Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Romani Dance for the Stage- One Choreographer's Journey
Bringing Romani dance to the stage is somewhat challenging, as it is primarily a non-choreographed and very spontaneous dance - fairly at odds with a stage production! However Dans Askina dancer Sonja Um-Siri had discovered a song, and wanted to bring it to life in a troupe choreography.
Little did Sonja realize that after listening to 'Anako/Işler Nanay' by Kardeş Türküler she would also be off on a linguistic journey!
"I'd listened to the song for months, and as choreographic visions took shape in my mind, I saw a group of Romani women doing something together. A matriarch was kvetching, and the other women dialogued
with her. Heavily influenced by a Carlos Saura's classic flamenco movie, "Amor Brujo", I saw these women doing laundry together on the outskirts of their neighborhood. I pictured vividly colorful laundry baskets stacked upon each other to create a platform for the kvetching matriarch."
This was all well and good, but did this scene make sense with the lyrics? Having no clue what they meant, Sonja turned to a Turkish friend for help with the translation - as fate would have it, the lyrics are a mix of Turkish and Romani and her linguistic journey began!
Sonja learned that the Turkish language belongs to the Altay branch of the Urak-Altaic linguistic family, same as Finnish and Hungarian languages. Romani languages have their roots in India, are classified in the IndoEuropean linguistic family, and are also influenced from all the languages the Romani have encountered along the Romani Trail.
As the roots of both languages are quite different, Romani lyrics and movie dialogues are often not easily understood by non-Romani Turks! This became very real as Sonja's friend worked to translate the lyrics of "Anako/Isler Nanay"- (Mama, things are not good/all screwed up)
Aman bir hecalim var! - (I have something to say - usually the start of a rant/heated discussion/argument)
Her kime? - (for who/to whom)
Istanbul'un pahasini, isini pisini, selini çekenlere! - (for those who bear the grind, dirt & flood of Istanbul)
Çal bana çakir gayday - (play me the instrument)
oyna oyna, çal gayday - (dance, dance play the instrument)
Habe yoksa, ye yorganlari - (if there is no food, eat the quilts/comforters)
Bugün de perhiz edelim - (today we'll fast)
Gel bize, keriz edelim - (come over and let's have fun)
Levan da nanay, koy movasta - (we don't have any money, there's nothing left)
Yetmedi, kalmedi, yetmedi - (it wasn't enough, nothing left, wasn't enough)
Yağmur ötelere yapar - (it rains elsewhere)
Bizim mahaleyi sel basar - (but it floods our neighborhood)
Hidrellezgeldi, geçer - (the holiday has come and passed)
Soske be burda çoro kaldik - (why are we left here in despair?)
Eyü'te, balat'ta, gültepe'de - (in Eyup, Balat, Gultepe [gyspy neighborhoods in Istanbul])
So tekera, işler nanay - (oh well/what to do things are not good/all screwed up)
Even though the music has a lively and upbeat feel to it, the lyrics are about very challenging realities of Romani life in Istanbul. Sonja and Dans Askina Artistic Director Amina Beres concluded her idea of a laundry scene was a suitable context for her choreography of "Anako/Isler Nanay" - including a kvetching matriarch, playful teasing from sympathetic women, and Romani dance gestures to represent the playing of musical instruments mentioned in the lyrics.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Turkish vs. Egyptian: Join Artemis Mourat and Jasmin Henkesh to Discover the Truth about Middle Eastern Dance
 |
As dancers, we’ve
all been there…you know…that moment when someone discovers you’re a
‘belly’dancer and all kinds of preconceived notions come to their minds and
they begin questioning you about it. If you’re a Turkish dancer, the first
thing that comes to your mind is: ok, now I have to explain the difference
between Turkish and Egyptian because invariably (unless you live in Turkey),
Egyptian style initially comes to minds of those who don’t dance; even though
they’ve never heard differentiating terms such as Egyptian or Turkish. So now you begin to define belly dance in terms of
Turkish vs. Egyptian or visa versa.
Every time I start
to explain the differences, I always finding myself including the
similarities; it’s inevitable. There are definite differences and inherent
similarities and a working knowledge of both is necessary to expand your
dance vocabulary adequately.
