The Jihan Jamal Invitational
May 5-6, 2000, Austin, TX
- By Pat Taylor
Originally
published in the Austin Belly Dance Association's OPA June 2000
"Whatever the question,
love is the answer", As the brilliant Texas sun glittered off the
brand new dance floor of DivaDance, Judy Belkacem's new dance studio and
venue, a circle of women (and one male participant) thirty feet across
introduced themselves to each other, led by Jihan Jamal of Miami. This
simple precept flew like an arrow to my heart. Throughout the weekend,
I found myself returning to this idea, seeing its implications in my dance
and non-dance lives. This was not surprising. A transformative experience
is typical of Jihan Jamal's fusion of the physical and the spiritual in
her dance and teaching.
This three-day intensive weekend
seminar grew out of a prior H.O.T. seminar Jihan Jamal presented in August
1999, at which it became obvious that Jihan Jamal had more to offer the
experienced Egyptian-based dancer than she could present in a typical
beginners-to-professional dance seminar. The return engagement took place
in Austin, Texas, May 4-6, as part of Bahaia's Heart of Texas (H.O.T.)
Seminar Series. The seminar was by invitation only to experienced dancers
who are interested in Middle Eastern Egyptian-based style.
Jihan Jamal built the workshop
around the music of "The Voice of the Arab World", the late
singer, Om Khalthoum. Friday evening, the class worked on "Enta Omri"
; written in 1964 by Mohammed Abdel Wahad for Om Khalthoum, or "the
Diva", as Jihan Jamal referred to her. On Saturday, the class covered
"El Atlal", parts of "Amal Hayiatti" and "Fakarouni",
and began the choreography to "Agadan Alkak" ("Will I See
You Tomorrow?"). On Sunday, Jihan Jamal showed a film clip of Om
Khalthoum singing "Amal Hayiatt". Jihan Jamal returned to the
choreography for "Agadan Alkak", although the class did not
cover the entire choreography. The seminar ended with work on combinations
and technique. To close the seminar, Jihan Jamal delighted the seminar
participants by performing a tribute to Ibrahim "Bobby" Farrah,
using "Oum Kolthoum Cocktail", combining "Amal Hayiatti"
and "Fakarouni". Although those of us who knew and loved Bobby
were deeply moved by Jihan Jamal's evocation of his spirit, the other
audience members were entranced by the beauty of the dance itself.
On Saturday night all the action
moved to the Carousel Lounge, an Austin honky-tonk on the east side of
town that is known for its roots rockers and swing crowd. The circus theme
of the décor culminates in a nearly life-size pink plaster pachyderm
on the bandstand. Stella, the house waitress, is a rangy red-head of undeniable,
if unspecified, years, clad in a mini-skirted ensemble with a red frilled
garter over her black hose. The Carousel is home to Melissa Amira's Carousel
Caravan, a regular bi-weekly Middle Eastern dance show, featuring Austin's
best dancers. At the Saturday show, Austin's strong dance scene was very
much in evidence. Bahaia opened in black velvet and coins, followed by
Melissa Amira, whose strong performance belied the recent birth of her
twin boys. DivaDance owner, Judy Belkacem, was followed by crowd favorite
Mila, this writer, elegant Tamra Henna, Debbie Smith and Jeanette. Ladena
gave a fervent interpretation of "Waheshteny", dedicated to
Jihan Jamal. Drakon, our lone male participant, performed a sword dance.
Houston was well represented by Rhonda and Victoria.
Jihan Jamal closed the first
half with a Saiidi segment, wearing a modern interpretation of a red Saiidi
dress. She danced to three tracks by Metkhal Khanawi, including "Il
Faraoula" ("The Strawberry Dance"). Her performance was
authoritative and powerful. The evening ended with Jihan Jamal's Oriental
performance. Wearing a striking electric blue and black dress, she performed
to a medley of "Aghadan Alkak", an instrumental version of the
song immortalized by Om Khalthoum, followed by the classic Om Khalthoum
"Leesa Fakker" ("Do You Remember?"). She closed with
"Tahktil Sheebak" ("Dancing Under the Window") by
Fatme Sirhan. This program of deeply romantic music demands both passion
and grace, I saw a flash of the fiery spirit of Ibrahim Farrah, as Jihan
Jamal tossed her head like an Arabian horse, her long hair whipping under
the stage lights.The vision of Jihan Jamal's profile bathed in electric
blue, sculpted by shadows in the eye sockets and cheekbones, her proud
and flashing eyes looking beyond the stage, beyond the room, to something
only she could see-that will remain with me for a long time to come. Love,
it seems, is the answer.
