I
had this vision of bringing the joy of the dance to the Moses Lake area on a
bigger scale. While I live in Spokane, I
lived in MosesLake for awhile at one
time and commute there to teach quarterly belly dance classes. While
other geographical areas seem to be over saturated in “Belly Dance,” Moses Lake
has me teaching occasional classes and Sabah Ensemble dancing at the Farmer’s
Market once a year, and not much else has been going on there. While I have
been involved with assisting with others’ dance events, I haven’t had the
chance to produce my own in awhile and I had an itching to do one. Not just any
show, but a special show designed to introduce the community to what belly
dancing is all about, one with just about as many styles as I could put
together. From the feedback I received, I did just that. One audience
member exclaimed “I had no idea this is what belly dance was about!!!” At the
end of the night when I asked if everyone enjoyed the show, there was roaring
applause. I feel great about it and want to share this exciting event that
occurred on March 28, 2009.
I
had decided it had to be a really classy venue to perform in. I wanted to
provide the dancers great ambiance for their performances as I was making this
a formal event. I researched several possibilities and chose the Wallenstien
Theater, and it suited us perfectly. It has a large stage with entrances on
both sides that Zahra and I decorated simply but elegantly. The dressing
rooms were right behind the stage, but separated enough so you didn‘t have to
whisper. A light and sound tech “came with the house” and aside from a couple
of tiny glitches, did a really nice job and was nice to work with. We set up
the Scabland Band back center stage and were able to leave them set up the
entire show. I had bottled water and light snacks for the performers, and a
table in the lobby for everyone’s flyers. I provided programs with
performer bios and pictures, and door prizes donated by Zahra and myself. I
emceed at the beginning, intermission and end of the show, and also stage
managed and really had a great time putting it all together.
Alwiyah and Scabland
It’s funny because Amina, who has been studying with me off and on in Moses
Lake and performed in the show, mentioned to someone who asked how long the
show would be that “if Nizana is running it and she says it’s going to be 7 to
9, it will be 7to 9.” And darned if the show wasn’t exactly on time!!! I
started it on time, I called the intermission in exactly the 10 minutes I said
I would to draw the door prizes and start Act 2, and ended right at 8:59. One
of the band members told me this is the first show she’s ever been to that ran
this smoothly and was this organized. It really was a fabulous show if I say so
myself!!!
So
I started the show right at 7 pm with a few welcoming words to the audience and
then Sabah Ensemble from Wenatchee took the stage to start off the show on a
wonderful note! The group was made up of members of Sabah Ensemble and Sisters
of Sabah dance troupes who were colorful and fun to watch. They danced to
three different numbers. First, the members of “Sisters of Sabah,” then members
of Sabah Ensemble, then both troupes combined for the third number of American
Style Belly Dance. They all looked so shimmery and beautiful on stage! Next up
was Shenteelaa of the Tri-Cities dancing with sheer orange luminescent Isis
wings and orange and yellow bedlah. A slow, beautiful song made good use of the
wings as Shenteelaa spun and floated across the stage. Nizana and Zahra of
Desert Silk Dance Company from Spokane
performed a dance which Nizana choreographed where they used sheer veils and
matching costumes of two different jewel tones. Amina from Moses Lake was
the next soloist, and performing in blue and silver bedlah and skirt, danced
American Style Belly Dance Fusion, with emphasis on Tunisian moves. Next up was
Troupe du Soleil from the Tri-Cities, performing a set that included two
American style folkloric numbers and a group drum solo. Very cool costumes that
were reminiscent of both Ghawazee coats and Egyptian Saidi dresses They
were white, over black pants and accented by double layered black and red hip
scarves and matching head wear. Kaela from Wenatchee was up next to
perform an Indian Belly Dance Fusion dance in an elaborate blue and yellow
costume with black and gold overlay panels. Her technique and execution of the
movements were spot on. She is a lovely dancer! Nizana and Zahra returned
with their costumes modified from what they wore on the previous number and
silk veils to perform another American style veil routine. To close out
Act 1 in a mighty fine way was Shaheena Safahri from Spokane in a two number
Gypsy Fusion set. Wearing red, orange and yellow, her high energy numbers
started with a tambourine and ended with fun skirt work and cool
moves.
Mirabai
Following the short intermission and door prize drawing, Sabah Ensemble and
Scabland Band started off Act 2. Having live music by Roy and the band was a
great touch! The troupe started out with a fabulous basket dance, followed by a
zil karsilama. Again, a colorful and lively way to get things going!
Nizana and Zahra then performed a two number Latin-Arabic fusion set in black
and red, and apparently we were having a blast doing it because we heard
afterwards that we looked like we were so happy and having so much fun on
stage! Troupe du Soleil also came back for another set, this one American
style belly dance in white skirts and cholis with gorgeous copper coin belts.
Djimmah Karena, their Director, interspersed a couple of short solos including
a saucy Raqs Assaya. Alwiyah, Director of Sabah Ensemble, was then joined by
Scabland Band to perform a double sword dance that included floor work. Wow! You
go, girl! Nuwaar al Sahraa from Tri-Cities was up next to perform a Tribal
Fusion duet that was energetic and fun and cute all at the same time! I’d like
to learn that choreography! Last but not least, Mirabai of Seattle closed the
show with a spectacular set! Wearing a red and jeweled skirt and bra, she
started out with a silk veil for the entrance, and danced Egyptian style to the
first number. Next, she added yellow silk fusion fans to a violin piece
of music and made magic with the fans. (Mirabai is making an instructional DVD
on silk fan fusion dancing this year! Watch for it!) And then she danced a drum
solo, punctuated by coyly striding across the stage to pick up a dumbek and
finishing the drum solo by dancing ON the dumbek. What a powerful ending to the
show!!!!
Final Bow
I
then had the Band come back out as we gave Mirabai another round of applause
and recognized the band and each of the performers to come out for a quick spin
or two to the band for one last round of applause. Everyone pitched in and
made sure we left the place as we found it and we cleared out in plenty of time
for everyone to be on their drives home. I so appreciate and would like
to thank all of the volunteers and the performers for a fabulous evening!
