Turkish Dance Star "Ozgen" in Los Angeles
Submitted By Princess Farhana
When I found out that Turkish male belly dance star Ozgen
was coming to Los Angeles for a few days of vacation, I laid down the law: he
simply had to do a workshop and a show.
Born in Istanbul and living in London, Ozgen is an
international star who has been dancing since childhood. Trained in ballet,
jazz, modern and ballroom styles, he’s been specializing in Turkish Romany
(Roman Havasi) and Oryantal dance for almost fifteen years. For years he was an instructor and
choreographer at the Tolghan School in Turkey; he currently performs and
teaches sold-out workshops all over Europe and the Far East.
Princess Farhana and Ozgen
I often joke that Ozgen was one of the best birthday
presents I ever got: we were
introduced two years ago on my birthday in London, backstage at The Shimmy
Shake Show at the venue Madame
Jo-Jo’s in Soho, where we were
both performing.. The night we met, we immediately got along like gangbusters,
but after I saw him perform, like everyone else in the audience, I fell in
love! Since then, we not only
became friends and correspondents, but, but have also have taught and performed
together at Festival Fantasia, also in London. Off stage, he’s wonderful, but on stage he is truly
something else. He is ridiculously talented, technically amazing, and has
incredible spinal and upper-body flexibility, allowing his movements to be both
precisely sharp and almost bonelessly liquid at the same time. The pure love
and passion he brings to his dancing is evident, and infectious to anyone who
has the pleasure of watching him.
When I found
out this gem was coming to LA, I was excited, since he had never performed or
taught on the West Coast, only once before in New York City. I knew I wanted to do an event with
him- the only hitch was that I was leaving for Egypt to teach and perform at
Ahlan Wa Sahlan the very next week, and he was coming to California mere days
after I would return.
Thankfully, Nasila and Melia from LA Raqs stepped in, and
together we coordinated and promoted an Ozgen extravaganza, at Studio Iqaat.
All I can say is, The Internet made it all possible- we emailed about
everything, setting performers, deciding on curriculum and getting details
together-and advertised- while I was at Ahlan Wa Sahlan in Cairo. In fact, both Aubre and Fahtiem, guest-stars at the show,
were in Egypt at the same time I was, and so I roped them into performing while
they were riddled with jet-lag!
Both the workshop and the show sold out. The workshop, “An
Introduction To Turkish Dance” where Ozgen contrasted the similar-yet-unique
movements of both Turkish Oryantal and Romany dances, drew in avid students
interested in exploring the form as well as LA-based professionals like Rania,
Lee Ali, Marguerite Kusuhara, and Celeste of IAMED. Ozgen’s teaching style is
facile with clear breakdowns, and he made sure everybody learned about and
understood the sociological and cultural inferences in the various gestures he
demonstrated. His English skills are fantastic, and though the class moved
along at a good clip, his spot-on teaching is infused with humor and wit. He
charmed everybody with his
cute non-traditional names for intricate footwork patterns as well as
his verbal expressions - at one point he referred to the flirtatious shoulder movements
of Turkish Oryantal as “cuddly”!
Los Angeles has long been a hot-spot of Oriental dance,
with many world-class performers living in the city, so the show had an
all-star line-up. Audience members were literally astounded at the name
performers participating. In addition to Ozgen, Aubre, Fahtiem, Nasila and
myself, the evening also included Tamra-Henna, up-and-coming LA-based male
dancer/ choroegrapher Richy Nedjat, and last-minute guest Rania, who signed on
as a surprise wild card at 11:30 pm the night before the event!
Ozgen Performing with the impromptu Arabic Ensemble Band
Noted Arabic percussionist and Studio Iqaat owner Donavon
Lerman pulled together a small Arabic ensemble to kick the show off with live
music; and also a Turkish band featuring Vedat on saz and vocals, Jessica on
clarinet, and Donavon himself on tabla.
Rania kicked the evening off performing to “Mavi, Mahvi” on CD, followed
by asila performing to “Leylet
Hob” live; Richy interpreted “Eshta Ya Amar”, Tamra Henna did “We Deret Al Ayam” in a stunning red
Sahar Okasha, and Aubre performed a hot Saidi Assaya- even though that day, she
had hosted Sahra Saeeda’s “Journey Through Egypt” workshop! Fahtiem and I both
opted to perform to the live Turkish band, and it was amazing to watch Fahtiem
performing Turkish, since she so rarely does. For my part, I got chills during
my set while dancing to Jessica’s gorgeous clarinet taxim.
Ozgen performed twice: his first piece, a Romany dance (a
version of which I heartily encourage readers to view on YouTube!) had the
entire audience screaming, it was so full of attitude and unbridled machismo.
His second show was pure Oryantal, quick-paced, dynamic and thrilling. He even
did snakey floor work-complete with backbends- while Jessica played him an
extended taxim. He ended his piece with a mind-bending, spine-snapping Turkish
drop…then got up quickly to lure the audience out for open-floor dancing, which
continued on for quite a long time.
The very next morning, he left for the airport, and back
home to London.
All I can say is… I hope he comes back to America soon. If
you get the chance to see or study with this incredible dancer- don’t even
think about it- JUST DO IT! For
more info on Ozgen, please visit www.ozgen.co.uk