Isn't this ancient Greek bronze statuette of a veiled and masked dancer (3rd - 2nd century BC) found in Alexandria, Egypt intriguing?!
There are two
extraordinary women who are dance-masters and scholars of Turkish and
Egyptian dance and music (what’s dance without music!): Artemis Mourat and
Yasmin Henkesh. Both are wealths of information about technique, improv,
rhythms, and histories of their dance. Your dance vocabulary is limited
without the extensive knowledge these ladies impart. They dance and teach
from the soul of their dance, from the cultural and musical perspectives that
formed these beloved arts. They are experiencers of the entire dance/music
spectrum and they will suck you in! And you’ll love being there!
These ladies are
offering an extraordinary opportunity to learn extensively about the
differences and similarities of Turkish and Egyptian dance in a four day ‘intensive’
workshop this February (see details below) in Bethesda MD. Please go! You’ll
love me for turning you on to these ladies and you’ll be like the rest of us
who’ve ever attended a workshop of either of theirs: hooked for life! It’s worth the trip just to see them play zills (Artemis – Turkish) and segat (Yasmn – Egyptian). Don’t
miss this opportunity to explore both worlds of dance at the same time!
One last thing;
they’re fun as hell!
 
Vive la Difference Turkey/Egypt 4 Day Intensive!
February 7 starting
at 7:00 pm til February 10 at 4:00 pm EST
Serpentine Studio,
Bethesda MD.
3rd Annual Vive la
Difference Turkey/Egypt Intensive
4 Days: Thursday, February 7 - Sunday, February 10, 2013 Serpentine Studio: Bethesda, Maryland, USA Over 20 hours of instruction Cost: $490 Payments: http://ow.ly/gKtoX -- Discover the differences and similarities between these two branches of the Middle Eastern Dance tree. Learn from two well-known master teachers and historians, Artemis Mourat and Yasmin Henkesh, teaching together in one exciting weekend. The intensive will focus on: * History lecture & movie night (unavailable footage from private collections) * Ghawazee vs. Turkish Romany * Finger cymbals: zills vs. sagat * Rhythms: Shared and separate * Veil: Egyptian entrance vs. veil dancing * Hipwork: Turkish hip & pelvic articulations vs. Egyptian styling * Shimmies * The Basics Tentative times for classes are: * Thursday 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Movie night (of unavailable footage from both our collections) * Friday 4:00 - 6:00 + 8:00 - 10:00 History lecture + Basics & their differences + [possibility of privates during the day] * Saturday 10:00 am - 1:00 pm + 2:00 - 5:00 pm classes 7:30 - 10:30 pm performances in the studio - informal hafla * Sunday 11:00 am - 1:00 pm + 2:00 - 4:00 pm classes -- ABOUT ARTEMIS MOURAT: http://www.serpentine.org/artemis/artemis.htm ABOUT YASMIN HENKESH: http://www.serpentine.org/yasmin/yasmin.htm The 4-day intensive will be held at Serpentine Studio in Bethesda, Maryland. (address provided upon payment). **TO PURCHASE your spot please visit: http://ow.ly/gKtoX |
Friday, July 8, 2011
We Are Family! Worldwide Gathering of Roma 2013: Myrtle Beach, SC USA!
April 5-10, 2013 sounds like a long way off...but not if you're planning to attend the Worldwide Gathering of the Roma in Myrtle Beach, SC. The city of Myrtle Beach is in full cooperation with the Gathering and has graciously consented to many of the Gathering's needs. We should probably start planning our 'stay' now. It may get crowded :-) There are many points of contact for this event:
Facebook - The World Wide Gathering of the Roma 2013
Brandy Riddle on Facebook
Romany Women's Union Website
Taken from the Romany Union's Website:
Facebook - The World Wide Gathering of the Roma 2013
Brandy Riddle on Facebook
Romany Women's Union Website
Taken from the Romany Union's Website:
For those who like to camp, camping sites are available. Most of the fun and activities are being held at Myrtle Beach State Park which has camping sites as well as cabins that can be rented. If you are coming from far away and camping is not an option, there are many hotels and motels, with a full range of prices, that are in the vacinity of the park.
The organizers are also looking for male and female musicians and dancers who play and dance in the traditional Romani style. Contact Brandy Riddle if you are interested in performing or playing.
