Search - Bellydance Egyptian Style - The Baladi - 2-DVD Set on DVD


Bellydance Egyptian Style - The Baladi - 2-DVD Set
Bellydance Egyptian Style - The Baladi - 2-DVD Set
Actor: Ranya Renee
Director: Ranya Renee
Genres: Special Interests, Educational
NR     2009     5hr 25min


     
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Actor: Ranya Renee
Director: Ranya Renee
Genres: Special Interests, Educational
Sub-Genres: Dance, Educational
Studio: StratoStream - World Dance New York
Format: DVD - Color,Widescreen
DVD Release Date: 02/24/2009
Release Year: 2009
Run Time: 5hr 25min
Screens: Color,Widescreen
Number of Discs: 2
SwapaDVD Credits: 2
Total Copies: 0
Members Wishing: 2
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Languages: English
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Movie Reviews

The dvd I have long-awaited
Shannon B Davis | Arlington, MA United States | 03/21/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)

"My favorite new DVD has got to be Ranya Renee's first in a series of three DVDs on Egyptian Dance, this one on Baladi. I have longed for a video or workshop about baladi, not just a choreography demonstration, but something that explained the essence of baladi. Baladi, in terms of this DVD and Egyptian dance, is a specifically Egyptian dance performed to their baladi (or country) music. Ranya explained that baladi can mean other things in the surrounding Arabic countries. It is commonly done at weddings and parties, by both men and women, but Raks Sharki performers will often do a baladi section to their full routine. The DVD is all I hoped for, and then some. It is actually a two DVD set, containing 3 hours of material.
The first DVD focuses on the baladi music, and movements stylized for baladi. She spends the first 30 minutes explaining the music, with live musicians, one of whom grew up on Mohammed Ali Street in Cairo. He demonstrates on the accordion how the baladi is different in Alexandria, Upper Egypt, at a street wedding, or a nightclub. Ranya Renee also had the drummers demonstrate the different rhythms you will hear in the progression, and how they play off the accordion. She demonstrated the differences between a women's street baladi, men's street baladi, and a nightclub baladi. Then, she demonstrates each style, in costume.
On the second half of the first DVD, she teaches techniques for each section of the baladi and demonstrates how to make them more "baladi" style. The drills are separated into movements for each musical section, the taqsim (musical improvisation) that starts each baladi, then the call & response section, the maqsoum rhythm - slow and fast - and the 2-beat Ingerara. The ingerara section (the fast section at the end of a baladi progression) was a challenge in the past for me. I always felt like I couldn't dance that fast and didn't have enough "fast moves" to fill the time. I would look for baladi progressions with a very short Ingerara. With Ranya Renee's DVD, I am no longer limited, except my own endurance!
The technique section begins with posture and even an advanced dancer should not skip over it. First, it is taught in a most charming way using props to demonstrate. The use of the amusing props, such as a miniskirt to show how your muscles are tight but fluid around that area, or the zipper up the pelvis to show how you are "zipped up" through those muscles, brought the points home to me in a new way. I have talked to several others about this DVD and all have remarked on this section, how it made them feel very different. Given these postural changes - and understanding the muscle mechanics - I feel I am getting a juicier look to my abdominal isolations.
With all this in mind, she talked about framing. She demonstrated the hows and more importantly the whys. I was thrilled that Ranya showed that you can in fact use your arms in baladi to express the music. I had a private lesson where I was taught not to use them as much, and I found it a little restrictive. It is just a matter of understanding how to use the arms. The abdominal core and hips are still the main focus of musical expression in the body. Ranya also talked about making it personal, letting the music sing through your body. As this music has always moved me to dance, I felt freer hearing this - I had let other people's hang-ups about what you should and shouldn't do creep into my mind until I became insecure dancing baladi. I loved the way she described this dance as one where you feel confident in yourself, your body - proud and strong.

