As someone who hosts and teaches a lot of workshops, I don’t often get a chance to go workshops arranged by other people these days. So It was too good an opportunity to resist when a friend telephoned to say that Khaled was going to be in Bristol that weekend to teach two workshops. Having heard a lot about Khaled from other dance friends I decided that I would be foolish to miss out.

The workshops were held at the Esporta Health & Fitness Club in Stoke Gifford, Bristol. The venue provided us with excellent facilities and a nice environment to learn in. There were one or two hiccups during the afternoon (we started a little late & had to wait for ages whilst a member of staff fixed a faulty tape machine), but they didn't detract from the overall experience. Everything was kept under control by workshop hostess, the lovely Anna Povey.

The workshop itself was very interesting – a combination of Melaya and drum solo, which worked together better than I thought it would. I was the only person with a Melaya (I was surprised that Khaled did not have one!), but everyone else had come equipped with large veils and Khaled was more than happy to demonstrate how to wear one several times, using mine. (It’s much easier to do with a proper Melaya).

I liked Khaled’s teaching style, the workshop was well paced and he had plenty of challenges for the most experienced of us. Khaled is a very giving and patient instructor who so obviously enjoys what he is doing. My only adverse comment would be that a little more structure would be useful, as the workshop didn't exactly follow what I would called a 'lesson plan', but we did get by quite well. I'm quite fussy about this sort of thing because I plan everything in advance, with built-in contingency elements. But I digress!

I was particularly impressed by the fact that he stressed the importance of dancing ‘from the heart’ and encouraged everyone to be an individual, not a copy of him or their own teacher. He also stressed that there are many ways of doing even some of the most basic movements. Explaining that each one was correct, but that everyone should dance the one they most felt comfortable with. However, all versions were attainable provided you were prepared to practice as often as possible.

Part way through the workshop he demonstrated the complete choreography and his love of the dance really shone through.

The music we danced to was very fast paced, but Khaled still managed it so that everyone was able to keep up at their own level, with most people dancing the whole piece by the end of the session.

Although no choreographic notes were handed out, Khaled was more than happy to spend some time after the workshop was over pacing through the entire piece step by step so that those who wanted to write it down had the chance to do so.

Sadly, I was unable to stay for the second session (Bideford to Bristol is not a five minute drive!), but if it was anything like the first one, then everyone will certainly have got value for money from a very hardworking instructor.

Many thanks to both Khaled for giving the workshop and Anna Povey for organizing it.

© Afra al Kahira

This review first appeared in Taqasim Issue 44