Flamenco: Alegrias

And now for something totally different...

I thought I'd share the choreography we learned tonight. I love this dance. So much grace and poise. They make it look so easy especially with the bata de cola (dress with long ruffled train. It's very hard to maneuver because it's so heavy!

Sahra Saidi

Aziza, an American bellydancer. Now she's got the body of a bellydancer! Curves galore! She has a captivating smile and beautiful! The little head shake is so cute. :)

Souad Husny

Souad Husny, the greatest actress in Egyptian cinema. She plays a bellydancer in this film. She was actually never a bellydancer. It took her four days to learn all the dance routines she performs in the film. Proof that the dance is in their blood!

Tahia Carioca plays the wicked mother in law.

Samia Gamal

Samia Gamal, Egyptian Bellydancer from the Golden Era. They had the best costumes back then! I want!

Tamar Henna

Another Naima Akif classic! Love the intro with the zils! The reaction shots are the best. Keep an eye out for the guy checking her out! LOL!

Original Azziza

Another Egyptian classic. They were so tasteful back in the day compared to Las Vegas pornorific cheez of today.

Naima Akif is dancing to Azziza which is my favorite song. This piece brings back memories when I used to play in Egyptian Orchestra and at Middle Eastern restaurants in San Francisco. It's the first musical repetoire I learned. Love the call and response of the chorus. So cute!

Farid Alatrash and Naima Akif

Farid Al Atrash is a classical Egyptian singer and crooner comparable to Frank Sinatra or Bing Crosby. Naima Akif is bellydance royalty. Everytime I watch these classics I can't stop smiling. Egyptians really know how to strut their stuff!

Turkish Belly Dancer Didem

Didem is gorgeous! I'm not a big fan of Turkish style but she's got some original and creative moves I've never seen in a bellydancer. And believe me, I've seen a lot!

Asmahan

Asmahan is an Argentian who is currently a star in Egypt. She can really put on a show. I love how she interacts with the musicians. Here, she is having problems with her musicians poking fun at her and the sagat player is enticing her to dance. I think the highlight is actually the sagat player. Amazing technique I have ever seen! He's a badass!

Suhair Zaki

They don't make'em like her anymore.

Nanna Candelaria

She's my favorite bellydancer thus far. Her moves are natural, fluid, and light. Her subtle isolations make a big impact which compliments the music perfectly!

Snake Charmer - Rachel Brice

Featuring Rachel Brice, the reigning queen of American Tribal Bellydance