Hey all!
How did you first discover or hear about Amar Gamal and how did it affect how you viewed your own dancing or perception of bellydancers?
I had first hear about Amar on a Yahoo group for bellydancers of color when someone mentioned the group Bellyqueen and how it featured two dancers of African and Asian descent. I had only been able to see clips of Amar's performance via her website, so it wasn't until I looked at the BDSS dvd (the first one) that I got a true idea of just how amazing she was. What stuck out for me about her dancing was not only how fast and sharp her shimmies and isolations were, but some of her movements had a distintly African feel in their power and execution.
I had never seen a bellydancer who moved like this and it was a wonderful source of inspiration for me to not be afraid to integrate more Afro movements into my bellydancing routines.......and to practice my choo choo shimmy more ;-)
-Eve
How did you first discover or hear about Amar Gamal and how did it affect how you viewed your own dancing or perception of bellydancers?
I had first hear about Amar on a Yahoo group for bellydancers of color when someone mentioned the group Bellyqueen and how it featured two dancers of African and Asian descent. I had only been able to see clips of Amar's performance via her website, so it wasn't until I looked at the BDSS dvd (the first one) that I got a true idea of just how amazing she was. What stuck out for me about her dancing was not only how fast and sharp her shimmies and isolations were, but some of her movements had a distintly African feel in their power and execution.
I had never seen a bellydancer who moved like this and it was a wonderful source of inspiration for me to not be afraid to integrate more Afro movements into my bellydancing routines.......and to practice my choo choo shimmy more ;-)
-Eve
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Albuquerque
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Re: How you discovered Amar?
Sat, December 24, 2005 - 8:12 PMI first saw her on the first BDSS DVD. I loved her. I make mention of her and have like to belly queen on my site, check it out.
www.avasatribal.com -
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Re: How you discovered Amar?
Sat, December 24, 2005 - 8:29 PMHey Avasa!
I enjoyed looking at your website and your children are absolutely adorable :) It's always a nice surprise to see women of color involved in the Tribal bellydance community. How has Amar influenced how you look at bellydance?
Namaste,
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Re: How you discovered Amar?
Mon, December 26, 2005 - 12:20 PMThank you Eve. Seeing someone like Amar dance is very uplifting. Being someone of an ethnic background it is inspiring to see that you can make it in this type of carrer.
It made me realize that my work is not done, especially as a tribal belly dancer. There are not very many, across the band of races that are interested in that piece of the art and it is my job to introduce it as a beautiful art form to our communities and show that not only is it as equally beautiful as cabaret but no matter what size, age or color you can make it your own.
Amar is a goddess. Her movements are graceful, on point and as I say, she has those killer turbo shimmies. I am proud that she is a part of this community, I am even more proud that she is part of the trinity which started the BDSS tour and I am proud that she is proud of what she does and carries herself in no less of a manner.
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Re: How you discovered Amar?
Sun, December 25, 2005 - 11:51 AMI first heard about her through one of my old bellydance teachers that saw Bellyqueen perform when she was in NYC, I think. I didn't see Amar Gamal perform until the second time BDSS rolled through Washington State. I was oozing over her and Sharon Kihara after the show. I wanted to meet Amar but she didn't come out after the show :(
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Re: How you discovered Amar?
Sun, December 25, 2005 - 1:59 PMI first saw here on the BDSS DVD where she really stood out(as did Rachel Brice).
I was amazed at her dance personality: soft and feminine, but at the same time very strong and powerful. I especially liked the piece with Isis wings (she even got better on the Folie Bérgére DVD): I think the overall image of this dance is very goddess like.
And of course her turbo shimmies: amazing! -
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Re: How you discovered Amar?
Sun, December 25, 2005 - 2:53 PMFor those of you who are not aware Amar Gamal along with Sonia and Ansuya were the initial inspiration behind the creation of the BDSS. Seeing them at a competition I held to promote the first Oojami album gave me the idea to do for bellydance and Arab music what Riverdance did for Irish music and dance. They are the Trinity. Amar is a goddess.
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Re: How you discovered Amar?
Sun, December 25, 2005 - 7:45 PMI first saw Amar Gamal at the BDSS show in Charlotte some years back (my own instructor joined the tour the next year). I do believe she was the first belly dancer of color that I'd ever seen. She has lots of power behind her moves and they're also very precise. She's an awesome lady. The BDSS show is coming through Charlotte again next month - I sure hope she's there! :)
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Re: How you discovered Amar?
