Category: Articles

A Tribute to Mahmoud Reda: An Interview with Keti Sharif and Mosaic Arabic Dance Network.

Mahmoud Reda passed away on the 10th of July 2020 aged 90. With heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and to the dance world.

If you want to dance like an Egyptian and study the roots of the dance, look no further than Mahmoud Reda...

In a Tribute to Mahmoud Reda, Keti Sharif speaks about his life and work. In an interview with Rosemary Le Fevre for Mosaic Arabic Dance Network Keti talked about her first-hand knowledge of Mahmoud Reda.

Who was Mahmoud Reda?

In this tribute to Mahmoud Reda, we spoke to Keti Sharif. When we spoke to Keti Sharif who trained with Mahmoud Reda, she told us candidly about, who he was. What it was like to train with him. Furthermore, what he brought into the dance world. As a result of many years, research and interpretation, Reda brought Egyptian Folkloric dance to the World Stage.

It is through Reda that so many people, both native and from all over the world learned to dance like an Egyptian.

With Thanks also to Farida Fahmy.

In order to learn more about Keti Sharif and for an interview with Mahmoud Reda himself, check out Keti’s exclusive DVD which is available on her website: www.ketisharif.com

This is a Tribute to Mahmoud Reda by Keti Sharif : Interview with Mosaic Dance Network…

During her time dancing and teaching, Keti has collected some excellent material to help dancers. Ranging from historical, teaching resources, music and more. This is a tribute to Mahmoud Reda by Keti Sharif in an interview with Mosaic Arabic Dance Network in which Keti talks about some of these aspects.

Firstly, Keti Sharif is well known for her A-Z of Belly Dance in which she draws from the solid grounding she learned from Mahmoud Reda and Farida Fahmy. Keti spent time living and working in Egypt and has known both Mahmoud Reda and Farida Fahmy for over three decades.

We may think of Reda as bringing Egyptian Folkloric dance to the stage through steps and choreography. Shown within this tribute interview with Mosaic Arabic Dance Network is so much more…

In recent years Keti has honed her skills and naturally flowed towards Somatic movement. This progression to Somatics has become her main interest now. But even here, there is a Reda influence beneath her seemingly different genre of motion. Learn more by listening to the YouTube interview and reading the extended interview in Mosaic. This is a tribute to Mahmoud Reda by Keti Sharif in an interview with Mosaic Arabic Dance Network.

Mahmoud Reda as Keti Sharif explained, also worked with balance and fluidity bringing the two together in harmony.

This is a tribute to Mahmoud Reda by Keti Sharif in an interview with Mosaic Arabic Dance Network. For further dance resources click on our relevant page

The belly diva’s confessions cover all sorts of subjects from the origins and nature of the dance to whether she is wearing knickers or not (I’m not telling you the answer here) and are illustrated by dance and to my surprise songs! That Galit can dance I already knew before I saw the show but I didn’t realise that she can also sing. As the belly dance diva of the title she also bursts into song both to make us laugh and to drive home a point with both eloquence and feeling.

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Question What advice would you give a young dancer?

Simply work hard on your craft perfecting technique, understand the music, the culture of the people is an important factor, to be able to grasp and respect the art form. It is important to explore all forms of the dance within one that is chosen eg. Egyptian Dance, study the folkloric roots of the dance, classical, baladi, oriental etc. I recommend study from knowledgeable teachers who are willing to share their skills and experiences and who are encouraging. Find your own style and bring out your own personality to make you unique as a dancer and most of all enjoy what you are doing.

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When you think of American Tribal Style® Bellydance what do you see? Tassels and turbans…big skirts and bloomers..kuchi covered costumes…zills? Do you think of beautiful, flowing improvisational dance?

Two words come to straight into my mind:community and connection. The true beauty of ATS® is the connection it gives us to other dancers, other people.

Article from the current issue of the Magazine no.66 Summer 2015
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Do you teach? Are you struggling with low class numbers? I think one of the things we need to do as a belly dance community is to raise the profile of belly dance. We need to work together, share ideas and get word out there.

I am a committee member of the JTA (JWAAD Teachers Association) Watch this space: www.thejta.org

Article from the current issue of the Magazine no.67 Winter 2015
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As belly dances we all know that we have fallen deeply in love with this art form. It provides us with a deep sense of camaraderie and very often leads to a sense of greater self esteem and confidence.

The Spring 2016 issue (no.68) of the magazine has a theme of why belly dancing is good for you.

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