Nath Keo Rocks!!!!!!
Hehehehe….the folks who have seen my FB profile probably saw this already, but I just have to say it again lah. Nath Keo ROCKS!!!!!
He was the VIP guest during the Yallah hafla last weekend and he practically stole the show. I am so in love with his hip-work. It was mesmerizing, hypnotic, even, watching him move and undulate his hips. The movements were sharp yet soft and sensual at the same time. Oo la la…those hips can do stuff….Arrrrrrrrrrrrr
LOL. OK, enough gushing about his hips :p
BTW, he told us that his whole performance during the hafla were improvised on the spot. There were no choreographies involved. Impressive! He still managed to get the audience, girls mostly, screaming and doing the zaghareet.
Nath conducted three workshops after that:
- Cool Moves & Combo - He showed us some combinations that we can use in a choreography. Rather than telling us to step left, step right, etc, he uses visualizations to describe the whole combination which makes it easier for us. My favorite is “Boyfriend On The Wall” LOL.
- Raks Shaabi - This is a fully choreographed dance. We were really blur when he taught it to us, to the point of “long piak”
but after having the chance to digest the whole thing, it was really fun to do. The moves were fast and energetic because it is supposed to be a dance that is full of joy.
- Drum Solo - The drum solo is probably the most impressive of all belly dance and most challenging. It can be so easy to dance to yet difficult at the same time because you really have to pay attention to the drum beat. Still, the sound of the tabla always gives me an adrenaline rush.
Of all the workshops I have attended, Nath’s is by far the best. He was so funny and cute. Rather than cramming us with lots of info, like most teachers do, he also shared stories with us of his travels and experiences.
I really wish my brain was a bigger sponge during the workshops, especially when he told us about the subtle differences in dance steps from the different regions, but I was so tired. Those late nights catching up, perhaps, but I really wish I could absorb more of what he told us.
The best part is he always spends the last bit of the workshops to review what was taught and lets us video take the whole process. I’m not sure whether I’m allowed to show the video of what was taught during the workshop here, but if you want to see the actual drum solo that he taught us, go here. Nath is the guy on the left. I don’t know who the guy on the right is.
Well, managed to take a few photos with him after the workshops. He was like a celebrity after that, with all the girls waiting in line for a photo session with him. Ms B even had her photo with him printed out so that he can autograph it for her. Aww, too bad all my photos are in digital form.
People who attended all three workshops get a certificate.
This one’s for the road 
