Review of “Let’s Raq” Dinner Show and Workshops
with Margo Abdo O’Dell
As Reviewed by Nizana
On Oct 4th-5th, 2008, Nadiyah’s presented Margo Abdo O’Dell in workshops and an evening dinner show in Spokane. The fabulous Margo taught two workshops over the weekend. The Saturday workshop was a Lebanese pop choreography fashioned after Lebanese pop stars. The Sunday workshop was a drum solo to Egyptian music with some Lebanese stylings and movements. Each workshop was 4 ½ hours long, packed with good information! There was also some fresh material that she brought along. Margo is partially of Lebanese descent, and has extensive, and very impressive dance experience, history and knowledge. Nadiyah said that this was Margo's last workshop event as she has now officially retired. Nadiyah also had this to say about her. “She was a delight to work with, a thorough instructor who taught with an organized and smooth flow, and full of life.” It was great to have Margo teaching in the Spokane area.
The “Lets Raq Dinner Theater” was held on the evening of the 4th at Opa Restaurant where delicious Greek and Italian food is served. The list of performers included Margo Abdo O'Dell, Nadiyah, Hasna Haddiyah, Khamara, Talia, Arzul, Yasmin, Il Rawazi Baten, and the Desert Silk Dance Company. Nadiyah had requested of the performers that one of their numbers be folkloric, so there was a “theme” of sorts. This made for quite a variety of dances, with a focus on the roots of the dance; very nice!
To start the show, Talia performed a Raqs Shamadan accompanied by sagat in a red and gold beledi dress. Hasna Hadiyya followed with a set that included a Polynesian fusion number, a drum solo and a lively third number. They fanned out around the room in their various costumes giving more of the audience a chance to see them. Desert Silk Dance Company performed 2 numbers, in new purplish beledi dress tops over black pants with matching belts, performing with zils for their first routine. Rawazi Baten, a new troupe, opened their first set with a candle dance, a routine I remember seeing from way back. I know there was at least one other dancer in the audience who would remember this dance. Talia performed a Raqs Orientale for her 2nd number in a gold colored cabaret costume, playing finger cymbals and making her way around the room as she did in her first routine. Nadiyah performed a Latin fusion dance, in a beautiful red dress and hip scarf. Khamara balanced a tray of tea glasses and candles in folkloric costume for her solo. Rawazi Baten came back out with a couple more choreographies in colorful cabaret costumes. They also utilized the floor space well so that the audience could see better. Arzul, a dancer who just started dancing in January, performed a Tribal Fusion number in black pants and pink top. Yasmin danced around the room playing zils, which she does so well, in beledi top over orange pants with matching belt. Her first number was to a song from her former band Ek Balaam. (I know because I bought the cd at their cd release party and choreographed that number!) This is probably the most finger cymbal use in a show that I have seen in a long time, and it was a very good thing!
Then came the highlight of the show, Margo Abdo O’Dell in folkloric black and silver costume, playing zils. She opened with her face covered by a black sheer veil covering, adding mystery to her performance. Margo made her way around the room engaging the audience. Her accents, hand and shoulder movements drew me in. I was thrilled to see some Debke movements in her second number; it was very cool how she incorporated it in to the dance. Then for her final number, she got the audience up for a debke around the room closing out the fun evening.
