. 
And much too balletic. At the risk of starting a debate... Here is my humble opinion. Saida's style is Occidentally Oriental (Oridental? :lol
Totally generalizing here: on a movement level, the south American dancers (and Russian dancers too) seem to be very literal in terms of making the music visible. Like a good Egyptian dancer, I see the music on her, I see parallel’s in how the movement is expressed to interpret the music. So there's that, as well as the purpose - demonstrated well, costuming and music choices.
However, there is also an undeniable occidental accent. A balletic quality and a sophistication, an air of "performance", a refinement and perfectness that westerners find beautiful and desirable. There is no messiness, earthiness, rawness, not that informal, relaxed quality that Egyptian dancers often bring. I am not judging it as better or worse. It is a cultural difference in how we fundamentally approach 'performing' dance.
I think too the emoting element is distant and that is NOT particular to South Americans but foreign dancers in general. Collectively - we can't relate, we don't have that gut response to the music. It is more about performing than emoting. Which seems to be kind of the opposite to Egyptian style.
I'm not knocking Saida at all, by the way, I'm a fan.
Hi Salome
I know you didn't say that. It was a personal observation on my part and didn't have anything to do with what you said. I guess I should have only highlighted the part of your post where you coined the term Oridental, which I thought was funny.
Regards
Priscilla