I'd like to embrace the spirit of The Gathering by incorporating some of my own thoughts with those of the Romany Women's Union: "We seek to generate ties between Romany families, communities and tribes. We are one family. And as a large worldwide family, we also embrace Travelers, and others who live and/or support a "Gypsy" lifestyle.
We are one family...family ties can only be broken by non-acceptance. I recently attended a spiritual dance workshop led by Artemis Mourat (Turkish Romany dance instructor...and then some); I didn't know what to expect but I trust Artie implicitly. At one point in the ceremony we formed a circle and stuck our hands out in front of us - our hands formed the hub of a wheel and our arms were the spokes. Artie playfully began to remove her hands from the hub and placing them randomly on each of our hands...we all followed suit until we were all placing our hands on top of each others at random...forming a moving, connected, joyful entity. It sounds simple, but it was downright powerful ... interacting with strangers and friends on the same level...the human level...this is as it should be - we are family and I am welcoming the opportunity to know more of my brothers and sisters!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Music Recommendations from Artemis Workshop + Lo ' Jo
Hi Friends - Jen here with an update about MUSIC! This past weekend I attended (along with several other Turkish Rom and Oriental enthusiasts) Artemis Mourat's Houston workshop for Turkish Oriental and Romani dance (focusing on our fave rhythm: 9/8), historical lecture, and sacred dance workshop. BTW: if you've never attended a sacred dance workshop - please do - it's a life enhancing, positive experience.
One thing I love about Artie's workshops: she has the best music!! I bought the following 5 CD's (roughly in order of prefernce).
Description from CD Baby:
This is the first album by Montreal's favorite Turkish gypsy music party band. It features a unique collaboration with the Warhol Dervish Chamber Music collective, as well as vocal songs performed by the fabulous Suleyman Ozatilan.
Please don't buy the MP 3 even though it's cheaper - you do NOT want to hear this spectacular music in a compressed format!
2. Jitano and the Desert Prophets - Spanish Gypsy music featuring famed classical and flamenco guitarist Adam Schydlower. This one gets under your skin right away! You'll be stomping and shimmying before you can say "Wow"! I only wish it were longer.
3-4.Elegant Music for Belly Dance Volume I and II by The Fred Elias Ensemble. Both CD's could be used as music for entire shows. This ensemble consists of a group of seasoned, 'don't get any better than these guys' musicians and this set (not sold together) is simply lovely. The title says it all: elegant.
5. Dancer's Odyssey: An exotic Bellydance Journey by Amaya. This collection consists of 'must haves' for ever belly dancer, especially beginners. There were only a few songs on here that I didn't have in other collections, but this is a nice place to have them all. Have to say: the version of Ya Moustafa on here is not my fave. The songs are grouped together for maximum performance/practice benefit: showtime suite, spicey techno suite, gitano-Arabe suite and Studio Studies.
6. SURPRISE: Lo'Jo: Au Cabaret Sauvage A friend gave me this CD a few years ago and I adore it. It's not like anything I've ever heard so I've taken the description from Amazon:
There are so many dance possibilites on this CD! It could lead in various directions. I'd love your feedback on this one - listen to the samples (link provided above) - you can't help but be intrigued!
Happy Listening and Dancing- tell us what worked for you - share your fave music with us!
Monday, June 6, 2011
World Wide Gathering of Roma: 2013 in Myrtle Beach South Carolina
Greetings!
Recenly I was directed (via Dance Romani Twitter) to Brandy Riddle, president of the Romany Women's Union in the U.S. She has a fascinating blog that made me reconsider the heritage of Americans known as Hillbillies, Backwoods and Country. After reading, I was extremely eager to contact her - found her on Facebook and she responded immediately.
I discovered that she is president of the Romany Womens' Union - the Americas (originally founded in the U.K.). The Union is organizing the first World Wide Romani Gypsy Gathering in history and it will be held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in 2013.
The Union has extended the invitation to Rom and non-Rom alike. As you can imagine, a gathering of this sort calls for much preperation, lots of teamwork and volunteers. Taken from the World Wide Romany Gathering Website:
Recenly I was directed (via Dance Romani Twitter) to Brandy Riddle, president of the Romany Women's Union in the U.S. She has a fascinating blog that made me reconsider the heritage of Americans known as Hillbillies, Backwoods and Country. After reading, I was extremely eager to contact her - found her on Facebook and she responded immediately.
