~MYOKEI~

An Interview with Myokei~

ND:  How long did you support yourself & daughter dancing?
MYOKEI:    I generally always had a full time job to support my dancing, but I'd say I did work from about 1973-1985, mostly part-time. There were several periods of nearly full-time involvement. There were also times when my family life and situation overwhelmed my abilities to conduct myself as a professional.
ND:   Where did you dance?
MYOKEI:   El Paso, Galveston, Austin, Houston, Dallas, TX; Albquerque NM, San Diego, CA; New Orleans, LA (at Bellechasse Naval Air Station for the US Navy)
ND:   How were you received BDWB (belly dancing while black)?
MYOKEI:    Initially, I caused quite a stir when I first started dancing because of the exotic nature of my looks--Hawaiian, Samoan, Mexican--universal native. Generally, I was very well received until I moved to Houston where I did have to deal with some racism--mostly from Americans.  Later, the Arabic community often became more open in expressing their preference for blondes.  Later, I did gain some acceptance in the black community, but it was not very well understood.
ND:  Did you make your own costumes & why?
MYOKEI:   Yes, because I did not care for the Frederick's of Hollywood style that was somewhat prevalent at the time. I preferred the more earthy, and sometimes tribal look. Later a good friend who was a costume designer designed some costumes for me--more show girl style with lots of glitter and glam.
ND:   When did you become a Buddhist?
MYOKEI:  At age 13
ND:   How did Buddhism & dancing go together or did they?
MYOKEI:   I've always viewed Buddhism as the core of my life--so the freedom of expression, my joy, and often my trancelike performances--came from the freedom I gained to be myself as a direct result of my practice.  I think I was also a great communicator as a dancer--able to get people involved in the dance through my efforts.
ND:   When did you retire from dancing?
MYOKEI:   1985 or thereabouts
ND:   How do you feel about all of the "black" bellydancers coming up in America today?
MYOKEI:    I think it's great--it's something I personally have rarely ever seen. I often think that if I get fit, I'll jump back into it. But then, now I am like that big old (I don't actually feel old!) lady who first taught me to dance! I had tried a couple of times to get black women involved in the dance, but was unsuccessful.  African dance was/is much more popular--but then I have been out of the scene for a long time.

In Gassho ("With Respect")
Jessica
Myokei is an ordained shami (priest) of Nichiren-Shu Buddhism currently practicing in Texas.

 

~KAMAAL~

KAMAAL has been performing and teaching Middle Eastern dance now for over twenty years and has danced in many fine restaurants in Northern and Southern California. The Marrakech and The Grapeleaf in San Francisco. The El Mahgreb and the Ta Delphinia in San Jose, and the El Grande in Manhattan Beach, to name just a few.

Kamaal has twice been named “Mr. America of the Belly dance” and was several times a finalist in the “Belly dancer of the Year” competition. He is to date the only male to place in Southern California’s “International Belly Dance Competition”. He was also a two-time recipient of the Nafisa Gem award for the “Best Professional Male Belly Dancer.”

Kamaal’s dance style ranges from traditional Egyptian cabaret to folkloric. He was a ballroom competition dancer for more than 10 years before he discovered Middle Eastern dance. He is known for his creative use of props, most notably his famous tray and sword balancing routines, and his show stopping double veil.

Teaching weekly classes out of his studio in Sherman Oaks, California, Kamaal’s goal is to help his students find health, happiness and a sense of personal achievement through Middle Eastern Dance. He also teaches workshops extensively around the country each year. This year he has been to held classes in Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, several cities in California. Of course his favorite spot for teaching classes is on the yearly “Arabian Nights At Sea Belly Dance Cruise” to Mexico, which he has been with every September for the last 5 years. The upcoming year will see him teaching classes in Hawaii, New Jersey, Washington State, and a number of cities around California.

Visit Kamaal's web site at www.KamaalsHarem.com...
 

~FEIRUZ~

The Nubian Divas Spotlight Shines on one of our Legendary Pioneers:
Feiruz Aram. Her contributions and gifts to this wonderful art form
Resonate throughout the world.


Feiruz began her professional dance career in Hollywood, California in the late 60’s and has performed, studied with or was influenced by such renown Oriental dancers as Ibrahim Farrah, Sultana Ibrahim, Nahed Sabri, Serena (New York City), Achmed Hussein and Raqia Hassan, all of Cairo, Egypt.

In 1976, Feiruz traveled to Cairo, Egypt on a sabbatical from her teaching position at Long Beach City College where she instituted the first for- credit class at a community college. She returned in 1977 after having performed for international audiences at
Sahara City, a nightclub in the heart of the Giza Desert. This experience strongly influenced and enhanced her knowledge of the music and culture of Egypt. As a teacher, she attempts to communicate this knowledge to her students.

Upon retuning to the United States, she gathered the professional dancers in the Los Angeles area, including Marta Shill, Marie Silva, Jenaene Rathor,and Samra Jenkins together for the purpose of forming a union for the protection and betterment of work conditions for Southern California dancers. Twenty-six hears later, this guild is going strong with 1000 members locally and across the U.S., the “Cairo Carnivale” held the first weekend in June in the Glendale Civic Auditorium.

As a dancer, Feiruz believes that balanced musculature contributes to a dancers’ ability to follow through with her movements. Her style of dance shows amazing strength and control while always graceful and feminine. Her flawless execution of the various moves and moods of belly dance awes audiences of all backgrounds.


Feiruz’ style reflects her rich experience as a headlining entertainer on both Coasts of the United States and Internationally. Because of her exceptional understanding of and feeling for the music and culture, Feiruz has the ability to make her audience become part of the music whenever she dances.

In conjunction with her impressive career as a dancer, Feiruz has become an accomplished and popular teacher of Middle Eastern dance. She graduated from California State University with a bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication and has a lifetime teaching credential the Community College level where she wrote a proposal creating a for-credit belly dance for the first time at Long Beach City College. At present, she teaches weekly classes and conducts frequent workshops in Southern California, throughout the country and internationally. She is a featured performer at special events locally and nationally. Many of her students have gone on to professional teaching and performing careers of their own.

In addition to contributing so much to the world of Belly Dance as an entertainer, writer, lecturer, instructor, choreographer and show producer, 1973, she produced the very first convention for Middle Eastern dancers, and again in 1974 aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach Harbor with over 500 attendees. Feiruz is a pioneer and continues to have a profound impact on the dance community. She is excited to see this art form go global and mainstream.

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