Dance like an Egyptian…

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

How to distance and belly Dance…

How to distance and belly Dance

So how do I go about creating a physical distance expectation?

  1. How to distance as you belly dance? Now that is a challenge! How do I do that?

In England, the RULE of 6 applies. So what does that mean and how do you Belly Dance and Distance at the same time?

How to distance as you Belly Dance…

Plan, prepare your class, practice mindfulness and put parameters in place
  1. The rule of six for Belly Dance classes… 

    Firstly, don’t have more than 6 in a class unless you can ensure that within the group people stay in groups of no more than 6. (where local and Gov guidelines allow) 

  2. Secondly: Plan your cases ahead of time and know the pitfalls 
  3. Thirdly: Prepare your class. Tell them the rules. Warn them to distance.
  4. Fourth on the list is to keep reminding the class to distance.
  5. Finally: Practice mindfulness bring your students to the present

Choreograph distance into your Belly Dance

  1. To follow covid rules. Draw temporary lines on the floor to guide belly dancers within distanced parameters whilst moving.
  2. Similarly, use choreographic devices such as the following: stretch out your arms and visualize a circle and dance inside it.
  3. Get creative and explore the element of space in your dance.
  4. Pull a rope or long sari between two people or a longer one for rows at a correct (for covid guidelines) physical distance and choreograph or don’t! Simply put, play with the concept!
  5. Develop a solo dance.
  6. Explore the issues that come up at this time

Another set of etiquette for belly dance at a distance

  • Naturally, it is always good to be courteous. Avoid shouting (always do that!) or raising your voice in class to limit the spread of larger droplets.
  • In the time you took to prepare the way you will develop the habit to clean as you go along. 
  • Since you will have sterilized props before giving them out, all that remains is for people to take turns, collect and return props… always maintain physical distance.
  • Always keep paperwork one sheet per person and don’t share. Create a system for handing out with minimum touch and distance kept at all times.

  • So what else can I do to Belly Dance at a safe distance?

  1. Use props that require ample space to use and unconsciously dancers will, hopefully, adhere to distance.
  2. Minimise movement, if necessary mark travelling steps out in place
  3. Allow one person at a time to perform in the hall/studio if travelling steps are to be learned and ensure distance. 
  4. Watch other people dance, this  is learning too this allows for a routine with travel to be shown in full with adequate distancing for home practice

Due Diligence, what is it and why is it needed for Belly Dance classes during covid

Due Diligence for Belly Dance Classes.
Why do Belly Dancers need to practice due diligence, but what is it?
  1. Due Diligence for Belly Dance Classes is showing you have done everything you could to prevent a problem.
  2. It is taking care and precautions for health, safety and prevent and keeping accurate records.
 *Keep accurate records and follow gov and gdpr guidelines*

How do I use room and zoom for my Belly Dance classes?

How do I use room and zoom for my Belly Dance classes?

Try using Room and Zoom or equivalent for your online classes during covid

Teaching online whilst also teaching in-person may help both those who can’t come to class and may help improve your dance business.

What is room and zoom when it’s at home?

This is where your class or workshop is taught in a room, it can be a studio or your own home, and recorded on a platform such as zoom, to share teaching either live or at a later date.

How can we rebuild confidence for Belly dancers during Covid-19?

Rebuilding confidence for dancers during Covid-19

  1. It may take some time for people to return to dancing
  2. You may feel nervous to do so, for oh so many reasons…
  3. Start by talking with everyone
  4. Check all health and safety advice before each session
  5. Encourage others to be open about their feelings and concerns
  6. Consult everyone as part of your risk assessment
  7. If you can’t meet or dance, keep lines of communication open
  8. Work on confidence
  9. Consider visualizing movement where space is restricted as even that may be beneficial (and even fun!)
  10. This will take time and as we are uncertain due to the current crisis it is hard to make decisions on what is safe or not. But… you can work on communication and cohesion with your group, so whatever you all decide,  do it together and meet online if needed.