Hello and Welcome to March's Zameena!
Spring is on its way and we spring straight in with a Question.....
Have you ever wanted to learn to dance with top stars like Randa Kamel at a Dance Festival?
Well, Sarah Malik tells us about her admiration for Randa Kamel, the new London festival and she asks Randa a few quick fire questions for us,
Wow! How lucky are we?
Also, there's a very catchy tune, which is on everyone's lips,
in the Music Corner
Info Spot gets us into the culture with a recipe for a tasty drink
and there are new goodies from Zara's Zouk.
There's lots to enjoy..........
So, without further ado let's hand over to Sarah and RANDAAAAA!!!
|
|
Randa Kamel, my ideal superstar
Sarah Malik talks to Zara Dance
Randa interviewed by Sarah Malik
|
|
So, Sarah, you have been an admirer of Randa Kamel as a dancer, teacher and person for many years and you have been a regular attendee at Randa Kamel's festivals in Cairo and around the world.
Now, very excitingly, you are hosting Randa in London this summer.
Whoop! Whoop!!
|
|
|
Photo: L-R Khaled Badawy, Sarah Malik and Randa Kamel (meet them in London this July)
|
|
Can you tell us what makes Randa so special?
"Yes, of course. To me Randa, first of all, is the biggest dancer in the world. I am one of her students for a long, long time. I first met her when she used to come to UK and Maria D'Silva hosted her. It was a few years ago in about, 2008 or 2009, I can't quite remember, but I fell in love with Randa immediately.
If she's in Europe I follow her. I have followed her for many years. I go to festivals in Europe where she is starring and I go to her festivals in Cairo; learning from her, getting closer and getting to know her more and more and that's how we became very close friends."
You're a real fan. Can you tell us about the new festival, Raqs Sharqi London (RSL)?
"Always my dream is to organise a big dance festival.
If you ask any other teachers who know me very close they will say that I am always speaking about organising a big event to represent the UK and London in particular.
|
|
It's happened! Now I have a team and the festival is in July with Randa, as the biggest dancer! She is a great support to me and I am so, so happy to have her in London UK!"
I was lucky to attend some of Randa's festival workshops in Cairo last February. They were amazing! I want to say to everyone, if you can, go and experience Randa's teaching and personality for yourself. You won't be disappointed!
"Thank you Zara!
Yes, everyone please come. It will be fun!
Team Raqs Sharqi London (RSL) are waiting to welcome you.
As well as Randa we have other fantastic dancers who will share their knowledge and passion.
Oh, and I forgot to say, there is a competition and Randa will be one of the judges!
Click on the poster below for more info:"
|
|
Sarah was in Cairo at Randa Kamel Of Course 2019 festival this February.
Whilst there she asked Randa some quick fire questions for us ... Yalla!
|
|
1) What star sign are you?
Virgo
2) Have you ever been married?
Yes
3) Can you drive?
Yes
4) Can you swim?
Yes
5) What's your favourite food to indulge in?
Egyptian traditional food
6) Where is your favourite place to holiday?
The city where I was born, El Mansoura
8) Do you have any phobias?
Pets
|
|
|
9) Have you ever had a childhood nickname? What is it?
Yes. Romana, Ado
11) Who's your favourite dancer of all time?
Naima Akef,
Na'met Mokhtar,
Nahid Sabri
12) What is your favourite style of bellydance?
There is no bellydance style. It Is Egyptian Dance and there are not styles to choose.
|
|
|
13) What's your favourite
Umm Kalthoum song?
|
|
I love all Umm Kalthoum songs but Enta Omri brings me a lot of good memories
14) What's your favourite Abdul Halim Hafez song?
Hawel Teftekerni
15) Who is your favourite costume designer?
The person who loves the look of the dancer
16) Where is your favourite place?
My city, El Mansoura
17) What's your biggest belly dance tip?
Love and Respect
|
|
|
|
Thank you Sarah
and Randa!!
Good luck with the festival!
|
|
|
Best Sellers Back in Stock:
|
|
Our Kaftan Cover Ups are a customer favourite. Great for a cover up over your costume before you perform, as a basic Khaligee dress and even for chilling in on long summer days!
|
|
Harem Pants, a favourite on the Zara's Zouk site!
|
|
|
!!-- Music Corner --!!
with Zara Dance
This song, Mafia, by Mohamed Ramadan just gets
more and more popular!
You can't help but to sing the catchy chorus!
There are English subtitles so you can follow along.
(Remember Kobra? It was a response to Mohamed Ramadan's hit, Number One, both songs featured in January's Music Corner)
The Mafia dance moves are being copied EVERYWHERE!
Have some fun!
Play the song, sing along and bust out those Mafia moves!
Need inspiration? Below, see my impromptu dance whilst shopping in Khan el Khalili and Brenda Diaz's interpretation.
|
|
Zara Dance - having a cheeky giggle and wiggle in Khan El Khalili
whilst shopping for Zara's Zouk
With thanks to my partner in "crime", Mohamed Oka!
|
|
|
Cairo based Brenda Diaz (Blue Nile Boat) dancing on Mafia
Loving the cigar, hat and tie
Go Brenda!
|
|
|
Info. Spot
With Sandra
When it's cold during winter or at night, Egyptians love to warm up with a hot, comforting, milky drink: Sahlab.
I was flabbergasted to find this drink is also popular in Bosnia!
Then I discovered that its popularity was due to the Ottomans! To this day, countries which were part of the Ottoman Empire drink Sahlab.
Another surprise, Sahlab was a favoured hot drink in the UK, during the 17th Century, before the dominance of tea and coffee.
Named after the ground up orchid roots used to thicken it, pure Sahlab orchid root powder can be difficult to find and the orchid used is in decline.
However, other starches can be utilised. Here is a recipe with cornflour as the thickener. It tastes much like the authentic Sahlab so why not give it a go?
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons/25grm Cornflour
1 litre Milk
2 tablespoons Sugar (more or less to your taste as preferred OR use honey)
Optional (but very good to add):
2 tablespoons Rose Water
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Toppings:
Ground Cinnamon
Pistachio Nuts or Walnuts (chopped)
Desiccated or Shredded Coconut
Any Dried Fruit (chopped if large size like dates/apricots)
Method:
1. Mix the cornflour and sugar with a little of the milk in a jug.
2. Boil the rest of the milk in a pan then add it to the cornflour mix making sure all is stirred into the hot milk.
3. Return to the pan and cook for 10 mins, stirring all the time so it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan, until thick and creamy.
4. Add the rose water and/or vanilla, stir and pour into cups.
5. Sprinkle the top with cinnamon (as I had it in Bosnia) OR
Sprinkle the top with cinnamon, chopped nuts and dried fruit (as I had it in Egypt)
ENJOY!!!
Photo: Sandra, Zara and Sahara, enjoying Sahlab in Bosnia
|
|
|
|
|