Copyright 2001
by Faith LaFave
Here are some wonderful reviews of
Hadia's
Instructional DVDs and Video for Technique and Choreography
(Be sure to check out the Adventures,
Performance,
Workshop, Tours,
Festival,
and Teacher Training Reviews!)
| Hadia sells teaching DVDs and
Video. If you have had only a few
classes and aren't catching on very quickly, Volume 1 would be challenging
to you and probably not the best place to start. BUT, if you like your
beginning classes and want to expand on what you learn in class (or are at
an intermediate level), these are excellent. Unlike a lot of DVDs and Video that
show you movements in isolation, Volume 1 shows these with arms and how to
travel too. This was like opening up a whole new world for me. I was truly
inspired!
Volume 2 and 3 do the cane choreography and rhythms. These build on what was taught in Volume 1, so if you don't have the basics or Volume 1, this is not a good place to start. If you have some familiarity with the movements though, this can get you going again in new directions. Because the instruction is so clear, your can "hear" the music and Hadia's interpretation with your eyes. It gives you a greater understanding of the music. When I got these DVDs and Video, I hadn't much exposure to Arabic music, so this was all new to me. Wow! What an enhancement to my education. Volume 4 is the choreography to Mashaal. It is 90 minutes long. Volume 5 is the Modern Egyptian one and is 60 minutes long. Finally, Volume 6 is the Tunisian one and is also 60 minutes long. I also have this one. I had never had ANY instruction in Tunisian before this and was surprised at how well she covered it. She performs, explains the costuming, rhythms and movements. It is very clear and easy to follow and understand. I don't mean to sound like an ad for Hadia, I just want to pass along what I consider to be a gold mine! If you like the way Mesmera teaches (clear, crisp, more than the basics, each movement building on the previous, no "junky stuff"), then you will like Hadia. There is a review of a workshop she did in Habibi Volume 16, No. 1 and also an article on her here in the Zaghareet magazine. I put my money where my mouth is by buying her DVDs and Video (I hope to have them all one day) and also by sponsoring her.
Taaj, VA |
| I received your video last week.... thank you for sending it along. I
really enjoyed your video, it has a wealth of information - it will
probably take me several months or more to get all the details. I've
been dancing with a drum circle occasionally here in Dallas, TX and I
really needed some ideas of what to do with some of the more difficult
rhythms - like chifti telli. Your video met my expectations. Thank you!
Pamela, TX |
| What about Hadia? She has 6 excellent DVDs and Video out, of which I have four.
Does that tell ya I like this woman's teaching style? They are very
clear and easy to follow. They progress from easy to more difficult and
cover what they say they are going to cover. She has one that is basic,
one that covers rhythms, one for cane, one for Tunisian, one for Modern
Egyptian and the last one is a choreography to Mashaal. I can't remember
what I paid, but I know it was lower than most and worth more.
Taaj, VA |