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Gilded Serpent
presents...
Mystery Dancer #1:
Iklas
Gilded
Serpent is looking for clues to the story behind this
lovely dancer!
If you have any information,
please contact
us!
Thank you!
Morocco
gives us our first clues:
"WOW! That is Iklas, an Assyrian
woman who was a well-known & well-liked dancer in
the Detroit clubs in the 1960s. Dunno what happened to
her. She is the one who did the pitcher dance I just described
on the med-dance list!"
Aziza!
: "I saw Iklas dance in Chicago in the 60s! Jamila
used to talk about her with admiration, and I seem to
remember her putting her in the same category as Fatma
Akef. I enjoyed her dancing when I saw her."
Dahlena:
"I know Iklas from Chicago and her
husband Osoma was an Egyptian drummer.
I will call you with more details."
Helena
Vlahos-
I met Iklas Osman when I was sixteen, in 1964. She and
her husband worked at the Shakours (Shaqours) Oasis
on Hollywood Blvd. In Los Angeles, Ca. where I also danced.
I do not remember them so clearly after so many years.
I do remember that Iklas, in one part of her show danced
on three water glasses while balancing a jug on her head.
One foot rested on two of the water glasses and the other
foot (the ball of foot) on the third glass. The water
glasses were rim down. I was amazed. She had the glasses
rolled up in a small Middle Eastern carpet. When it was
time for her glass and jug balancing act she or someone
else (?) would unroll the carpet. She placed the glasses
how she wanted (on the carpet) and did her amazing act.
Iklas
and her husband Osama were putting a
show together for Vegas. They had five musicians including
Osama, and seven dancers including Iklas. I was one of
the dancers, so I learned quite a lot from Iklas. Besides
teaching us all the choreographies, she hired a couple
of dancers to show us dance moves. I remember an African
American dancer/instructor showing us some very amazing
African moves. She did a snake movement on the floor and
looked just like a snake slithering across the floor.
Wow!
The
musicians were Sol Sanasarian on dumbek,
Osama on dumbek and def, Maroun Sabah
on oud, Afram Tawil on violin and I think
the kanoon (qanoon) player’s name was Allen.
(Photo enclosed and musicians I named are from left to
right).
I
do not remember the dancers’ names in the group
because they were not belly dancers. I think some of
them had jazz training. I do not know what happened
to them because we did not get a chance to work together.
We never made it to Vegas with Iklas. What a shame after
all the work and money she put into it.
I
have a music album
that Iklas and Osama made with both of their photos
on the cover. The first song is Salem Aley and has Iklas’
name in parenthesis so I guess she was the singer.
My scanner broke so I photographed
the photos and the album cover. I am afraid they did not
come out very well. I will find someone else to scan and
E-mail them to me so I can send them to you again.
Maybe
the photos and album will help someone remember more about
Iklas and Osama. Hopefully someone who knows what happened
to them.
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photos
courtesy of Helen Vlahos.Thank you Helen! |
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Click
on photos for a bit larger look!
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More
about Helena Vlahos- http://www.helenavlahos.com/