Mon, December 26, 2005 - 12:57 PMI saw her on the first BDSS tour, but I had terrible seats, so I couldn't really see much of what she was doing. Even from a distance her hipwork impressed me though, showcased by those wings of Isis. Then the next time the BDSS came around, she did a workshop, teaching a choreography to an Egyptian pop song. Apart from being tickled by just how nice she was, I really admired the way that she could keep things pretty traditional yet innovative at the same time--she could take those African-inspired movements and make them look like a natural part of Egyptian raqs sharqi (which I think they probably are anyway, but you don't see that very often, at least in the US). I've since done other workshops with her and might look into private lessons now that she won't be touring for a bit, if I can figure out transportation to her studio. She has a wonderfully effortless elegance that makes her a real joy to watch. -
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Re: How you discovered Amar?
Mon, December 26, 2005 - 1:22 PMI know I'm going to start some upheaval, and honestly thats not what I want to do. I'm just curious...when you all say "dancer of color" are you referring to african american descent or just and dancers who are not white? I was also under the impression that Amar was of Latin decsent? I may be incorrect about that though.
Please dont hurt me...just curious! -
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Re: How you discovered Amar?
Mon, December 26, 2005 - 2:00 PMI know that she is from Cuba, but I am not sure if she is AfroCuban.
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Re: How you discovered Amar?
Mon, December 26, 2005 - 2:25 PMI think it depends on the speaker when it comes to defining what they mean by "dancer of color".
When I use the term "dancer of color", I'm usually referring to a non-white induvidual. A great deal of people who are of Latin descent have some degree of African ancestry, and the majority of African Americans have some degree of European, Latin, and Native American in their ancestry, making terms like Latin, African American, Hispanic....etc. more of an indicator of one's cultural background as opposed to their race.
I hope that helps a little :) -
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Re: How you discovered Amar?
Mon, December 26, 2005 - 4:03 PMEve I was going to say the same thing but then I had second thoughts of posting it because it sounded shakey, like how can it have more than one meaning, but it can and I totally agree with you, oddly enought it depends on the context that it is used or like you said the user itself. -
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Re: How you discovered Amar?
Mon, December 26, 2005 - 5:48 PMExactly. When looking using the term "dancers of color" to connotate any and all non-white induviduals, then we can look at BDSS as having quite a few women of color in their troupe: Amar Gamal is Cuban American, Adore is African American, Sharon Kihara is Japanese and Native American, Ansuya is Indian and European American, and I believe Sonia is also Latin American (someone please correct me if I'm wrong).
When I refer specifically to Amar Gamal and Adore as "sistahs of color", I'm using the term as a way of identifying the dancers who are of African ancestry (with respect to their cultural backgrounds....a completely different thing). I created this Tribe with the purpose of calling more attention to Amar Gamal and her incredible dancing style because as Badryia pointed out, very few bellydancers (much less the general audience) have had much exposure to the beauty of the bellydancing styles that have a strong African/Carribean influence.
-Eve -
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Re: How you discovered Amar?
Sat, December 31, 2005 - 3:15 AMAdarah, a beautiful dancer and photographer from NY, told me about Bellyqueen and that i had to check them out, and around the same time (a few years back) i was offered a contract in Las Vegas, I was undecided if it was an experience that i realy wanted or not, until i heard that BellyQueen was there on the same contract before mine. I thought about it, `well BellyQueen is doing it, and i know they are great, maybe I should give it a try too.` when i got there, I heard only the best of things about them. i still havent seen Amar live yet, but am very impressed by everything ive seen and heard of her. I am hoping she will be coming over here in the not to far off future.
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Re: How you discovered Amar?
Wed, August 9, 2006 - 5:51 AMOh, why hurt you? She is cuban! But by her looks I thought first she was Indian or so. But Cubans are often very dark, there is a mixture of african with indigenous elements, not always with european lines of descent.
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Re: How you discovered Amar?
Wed, August 9, 2006 - 5:55 AMexactly. You name it! It's her natural grace about her, that effortlessness you talk about that's soooo stunning.
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Re: How you discovered Amar?
Thu, January 5, 2006 - 11:16 AMI saw Amar back in 1999 as part of the then Bellyqueen trio in Neon's (now defunct) cable show.
However, I didn't get to see her dancing solo until the first BDSS tour. -
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Re: How you discovered Amar?
Tue, January 10, 2006 - 10:04 AMI wish we could get Amar to join tribe :) -
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Re: How you discovered Amar?
Tue, January 10, 2006 - 10:13 AMI was talking to Amar 2 days ago on the phone and I told her that she had her own Tribe on Tribe.net. She had no idea!
I don't think she has ever logged on to Tribe before. I warned her it is fun, but it is a dangerous big black hole that will suck up all her extra time.
However, when she comes to NYC to visit me I will log on with her and help her set up her own profile... -
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Re: How you discovered Amar?
