Just as we were travelling back to the hotel I had a text saying the children had landed and were heading home to my dads. That was it, suddenly I was homesick and my brain was back in UK time. – they would have landed late evening and be getting straight off to bed. Laura wanted some more time at the Museum, but I went back for a bath and then fell asleep. Next thing I knew Laura was waking me up to head out for the evening – I’d had a couple of very deep hours, which was good cos I wasn’t going to get much sleep from then on….
A few weeks ago I had emailed Layla Lanty on the off chance she was performing. I’m not sure how much she performs these days, but she was very high on my list of must see dancers. Leyla is one of those people who are very active on the MED and BHUZ lists and is always happy to share her huge knowledge on this subject. Over the years she has provided me with many snippets of gold. We were in luck as she was at Pasha that saturday night and she kindly said she would book us a table. Now maybe its the different cultures, but I expected a table for the two of us in a corner somewhere – but no, Layla was waiting for us in the entrance, with a group of other dancers, and we were to join them for the evening. It felt like being welcomed home after years away and I was overcome with their hospitality. We sat and shared a meal and chatted about some of the lessons we had taken, and listened to the band. I’m not sure how many there were in the band – maybe 6/7 but the quality was amazing. The owner of the resturant played the quanoon beautifully and Layla joined in on the zills for some numbers. The singer was an inspiration, opening each number with (word – see I’m still tired !) the emotional monologue part of the song, which the arabic section of the audience responded to – and I got all emotional even without understanding more than the occasional word. As the tempo kicked off each time he would grab some of us up to dance. I danced with Rose who I know through Bhuz, who is beautiful and a stunning natural dancer. Oh and rather a lot of men.
I’ve noticed I have a problem with dancing with men – and not just a slight dislike for sweaty, drunk men….. You know I am a big supporter of men who dance – but I have a big problem with anyone who tries to “lead” me. The whole idea that a man you hardly know gets to push and shove you where he wants you just gets my back up, and it always has. I understand the romance of being gently sweeped along to the music, but really has this ever happened ? Not to me. The only time I have ever danced with my husband he held on to me for dear life and muttered “this is horrible” into my ear. It might have looked romantic, but it was so far from it….. Anyway I let myself be shoved around a bit and then did some pushing back.
After a short break Leyla danced – and It was the highlight of the week. She held the stage like a true goddess and with the slightest of moves made the music visable. Nothing was over stated or exaggerated – just her body enhancing the sounds that filled the room. I think I did a goldfish impression. I hope at some point she puts something up on You Tube as I would have liked everyone to be there to share. I see so many dancers who have to put their latest “trick” into a performance, or get 17 laps of the stage into the first minute – whats so wrong with letting the music wash over you and fill you up ?
And then the singer had us all up again dancing and before I knew it the clock said 2am and we had to say our goodbyes. It was an interesting taxi ride back and then we had to face the packing and clearing up, although we were in high spirits so it seemed to be done fairly quickly.
