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Excerpt from bio on website: www.aisha-ali.com/bio.html
Aisha Ali is an internationally recognized authority on the dances of Egypt and North Africa. Following her successes in the United States, she performed widely in Europe and the Middle East. For over twenty years she directed her folkloric ensemble, the Aisha Ali Dance Company.
In 1971, Aisha traveled to the Middle East to observe firsthand many traditional styles of dance not seen in the United States. She made subsequent visits to Egypt, Algeria and Tunisia from 1973 to 1997 to document folkloric materials that were fast disappearing. As a result, she has released numerous audio and video recordings.
Aisha has an awesome photo gallery of vintage photos of the pioneers on the west coast and more.
www.aisha-ali.com/gallery.html
Aisha Ali is an internationally recognized authority on the dances of Egypt and North Africa. Following her successes in the United States, she performed widely in Europe and the Middle East. For over twenty years she directed her folkloric ensemble, the Aisha Ali Dance Company.
In 1971, Aisha traveled to the Middle East to observe firsthand many traditional styles of dance not seen in the United States. She made subsequent visits to Egypt, Algeria and Tunisia from 1973 to 1997 to document folkloric materials that were fast disappearing. As a result, she has released numerous audio and video recordings.
Aisha has an awesome photo gallery of vintage photos of the pioneers on the west coast and more.
www.aisha-ali.com/gallery.html
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Re: Aisha Ali
Thu, June 2, 2005 - 11:52 AMAnd she's just released a new performance DVD! Let's hope it's the first of many! -
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Re: Aisha Ali
Mon, June 6, 2005 - 11:18 AMOh, I meant the first of many performance DVDs from her. It's rae to find many ethnic dance videos -- like Ghawazee, Ouled Nail, Guedra, etc. And it seems Aisha knows all of those dances! -
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Re: Aisha Ali
Mon, June 6, 2005 - 3:36 PMThat should be very good dvd to watch.
Maureen -
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Re: Aisha Ali
Wed, June 8, 2005 - 9:45 AMI'll post a review as soon as it ships!
I'm very excited about this -- I've never had the chance to see some of the ethnic dances she does on this disc. Yay! -
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Re: Aisha Ali
Thu, June 9, 2005 - 2:42 PMOn Dances of egypt, she does a very subtle and soft dance using the moves and steps from some of the styles you see on the video. I do admire her very much.
She's obviuosly a skilled academic and this is what Bellydance clearly needs, to be recognised as other dances other.
I lok forward to your review.
Have you seen Dances of tunisia and dances of North africa, too?
I@ve used Dances of Tunisa with my own students. i love the style and she breaks down things very easily. Maureen
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Re: Aisha Ali
Tue, September 18, 2007 - 7:47 AMI checked out the site and I'm interested in getting one of these DVDs. But I'm having trouble understanding from the description on the website, what the difference is between the following two DVDs:
"Dances of Egypt on DVD with a 1977 bonus clip of the Banat Maazin performing with Aisha for the cast of "Death on the Nile."
Aisha Dances, Volume I: Egyptian Dances (DVD) The first of a two-volume series featuring Aisha Ali performing her most popular repertoire. Volume I presents a variety of Egyptian dances that she learned in Egypt and has been performing in the United States and internationally for a number of years, including two classic raqs sharqi dances and six Ghawazee styles—Banat Maazin, Saidi, Awalem, Sumbati, Et Teit, a Fellahin cane dance and a 19th century Ghazeyeh sword dance. "
I'm interested in getting a DVD that shows the various dances from the various peoples in Egypt (or other parts of the Arab world). It doesn't have to be instructional, sometimes you can learn a lot from just watching other dancers and noting the difference in styles.
I do *not* want a performance DVD that is really all about the one dancer and how wonderful they are, if that makes sense.
Sorry... I guess since I'm not familiar with this dancer, I might be missing some of the conversation.
