hagalla Interviews

Interviews

PRINCESS FARHANA - THAT'S ME!
Her majesty in her own words

by Pleasant Gehman

Author, painter, musician, theater director, dancer, enfant terrible, punk rocker – this list could be continued endlessly (and in the end be longer than the whole article). All this condenses to Princess Farhana... more...

"I'M EXCITED!"
Interview with
Princess Farhana
by Marcel Bieger

"A short time ago, Her Royal Highness, Princess Farhana, deigned to write to us about her life. But a short time before her appearance in Munich, Germany, we wish to know some more things, like... more...

"MY INSTRUCTIONS USE STANDARD LANGUAGE"
Interview with
Suhaila Salimpour
by Marcel Bieger

After her successful performance und even more successful work shops at the 18th Oriental Festival 2010 at Duisburg, Germany, promoted by Leyla Jouvana and Roland, Suhaila Salimpour, one of the most prominent dancers in the history of modern belly dance, will be back to Germany in April this year... more...

EVOLUTION-DEVIANCE-VARIANCE
Interview with SHAKRA
by Marcel Bieger

Somewhen everybody has heard of „Shakra“ or even saw a video from them, but nobody seems to know much about them... more...

"WELL, FOR SURE I'LL INSTRUCT
THE 9 NEW STEPS!"
Interview with Devi Mamak
by Marcel Bieger

Devi Mamak started in far away Australia and is already a world wide known living legend. She not only has reached the top of the ATS ranking, she also extended the FCBD format with nine new steps... more...

"I FEEL LIKE I'M IN A PROCESS..."
Interview with
Amirah
by Marcel Bieger

When we saw Belgian artist Amirah (Tine Verheyen) the first time, she performed with Milka as “Duo Kokoro” at the 3rd Contest of Leyla Jouvana and Roland’s 17th Oriental Festival (2009). The two of them danced a wonderful steampunk piece, which made 1st place... more...

WORKSHOPS, VERY BRITISH -
Samantha Emanuel
at perlatentia's in Hanover
by Konstanze Winkler
It’s Saturday, September 25th 2010. I’m on my way to the dance studio “movenyo”, because the British dancer Samantha Emanuel ... more...

"I COULD SUDDENLY SEE THE HAPPINESS AROUND ME"
Interview with show promoter
Khalida
by Marcel Bieger

At the beginning of last year the dancers Khalida and Milka told us that they were planning their own festival and if we would like to support them... more...

DELICIOUS ORIENT
Interview with Aisa Lafour

by Marcel Bieger

You are one of the most famous belly dancers of Holland and Europe, and since last year you have your own show (together with friends). What is the idea behind "Orientalicious"?
Orientalicous is a 3 day long festival with international artists. It's 3 days of parties... more...

"Obaldel"
Interview with Russian Belly Dance Star
Nadia Nikishenko

by Marcel Bieger

It's not unusual to discover a new talent at any given show. But it is very rare to see an artist, which you never heard of before, who dances several pieces which all take your breath away. One of these rare occasions is Nadia Nikishenko ... more...

DANCING IN CYBERSPACE
Cyber Gypsy II
Interview with Louise Granhøj Hechmann
by Marcel Bieger

Since the first time we saw Dud Muurmand dancing, we kept her ... more...

TRIBAL IN THE UK
by Hilde Cannoodt
and Philippa Gebhardt

We met Hilde Cannoodt this spring at Beyond Bellydance III in Utrecht (NL) and were impressed not only with her dance but also with what she has to say. Together with Philippa Gebhardt of “Moirai Tribal” she collected worth knowing facts about the British Tribal scene, but see for yourselves ... more...

"I WANT TO DO THAT!"
Interview with Megha Gavin
by Marcel Bieger

Would you be so kind to tell us something about your life before FCBD?

Before I started dancing I spent a lifetime in choir and theatre. From a young age I new that I loved performing and felt very comfortable on the stage. I started dance classes at the age of 4 or so and then moved into singing in the choir and ... more...

"I'M SO EXITED TO BE VISITING
GERMANY!"
Interview with Carolena Nericcio
by Marcel Bieger

Will you lecture or discuss about "Your Statement" from last year about the state of ATS, "ATS Old School" and "ATS New Style"to German dancers, who would be eager to hear about it... more...

INTERNATIONAL SUMMER
BELLYDANCE FESTIVAL 2011
Leiden, NL, August, 5th - 7th
Interview with organizer Anusch Alawerdian
by Marcel Bieger

Although still young Anusch Alawerdian, based in the Netherlands and with... more...

"WELL, THAT'S IT! I HAVE TO DO IT"
Interview with Wendy Allen
by Marcel Bieger

Would you be so kind to tell us something about your life before FCBD (is there life before?)

I was very shy, and had horrible self-esteem. I never thought I could really DANCE... more...

