Expert: Gia al Qamar - 9/21/2006

Question
I have been approached by a friend to belly dance at her Arabic
themed wedding. What is the etiquette to dancing at an Arab
wedding. She also wants the song to be one of Oum Kalthoum's.
Is there ones you can list from her repetoire that would be
appropriate for a wedding? Thank you.

Answer
Mabruk!  Congratulations on being invited to celebrate your friend's wedding with your gift of dance!
The reception for an Arab wedding usually begins with a Zeffa processional where the bride and groom are escorted into the hall by a belly dancer who is balancing a shamedan (a lit candelabra) on her head.  This is very traditional and a real crowd pleaser!
If you haven't been asked to dance the zeffa and will just entertain, do choose a variety of songs to please everyone, including Arabic standards and pop favorites.  Make sure to get invited guests up to dance!
As the bride has specifically requested a Oum Kalthoum song, why not ask her which would be her favorite and most appropriate song.  In the past, her music was considered quite 'sacred' and often not danced to at all, but the times have changed and people enjoy seeing her music performed by a dancer!
One of her biggest hits and probably the most appropriate is "Inte Omri" which translates to "You are my Life".
No matter what music you choose, make SURE that you know what the lyrics mean, as you wouldn't want to dance to a song about a cheating lover at a wedding reception...right?!  8)
Good luck and dance from the heart!
Gia
www.IDreamOfGia@aol.com