I discovered that she is president of the Romany Womens' Union - the Americas (originally founded in the U.K.). The Union is organizing the first World Wide Romani Gypsy Gathering in history and it will be held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in 2013.
The Union has extended the invitation to Rom and non-Rom alike. As you can imagine, a gathering of this sort calls for much preperation, lots of teamwork and volunteers. Taken from the World Wide Romany Gathering Website:
If you are interested in attending or being a part the festivities please contact us and we will gladly get any info to you that you may need or want .
We are currently looking for :1) Musicans to play preferably Roma Gypsy as we want as much as possible to be done by Roma Gypsies or supporters of Roma Gypsies.2) Artists of all types that are Roma Gypsy or their supporters on all scales from Jewelery makers to wooden rose makers .3) People willing to show/display Gypsy Cob Horses and Vardos
If you feel you have a skill or talent not mentioned and would love to take part and display it please let us know .
I plan to attend and sincerely wish everyone reading can join Brandy in her heroic effort. We have a few years to work out all the travel arrangements. We have so many resources amongst us - let's discuss ways we can contribute to Brandy's mission.
Contact Brandy on Facebook: Brandy Riddle from Myrtle Beach (she is also a friend of mine: http://www.facebook.com/jenniferfieldshawkins).
Twitter handle is BrandyRiddleUSA.
Can't wait to see you all in 2013 - under the stars!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Turkish Orientele/Romani Dancer Tanyeli Unveils New Website - Turkophile: A Turkish Studies Portfolio!
Jen and Tanyeli chat about Taneyeli's new website and their love for Turkish Dance and Culture.
Jen: Hi! So good to talk again. First and most importantly, let me say: I LOVE your new website Turkophile! it's gorgeous, and rich in content: Oriental dance, Romani dance, Ottoman women’s studies, and a blog that covers everything from Turkish dance workshops to food. Quite an ambitious undertaking. Congrats on a job very well done and for providing Turkish dance and culture lovers with a new space. How did you arrive at the look and feel of it? it’s luscious!
Tanyeli: Thanks! Well to be honest... I am a very lazy graphic designer. It's funny... when you do it for a living, you no longer want to do it for yourself. Anyway, it's a Wordpress template with a banner that I came up with. So I can't take credit for anything but the banner & even those images are ones that I got from stock photos. Like I said, lazy lazy.
Jen: Ha! More like modest, modest, modest! Tell us about your Turkish 'studies' in language, history, and especially Ottoman Women's Studies.
Tanyeli: I am self-studying Turkish, and I am enrolled in an Arabic class for the fall. They have a lot of similar words, plus if I get ambitious enough to try to learn Ottoman Turkish, the Arabic will give me a headstart! I am a bit of a language nerd so I am really looking forward to it. I’m currently trying to narrow down the focus of my historical research. There is so little written and studied about Ottoman women and I am such a feminist at heart, I know that's the direction I want to go in. Got any suggestions? :) The last short paper I wrote was about the perception of the Ottoman harem through the early 20th century American media (mostly newspaper articles).
Jen: And you're going to straighten us out, right?
Tanyeli: LOL! Well let's just say clear up misconceptions.
Jen: Definitely! Will you be posting that work on your site? I'd love to read it.
Tanyeli: I promise to either put it on my site or email it to you. I am hoping to help fill in any blanks in Artie's already substantial research. My approach is from court dancing (which would ultimately include Romani).
Jen: I'm already intrigued. What happened initially that turned you on to Turkish dance?
Tanyeli: It was a combination of things: my first dance teacher was Vintage Orientale & very involved with the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism). So I got very interested in the history as well as the technique. I looked into lots of Eastern dance cultures, but as soon as I started reading up on Turkish/Ottoman, I knew that I had found my place.
Jen: Aha! What was it about the Turkish Ottoman that drew you in?
Tanyeli: Well that's harder to explain. It just felt familiar to me somehow. Sounds kinda woo woo, but it's true.
