Turkish Riviera
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Greetings from Hadia via Mexico, Brazil, Amsterdam, Brussels, Antwerp, Paris, Barcelona, Andalucia and Turkey…..I’ve been a busy girls in 2000. Although I have a million and one wonderful stories from all of my stops to share with you, this one is about my first annual Turkey Tour. I’m pretty famous for knowing how to have a good time, but our two weeks in Anatolia were possibly the most fun of all.
Istanbul with 3 days of shopping madness at the Grand Bazaar, palaces, mosques and gargantuan emeralds at the tourist sites, cruising the bosphorus and a blitz at Bell’s (everyone got a great deal because she is my buddy), running through the ruins at Ephesus, bathing in Cleopatra’s magic mineral springs in Panukale, then down to our resort on the Turkish Riviera with the beach, the yacht, the Turkish hammam, cames, villages and Turkish magic carpets and dancing, dancing, dancing, singing and saz with Tayyar Bay and Hadia Hanim.
Between Tayyar and myself we averaged 4 hours per day of poolside and on board classes. I taught Egyptian Oriental technique and combinations, alignment, rhythms and cymbals, while Tayyar took us through a lively Turkish version of Dabke (the pumpkin line dance); A very cute spoon dance from Silifke, wherein the dancers play 4 spoonss in a standard triplet pattern and for la piece de resistance, his Turkish Gypsy –an absolutely to die for delicious combination – just so smooth and oozing with style- danced to a very slow and sensuous 9/8 rhythm.
Tayyar Akdeniz is an ethnomusicologist’s Turkish Treasure. His breadth and depth of knowledge of Turkish folklore is the culmination of 45 years of a life devoted entirely to dance. Since 1975 Tayyar performed and directed the Turkish State Folk Danse Ensemble out of Ankara, with whom he travelled throughout Europe, The Far East, Asia and North America. Tayyar also instructed Turkish Folkloric Dance at many Universities and Conservatories in Turkey before moving to New York in 1989. I was fortunate to meet and study with Tayyar 20 years ago in Ankara. I did learn many very lovely dances at this time, many of which employed the 9/8 rhythm structure. Because 9/8 is always referred to as Karsilama in America, and due to our mutual language limitations, for many years I have maintained the misconception that “Karsilama” is the name for the 9/8 rhythm. I was quite surprised to learn on this tour that the term Karsilama means a style of “welcome” dance. Although these dances may be performed to the 9/8 rhythm, they may also employ a 5/8, 7/8. 10/8 or even an 8/8 rhythm structure. Also, the 9/8 is used in a very wide variety of folk dance forms, as well as Turkish Gypsy. Tayyar lived with the gypsies as a young man in Ankara , so for us, is able to offer a uniquely authentic and real rendition of this form. Tayyar will be my featured guest instructor at my week-end dance workshop, which is part of my 2nd annual dance/therapy retreat. As well as a his tradition Turkish folklore, Tayyar will be teaching his famous Turkish gypsy Since “gypsy” dancing seems to be the current fad these days, don’t miss this opportunity to begin to learn what “gypsy” really means and to get this material first hand, knowing that it’s source is legitimate, well informed and “culturally correct”. I also guarantee that you will even have fun in the process.
Although I recommend the entire week-long retreat (especially for all instructors and anyone who has had or is presently having physical difficulties related to the dance or which interfere with your ability to dance with ease), you are welcome to attend the week-end dance workshop only.
Thanks and until August, much love to all.