Nile Group Festival Review (April 2008)

This year I decided to check out the Nile Group Festival which has been held in Cairo since 2005.  Each year I organize a Dancers Dream Tour to Egypt and wanted to personally experience the Festival before sending participants.

The Festival is located just off the Nile across the street from the Sheraton Cairo; in the 5 star Hotel Pyramisa.  Having lived in Cairo  for so many years, this was my first time in the hotel and was impressed with the overall atmosphere of the hotel...1st class.

The most important focal point of the Festival were the classes offered with 2 of the most notable Masters of Dance from Egypt... Mahmoud Reda and Prof. Hassan Khalil.  Both have carved out a path in history for their contribution to Oriental and Folk dance in Egypt that has spread the popularity of the dance world wide.

Some of the other Egyptian instructors of dance that were also most note worthy were Farida Fahmy, Aida Nour, Tito Seif, Lubna Emam, and Khaled Mahmoud.  Of course there were many more note worthy instructors to choose from.

The classes ran from 10 am to 7:30 pm for 6 exciting, yet exhausting days.  Each participant had the opportunity to take up to three, 2 or 3 hour classes per day with several different teachers, all offering different subjects, and I might add at very reasonable prices.

Having attended all 6 days and scheduled 3 classes per day, I can honestly say I was too pooped to pop, even though most of the time I was just observing the class.  I would dare say that 2 classes per day would be a limit for most participants.

Class rooms all had mirrors and elevation of the instructors so the participants could see.  Many of the instructors would rotate the class so everyone had a chance to be in the front for viewing.  The Festival itself limits registration so the classes never become so full that you feel crushed. 

Early registration of the classes is recommended, so you can get your desired instructor before the class sells out.

Most of the instructors taught to choreographed routines and had enough command of English to communicate with the participants and all were helpful when "special" instruction of a movement was needed.

Outside the class rooms the bazaar was there to lure you to "buy me!" A good guesstimate was about 15 to 20 vendors with tables loaded with costumes, scarves, canes, music; you name it for dancing...it was there.

For those who wanted to perform ...a night was offered giving participants a chance to dance to live music or to a CD.  Another night was set aside for those who wanted to compete.

The opening and closing Galas were in a word "awesome"!  The live music thundered through the room putting everyone in and excited state of constant smiles. 

Big screens at each end of the room offered everyone a grand view of the stage, no matter where you were sitting.  Both galas had dinners included and everyone was treated, at each Gala, to 4 complete shows, with costume changes & their troupes, of the name dancers currently performing in Cairo.

The Festival offered the participant, especially in some of the smaller classes, an intimate feeling and a positive pleasant atmosphere for learning. 

No hoards of people or vendors that make your head swim in total confusion. 

For serious dancers this is a plus to attend.

Written by:

Leyla Amir

International Performer/Instructor/Choreographer/Tour Organizer

Performed in Egypt 1981-1990