Jen: There's a lot of woo woo in this world, especially when you talk about connections, etc. My first dance teacher was also a dance historian. Her students learned as much about the history and culture of the dance as we did about the steps themselves. The two were inseparable. I was soooo disappointed to discover that she was the exception and not the norm. Could you elaborate on the importance of scholarly/cultural knowledge about the dances we perform?
Tanyeli: Absolutely! What's that saying? History is written by the victors? In this case, it is Western Orientalism and it persists to this day. It persists in Oriental performers and instructors who don't bother to learn the history and culture behind this beautiful, rich art form. To be fair, the information is not always easy to find, but if you truly love and respect something, you can put a little effort into finding out more.
I try to rely on primary sources as much as possible which means going to dancers like Artie, Eva, Sema, etc. Spending a lot of time on library databases looking up previous studies to see who/what they used as a primary source. More and more video is becoming available on YouTube (although you are limited to how far back you can travel in time). The problem is that it is time-consuming so you really have to want it.
Ian Hanock ... what an incredible source you have right there! There are some good books out there too. Belly Dance: Orientalism, Transnationalism & Harem Fantasy is a great collections of essays. It is by Anthony Shay and Barbara Sellers-Young and available on Amazon If we are talking specifically Turkish, look for Metin And. His are not always as easy to find.
Jen: Thanks so much for the references...we're always in search of new info...there's still so much to be discovered. All of this underscores the importance of oranizations like Folk Tours...
Tanyeli: Absolutely... Tayyar & all the Folk Tours staff do an excellent job of exposing musicians and dancers to a much wider world! Sema, of course, was an excellent source of information. Lee Ali was also a woman after my own heart with both history and technique to teach us.
Jen: Folk Tours is invaluable. They allow you to experience the culture, completely immerse yourself in it. What you just said about exposing us to a wider world....that is so true...we see men's dances, group dancing, costuming. All of the teachers at Folk Tours aren't simply passers on of steps...you know. Tell us about Sema!
Sema Yildiz
Tanyeli: She taught us a simple Romani choreography that was a lot of fun and really drilled it over and over again to get it into our bodies. It was still a lot of fun & she taught us some gestures that I had not seen before. I loved the fact that she got up each night and danced with all of us during open dancing. You can see that she really just loves to dance.
Jen: Dancing with Sema – it hardly gets better than that. How many classes did you take from her?
Tanyeli: The class descriptions were a bit fluid. What she ended up teaching was Roman, veil and a drum solo. I am kicking myself because I missed the drum solo class. I was taking a zills class with Aszmara though.
Jen: That's a pretty good excuse and a tough choice to make!
Jen: Lee Ali - tell us about her
Tanyeli: Lee Ali... she was a gem! I took her workshop on Rebetika & Greek tsifteteli. I knew next to nothing about it beforehand. She sat us down & talked to us, showing pics, before she got us up to dance. There's that history lesson! She really inspired me to learn more about the Greek blues.
Tanyeli: It was a lot of fun. She also specializes in Moroccan, trance, etc. I highly recommend her.
Jen: Great - we've gotten a lot of good recommendations from you! Anything else you'd like to say about your Folk Tours experience this year?
Tanyeli: Tayyar & company really need the support of those who love Folk Tours. I'm sure that it is a labor of love for him, but labor has got to be the operative word. Unfortunately I don't think there is much on the new DVD front. We were hoping that Sema would have something, but she didn't. I hope we can get enough people interested in Turkish so Tayyar will be inspired to continue Folk Tours.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Artemis Mourat: Turkish Oriental/Romani and Sacred Dance Workshops - June 11-12, Houston, TX
Master Classes with Artemis Mourat - Houston, TX Sat and Sun June 11-12
It's been said that Turkish dancers strut and Egyptian dancers glide. Artemis compares and contrasts Turkish Romani, Turkish Orientele and Egyptian Orientele styles in upcoming Houston Workshop.
For a brief look at Artemis' Turkish Rom Style: Artemis on YouTube
Other Famous Turkish Dancers On YouTube: Turkish Romani Dance: Eva Cernik, Turkish Orientele: Tulay Karaca, and various dancers from Orient House in Istanbul. The dancer in pink labeled as: Queen of Belly Dance is Birgul, Beray. Unfortunately videos of Birgul are rare. She mixes Orientele and Romani. If you're new to Romani dance and/or music, the exotic rhythm demonstrated by the drummer while Birgul does floorwork is a slow 9/8. Enoy! Orient House, Instabul, Turkey.
