readings. See a huge selection of Crystals, Stones and Jewelry, as well as Natural Therapies products and Health Foods.  Free bellydance workshop at 1:30. Darebin Arts Centre, Cnr St Georges Rd & Bell St, Preston, Melbourne.
Belly dance workshops Melbourne
January 2011
We were delighted to put together an extravagant bellydance floorshow for an all women's group at an Afghani Engagement Party.  We were also busy with several birthdays, surprised a CEO at his farewell function, performed at an Israeli wedding, danced at an Egyptian Theme Party, ran workshops at several Hen's parties as well as a show at an engagement party at the Grand Star Receptions, Melbourne.
Belly dance Entertainment Melbourne
In early February we had the joy of performing with Lebanese singer Louis Kattoura and his band at a wedding.



Belly Dance Performances and Belly Dance Workshops in Melbourne & surrounding areas. Hire a belly dancer for Birthday Parties, weddings, Hens Nights & More. Contact us to enquire.


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International No Diet Day - Bellydance Workshop

6/5/2010

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International No Diet Day - 6 May. An annual celebration of body acceptance and body shape diversity. Kaylah was invited to provide a bellydancing demonstration and workshop at a university as part of their celebrations. Lots of fun and laughs were had by all. 
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Relief Teaching - Rhythms for Belly Dancers

23/4/2010

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Relief teaching over the last few weeks. Students got to learn the basic rhythms for bellydancing, with Kaylah playing the tabla (Egyptian Drum) as well as zills (finger cymbals).
Picture
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April - Collingwood Harvest Festival 2010

17/4/2010

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Dancers Kaylah & Sianna were very pleased to present their show and belly dancing workshop at the Collingwood Harvest Festival. The wonderful drummers from Bellyslap provided the music and got the crowd dancing.
Melbourne Bellydancers
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