Dancer to Dancer * Oberon Magic
By Zaina Hart
June 2008
She will greet you with that sultry look in her eyes, and a tilt of her head, and sometimes a giggle in her voice - that few can deliver – it is totally “come hither” and totally Oberon. She will present you a loving hand or better yet a loving hug. Her crystal green/blue eyes, amazingly look right into you, not sizing you up, but rather through those eyes offering herself and that joyful spirit. When she laughs it goes straight to the heart, much as cupid’s arrow and few, if any can resist her charm. She is a champion for all, a mentor to many, and the best friend anyone could hope to have. My kids call her either Obi or Auntie D and would do nearly anything to keep her in our family as well as out of harm’s way.
Krystal's Obi, Krystal and Zaina
In New York after Rakkasah East 2006
Recently someone said to me: “No one can be that happy all the time – is she for real”? My answer to that is “Oberon is more real than anyone I know”. Her candor, her zest for life, and her attitude of gratefulness, is not only refreshing – but it is really as true as it gets. And most of us who meet and know her have no doubt that we are better for it.
Performing at Rakkasah with
Raks al Sahr - Saqra Clapping in the Background
Photo by Carl Sermon
It isn’t often that we can surprise someone we care so deeply about, in such a loving and wonderful way as this – with her knowing nothing of my scheme to bring her to you. As well, not often do we find someone so humble and completely unaffected in ego by her own contributions and to so many people. Our dance world is stronger in community ties for having her in it. She brings us together in ways some are not even aware. Her gentle hand has touched many dancer’s careers and I doubt she even is aware. With kind words and loving spirit she offers her time and energy, quite selflessly, bonding our community, not simply locally, but world wide because you see, she has touched dancers across land and sea, with the indomitable energy and insatiable quest for knowledge of our art and about those who have come before us and who continue to come. She is as honest as the day is long and is known for her integrity in her articles. Her honesty is never delivered in any other way, than lovingly. While she may disagree with something said, she doesn’t handle it in anger or violence, but rather still with that loving touch. Her sense of fairness always a lead, and as example, for 8 years she has been booking dancers to perform with Arabesque (Michael Beach and Geoff). She never books herself to perform. Teachers and other dancers invite her to dance, I have asked her to dance on nights I am performing, but she books everyone else “first” and herself only when she seems sure others have their time. Few in our business are so selfless.
I offer you a rare glimpse of my dearest friend and colleague, and your Dancer to Dancer personal interviewer/reporter, Oberon. This is written with help from her husband Stephen and includes comments from dancers and friends alike.
Born in Adelaide Australia, Oberon came to the United States – Las Vegas, Nevada to be more specific, with her family. It was there that she found her calling in “Design” while working with architect Lee Linton on the remodel of Caesars Palace (Linton was in high demand in Vegas in the 70’s/80’s and also worked on design and remodel of the Aladdin Hotel). While this work may have given Oberon a strong foundation to design, the visions she creates now are totally her own.
Oberon’s alter ego, business woman Denise Amato of Denise Amato Designs is a high end designer working in both the private and commercial sectors designing everything from furniture and sculpture, paint and wall design, exotic window coverings to full building layouts. Presently you can find some of her work on her design web site http://www.denisamato.com which is really somewhat “generic” to her work due to the fact that her work is in such high demand it is often imitated. Therefore the best of what she does and has done is not on her site but rather documented via photography in her portfolio. What many in our dance community are unaware of is that Oberon is one of the premier interior (and exterior) designers in the Pacific Northwest. She takes on some of the most complicated work in the area - - seeing it as challenging and exhilarating. No job is too big, or too small.
As I am sure you can see, her color and design concept flows over into her dance. Not only is this reflected in her unique and exotically textured and layered costuming, but in her writing style, coaching and teaching technique – all colorful, multi-dimensional with a powerful yet elegant style. Her dance is much the same, layered, textured, exotic and always classy. She has a unique eye for the stage which is only part of why she is fast becoming one of the area’s most popular dance mentors, with a long list of students and fans.
Oberon enters the stage, after hours of her own personal turmoil - her stage fright often unnerving her to a point of distraction. However, just as many talented and creative dancers, once that lead foot hits the stage, “fright” has left the building and she puts in a powerful, energetic performance, with drop back bends, gypsy kicks, spins some will take Dramamine to get beyond, and soul wrenching veil offerings. I have watched many a night, after her performances, as dancers, young and old, beginners and iconic stars scurry to offer their excited comments and ask for her teaching schedule.