"I CONTINUE TO BE HIGHLY INSPIRED
BY THIS DANCE FORM..."
Interview with Phil Thornton
about his new album "Tribal Spirit"
a collaboration with FCBD and "Helm"
by Marcel Bieger

Would you care to tell us how this cooperations came about? more...

"ONCE WE ALL DREW MOUSTACHES
ON EACH OTHER"

Interview with Hilde Cannoodt

by Marcel Bieger

It was in spring when we first saw Hilde Cannoodt on stage –
at Tjarda van Straaten’s „Beyond Bellydance 3“ show. Our first impressions then were confirmed later... more...

"WE HAVE A REALLY GOOD CONECTION WITH EACH OTHER"
Interview with the
Berill Tribal Bellydance Group
by Marcel Bieger
more...

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SAMHAIN/HALLOWEEN
IN THE BLACK FOREST
Interview with Aepril Schaile
by Marcel Bieger

When you're going to an important festival ... more...

"NO ACTING – NO SHOW"
Interview with Nadia Nikishenko

by Marcel Bieger

Last year we saw her for the first time – at the 18th Oriental Festival of Jeyla Jouvana’s and Roland’s - Nadia Nikishenko, dancer from Russia.We were stuck from the first moment on...
more...

BELLYDANCE EVOLUTION, part 2
"THE DARK SIDE OF THE CROWN"
Interview with Jillina
about her new BDE tour

by Marcel Bieger

We don't have many stars who go on world tour with their own troupe, and there is only Jillina, who brings her own fully equipped piece of dance drama... more...

"HEY, I WOULD LOVE TO WORK
WITH YOU"
Interview with Olivia Kissel
by Marcel Bieger

US-American and Pittsburgh, PA based Tribal Fusion dancer Olivia Kissel is sought for all over Europe and comes now to Germany, for the first time, can you imagine that. How it occurred that she volunteered for Germany, how it happened that she became what she did became... more...

"I ALWAYS GET INSPIRED BY
BEAUTIFUL MUSIC"
Interview with Suraiya

by Marcel Bieger

One of the most exiting new Oriental dance artists comes from Poland – Suraiya. Whereever she performs, she will stir up furore. In Germany we could admire her art already at Asmahan el Zein’s “World of Orient”. In November she can be seen -
together with her husband Mansour... more...

"TRIBAL FUSION IS A FREEDOM
OF EXPRESSION"
Interview with Mira Betz
by Marcel Bieger

There are a few international dance stars, who have never before been to Germany. The thought of this alone makes you feel sad. One of these first class artists is Tribal Fusion Icon Mira Betz. But now she is coming to us... more...

"SPORTSWOMEN OF THE YEAR"
Interview with Amirah
by Marcel Bieger

This year 2011 went exceptional well for Belgian dancer Amirah. Before known best as member of the duo “Kokoro”, her 1st place at “Bellydancer of the World” (in 2010) contest fuelled her solo career. She recently absolved the challenging „Level One Certificate“ of Suhaila Salimpour, and this year she herself will be sitting in the jury ... more...

"TO CREATE GOOD MEMORIES"
Interview with Slovenian group "Ambrosia"
by Marcel Bieger

First came only Nika Mlakar from Slovenia and won seemingly effortlessseveral first prizes, in different categories. Next year she was accompanied by... more...

"DON'T MAKE IT HAPPEN,
LET IT HAPPEN"
Interview with Cera Byer
by Marcel Bieger

We are very excited to see Cera Byer, the young dancer from San Francisco, CA, who dances her heart out when on stage. She is still able to trust her instincts, and she mixes all dancing styles, which she likes, as they come. She is to be seen at "Beyond Bellydance IV... more...

RAQS SHARQI - THE LATIN WAY
Interview with Aisa Lafour

by Marcel Bieger

Aisa Lafour is still young in years but already one of the most important new belly dance stars. All around the world she is welcomed, and amidst the Dutch promoters she is in the top position. Not to forget her biggest artistic success so far, her participation at... more...

BELLYDANCE WITH DJ
Interview with Calamity Sam

by Marcel Bieger

When a bellydancer performs with a tabla drummer this is quite normal. When a bellydancer performs with a live band this is also not unheared of. But when a bellydancer performs with a DJ this is quite a rarity, or is it? Calamity Sam from California has her own DJ, Amar, and declares ... more...

DANCER OF THE PEOPLE
Interview with Mohamed Shahin
by Marcel Bieger

One of the most important contemporary classical belly dancers is Egypt’s Mohamed Shahin. This year he will be in Germany for the first time... more...

"I WORK HARD TO TRANSCEND
STYLIZATION"
Interview with Ruby

by Marcel Bieger

Ruby is based in Los Angeles, CA und fell in love with belly dance in her early years. She has a bachelor degree in Environmental Chemistry, but has never worked... more...