While the movements she teaches in the instructional section will all be very familiar - aside from a new type of "jewel" that I had not seen before - the student may find they feel entirely different when engaging the muscles as instructed in the postural section. The fluid taqsim moves were quite delicious with that sense of holding and fluid tension in the core! The ingerara section could serve as a workout in itself - Ranya has endless energy.
The second DVD focuses on improvisation, as baladi is an improvisational dance. Ranya talks in general about improvisation in baladi, and then leads the student into drills. There are three baladi progressions on the DVD for improvisations. For each one, she discusses the music, danced through it twice, and then goes into the drills. It was not clear to me if the dancing section was intended for the student to watch, follow along, or dance alone to the music. In the drills, Ranya loops sections of the music over and over and you can follow along with her, although there is no voice instruction. You also have the option to flow into the music and dance your own improvisation. However, I found it instructive to "follow the bouncing butt" so to speak, and follow what Ranya chose to do - to try to capture the essence of it into my own body.
In summary, this DVD is extremely economical for everything you receive with it. I am looking forward to the next in the series - on Modern Cairo style.
"
High quality DVD has appeal to beginners and advanced dancer
Blair Hornbuckle | Rochester, NY | 12/22/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)

"My wife knows the instructor, so I got to see a preview copy of the DVD. I teach W. African drum and dance and am NOT a belly dancer myself. So consider that as you read on...

I was impressed by several things about this 2-DVD set:

1) The production values were outstanding. They shot on HD, and did a great job with lighting, sound, and editing. That makes it very easy to watch and absorb.

2) The instruction is tremendously detailed. I was surprised by how in-depth Ranya went into the cultural nuance of the movement and music, so it has great appeal to beginners and more advanced dancers.

3) The musicians are world class, so you will be dancing to traditional music done by people who care a great deal about the authenticity of their art form.

I've been involved in teaching traditional W. African music and dance for 17 years, and had a career in video production, so I've got high standards for this kind of project.

Luckily for belly dance students around the globe, the instructor and producers also have high standards, and have turned out a DVD worth serious study.

Blair Hornbuckle
Bush Mango Drum & Dance
Rochester, NY
http://www.bushmango.org"
Egyptian Baladi
Shara of Desert Dance | KS | 03/06/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Belly Dance Egyptian Style the Baladi

Intermediate/advanced

This is a 2 dvd set; the first 135 minutes, the second 170 minutes

Ranya covers an explanation of the music and the rhythms of Baladi and the different styles of Baladi music, then on to the dance.
This is in a "follow along" style. You need some familiarity with moves, as there is no extensive break-down of the moves.
The posture section is very amusing! Ranya Rene'e is a hoot! I'm looking forward to the rest of the Egyptian Style series. There is a nice section on framing and a section on arm paths.
The second dvd is your Improvisation and drill dvd. This will help you work on improv and give you several drills to work with, or, if you have the stamina, a couple hours of dance practice.
This video really leads you into the music and encourages and helps you learn to relax and do your improvisational dance. If you need help on improv, you want to get this video. There is a nice section in which Ranya encourages you to dance with her for a bit, then improv on your own with your back to the screen.

The company that puts out these videos keeps getting better and better. I love the quality of their videos and the fact that they have listened to dancers and what dancers want in an instuctional video, and what they want in a performance video.
"
A TRUE FULL BALADI WORKSHOP: NOT TO BE MISSED
Anne-marie Sanchez | Toulouse in France | 08/06/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)

"As there are here a lot of detailed reviews very well explained, I just want to share my general feeling about this DVD.
It's not a simple DVD who teaches you a baladi choreography.
It's a real tool in order to introduce you to the wonderful world of the Egyptian Baladi.
I'm impressed by the amount of material covered on this 2 set DVD.
The first DVD (135 minutes): Baladi structure & Core Egyptian Technique
The second DVD (170 minutes): Improvisational Practice Drills
Before dancing to a baladi music, you have to understand the concept and the structure of this style of music, and Ranya Renée did here a great job; she gives you the opportunity to understand what is the Baladi, its keys, the connexion between the instrument and the different parts of your body, how to feel the music in order to dance your own interpretation.
This DVD is really unique.
She explains along with musicians the different musical components of the Baladi with its progression and also the various style of Baladi.
Then following these different parts, she teaches you the various appropriated dance movements, with a lot of tips on posture, muscles used, the feeling, how to connect the movements with the music and how to interpret it.
Then you will drill improvisation with her on the second DVD and you can put into practice what you have learned on the first DVD in order to make your own interpretation.
This DVD is very well constructed; explanations are clear, and with the WDNY high quality DVD production.
Don't miss the opportunity to learn and enjoy the essence of Baladi.

