Update January 2007: I'm very excited to tell my friends that I will be writing for The Chronicles! The last 2 summers I enjoyed teaching at Isis's Studios in Dallas Texas. And now they have asked me to do a regular column! - At first I had a sudden attack of early writer's block. Then Dell suggested a few subjects that were already my favorite subjects to expound on. He also said that it was too bad that I had not kept a journal while I lived in Egypt. I mentioned that I had written pages every day - often I was the only one listening to myself - and normally I was the only one interested in my Dance Ethnological observations and revelations! So, I have written my first column and it will, In'shallah, come out this next issue.

(Jan. 6, 2007) I also am reorganizing this page a bit. The RA journal is being moved to its own page - because - (!!) we have been asked by MECDA to re-stage it for June 2007 Cairo Carnival! I have a designated folder just for RA 2002. Click here to jump to the RA folder with Storyboard, 2002 Cast bios and photos, Journal, promo pages, and Gallery!

(Jan. 20, 2007) So we continue with the previous journal: (If ever I have spare time or just have to write and remember how to upload updates - you may see new subjects here from time to time. Or in RA, or in The Chronicles ...)

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* "Mouwachah" & "Layali Zaman" at the 2nd International Conference on Middle Eastern Dance (2001)

* Fieldwork Research on the Dances of Egypt - both how they are performed and represented on the theater stage and how they are danced (in the homes or as performances) indiginously. Special areas of interest are Nubia, Siwa, Saidi, and of course the Reda Troupe's performances inspired by them.

* "Ra-The Eclipse of the Sun" - This obsessed my thoughts for more than a year before giving in and starting the project - some dancers thought I was totally of my track - others understood I had to. In the end: it had 41 dancers in it, it was a huge undertaking, it was to be performed days after September 11 and postponed after receiving threats, it didn't get videotaped from a good angle and we all look 20 pounds heavier (in skin tight white dresses!) and 6 inches shorter, and someday I still need to do it again. [(note: 1/2007) Bold for emphasis - careful what you wish for.]

In 2000 I was very busy co-coordinating the 2nd International Conference on Middle Eastern Dance (2001) with Angelika Nemeth and Shareen el Safy. My troupe, Ya Amar!, was fully concentrated on 2 works for the Conference shows: an Orientale piece with elements of various folkloric styles, "Layali Zaman," and a piece that Mahmoud Reda had choreographed in 1969 which appeared on Egyptian TV New Years Eve that year.

Both Mahmoud and Farida Fahmy were being honored at the Conference, and I thought it would be wonderful if we could dance (in 2001) on stage as the Reda Troupe (of 1969) danced on a 14 foot screen behind us. This multimedia piece culminated with the Reda Troupe forming a circle around their principal dancer,1969 Farida Fahmy, while we ,Ya Amar!, formed a circle and Farida Fahmy, beloved principal dancer of the world, 2001, walked into the center! It was a moment of my life that I will never forget.

Dance Ethnology Research in Egypt

This is my main area of interest. I intend to write alot in this section. If I just copy my notes here it will keep all of us busy. As I write I my next research trip begins in a couple days, unfortunately because of the short amount of time and needing to update my whole web-site and a few other time consuming projects, I can't wax abundately at this time.

While living in Egypt (1989-1995) my main foci were Oriental Dance, Reda Theater Stage, and Saidi Folkloric Dance. These were the areas in which I had access. I was working 6-7 days a week and couldn't travel too far.

Nubia For the past couple of years I have been especially interested in Nubia. In 2002, 2004, and 2005 (I will be leaving in a couple of days again - June 2005) I reseached in Aswan on the Dances of Nubia, in 2003 produced the CD "The Music of Nubia" and developed the 3-part choreography of "Nubia Joy."

"Nubia Joy" was debuted at the IAMED Awards show (2003), which was included on "The Sixth Awards of Belly Dance" video (produced by Suzy Evans - IAMED). The Giza Academy of Music and Legends of Dance awarded Ya Amar! Dance Company "Best Troupe - 2004" on the basis of that performance.

I look forward to continuing Dance Zones of Egypt research including yearly trips to Egypt to build on build on previous research. This year I will be filming dance, culture, and geography clips from various locations throughout Egypt for our upcoming Folkloric Video.