Odette can you tell me a little about your general background?   Zimbabwe?  How you came to live in Boscastle?

I was born in Harare, Zimbabwe and left home at 14 to study drama in South Africa. At 19 I moved to London, travelled extensively, arriving in Egypt for the first time, in 1990 where I experienced a famous dancer in a club in Cairo,  (we were the only westerners in the club! ) After living back in Zimbabwe for 4 years I returned to the uk in 1994 living in Oxford and working as the sales manager for Forte. At 28 I gave up my lifestyle to pursue my art, as I decided I needed to be away from Oxford and the whole money thing, so moved to Cornwall.

When did you first become interested in dance?   Movement?  Singing?   Tell me a  little something about all of this if you can.

I danced as soon as I could walk. I used to watch my sister ( 7 years older than me and now a professional teacher)  during her classes and danced at the back of the hall while she had lessons. I also made up my own songs on the piano, tho I never had lessons, nor could I even read at the time!!! I studied tap, ballet, modern and some Spanish intensively till about 10, where I became disillusioned and bored with the rigidity and structure of the classes. I performed regularly and being the smallest was always shoved in the front of the stage where I became at home J  At 14 I moved to South Africa on my own to study Drama at a school for the Arts. On returning to Zimbabwe I performed in amateur plays and at 18 attended a Mime workshop with Laurent Decol, a French artist trained by Marcel Marceau.

I took time out from my art and tapped into the corporate world. I woke up one morning at 28 knowing I could not go on like this anymore and something drastic had to change! The story of my life!!! So I gave up my job and within 6 months started up a band, recorded an album and debuted at the largest club in oxford supporting a well known band. For the past 7 years I have recorded tracks on CD and performed in venues from clubs to caves!

 When and  how did you first become interested in Arabic Dance.

Even tho I saw a dancer at 21, it didn’t  really become a yearning till 6 years later. It took almost a year to find a class near me who happened to be with tina hobin, but at the time I had no idea of her success or history. She was so encouraging and welcoming, but my marriage was failing, a great sadness to me and the classes were over an hour’s drive on icy wintry Oxford roads so I stopped going. But luckily within a year of my moving to Cornwall I was fortunate to find a class run by Jacqui Spiers and only 6 miles down the road!

 What does the dance mean to you?

It seemed like fate really, and after the first class with Jacqui I had the feeling it would change my life. I must have guessed it really when being taught by Tina, but my energy was so wrapped up in my marriage. From what I’ve experienced the dance opens or unlocks something deep within our bones and for me at first I resisted the pull, as I was scared of what it would unfold. It has opened up my femininity, creativity and sensuality and a connection or bond between women. I have never been in such an environment before where I have experienced such a unity between women, where I can walk into a room of women and not worry about my shape or dress. That is so the essence of this dance.

 Who have you studied the dance with?  And/or  who has inspired you the most?  

I have attended workshops countrywide including Majma, Glastonbury Dance Festival, Fantasia and travelled to Isanbul for lessons in Roma Dance so have experienced many styles and teachers. Amel Tafsout is of great inspiration to me so I tried to attend as many  of her workshops and classes in London that I could afford! And was also fortunate to have a one to one lesson with her before she left the country.  Amel talks about taking risks and simplicity/space; as an artist  these qualities are what challenge and inspire me.  I also like to connect on a spiritual level when I dance which ties into the Sufi way I am aspiring to live my life by.  In Dahab I saw an Egyptian woman dance, whose sensuality, fluidity and beauty, left me in total awe.  For me dancing is not for ‘cabaret’, but connection and self _expression.  

 What styles of  m.e.d. have  inspired and influenced you the most up to now?

I have great passion for Persian, I love the graceful arm movements and cheeky eye contact. I am not too inspired by fast rhythms and performances in clubs, preferring more sensual and moody movements and music. Really I like bits of everything including gypsy  and have created my own style.

You have  already visited Egypt recently for 5 weeks.What is the general dance scene like in that area? 

Dahab, Sinai – is a tourist resort, there are 5 clubs and the general culture is to dance when music plays be it in a bar or restaurant. I was there in the winter so I mainly danced with and watched Egyptians which has been the greatest lesson of all.

Cairo – there are many clubs offering ranges of prices for shows and levels of performers. To see the big named dancers you normally have to pay a large cover charge which might include a meal or drinks and then wait till at least 3am before she appears, that’s if she feels its worth her while depending on the size of the audience!  I did try to see Lucy but she did not dance that night.

What where you most memorable  dance  experiences of that trip?

Dancing in a club late one morning in Dahab,  the only one on the dance floor, I danced so freely, I am sure I flew! In Cairo at Club Paradiso I was invited on to the stage after the dancer had left and danced for some tables!

Did you make many  Egyptian friends?

Yes and Bedouin too.  In Cairo I asked a woman for directions and  she turned out to be a journalist for a sports column. Abeer took me to her offices and showed me the newspapers, as well as taking me to the Stadium for a Egypt 2010 World Cup event. I have no interest in football whatseoever! We met up a few times afterwards. I was quite amazed at how much Cairo had changed in 16 years.  Abeer has short hair, wears jeans and no head scarf, is 28 with a boyfriend and no plans of marriage. In the desert I stayed and became friends with a Bedouin family who I would sometimes meet up with in dahab. Most of my friends in dahab work or run restaurants and hotels on the beach, where there is an outdoor culture of sitting on cushions on the floor, underneath the stars, next to the sea.   

Did you meet other foreign dancers during this visit?  

I met Caroline who I went out with a few times and who will be giving me lessons on my return.  Caroline is one of the dancers who is going to court to challenge the ban on International Dancers working in Egypt.

What made that visit so special to you that you felt the need to return so soon?

The opportunity to learn, experience and share the essence of the dance. Also the desert has a great appeal for me, and I long to return to the simplicity and nothingness it offers.

Can you tell me about some of your plans for this visit .Where you will be based?. Dahab, Sinai

How long you intend to stay? - 3-4 months

Where you are planning to work as a dancer?  Various clubs and resorts as well as dancing in the desert at private dinners

Do you have plans to teach  whilst you are there ? Blue Beach Resort offer week long Yoga courses, I will be offering classes to their clients as well as other tourists and foreigners who live in Dahab.

Do you have plans to study Egyptian style dance more?  I will be having lessons in Cairo and more importantly dancing with Egyptians.

Do you have plans to travel more in that area? 

I am planning a pilgramage to Mt Sinai and to spend my free time in the desert away from cars and people!!!

Can you also explain how you have got round  the ban on foreign dancers working in Egypt?

I will not be paid and am funding this trip myself as work experience.

 Is there anything special you would like to say to fellow dancers who maybe one day would like to do something similar .

Listen only to your heart.