 The
Gilded Serpent presents...
An
Evening to Remember
by Havilah
photography by David Hernandez
This
past November, 2002, I was lucky enough to participate
in the 10th Annual "One Enchanted Evening" in
San Diego, hosted by Marula. This
show was a wonderful display of Middle Eastern dance
creativity. "One Enchanted Evening" encourages
belly dancers to create dance pieces that "go beyond
the belly dance stereotype". This year's program
included dances that were playful, some that were heartbreaking,
but all were outstanding!
Here are
just a few of the Highlights--
Linda
Kitiara
Her gypsy style dance called "Traveler's
Treasury" was really free-spirited and fun, with swirling
skirts and veils, and a whole lot of energy. She gave
an excellent performance.
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Nejume
Marula's troupe Nejume (including
me) was the first to perform after the intermission. Our
piece, choreographed by Marula, was the tragic story of "Daw
di Hiya", a woman who is sentenced to die, ultimately
for love. I was very happy to be in this piece, because
it is very creative, complete with masked judges, Daw di
Hiya's grieving sisters, and our own fabulous flutist!
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Marula
An incomparable duet closed the show. Marula's
wonderful cabaret-style dancing combined with John
Bilizikjian's fabulous oud playing, sent magical
sparks into every corner of the auditorium! |
Dondi
She
is always a great performer who does something
really different and creative, like becoming Marilyn
Monroe last year. This year was no exception,
and her flamenco "Andalusian Fusion" dance
was spectacular! |
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Meleah
After that, the audience saw a mysterious figure
shrouded in a veil on the floor. She came to life, and
was unveiled as Meleah. Her piece "Touch" was
amazing...how many performers can captivate an entire audience
without ever getting up off the floor?
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"One
Enchanted Evening" is not just a show. It's a whole
experience of dance creativity and artistry that is unique
and special, and
it
shows us the kind of beauty that happens when you
go beyond set boundaries and allow yourself to
be free.
I thank
Marula for allowing us all to come together for this
wonderful experience. It was most definitely an evening
to remember.
Have
a comment? Send
us a letter!
Check the "Letters to the Editor" for
other possible viewpoints!
Ready
for More?
1-12-03 Photos
from "Rockin' the Casbah"
An event produced by IAMED on Sept 28, 2002. The best from multiple photographers.
1-1-03! “My
Adventures in the Big Apple” by Nisima
So there was really a “mystique” in the 1980’s about
dancing styles in other parts of the US, and especially about the New
York style, so different from what we were used to in the Bay Area.
12-29-02 Dance/Poetry
Festival, Reported by Kalifa
The Dance/Poetry Festival was a blend of different
kinds of dance, but Middle Eastern was in the vanguard
of many of the performances.
12-20-02 “Kayla,
the Beach Girl, Tree Dweller”, Kalbak Beach by
Kayla Summers
...picture yourself on a guru orange air mattress, ever so gently floating
atop a crystal clear turquoise ocean ...
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