Any direction/suggestions would be appreciated! :-) -
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Re: Aisha Ali
Mon, October 8, 2007 - 3:13 AMDances of Egypt is almost all footage of various Egyptians dancing. Great footage to have in my opinion.
Aisha Dances is just like it sounds...Aisha dancing. So it sounds like you want Dances of Egypt. She also has Dances of North Africa still too right?
I was just reminded that I want to buy these. I've seen them because we had them in my school library, but I really should get my own copies...maybe next paycheck.
:-)
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Re: Aisha Ali
Tue, October 9, 2007 - 9:05 AMYay! A response! :-) Thank you for this info! Hmmm.... Dances of Egypt will have to go on my Christmas list.
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Re: Aisha Ali
Fri, June 3, 2005 - 8:02 AMOver here in the Uk, we have access to many of aisha ali's videos./dvds. (www.aladdinscave.com)
Her dance/anthropological work in the Middle East and North Africa cause a storm, as it hadn't been done before. I read on www.gildedserpent , that many dancers were surprsied when they saw a ghawazee interpretation on stage, in the U>S as they had never seen anything like it. aisha is verlly dance because of her going to the source.
Many of us British dancers admired you lot so much becuase of your dedication and beciause of this, the dances will not die out!
Maureen Walsall, UK.
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Re: Aisha Ali
Fri, June 3, 2005 - 8:04 AMsorry- aisha ali is very important to the dance, because she she goes back to the source( i couldn't understand what I wrote! back then!)
Maureen -
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Re: Aisha Ali
Fri, June 10, 2005 - 6:37 AMOkay this is brief, but this is a GREAT DVD. If you're interested in seeing different styles of Ghawazee and Awalim dances , this DVD is pretty much the only thing available. The footage is a tiny bit grainy and the color seems a tad washed-out, but I could overlook that due to the dancing. And if that's the worst I can say about a DVD, well you KNOW it's good.
I'll post a more extended review after the weekend, and when I can sit down and actually enjoy it. Aisha is so fluid and lovely. I could watch this for days! -
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Re: Aisha Ali
Mon, June 20, 2005 - 3:35 PMWow! I didnt know she came out with a new DVD. I havent seen any of her videos, but I have heard a lot about her and am very curious about her work. I have been waiting to see if she is going to put the videos onto a DVD format ( I dont want to buy any videos)..does anyone know if she is planning on doing so?
And what can people say about her "Dances of Egypt", "Dances of North Africa", and "Dancing with Aisha". Are they performances? discussions?documentaries?instructional? Which one is your favorite? etc? -
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Re: Aisha Ali
Tue, June 21, 2005 - 1:26 PMI have Dances of Egypt--it is largely performances, with some voiceover to provide information about each dance, where it's done, why it's done, etc. There's a loose narrative of traveling through Egypt to tie it all together. I love this video--it's one of my favorites, and I get something new out of it each time I watch it. -
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Re: Aisha Ali
Sat, June 25, 2005 - 4:49 PMyes, I adore dances of Egypt too. I love the way it's done with the vouice, explaining everything. My favourites are the zaar, the Maaazin sisters and the young boy who dances so confidently (can't rmemeber his name) and I also love the section where two men or one man are dancing outside in a courtyard. They just use one move so well and with such control , sensuality and vibrancy.
Everything is in context, which is why the video is so good. Also, Dances of North africa/Dances of tunisia are excellent. Clips showing dance and commentary. It is very vivid and amazing. a great resource, indeed. Maureen
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Re: Aisha Ali
Mon, June 27, 2005 - 8:40 AMDancing with Aisha is her instructional video for Tunisian dance. I think she breaks down the steps very well, and also introduces you to the rhythms. If you get this video in addition to Hadia's #6 video, you have an excellent overview of Tunisian, and what steps go where with what music.
She IS planning on redoing this video (I think in DVD format) with additional information. Check her website for details.
