Review of Saqra’s March 8-9, 2008 Event
Featuring Naheda of Germany
By: Nizana
Naheda
On this particular weekend, the energetic and talented Saqra presented the fabulous Naheda of Germany in workshops and “Earth shattering Show!” This took place in Renton, and featured a great and varied selection of performers. Saqra’s Mediterranean Raqs Band provided live music for the event, which is always appreciated, and they really did a fantastic job.
First, I have to say, I was very impressed with Saqra, as promoter and hostess of the event, as a performer, and as a musician. She was so wonderful to work with and everything seemed to run so flawlessly. The entire event was, at least for my “troupe,” a calm and organized atmosphere. Second, I have to say the performance venue was top notch. That was so nice a place to perform in. Third, the performers were all in sync as to when it was their turn and each had something different to offer, so the lineup Saqra put together was really nice, especially with Naheda as the headliner.
Saturday started off afternoon with a Drum Solo workshop, followed by a Turkish Folkloric Technique workshop. Since we had a five hour drive from Spokane, we weren’t able to attend. Sunday’s workshops were Salsa Oriental Fusion and Double Veil. Zahra and I, of DSDC, took the Sun morning fusion workshop, and if that was representative of Naheda’s workshops, then I wish we could have taken them all! (I probably would have needed to spend Monday in bed or a hot tub, but…..) Talk about high octane energy!! Wow! What a fun choreography, too. While the choreography was probably too fast for my troupe, we learned some great combinations to take back. (Although I was thrilled that a fellow workshop participant noticed I was really keeping up and learning it!) Naheda was fun, sweet, and had a great sense of humor. She got us through the entire choreography without compromising the technique. She also had DVD’s available to match to practice to at home.
Zaina Hart
The evening show lived up to the “earth shattering” title, with wonderful performances throughout. Opening the show was Saqra’s troupe, Raqs el Sehr Shamal performing “Groove Thing,” a great number to start the evening! Wearing red and black, they looked like they were having a wonderful time, and really filled the stage in numbers! Next, Miss Belly Dancer of the Universe 2007 Dahlia Moon performed an Egyptian set in a lovely cabaret costume. Naheda came out next performing a lively Hungarian Gypsy Dance with a tambourine, and a costume to die for. Raqs el Sehr Shamal & Alahad Shamal joined to perform a playful routine together in colorful cabaret costumes with really pretty skirts. Miss Character herself, the wonderful Zaina Hart, danced a set that started out with an incredible veil. Always love watching her and only wish I wasn’t standing out along the wall in the audience instead of up close to catch all of her expressions.
Saqra
Second set, in a beautiful white cabaret costume, Saqra danced, and sadly I was back stage and missed it, which was a bummer, as I always love watching her dance, too. She has the most beautiful smile, and radiates the love of the dance, giving it her all.
Nadira
In a Michael Jackson Piece
Nadira, another major award winner, came out next in a cute black pants, bra and hat outfit dancing hip hop fusion that was a nice flavor to add to the show. Naheda returned dancing Classic Egyptian Raqs Sharqi in a gorgeous lavender cabaret costume. I have to say, her costuming all night was absolutely exquisite. Desert Silk Dance Company, represented by Zahra and troupe director, Nizana, performed an American style cabaret veil dance, followed by two Latin-Arabic fusion skirt numbers in red and black costumes of that style. Members of Raqs el Sehr Shamal came back out in yet another lovely costume change, performing a basket dance, a nice addition to the lineup. I miss the basket dance I choreographed a few years ago and somehow lost along the way. Naheda closed out the second set in a stunning black and white cabaret costume, dancing a Tango Baladi.
Desert Silk Dance Company
Zahra and Nizana
After yet one last short break, (I loved how the breaks were short and well timed) the live set started with Saqra’s Raqs Band. Setsuna, whom I hadn’t had the opportunity of seeing dance before, was first to solo live. She wore a spectacular beaded purple fitted cabaret dress, and had a uniqueness about her that really set her apart and made you want to watch more. Setsuna floated ever so gracefully across the stage, demonstrating especially lovely hand movements. Up next was Zorba, “The Veiled Male,” who came all the way from Monterey, California. His costume was made of fiery colors of yellows, reds and oranges, and he played zils along with the band as he danced, which now that I think about it, was one of a few performers who did play zils.
Zorba
I liked the mix of some having zils, or a tambourine, baskets, skirts, veils and other or no instruments or props at all. The mix of live and “canned,” as well as troupes and soloists was also nice. Hasani came out next, and like I told her, she was one of my favorite performances of the night. She was so engaging, just the total package. She was beautiful, and “danced like no one was watching,” especially with the veil. Y’Chessa Dahli, one of my favorite troupes, came out as classy as always, in lovely fitted red dresses with gold bras and belts. Loved the music and routines, full of drama and expression and playfulness. The last performance of the evening, (yes for the fourth time, is that not incredible??) performing Salsa-Fusion in a bright blue modern cabaret look with the fitted pants. This was the choreography she taught on Sunday morning and it was funny that right after I whispered to Zahra that I bet that would be the dance we learned, but we sure wouldn’t look like her doing it, Saqra pretty much said the same thing in her closing speech to the audience when Naheda finished! This was a really great weekend, and we had a really good time, and take our hats off to Saqra, Naheda and all the show’s performers!
