My attempt at an Oriental interpretation of Wayek

[Aziyade]

Farid al-Atrache holds a special place in my heart, and I've ALWAYS loved this song, so here is my attempt at an Oriental interpretation of the song.

Sorry about the clapping off-beat -- the audience is just very enthusiastic.

Helpful criticism is, as always, greatly appreciated. I feel like I need to be "bigger" in my movements, but everything seems bigger with performance adrenaline.

YouTube - Wayek

 

[Jane]

Farid al-Atrache holds a special place in my heart, and I've ALWAYS loved this song, so here is my attempt at an Oriental interpretation of the song.

That is a lovely classic! Nice choice.

Sorry about the clapping off-beat -- the audience is just very enthusiastic.

LOL that always throws me off a bit when the clapping stops and I have to catch the beat in the music again.

Helpful criticism is, as always, greatly appreciated. I feel like I need to be "bigger" in my movements, but everything seems bigger with performance adrenaline.

As I said above I love the choice of music. I also liked how the soft color of the costume complimented the soft tone of the music. Make any sense, or am I crazy? Also, your transitions are very, very smoothly done.

I think the size of the movements you were doing were fine. If you wanted to make the dance look bigger, maybe add movements that are bigger in themselves, like a deep hip circle, or movements that extend more strongly outward or horizontally. Another possibility to change things up a little, is to drop your arms down behind your hips to frame them. I think I missed some of your hip movements because I was busy watching your graceful arms at chest level and above. I'm a big fan of "dancer hair". You have lovely long flowing type hair and you should use it more! Let it follow your body and draw a bit of attention to it. Not too much, just a little more.

The musicality and emotion came across very naturally. You also struck a nice balance by not over or under-dancing the music. Technique looks just dandy Lovely dancing, I enjoyed it very much!

 

[Shanazel]

Oh, I do so love seeing long time OD friends perform! Thanks for the video, Aziyade. I thoroughly enjoyed it, off beat clapping aside.

 

[jahbie]

I really enjoyed watching your performance, I specially liked the slow section starting at 2.32, and your costume is lovely. Obviously your audience enjoyed it too!

Could you tell me where you got this particular version of Wayek please? I have it on a scratchy old tape from the late 90s and I've been looking for a proper version for years.

 

[walladah]

That was really great!

and yes, i cannot be bothered of clapping, for if i was there, i would also clap for you dancing! well done!

 

[Aziyade]

Thanks gang!!

I think the size of the movements you were doing were fine. If you wanted to make the dance look bigger, maybe add movements that are bigger in themselves, like a deep hip circle, or movements that extend more strongly outward or horizontally.

You know I always THINK I'm going to do something like that, and mostly when I practice I think I come up with different 'larger' movements, but of course the minute I'm "on stage" I forget everything I WANTED to do. lol. Although I love improv, there is an advantage to choreography. (In my mind, those Arabesques are a LOT bigger! )

Another possibility to change things up a little, is to drop your arms down behind your hips to frame them. I think I missed some of your hip movements because I was busy watching your graceful arms at chest level and above. I'm a big fan of "dancer hair". You have lovely long flowing type hair and you should use it more! Let it follow your body and draw a bit of attention to it. Not too much, just a little more.

My dance partner is always telling me "you need to do something about your arms!" lol. I don't know why I keep them up there all the time. ??? I think with any other piece I'm more apt to be more "grounded" but this song in particular makes me feel more "ballet" and less balady. I want to mess with my hair, but it just doesn't seem appropriate as I'm dancing it. I think I'm sort of done with this song for a while, but I'm working on Habbena and a couple others of his, and I think I can "Orientalize" them a little more. I'll keep your thoughts in mind -- thanks!!!!

 

[Aziyade]

Could you tell me where you got this particular version of Wayek please? I have it on a scratchy old tape from the late 90s and I've been looking for a proper version for years.

This is the ending of a 9-minute compilation of his, on one of those old "Voices of Lebanon" CDs. I cut the beginning and looped over the accordion so it sounded like that was the beginning.

I think this link will work. It's a GREAT CD!!!!

https://www.dahlal.com/default.aspx?n=1&c=2&s1=0&s2=0


(eta -- no the link won't work, but if you search Dahlal for
Belly Dance with Farid El-Atrach volume 1
VOS 10027
it's that CD.)

 

[Mosaic]

Very enjoyable Aziyade, love your costume, and I didn't even notice the clapping I was too intent on watching you dance.
~Mosaic

 

[Greek Bonfire]

I "liked" it too (pressed the Like button). I thought you really showed emotion and you were very expressive. I like when a dancer is feeling the music which is very obvious that you were feeling. I also thought your costume was incredibly beautiful.

 

[Farasha Hanem]

Oh, I do so love seeing long time OD friends perform! Thanks for the video, Aziyade. I thoroughly enjoyed it, off beat clapping aside.

Same here! This is the first time I've ever seen you perform, and I enjoyed it so much it didn't even register on me that the audience's clapping was off. Bravo, Aziyade! :clap:

 

[jahbie]

Found it. Thank you so much!

This is the ending of a 9-minute compilation of his, on one of those old "Voices of Lebanon" CDs. I cut the beginning and looped over the accordion so it sounded like that was the beginning.

I think this link will work. It's a GREAT CD!!!!

https://www.dahlal.com/default.aspx?n=1&c=2&s1=0&s2=0


(eta -- no the link won't work, but if you search Dahlal for
Belly Dance with Farid El-Atrach volume 1
VOS 10027
it's that CD.)

 

[seona]

The musicality and emotion came across very naturally. You also struck a nice balance by not over or under-dancing the music.

Lovely dancing Aziyade! :clap: I agree with Jane your emotion felt real and from the heart, I enjoyed very much!

And yes it's cool to see others here on odnet dance!

 

[Aziyade]

Aw, thanks ladies!! Now that I know how to use iMovie, I'm going to be putting up more videos (I hope), and those of my students too! I'm so excited!!

 

[Elfie]

You're incredible. That is all.

 

[Aziyade]

Thank you Elfie

 

[Rassi]

Absolutely lovely, Aziyade! Thank you so much for sharing with us:clap:

 

[Nailah_Siti]

I love how expressive your face is. We could probably understand the feeling in the song just by watching your face. It was captivating, truly.

 

[Aziyade]

You all are so sweet! Thank you

 

[Shakti]

I do loooove what you have done here. Silky smooth! I do have something for you to watch out for in your turns. You have a tendency to shrug your shoulders in your turns. Maybe an adjustment could be to tighten your trapezius (sp) (angel wings) muscles; that helps to open the chest and keep the shoulders down without locking the shoulders. It is a subtle thing and not critism by any means.

Fantastic!

 

[Aziyade]

ARGH!! You see that too? LOL.

That is one of my WORST habits -- having my shoulders up around my ears. I'd like to say it's my impression of Samia Gamal, but it's just a bad habit.

Now that I look at it, it's especially obvious in the arabesques too. :/

I think it actually might be linked to when I'm inhaling, or directing my energy upwards. Hmmm. Going to have to analyze that! I wouldn't mind it if it was a deliberate stylization choice, but it's not. It's a bad habit.

Thanks!!