I LOVE the new performance DVD. This is a definate must, if you have any interest AT ALL in Aisha or in traditional Ghawazee and Raqs Sharqi style dance (before it got all Hollywood-ed up.) -
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Re: Aisha Ali
Wed, July 6, 2005 - 10:41 AMOf all the videos and dvds out there on bellydance, Aisha has kept a very high standard in education. Today it seems anyone with a video camera and a computer can pop out a few slick looking dvds on how to bellydance, But Aisha always stands out with her research, attention to detail, and beautifull dance style. Her new Aisha Dances is a must have! I love how the dancing looks like an album cover come to life. ........And I'm not just saying all this because she's my teacher. -
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Re: Aisha Ali
Fri, July 8, 2005 - 11:33 AMShe's your teacher?! how about that, for being the coolest woman on the planet!!!!
I learned sucha lot from her tunisian video and I found it was very easy to work with- she breaks things down well. She really cares about waht she's doing. I have used the ghawazee clips in conjunction with some of thw orkshops I 've be I've been too, here(UK). She just lets the dancers speak for themselves on the videos.She's right in saying that these dances must be kept alive. Once they go, they go. I will have to get her new dvd.
I totally respect Aisha. What a great lineage you will have, when you, hopefully teach one day ;).
maureen -
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Re: Aisha Ali
Sat, July 9, 2005 - 4:07 PMHi guys,
sorry to jump in but I got a question for you. I'm currently taking Moroccan style classes and we are learning Shirhats and Chaabi (forgive the spelling if incorrect). Is there anywhere online that I can purchase these Aisha Ali DVDs? I have not been able to find any DVD on North African folkloric dance and I believe it would help me to greatly improve. Any response would be greatly appreciated. :) -
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Re: Aisha Ali
Sun, July 10, 2005 - 2:56 PM -
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This is the maximum depth. Additional responses will not be threaded.
Re: Aisha Ali
Mon, July 11, 2005 - 9:14 AMCool,
Thanks a lot, I promise to put it to good use! -
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Re: Aisha Ali
Sun, July 31, 2005 - 11:25 AMjust thought I would pass along this info... Aisha will be performing at this event .
"Journey Through Egypt"
presented by
Sahra and Ya Amar! Dance Co.
Guest Starring:
Aisha Ali
Veils of Alexandra
A rich and colorful multi-media presentation of
the dances of Egypt from Nubia to the Nile Delta,
from Marsa Matruh to Ismalaya and the Sinai,
from exciting Cairo to the earthy Ghawazee of Luxor.
Saturday August 27, 2005 7:30pm
Sunday August 28, 2005 3pm
Doors open 1 hour prior to showtime for Egyptian shopping.
Curtis Theater
Brea Civic and Cultural Center
Corner of Randolf and Birch, near the 57 fwy and Imperial Hwy.
Box Office (714)990-7722
Tickets available through box office only
$23 pre-sale, general admission
$18 pre-sale, seniors and students
$30 at door, all admissions
for more info:
www.sahrasaeeda.com www.YaAmar.com -
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Re: Aisha Ali
Sun, August 21, 2005 - 6:21 PMWell, I just ordered my first Aisha Ali video. I ordered the new DVD.....and am waiting for the others to be converted to DVD.
I'm really excited! When I am home with my parents in L.A. for a month, I hope to take some lessons with her. She is in the Santa Monica or west LA area, right? Has anyone taken lessons from her? What do they think about her as an instructor?
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Re: Aisha Ali
Sat, February 11, 2006 - 5:46 PMArticle from www.orientaldancer.com
Interview with Aisha Ali
www.orientaldancer.net/star-i...i.shtml
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Re: Aisha Ali
Tue, September 18, 2007 - 2:01 AMMelody is so right! Aisha's dvds definitely stand out amongst the belly dance dvds out there. She is a true legend and has so much knowledge, grace and poise. I use her dvds so often for reference on costuming, phrasing, and inspiration. Aisha is the best teacher and a dance legend!
