Leyla Lanty not only contributes to GS with her writing but also with her advertising dollars and wise council.
Thank you Leyla!
The Gilded Serpent presents...
Leyla Lanty
Ever since I can remember I've danced. When I was a child, I did my own dance, often with other members of my family, entertaining members of my family and close friends. During my teen years, it was "Rock'n'Roll Forever!" Then in college and later, I became deeply involved in international folk dancing, while still rock'n'rolling, of course, mostly the dances of the Balkan and Mediterranean countries. Then I discovered Raqs Sharqi, often referred to in the west by the misnomer "belly dance", a Middle Eastern solo dance, nowadays usually performed by women. I adopted the stage name Leyla, later expanding it to Leyla Lanty to distinguish myself from other Leylas, and the rest, as they say, is history. I have studied dance with some of the finest teachers, both Arabic and American, in Egypt and in the US. I perform and teach Raqs Sharqi and Egyptian style folkloric dance, in private classes or in limited master classes in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Early in 1999, in Cairo, Egypt, the fabulous singer Khalil Abboud and I co-produced a recording of new Arabic music for dancing and listening, featuring Khalil's sensational voice and some of the best composers and musicians to be found in Egypt.
Email me for information about performances, instruction, CDs and cassettes, or visit my website.
E-mail: Leyla Lanty
Web site: www.leylalanty.com
Articles on Gilded Serpent by or about Leyla Lanty
- 7-24-13 What Happened in Egypt, Egyptian Revolution Part 2: June & July 2013
That new minister decided to try to ban ballet because it was “too naked for public viewing”. This sparked a round-the-clock sit-in by many artists who took turns performing their art each evening to show their defiance. - 2-2-12 Last Round of Visits, Family Dinner Party and Wrap Up, A Month In Cairo, Report #6 by Leyla Lanty
I’ve seen this often here, that men and boys will readily play with the little ones in an involved and endearing way. - 1-16-12 A Month In Cairo, Report #5: Weddings, Visiting Raqia Hassan, Some Thoughts about Egypt’s Future
It was stimulating to talk about a wide range of topics, Egyptian politics and societal issues included, such as the continuing trend for Muslim women and girls to wear scarves – many, if not most, to make a fashion statement, others because of family, husband, or peer pressure, and some to make a political statement. - 12-1-11 A Month in Cairo, Egypt, Report #4: Classes, Performing with Safaa Farid Band, Closing Gala, Classes at AWS
She finished off the teaching part of the class with a cane dance filled with a variety of cane movements that were playful and fun. At the end, she had a real treat for us: She performed a short Oriental number in her unique style for us to watch and enjoy. - 11-10-11 A Month in Cairo, Egypt,
Report No. 3: Fresh Eggs and the Festival Begins, Ahlan Wa Sahlan, Part 1
One of the aspects of AWS that I enjoy most is the contact it offers with dancers not only from Egypt, both Egyptian and foreign-born, but from all over the world. It’s a rare opportunity to find out that our dance idols are real people who are warm, friendly, and eager to share their knowledge. - 10-18-11 A Month in Cairo, Egypt,
Report No. 2: Housekeeping, Internet, Costume Shopping, Reconnecting with More Friends
When I think of my first trip here in 1977, I can see what amazing changes have occurred since then – most of them for the better. - 9-18-11 A Month in Cairo, Egypt,
Report No. 1: Settling In, Post-revolution Egypt, Reconnecting to Life in Cairo
No one has ever seen the square being used in any of these ways over the last 30-some years. Everyone has remarked about this and is happy about it. - 3-25-11 Is "Cabaret" a Dirty Word? Using the Terms Cabaret vs. Night Club
So, is “cabaret” a dirty word? It depends on whose definition you want to use! In Arabic, the name “cabaret” is interpreted differently from what it is in English, leading to the confusion about nightclubs and cabarets. Here in the U.S., we think of a cabaret as a synonym for nightclub. - 11-2-09 Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival, Page 1: Opening Gala
It’s June 27, 2009, in Cairo, Egypt, which can mean only one thing – the Opening Gala of Raqia Hassan’s Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival! - 11-4-09 Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival, Page 2: Teachers from Around the World
On Teachers’ Night, held on the night after the Opening Gala, teachers have the opportunity to show festival attendees what their special talents are. The next day after this, many go to the registration desk and register for additional classes with teachers they saw in this show - 11-11-09 Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival, Page 3: Winners and Closing Gala
The AWS 2009 competition included Mo Geddawi, Mona El Said, Nabil Mabrouk, and Katia - 10-9-09 "Habibi, You are My What?.."DVD- Essential Arabic for Dancers, Vol 1
However, I have never had such insight into the words as this DVD taught me! Now, thanks to Leyla, I have an added dimension to teach my students. - 4-27-07 Rhythms of Oriental Dance, Starring Nesma and Khamis Henkesh
Nesma and Khamis's discussion of the complexity of Arabic music and dance is both appealing and easy to grasp. - 12-26-06 Teaching at the 2006 Ahlan Wa Sahlan Cairo Festival
Performing on teachers' night is a good way for new teachers to attract more students to their classes. - 9-16-05 Ahlan Wa Sahlan 2005, Cairo
On Monday night, the opening gala was a great success in all senses of the word! It was one of the best large scale events I've attended. - 11-16-01 Giza Club Lecture, Wacky Woman Traveler - Leyla Lanty
Hard work and familiarity pays off. - 3-3-01 Giza Academy Awards of Middle Eastern Dance Video 2000
And the winners are.... Photos added on 5-1-01 take another look! - 12-27-00 Special Master Class Weekend with Amina Goodyear and Jacques al Asmar,
....This is why there are many repetitions of words, verbal and musical phrases in Arabic music so that the musicians, singers, and dancers can build on movements with the repetition. - 9-24-00 Cairo's Costume Disasters
Tacky, Bizarre, and Surprising Costumes Worn by Cairo's Stars of Oriental Dance