Artemis will also be giving us an invaluable, scholarly, enlightening, lecture about the roots of belly dance: From Temples to Cabaret. She winds up her master class series with a sacred dance workshop (please read below for details and begin your lists).
If you've never seen or heard Artemis...this is a rare Houston opportunity to experience the authenticity of Turkish dance through working and scholarly knowledge. I highly encourage you to participate. Artemis is held in the highest esteem by her peers and students. If you've seen Artemis before....I know you'll be there! To know Artie is to love Artie...and you will!
Turkophiles - Please comment and let our sisters in Houston know what a fantastic opportunity this is - thanks in advance.
We'll see you June 11-12 in Houston!
Turkish/History/Sacred Dance
Master Classes with Artemis Mourat!
Saturday & Sunday June 11-12, 2011
OFFICIAL MASTER CLASSES/ INFO SIGNUP FOR ARTEMIS MOURAT
Santa Fe , TX 77510
Saturday June 11, 2011 !:00pm-4:00pm Turkish Oriental Dance: We will compare and contrast Turkish Oriental, Egyptian Oriental and Turkish Romany dance, description of the features of a Turkish Oriental show, trends in dance and costuming, steps, turns, hip articulation, abdominal work, knee lifts, arm postures, backbends and full body undulations to karsilama and the Romany 9/8, ciftetelli, finger cymbals, floor work, veil, combinations, DVD footage and we can dance through a complete Turkish show together in class. This class held at Ballam School of Dance
1245 Heights Blvd(Grace United Methodist Church ) Houston , TX 77008
1245 Heights Blvd(
Saturday June 11, 2011 Lecture 5:00-7:00pm: Knowing your Roots - Belly Dancing from the Temples to the Cabarets
As with all things in life, you have to know where you came from so that you will understand where you are now and where to go from here. Its origins came from prehistoric worship, then to the Temples of Hathor and it has flourished for thousands of years in its various permutations, finally makings its way into cabarets worldwide. We will explore the many roots of the dance - sacred and secular. Dance was used to invite, entice and communicate with divinities and mortals alike. Dance was carried along the Romany (Gypsy) trail fromIndia North Africa . Public performers made their ways to the cabarets of the Middle East and eventually to Europe . America
1245 Heights Blvd(Grace United Methodist Church ) Houston , TX 77008
As with all things in life, you have to know where you came from so that you will understand where you are now and where to go from here. Its origins came from prehistoric worship, then to the Temples of Hathor and it has flourished for thousands of years in its various permutations, finally makings its way into cabarets worldwide. We will explore the many roots of the dance - sacred and secular. Dance was used to invite, entice and communicate with divinities and mortals alike. Dance was carried along the Romany (Gypsy) trail from
1245 Heights Blvd(
Sunday June 12, 2011 9am_12:00pm Sacred dance - Prayer in motion....Join our sacred dance history lecture and dance ritual There will be a lecture and slide presentation and some video footage followed by a spiritual movement based ritual. Subjects will include the ancient sacred dances of Greece , Rome , Crete , Egypt
Artemis has been dancing, teaching and researching dance history in the United States
Saturday & Sunday June 11-12, 2011
Location: Ballam Studio on Saturday/Sirrom Studio on Sunday
Pre-registration special prices listed above postmarked by May 1st.
Participant Name: ___________________________________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________
City, ST, Zip: _______________________________________________________________________________
Contact Phone: ______________________________ Email: __________________________________
I hereby release Patsy Bucki, Elizabeth Artemis Mourat, Ballam Studio, Sirrom Studio and Its owners for any and all possible injury as a result of my participation in this workshop. I understand injuries can occur during any physical activity and I hereby assume all risk for participation in this workshop.
Print Name: ____________________________________________ Date: ___________________
Signature
Mail registration/release and make checks payable to: For more information, contact Patsy at:
Patsy Bucki Phone: 281-851-2060
12701 33rd ½ Street E-mail: plbucki@yahoo.com
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