Home
About iShimmy
Advertising Rates
iShimmy Staff
Contact Zaina Hart
Event Calendar
Dancer Directory
Merchant Directory
Musician Directory
|
|
Please login to access your account or signup (it's free!)
Sabah’s Halloween Hafla
As Reviewed by: Nizana
Sabah Performing Arts sponsored their 8th annual fall event on Oct 25th, 2008 in Wenatchee This event is always so well attended. People come from all over Eastern Washington to attend this event, as it‘s a regular favorite. Sabah Ensemble and Scabland Band and the sister troupes put together a long, but fun day that includes vending, a workshop, and a big show. Laurie Nearing, Director of Sultana Dancers, was the workshop instructor this year, teaching dance combinations and drum and zil patterns for a number that was danced at the evening event by the workshop participants. Magic City Costumes and Gaylene’s Boutique vended at the event, and Magic City held an open house/ store sale the following day. The event was also a food drive; admission by food donation.
First I must say that I appreciated how smooth and fun this event was, especially with the number of dancers and drummers. It was a comfortable and enjoyable atmosphere. I liked the layout of this theater in that Alwiyah was able to locate us in different pockets of dressing rooms all over that dancers could make their own without overcrowding. The food layout and all the bottled water was fabulous and much appreciated! The stage in front of the curtain was used for the band, music man (Roy of Scabland Band) and backdrop, and the dancers had the floor area in front of the stage. Emcees were Rick of Scabland Band and Alwiyah.
Opening the show was Sabah Tribe (three Wenatchee troupes joined by the connection to their “matriarch” Alwiyah) doing a routine to Gloria Esterfan‘s “Do That Conga.” What a fantastic show opener!! Colorful, lively, entertaining and warmed the audience right up! Alisa and Lulu performed a cabaret routine in red bedlah and skirts proceeded by the warning that you could take the girl out of the Tribal, but you can’t take the Tribal out of the girl, and I can’t explain other than there was some humor attached to this dance that was really pretty funny, but you had to have been there. Zarina Isra from Spokane danced in a long white dress with long sleeves, entering under a white veil to “Sally’s Song” Malidoma was next dancing to “Living Dead Girl” in full Gothic Halloween costumes with light up hands. Real audience pleaser and very cool number. J’Tia from Spokane soloed to “When Momma’s Good to You” in a purple velour sleeveless beledi dress.
The duet of Wendy and Sylvia (with a little help from Rick of Scabland Band) did a cute routine to “Pink Panther” with canes, fitted pink pants and t-shirts and gold beaded belts. They always do something entertaining. Devon Rogers, a new dancer, was next with a tribal fusion solo to “Feeling Good.” Troupe Azure of Walla Walla followed, in red and black costumes, and darling little red devil horns, dancing to a set of songs. Desert Silk Dance Company performed a new choreography by Nizana to Fergie’s “Glamorous,” all dolled up in black panne skirts with white satin tails, black silver coin hip scarves, white vests, black boas and some bling to top it off. Got a lot of smiles and applause from the audience. A fun number in the spirit of Halloween costuming was up next; in penguin costumes, Joanne Faught and Wendy Glenn danced to “Move it.” Shenteela’s new troupe from Tri-Cities, Nuwaar al-Sahraa, danced a nice set in orange and purple cabaret costumes. Sha-Mal from Couer d’Alene danced in a creative and colorful mermaid costume and shell bra. To close out the first act into intermission were Sultana Dancers dancing live to the Tri-Cities Drum Circle.
There were some great raffle prizes, so drawings were held at intermission and shortly before the end of the show. Opening the second act was Sisters of Sabah, from Wenatchee doing “Fee Fi Fo Fum” in black pants and fedoras, & white tie tops and skirt panels. Sharp look, I liked it. Malidoma came back out in their same costumes (that look had to be a LOT of work!!!) to do “Drums and Zils on the Edge.” This dance was without the lighted hands, and was also a very enjoyable presentation. Troupe Amunet from Wenatchee danced to “Peter Gunn” and this had to be one of my favorite numbers of the evening. The look was so darn cute, it was like “Wait, I wanna play, too!” It was interactive and very entertaining. Albina Samara from Tri-Cities performed a Gothic dance to “Condemnation” in red and black costume and veil, and then there was open dance.
Il Rawazi Baten from Spokane did a set that included a candle dance and a veil dance. Fathiyya also from Spokane, followed in a solo to “Razzle Dazzle” with cane and silver top hat. Nah’Joom Dancers (Spokane contingent was strong as always) added a theatrical element with capes and an entrance exit carrying an illusion of a draped casket that doubled as a miniature stage with curtains to take turns coming through while the others held it. That was unique. Khamara of Spokane danced to “Doomsday Serenade” inspired by Tempest. Following the last raffle drawing was a strong contingent of Troupe du Soleil from Tri-Cities performing a set in what I’d call a traditional American belly dance look that I often use- simple but elegant. In this case, full blue skirts with black cholis and coin hip scarves. They did a new routine to Natascha Atlas and then part of the troupe did a tambourine/zil number Laurie the workshop instructor gave her spot to her troupe, so Sultana Dancers did a tribal fusion number that I really liked. Closing out the show to accompaniment of Tri-Cities Drum Circle were the workshop participants with zils. Absolutely another great night of variety, creativity and camaraderie.
|
|
|
|
