GUEST CONTRIBUTOR - DANCER TAMALYN DALLAL

    Tamalyn Dallal is an interpretive Middle Eastern dancer who I met some years ago when I wandered into her dance studio in Miami Beach. Those were the days when I roamed the streets of South Beach with my Leica in one hand and my digital movie camera in the other searching for sights to photograph. Tamalyn agreed to pose for me and I created a life-sized photo sculpture that I displayed in my studio.

     She has dedicated the past 36 years of her life to dance, as a performer, teacher, writer, filmmaker and producer and travels the world in search of the meaning and special qualities of dance and movement. Much of her inspiration comes from living among people in different cultures, from Asia to Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.  The dancer has performed and/or taught in 41 countries and has performed for stars such as Sean Connery, Michael Jackson and James Brown, the president of El Salvador, Saudi Arabian princes, and the King of Jordan.

     Tamalyn was crowned "Miss America of the Belly dance" in 1995 and has written three books, produced two music CD's of Africa's oldest band and currently films ethnological dance documentaries.

      I strongly suggest you go to her her website:
                    http://www.tamalyndallal.com/apps/videos/

and view her interpretative dance videos.

Little Egypt  1893

     "Belly dancing" is a misnomer that has stuck as an umbrella, encompassing a variety of dances from many regions that involve moving the hips. In 1893, an American promoter at the Chicago World's Fair coined this racy name for an assortment of female dance forms available at his pavilion. Legendary dancer 'Little Egypt' shocked the Victorian era audience with vivacious dance moves and hip and stomach gyrations. At that time women wore long, full skirts, corsets, hair covering hats and bonnets, and bustles.

     The dance form has evolved since then and Tamalyn's signature style of interpretive dance has a Flamenco flavor, which comes naturally, combined with some postures and hand movements from time spent in Asia. This fusion comes from deep within, as organic movement and personal style. She sees dance as a healing art. It heals the body, mind and the soul.