Over 25 fabulous dancers and musicians will join Anahid Sofian Dance Company in a rousing retrospective of signature works from the Near and Middle East in celebration of the Company's 35th Anniversary. The program will present both traditional dances and those inspired by cultures of Morocco, Egypt, Turkey, Persia, Armenia, Greece and Uzbekistan, as well as numerous renditions of Danse Orientale. The program is a dazzling blend of different styles, both old and new, traditional and theatrical. Two performances, June 28 & 29 at MMAC, 246 West 60th Street, NYC.
Special guests include:Nourhan Sharif, internationally recognized as a premier performer of the Egyptian Raqs Sharki, known in the West as belly-dancing. The artist and her company will present both historical and contemporary renditions of the form.The Sera Solstice Ensemble, an innovative Tribal Fusion bellydance troupe based on the East Coast, combining influences from modern dance, hip-hop, and martial arts.Carlos Fittante and Robin Gilbert of the BALAM Dance Theatre will recreate a Sofian dance called "Ma'Na," created to "A Prayer for the Soul of Layla" by Jamshied Sharifi, with vocals by Mamak Khadem.Live music will be provided by the Souren Baronian Musical Ensemble, on clarinet, kaval, oud, kanoon, violin, and percussion instruments.The Company will showcase 14 numbers, including a powerful tribal dance from Morocco, a women's dance from Armenia that reflects grace and lyrical bautiful, a contemporary dance inspired by an old Greek song sung by irini Pappas, and a dreamlike interpretation of "Gazli," written and sung by the young Uzbeki star Sevara Nazarkhan.
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