Lynette Harper

Gypsy Dreams… A Workshop with Lynette

By Shamani
Sahda April 1999 March 7th, 1999,

Lynette took us on a journey to join the Turkish (Rom) Gypsies in their passionate dance on beautiful Denman Island. She gave credit to Eva Cernik for teaching her this dance...But, Lynette is too modest I can remember her teaching her style of Turkish Gypsy dance with great attitude before this gypsy craze hit the belly dance scene. She started the workshop by teaching the Karsilama rhythm. We clapped, finger snapped, foot stomped, and played zils to this 9/8 rhythm. We were taught a vocabulary of steps, turns, accents, shimmies, gestures, undulations, etc. She shared pictures of old prints of gypsies through out the centuries and photos of modem day gypsies.
We learned the framework for a choreography to a playful song called Najiye. There was high spirited sequences, flowing undulation, accented pauses, gestures, and hip pounding and lots of attitude for the students to add to their new dance vocabulary. Bronwyn played the gracious hostess providing the dancers with bottled water and snacks.