Mosaic Dance Theater Dances to Westminster Arts Center Next Month

With choreography by Samara, the award-winning Mosaic Dance Theater Company (MDTC) dances to the original music of oud virtuoso/singer/composer Maurice Chedid, accompanied by an on-stage musical ensemble. This program of live music and dance features the fascinating rhythms, evocative melodies and luxuriant movements of classical, folkloric, and contemporary styles of music and dance from the Arab world. The program will be presented at Westminster Arts Center at Bloomfield College, 449 Franklin Street, Bloomfield, NJ 07003. Performances are scheduled for Saturday, December 2, 2017 at 8:00 PM, and Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 3:00 PM, and are free to the general public. Join the artists for the pre-show discussion (45 minutes before showtime) and stay for the post-show Q&A. Advance reservations are recommended.

Mr. Chedid, a native of Beirut, Lebanon, studied at the Lebanese Conservatory of Middle Eastern Music, and toured internationally before emigrating to the U.S., where he soon became a popular singer/musician, appearing at major venues throughout the country. Now based in northern New Jersey, he and the directors of MDTC, Samara Adell (Artistic Director for Dance and Choreographer) and Morgiana Celeste Varricchio (Producing Artistic Director and Founder), have a long history of collaboration, not only as individuals in their "pre-Mosaic" days, but also under the auspices of the Company. Mosaic Dance Theater & The Music of Maurice Chedid is a triumphant new work, acknowledging these fruitful artistic collaborations. This joyous concert features Mr. Chedid's original compositions played by an on-stage ensemble of four musicians, with Samara's thrilling choreography for the cast of five dancers. The concert pieces offer the audience a diverse program of Middle Eastern music and dance: Lebanese dabke, Egyptian sai'idi, baladi, raks sharqi, and the classical muwashshah. Performing in the concert are Mosaic Company dancers Samara Adell, Morgiana Celeste Varricchio, Nina Brewton, Kendra Dushac McCarthy, and guest dancer Heather Panikkar. In addition to Mr. Chedid, musicians in the ensemble are Ramy Nasser (keyboard), Rami ElAasser (tabla), and April Centrone (percussion).

Based in Glen Ridge, N.J., MDTC is dedicated to the dance and folkloric traditions of the Mediterranean region. The Company's original dance, theater, and educational programs celebrate the rich diversity of cultures of the lands of North Africa, the Middle East, Turkey, Greece, Italy and Spain. The dances and music, the stories and myths, and the history and legends of this fascinating area form the wellspring of inspiration for MDTC's creative vision.. Founded in 2003, this critically acclaimed company is known for its artistry and authenticity, not only in creating the original works that comprise its repertory, but also in faithfully researching their origins to ensure cultural integrity. Touring nationally to performing arts venues, universities, and educational facilities, the Company is the recipient of the Sunshine Award for its contribution to the performing arts, recognized by NARAS (National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences) and the United Nations.

The program is presented free of charge, and reservations are strongly recommended. Reservations can be made online at Mosaic-and-Maurice.BrownPaperTickets.com, or call 1-800-838-3006. For additional information, visit www.MosaicDanceTheaterCo.org.

Music of Maurice Chedid was supported by New Music USA, made possible by annual program support and/or endowment gifts from The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. This program is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts and administered by the Essex County Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs. This project has been proudly supported by a grant from Investors Foundation (investorsfoundation.org).

Photo credit: Gary Heller