Samara: 'The Snake Charmer' routine

Iraqi born bellydancer Samara's 'snake charmer' routine.

Dina: Cairo hotel performance

A round of applause for Dina, the woman who has singlehandedly saved the Egyptian lycra industry. The clip was filmed, I think, at the Cairo Sheraton. The first section shows Dina in one of her skin tight lycra dresses. In the second part of the clip which is filmed in the same location, she's wearing a regular bedlah in apricot.

Dani Boutros: Part 3 of 3

Some Saidi, out in the audience and finale.

Dani Boutros: Part 2 of 3

Part 2, the drum solo and a Spanish influenced piece.

Dani Boutros: Part 1 of 3

A spectacular entrance by Lebanese bellydancer Dani Boutros.

Fifi Abdu: pink bedlah (Al Ismailia concert)

Another clip from Fifi Abdu's outdoor performance in Alexandria:

Dina: a compilation mix

I found this compilation of snippets of Dina on the end of a video tape of Egyptian dancers from the 80s. Along the way someone's removed the live music and dubbed in 'Moghram Ya Leil' as the soundtrack.

Egyptian bellydancer Lucy: pink bedlah

Fifi Abdu: melaya

Fifi Abdu's melaya from her show in Alexandria.

Lucy: red bedlah Pt 2 of 2

Lucy: red bedlah Pt 1 of 2

Egyptian bellydancer Hendeya: purple/yellow bedlah

Hendeya wears one purple shoe and one yellow shoe to match her bedlah and skirt.

Egyptian assaya dancers

Nadia Gamal

Unfortunately this tape is almost totally black and white as its probably a 10th generation copy....still that's not a problem for dancers as Nadia's movements are clear and the soundtrack is stable. Setrak Sarkissian is the drummer in the striped jacket.

Fifi Abdu: black/blue short dress

Lots of audience interaction including getting Mona Said up to dance with her. The costume has a long ruffled train arrangement that Fifi ditches fairly quickly.

Fifi Abdu: yellow/silver bedlah

Classic Fifi.

Samara: white costume with maribu

Just a short piece, unfortunately the rest of tape has too much flicker and roll. Samara had the same design costume in lilac.

Mona Said: assaya

Samara: black/gold dress

Setrak Sarkissian

Lebanese-Armenian drummer Setrak Sarkissian is a legend in Arabic music with a career playing tabla for many of the most famous singers and bellydancers in the Middle East. This clip is a rarity as it showcases Setrak himself. Many Western dancers would know Setrak from his music cds.
Setrak was recently awarded the St. Mesrob Mashdotz medal by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia.

Camelia (Patricia): "Set el Hosen"

Neriman Aboud: very early days

So early that I didn't even recognise her....fortunately the song gives her name.  Even so, the dance style has Turkish influences that have disappeared in later clips.  Neriman's liking for 'skirts split up to there' is still very evident though :-)

Samara: a costume that 'makes you go hmmmm'

A costume that'll be great if she gets peckish during her show :-)

Nagwa Fouad: pink baladi dress Pt 2

Nagwa Fouad: pink baladi dress Pt 1

Fifi Abdu: early days (2)

Fifi Abdu: early days (1)

Neriman Aboud (yellow bedlah)