bellydancer Serena at the Egyptian Gardens

[JSBach5000]

Serena was my first and greatest inspiration.

[lisalrocks]

Love it .

[petrahadad]

It is wonderful - she is such a beautiful woman and dancer.

[MariaFirminoCastillo]

beautiful tribute to a beautiful and talented dancer, by her son! touching, moving... Where is the rest of the documentary / tribute? would love to see it!

[ghazikankan]

@MariaFirminoCastillo Thank you! Put ghazikankan in the search bar, there are several others in my collection

[romeikos2]

Does anyone remember anything regarding Maria (Marianthi) Stevens who owned the Port Said Cafe and Arabian Nights Cafe across from the Egyptian Gardens or her husband the singer and oud player Achilleas Poulos who recorded dozens of old Turkish 78 RPMs?

[bebetigre12]

@romeikos2 I used to dance at both clubs but do not remember her, I recall a male as the "owner".

[LadyMoondancer]

I still have her book "The Serena Technique of Belly Dancing" that I bought around 1971. It is what started me on my dancing. Sorry to hear that she passed.

And this video was a lovely tribute by her son.

[Lovnpce]

This is a cool video.

Love N Peace

[sousane]

Absolutely Fabulous

thanks for uploading

[rhythmicessence]

I have heard wonderful things about Serena from Amara Al Amir. She has been so sweet to me and you will be happy to know that Serena's passion for dance is being passed along...dancer by dancer!

[tarp001]

Scotty nice clip, wonderful tribute to mom, music is nice, sounds like Souren B playing. Enjoyed it. john t

[ghazikankan]

Hi, yes it's Souren, me and Umut on kanun.

Thanks!

[aaliyahraks]

@ghazikankan Scott do you know of anywhere where i could buy your mums books? I live in Australia so would need to purchase online.

[ghazikankan]

@aaliyahraks

amazon.com/Serena-technique-be­lly-dancing-shape/dp/B0006W9IM­I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&q­id=1276806978&sr=8-1

[Jenrajni]

@ghazikankan I found her book second hand-- I think my Aunt bought it @ a thrift store, passed it on to my little sis, who then gave it to me. I have found her finger cymbal pattern breakdown helpful, and I love the chapter on belly dance history.

[danceofsalome]

My instructor, Latifa, studied under Serena ( and under Yousry Sharif too).

From what I hear, and from what I see here, she was a legend!!! Yallah!!

[marie2214]

She was my very first bellydance teacher. I will truly miss her.

[movadomom]

Same here....she was my first bellydance teacher. Ramzy was performing at the Arab-American Festival on Shore Rd. in BKLN last year and I found out from him that Serena had passed away...May God rest her soul. Lovely memories of your mother, Scott. You are a fabulous musician.

[1400deadwood]

Just beautiful - utterly extraordinary. This is what belly dance was like in the 50s and 60s. If this type of performance was brought back, it would become very popular.

[Templarium]

what is the name of that song?

[nokturna9]

oh my god!! that Serena??I got her book when I was 13 The Serena Technique of Bellydancing, It's been almost 20 years-I'm sad that she's gone. But she's bellydancing somewhere

[lilydelvalley]

What a really great historical video. Thank you for posting it.

[idilcakim]

She is just beautiful. This video is such a treasure. I never knew how old Serena was. I could never tell. She danced with us every Tuesday. And with others almost every day. Her grace is timeless. All of us who learned a little something from her will carry her on.

[LiveFastBellydance]

I think all of us in NYC started with Serena. I remember her nurturing style and how she gave me my first gig. I was so nervous and so honored at the same time. She believed in me and it made all the difference.

See you in the next incarnation my teacher. Brightest Blessings.

[bebetigre12]

Lord Bless her and keep her in the palm of your hand for this woman/artist/virtuoso of dance gave of herself to all who would appear before her.Bless her son and family so they may find strength to continue her work for the sake of us all. Serena beautiful Serena we will miss you.

[Hadorahbellydance]

Watching Serena in her younger years makes me cry, but she did so much and left her mark on history. Her legacy will live on through her studio and through Scott. She did touch the lives of many, and Serena never left impressions on people, she left impacts. I always loved to hear her stories. It seems like yesterday Serena laughed and smiled with her bright eyes. The mother of belly dance is in heaven and she looks down on us all. She will of course, always be missed.

[thenavelacademy]

Serena....what a timeless beauty! Bless you for gracing our world with your dancing and knowledge. Now, surely Heaven is being blessed with the Goddess of Belly Dance! Thank you, Scott, for sharing this beautiful memory of your much loved mother.

Raina

[heathervidal]

I never had the honor of meeting you, but your sharp wit/humor is legendary, and my teacher quotes you often. I offer my sincerest heartfelt condolences to your family... Thank you for all you've given to our community.

-Heather

[vermillion303]

Serena wrote the first bellydance book I ever read, as a teenager. I pay her my greatest respects and send my love to her family.

xxxx

[Ivettina]

A sadness has touched me with her passing..an artist filled with so much life and love for all good things...I will miss her tremendously; her smile; her laugh; her art form. Somehow I find solace in knowing that she is watching from the heavens ever radiant.

[usascorpio]

An amazing lady, loved by all. She has touched the lives of so many people.

[bc1302]

I can't believe you're gone...thank you for all you've taught me, it will stay with me always.

[oscuragotham]

My first teacher. I will always remember you as the artist and the wonderful person you were.

[GypsyRed]

Serens's memory will live on in dance.

She will never be forgotten and her name will live on for all time as the legend that she is. I never met her, but I've seen her influence in other dancers. May she rest in peace.

[Nooraaph]

In memory of Serena.

I will alway's remember you Serena, my very first teacher. You were the matriarch to most dancers in NY. God bless you.

[VeiledDancer]

wow! just wow!

[Yasemin212]

I will watch any video with Serena in it! Does she have a "how-to" video or DVD out?

[panchit]

your mother is beautiful! She's a great teacher and I really enjoy taking classes with her

[aasalbellydance]

That is what I would call a perfect body, I can't believe it, she is so perfect!!!

[Hadorahbellydance]

Thank you so much for posting this. It's hard to find the old classical videos of Serena performing. This is amazing and I am so proud to call this women my teacher even though she is now 72 years old. She has a great Turkish style and her moves are villed with control and grace. I guess you could say Serena was big influence to the dance, I love her dancing and I know a lot of people who see this and know Serena will really appreciate it. Thanks <333

[radiobastet]

WOW! This is such a treasure! Thank you SO MUCH for posting this!!

[ThatGirl115]

Brava! More! More! (I'm throwing tip money as I type!)

[Barry1]

Cool! You really should refine this and sell it to PBS.

[danceathenanajat]

wow! Thank you for posting this...serena is magical! Thank you! More?

[TheLoud]

Great! And I love those old-style costumes.

[imperialjade]

Beautiful!!!!