Merle Oberon
Side Note: The dance name Oberon, was of her own choice and based on the late film actress Merle Oberon, the Golden Era screen actress who appeared in such films as; The Private Life of Henry the VIII as Anne Boleyn (1933), The Scarlet Pimpernel (1934), The Dark Angel, (1935) and so many more (over 50). Merle Oberon was born in Bombai, British India, emigrating to England and then the United States through her film career. Much like our own Oberon, the screen star Oberon was an enigmatic, multi faceted hugely talented woman. She was a woman who was known as a “survivor” having faced incredible obstacles along her way to stardom and she is recognized with her own “Star” on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
So at this point you might ask, what brought Oberon to Middle Eastern dance? This is a question that always comes up in interviews and biographies and one that seems important to us as we look at a dancer and his/her dance history. So, briefly, and treading lightly, I will tell you how we came to be blessed with Oberon in our community.
Some 15 or so years ago, Oberon faced one of the biggest challenges of her life, “breast cancer”. She does not dwell on it; she does not act the victim. As a matter of fact, most know nothing of this part of her life. When diagnosed, just as she approaches everything, she did extensive research and she listened to her body (which she is very in tune with) therefore she chose a path through her treatment and recovery as a participant rather than an observer. She asked questions, a lot of questions, and she realized she had choices and “she” made them, rather than the doctors merely “telling” her what she would do. I firmly believe this is why she had the positive outcome, being “cancer free” today.
However, it seems that once through that treatment and initial recovery, although physically strong and free from cancer, emotionally she was going into the closet. She began to hide in her home, frightened. It was at that time that her friend Carolee, who is now waging her own battle with breast cancer, decided to take this bull by the horns and get Oberon “out of the house”. She had seen a flyer for belly dance classes and suggested to Oberon it would be fun to go. With Oberon already an accomplished “Tahitian” style dancer, it seemed “dance” would be just the thing to help. However, she was not “hip” on that idea and instead gave a firm “no”. Well, it seems that Carolee was not much on giving up on belly dance, nor her friend of many years, so she craftily offered an evening of dinner and relaxation, offering to pick Oberon up at home (and of course Obey not yet realizing there was an alternative plan) and instead of a “dinner date” she took her straight to that class.
So, as they say the rest is history - - and of no surprise to any of us, Oberon was hooked from the moment she entered class. She has told me that the atmosphere of “women” and “movement” in a safe environment gave her strength and continued her “healing” process. Strength to get out of her house, go back to more classes and luckily for us, to stay in this dance art we all receive so much strength from. She has continued to study, not only the dance, but the music of our business as well. Music in fact that she shares with her husband Stephen who has a degree in music and art history, having studied classical music extensively and they share a love for Mohamed Abdel Wahab’s classical Egyptian music. Hence the reason she does so many of our CD and DVD reviews - - her experience in this arena invaluable.
Oberon's Famous Back Drop
Photo by Rick Sall
As the years have progressed, I have had the great pleasure of watching Oberon become a strong teacher, commanding performer, and an integral part of the dance community. I say again, she is very modest in her view of her own talent, not realizing she has that strong presence on stage that to us is so clearly there. In a few short months, she will be teaching a workshop at the Las Vegas Belly Dance Intensive, a testament to her ability as teacher and performer. I was pleased to have offered the group a letter of recommendation, which I don’t give lightly. She is stopped everywhere we go, dancers complimenting her performances, and thanking her for articles she has written. People are drawn to her, the dance drew her to us, and I say again, we are all better for it.
As I finish this article, the OZ team leaves on our next adventure to distant lands and exotic and exciting experiences - in just a few seemingly short days. We look forward to bringing to you the results of those adventures, the reviews of what we see, and the experience we hope you can somehow “feel” through our written words, and the photographs that will accompany.
So, from one half of the “Land of OZ”, and until next time, I leave you with her giggle in your head, the sparkle in her eyes many of you have seen, and the indomitable spirit of the Magic of Oberon, or as I often call her, my Obey Wan.
Rakkasah Photos by Carl Sermon
“I remember the first time I met Oberon. It was at Double Crown when I was a baby dancer. I remember thinking she looked so exotic, artistic and beautiful. And she was so nice on top of that! Since then, Oberon has become a dear friend and one of my favorite people. She has the ability to light up a room and seems to know exactly what to say to give her fellow dancer just what they need to hear. It is all effortless as is Oberon and I feel honored to have her in my life. Those who know her, love her and for those who don’t, it is only a matter of time before you will experience the fabulousness that is Oberon”. Nadira, 2007 Belly Dancer of the Year
Oberon inspires dancers to be their best, and supports the belly dance/music community, wanting it to thrive and become the best it can be. And her fabulous personality and dancing inspires all of us! Jewels, Portland
