My first introduction to Planet Egypt came in
recently Anne had very kindly agreed to be in-
July 2006, when I was using Google to find belly
terviewed for this month’s issue of NAFOURA
dance shows in London. At the time, I didn’t
Magazine. Now, due to unfortunate and sad per-
know how significant Planet Egypt Shows were
sonal circumstances, Anne and I have not been
to belly dancers countrywide. I was only inter-
able to meet up to carry out this interview (with
ested in watching a belly dance show! Then, in
the only exception that I had attended August’s
early 2008, I was invited by a couple of acquain-
Planet Egypt Show). So, what you will read is
tances to attend a “monthly Belly Dance Show
a collaboration and mixture of email and tele-
near Farringdon”. We had arrived 15 minutes
phone discussions. I hope that this article will
or so before the show was scheduled to start,
shed light on the real Anne White. Here goes.
which resulted in us having bad seats, meaning
the visibility of the dancers was limited as there
(Evete) How long have you been involved in
were so many people (audience) in front of us.
Belly Dance?
It was at this very show that I had seen the first
Male Turkish Dancer – Ozgen. I had also seen
(Anne) Since 1986 and no time off for good be-
Eva Green perform – very graceful and poised.
haviour!
I was very impressed by the quality of the danc-
ers whom had performed at the show that night.
(Evete) What inspired you to get involved or
So I attended the following month’s Planet Egypt
even to take your first class?
show with a couple of friends!
(Anne) Living in Cyprus in the early 80’s, I was
It wasn’t until the summer of 2008, that I had
out every night at Bouzouki nightclubs. At that
become aware of Anne White. Bizarrely, I didn’t
time I could not speak Greek (but am now flu-
know that she was the presenter and organizer
ent), so I just used to listen to music, as it was
of Planet Egypt Shows. It was at another belly
very hard to actually have conversations when
dancing show that I had heard a mention of her.
the music was so loud. Many Arabs would be
I had then asked who this person was and the
there and the clubs would incorporate Arabic
dancers had giggled, at my naivety, and said
music as part of the entertainment. It was the
she is the lady who organizes the Planet Egypt
music that got me first, but the Arab girls were
Shows! As I had become more and more in-
beautiful dancers, feminine, strong, graceful.
volved in the belly dancing community, I had be-
Really inspiring!
gun to hear more and more remarks about Anne
White. Some remarks were glowing and some
At that same time, in the UK, my twin was study-
not as complementary. I had come to the opin-
ing with Wendy Buonoventura and by the time
ion that dancers either ‘loved’ or ‘hated’ Anne
I had returned from Cyprus she was very com-
White and there wasn’t much in the middle!
petent and had already been in shows. I wanted
Those who ‘love’ her speak very highly of her
to study dance for my own pleasure as I had a
work and her contribution to belly dance. Those
good and very well paid job in television. It was
who ‘hate’ (or more likely are frustrated with) her
a hobby for me - that’s all. I saw some shows
feel that she is judgemental, difficult to speak
and Suraya Hilal captivated me completely and
to and intimidating. All of these opinions and
I began learning with her, after I had completed
views are what initially sparked my curiosity and
my foundation course with Anne Ashcroft.
made me very intrigued to find out more about
her. I wanted to get to know more about who
(Evete) How many years did you study to
she really was and how she had become what
become a professional teacher and perform-
she is today - her strong influence in London’s
er?
Belly Dance Community.
(Anne) Well we never stop learning and I still
In early 2009, I had contacted Anne via Face-
train with those that inspire me. I am inspired by
book, subsequently resulting in several friendly
many of the dancers that we feature at Planet
email exchanges and an invite to attend March’s
Egypt and have used quite a few new ideas as a
Planet Egypt Show. Following on from that, we
result! There was an understanding and accep-
have sporadically kept in touch by email and
tance in those days that you don’t perform with-
77
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