French translation:
Un vrai workshop complet sur le thème du Baladi égyptien : à ne pas rater.
Je ne ferais pas la revue en détail du contenu de ces 2 Dvds car c'est déjà très bien fait par les autres commentateurs.
Je donnerais donc mon sentiment général.
Il ne s'agit pas ici d'un simple DVD qui vous enseigne une chorégraphie Baladi.
C'est un vrai outil pédagogique qui va vous permettre de connaître ce qu'est le Baladi égyptien. Et je suis impressionnée par la quantité de matériel contenu dans ce double DVD.
Disque 1 (135 minutes) : structure du Baladi et l'essence de la technique égyptienne
Disque 2 (170 minutes) : séances de pratique sur l'improvisation
Avant de danser le Baladi, il est essentiel de comprendre le concept et la structure de ce style de musique, et Ranya Renée a vraiment bien fait les choses. Elle nous offre la possibilité de comprendre vraiment ce qu'est le Baladi, ses clés, la connexion entre les instruments de musique et les différentes parties du corps, comment ressentir la musique afin de danser et de faire sa propre interprétation.
C'est vraiment un DVD unique en son genre.
Elle explique quels sont les différentes pièces musicales qui composent le Baladi avec des musiciens en live ainsi que les différents styles de Baladi. Ensuite vient la partie technique : en fonction de ces différentes pièces sont enseignés les mouvements appropriés, avec de explications très détaillées sur la posture, l'utilisation des bras, les muscles sollicités, l'interprétation.
Vous mettrez en pratique cet apprentissage par des séances d'entrainement sur 3 BALADI de styles différents, en travaillant l'improvisation qui est l'aspect fondamental du Baladi, en regardant ses improvisations comme un guide et en vous en inspirant ensuite.
Ce DVD est très bien construit, très complet, les explications sont claires, et comme toujours une excellente qualité de production avec Word Dance New-York.
Ne manquer pas cette opportunité de découvrir le Baladi égyptien.

Spanish translation :
Un taller completo sobre el Baladi egipcio: no se lo pierdan
No comentare con detalles este DVD ya que los demás lo han hechos muy bien; les daré mi sentimiento en general.
Aquí no se trata de un sencillo DVD para aprender una coreografía Baladi.
Es una verdadera herramienta pedagógica que os permite saber que es el Baladi egipcio. Y soy bastante impresionada por la cantidad de material que hay en este doble DVD.
Disco 1 (135 minutos) : estructura del Baladi y su técnica propia
Disco 2 (170 minutos) : practicas con improvisación
Antes de bailar el Baladi, es imprescindible conocer el concepto y la estructura de esa forma musical, y Rania Renée lo ha hecho muy bien.
Nos ofrece la posibilidad de entender que es el Baladi, sus llaves, la conexión entre los instrumentos de música con las diferentes partes del cuerpo, como sentir la música para poder bailarla con su propia interpretación.
Es verdaderamente un DVD único
Nos explica cuales son las diferentes partes musicales del Baladi con músicos en vivo, y cuales son los diferentes estilos de Baladi.
Después tenemos la parte técnica con los movimientos de baile explicados y adecuados à cada parte musical del Baladi, con muchos detalles sobre la postura, los muslos usados, los brazos, la interpretación y consejos variados.
Practicareis entonces todo los movimientos con 3 músicas Baladi diferentes trabajando la improvisación que es el aspecto fundamental de este tipo de baile.
Este DVD esta muy bien hecho, muy completo, las explicaciones son claras y como siempre una cualidad de producción muy buena con World Dance New York.
No hay que perderse esta oportunidad de descubrir todo sobre el maravilloso Baladi egipto."