Tue, January 10, 2006 - 10:53 AMWoohoo!
You're definitely right about Tribe being a big black hole. I'm trying to wean myself into having less Tribe time and more practice time...lol! -
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Re: How you discovered Amar?
Tue, January 10, 2006 - 11:43 AMDitto!
I spend waaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too much time on tribe!!!!
Dont regrett a single moment spent on tribe. I've met some fantastic people on here! Including a lot of bellydance celebrities ;)
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Re: How you discovered Amar?
Thu, February 2, 2006 - 11:16 PMMy first post on this forum, but, I actually first saw Amar Gamal when she was still with the Mid-Eastern Dance Exchange with Tamalyn Dallal It was the video called Emerald Dreams from like 1997 or so I can't remember the exact year, but, she danced both with the group and as soloist and she was breathtaking. Does anyone know her contact info. Or would I be able to access it through Bellyqueen. If anyone knows it let me know. I would love to study under her seriously.
Na'lani
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Re: How you discovered Amar?
Sun, January 29, 2006 - 8:38 AMMmmm, the BDSS DVD! Those Wings!! Those hips!! That smile!! Her grace and mastery influence me the most. She's my daughter's favorite BDSS also. -
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Re: How you discovered Amar?
Tue, January 31, 2006 - 11:47 PMi first saw amar on a video i bought that was from Yosry sharif dance gala show. I think it may have been the 5th? i cant remember! But she wore that same white and silver outfit she wears on the BDSS dvd. She blew me away! Then i saw her on some of tamalynn dahlal's Emerald Dreams videos as well. Unfortunately, i have not gotten to see her perform Live....
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Re: How you discovered Amar?
Fri, February 3, 2006 - 6:04 PMThree years ago when I first started to dance my teacher and friend brought a video to me with tons of different performances from workshops. There was a peformance from Amar Gamal on it and I was instantly hooked! I must have rewound and replayed that performance hundreds of times trying to absorb the greatness. LOL -
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Re: How you discovered Amar?
Sun, February 5, 2006 - 7:52 PMShe's one of my favorite dancers. She's so beautiful and dances with such grace and musicality. I love her performance in that dance gala dvd. -
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Re: How you discovered Amar?
Sun, February 19, 2006 - 3:37 PMShe came to Columbus as part of the BDSS superstars tour and taught a seminar, logistics by local Shakira...
It was really fun, the movements were lively- the music hip hoppy, and clean clean technique..
I really would love to train with her, she has a lot to teach!
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Re: How you discovered Amar?
Tue, February 28, 2006 - 7:03 AMI saw her on the BDSS DVD. I loved her style - especially in Talakik. She's adorable AND she's coming to Japan later this year. I can't wait! :D -
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Re: How you discovered Amar?
Thu, August 10, 2006 - 5:08 AMHi Anaan,
I loved Talakik also - Amar danced so playfully and wilfully, you can't beat the charms and grace of that! She is the absolute style-queen to me. Although it looks so natural on her that I don't know if you can actually LEARN it, it looks like she was born with it.
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Re: How you discovered Amar?
Fri, March 3, 2006 - 6:08 AMI first saw Amar Gamal on the BDSS DVD's. I was blown away, she is absolute perfection. Her gorgeous facial expressions and her amazing movements made me fan. -
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Unsu...
Re: How you discovered Amar?
Sun, April 2, 2006 - 1:06 AMThank You for nailing it on the facial expression thing....My sister and I totally feel you on that on that one. The first BD DVD I bought was BDSS. I'd already bought the CD and knew the songs. Once I saw Amar dancing, I liked her songs even more. Why? because, after that, everytime I heard those songs, I could see her moving to the music..looking at her audience like "Yeah..you cant take your eyes off me can ya? Watch this.." I can't get enough of it. She's beautiful to talk to, too. Fan for Life, Amar. Do yo' thang, girl!
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Re: How you discovered Amar?
Sun, May 14, 2006 - 10:08 AMI discovered her when she taught a workshop in our area. I had never seen the BDSS live or on video before this workshop, so she is the first one I met. She taught us an Egyptian-style choreography and I just thought she was an amazing dancer and a nice person. It was my favorite workshop of the weekend, and I was surprised to find I liked the style of Amar Gamal more than Rachel Brice. (everyone told me I would love Rachel Brice..she's cool, but her dance style isn't my dance style.) -
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Unsu...
Re: How you discovered Amar?
Tue, May 23, 2006 - 1:39 PMI discovered her through the 1st BDSS DVD and never looked back. She's one of the best dancers I've even seen in my life and she has my vote on the best shimmy worldwide. On top of that, she speaks spanish perfectly! What a perfect angel! ; )
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