A Marriage Made in Heaven…..

The Arabic Drum is the heartbeat…the sounds of the fingers on the Drum skin stirs the Dancer’s soul..makes it quiver…the body responds…movement is born!

If the elements of Oriental Dance are a metaphor for Life…then the Drum Solo is ‘Elemental Fire’!

Here is a famous clip of Egyptian Dance Legend Najwa Fouad ‘On Fire”!

Najwa, in pure abandon with the drum is a demonstration of the ‘primal’ quality of  the relationship of Dancer and Drum.

Notice how she opens with the spin and then becomes almost rooted to the spot where she stands. The shimmy and vibration originates from the hips as it moves up into the abdomen and is then fueled by the chest shimmies and lifts! Her beautiful arm movements create a lifting and dropping momentum that enhances the crescendo of  chest and hip pops and shimmies! The ‘fire’ builds with the crashing cymbals and drums and leaps up to powerful head movements as she lets loose in a finale of wild abandon!  A classic Najwa piece!

In addition to the ‘Drum Solo’ there is another wonderful Dancer and Drummer show in Lebanon that Howaida Hachem is famous for… it is Lebanese Beladi..  A Dabke style solo with the cane. The Drummer, with the large bass Drum, Dances and Plays around the dancer…here is a clip..although dark due to the stage lighting….of Howaida and Drummer (can’t find his name..he has been around for years…help anyone?) …

Love it!

This little taste of Dancer and Drummer just wouldn’t be complete without this Fantastic performance by Superstar Amani of Lebanon! This is from 1996 in Germany…Tabla Solo from A to Z….

Now that is what I call Hot..Sassy and Fun!  Amani creates a playful mood with the drummer and audience…and demonstrates the Mastery of the Art of the Dancer, the Drummer and Entertainment!

Ok, Girls!  A Drum Solo a day keeps the Soul at Play!

Until next time…Shake it Up!