Dancing like an Egyptian - in Dorset (From Dorset Echo)

Dancing like an Egyptian - in Dorset

11:12am Wednesday 3rd February 2010 in

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THE opulence of Egypt will be summoned up in an evening of exotic and evocative dance. The Characters Of The Moulid is a modern Egyptian dance show inspired by a traditional festival.

It is being organised and danced by Diane Petty and Ellie Atkinson and will be raising money for Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

The Moulid is a community ritual that has been practised since dynastic times. It is a festival which brings Egyptians of all faiths in a village or town together for music, dance, feasting, and celebrating in the name of a local saint.

Fairground side shows, clowns, processions and stalls selling candy-floss are found alongside Sufi displays of faith, zikrs and people looking for blessings and healing.

The evening will start with a dance show featuring nine dancers and will demonstrate the wide range of music and styles of Egyptian dance, some of which will be familiar as ‘belly-dance’ and some which are rarely seen outside Egypt.

Diane and Ellie have studied Egyptian dance for many years and their love of it has inspired an alliance to further their creative ideas.

They also aim to raise the profile of Egyptian dance in Dorset, foster good relations with dancers of other styles of Arabic dance and bring guest Raqs Sharqi teachers to Dorset. Their work has been recognised by the Raqs Sharqi Society, who made them both associates in 2009.

Ellie said: “People can expect to see many different styles of Egyptian dance.

“Most people will be familiar with belly dancing, but there are may other traditional folk dances performed by men and women. We have tried to represent all the different dances as well as the more folky styles and more classical dances with contemporary music.

“There will be lots of colourful costumes and I think people will find it very entertaining.”

Diane said: “We both really enjoy the dancing and the act of creating and performing different dances.

“We have already done two shows for Breakthrough but we wanted to do another because we both have friends who have been affected by the disease.

“This time, we wanted to perform in a bigger space because it is better for us and will also bring more people to watch us, so hopefully we can raise more money for Breakthrough.”

Ellie added: “Our main inspiration for the show was the operetta Al-Leila Al-Kaibira by Salah Jahin, a colourful tribute to the Moulid.

“We also drew on inspiration from books such as Mulid! Carnivals Of Faith by Tarek Atia and Sherif Sonbol. Finally, our own experiences of Egypt and Moulids attended inspired us to create our own tribute to the Egyptian Moulid.”

The Characters Of The Moulid is at Dorchester Corn Exchange on Saturday, February 20, at 7pm. Tickets cost £10 from Diane on 01305 813179 or Dorchester TIC in Antelope Walk. Visit raqssharqidorset.co.uk