Bellydance Evolution to Present FANTASM - ODYSSEY OF DREAMS at the Ford

As part of the 2017 Summer Season at the fully refurbished Ford Theatres, Bellydance Evolution presents the Los Angeles debut of Fantasm - Odyssey of Dreams at the outdoor amphitheatre on Friday, July 21, 2017 at 8:30pm.

The timeless tales of Scheherazade and the heroes of Arabian folklore come to life following Sinbad's voyages across imaginative worlds. More than 20 dancers will pull from a variety of Middle Eastern and contemporary folkloric dance styles to bring these mythical characters to life, set to an exciting original score by Paul Dinletir, audiomachine's co-founder and head composer.

Founded in 2009 by world renowned choreographer Jillina Carlano, Bellydance Evolution (BDE) explores, celebrates and reimagines Middle Eastern dance for the 21st century. By fusing bellydance with other popular and lesser-known dance forms, BDE promises to take audiences on a spectacular journey. With a mission to bring awareness of Middle Eastern dance with its inherent rich diversity and artistic validity, BDE celebrates the dynamic aesthetic of Middle Eastern dance, culture, and creativity, sharing its joy of dance with all communities. BDE takes a revolutionary approach to the art of belly-dance, presenting theatrical dance shows with a storyline, much like a ballet. The show features a cast of 20 International Artists from diverse backgrounds in Middle Eastern dance, contemporary, tribal, and fusion dance, each bringing their own unique vision to the production.

Bellydance Evolution has performed to sold-out crowds in over 20 different countries spanning North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. The company was featured at the 2012 Mawazine festival in Morocco, where it performed for the Queen of Morocco. With the success of its residency program, Bellydance Evolution has established ensemble company members in the U.S., Europe, Asia and Latin America.

"We are so excited to have this opportunity to return to the Ford with our fourth production, Fantasm - Odyssey of Dreams, in my hometown of Los Angeles. We really wanted to challenge ourselves this time around by adding even more over the top creative staging, a spectacular array of handmade theatrical costumes and the addition of new styles of dance such as the Arab folk dabke and Egyptian shabbi dance," said Jillina Carlano, Bellydance Evolution founder and artistic director.

Jillina Carlano, Founder, Executive/Artistic Director is a performer, master instructor, choreographer, director and producer, Jillina has devoted her life to dance. Jillina pulls from a strong dance background in Middle Eastern, folklore, jazz, ballet, and hip hop to create a colorful Middle Eastern fusion repertoire. She travels extensively, teaching seminars and performing in concerts worldwide. Jillina has co-produced 12 instructional DVDs, which are now offered in five different languages and distributed by Universal Records. In the summer of 2009 and 2010, Jillina was the first American to be invited as a featured performer in the prestigious closing gala at the Ahlan Wa Sahlan festival in Egypt. Jillina is the owner of Evolution Dance Studios, located in Universal City, California.

Paul Dinletir, Music Composer, is the co-founder of and lead composer for audiomachine, a boutique motion picture music production house, specializing in original music and sound design for the high-end trailer market. To create his Signature Sound, Paul records with the world's top orchestras and musicians in exclusive spaces such as Skywalker Ranch and Air Studios of London. He has composed exclusive music for blockbuster campaigns such as The Hobbit, Avatar, Life of Pi, Hunger Games, 300, and Snow White and the Huntsman. In creating original scores for Bellydance Evolution, Paul composes and records an emotional, dramatic soundtrack. He works side by side with Jillina to bring the show to life and is an integral part of the creative process.

Fantasm - Odyssey of Dreams is part of the Artists Partnership Series, a multidisciplinary performing arts series presented in partnership with LA County-based arts organizations and producers that, combined with IGNITE @ the FORD!, JAM Sessions and Big World Fun, make up the Ford Theatres' celebratory 2017 Summer Season.

Ticket prices start at $25; Reserved Tickets are available at FordTheatres.org or 323-461-3673 (for non-visual media 323-GO-1-FORD). To learn about discounts for groups of 10 or more, visit FordTheatres.org.

At 1,200 seats, the Ford Theatres creates an intimate concert experience that is a favorite among Angelenos. Each summer, the Ford hosts a diverse roster of events representing music and dance styles reflective of the communities that comprise Los Angeles County. Ford summer season events are presented in partnership with Los Angeles County arts organizations and producers. Unlike a traditional presenting model, these organizations apply to be part of the season and receive significant marketing, front of house and production support while keeping the majority of box office proceeds. The IGNITE @ the FORD! series is made possible through the generous support of Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl; proceeds benefit the Ford Theatre Foundation. Located in a County regional park in the Hollywood Hills, the Ford is owned by the County of Los Angeles and operated in partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Ford Theatre Foundation.

The Ford is located just off the 101 Hollywood Freeway at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood, CA 90068, between Hollywood and Universal Studios in the Cahuenga Pass. Grounds open two hours before show time for picnicking. In addition to a variety of food and beverages available on site, patrons are welcome to bring their own food and drink (wine and beer are allowed). The Ford is disabled accessible. Portable wireless listening devices are available upon request. The Ford Theatres is a smoke free facility.

Onsite parking at the Ford is limited and stacked. $10 per vehicle, cash only. Carpool and save: three or more people per vehicle pay only $5 for parking for evening shows. A FREE shuttle to the Ford services the Universal City/Studio City Metro Station lot at Lankershim Blvd. and Campo de Cahuenga (excluding Big World Fun and JAM Sessions). The Ford shuttle stops in the "kiss and ride" area and cycles every 20 minutes. For non-stacked off-site parking, a FREE shuttle services the parking structure located at 3330 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Los Angeles, CA 90068 (new); parking costs $12, cash only. Dress warmly for outdoor seating.

A complete season schedule, directions to the theatre and parking information can be found at FordTheatres.org.

Photo courtesy of Bellydance Evolution or K. Winkler Photography