Mid-Eastern Dance: Experimental Atelier (MEDEA) II

DIAMONDS!

Casablanca Restaurant

Sunday, Nov. 23rd, 1-4PM

1504 King St., Alexandria, VA

Call for reservations: 703-549-6464

Cost: $18.00, includes dinner buffet and show

Click here for directions to the Casablanca

 

 

We are all DIAMONDS!

Does my sexiness upset you?

Does it come as a surprise?

That I dance like I've got diamonds

At the meeting of my thighs

from Maya Angelou, excerpted from "Still I Rise"

Click here to see more of Ms. Angelou's poetry

 

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MEDEA II  

Mid-Eastern Dance: Experimental Atelier II  

The MEDEA performance series, sponsored by Alay'nya and the Troupe Seraband, is held annually each autumn. "MEDEA is an opportunity for dancers to express their artistic creativity in ways that might not fit in with their 'usual' performance venues at restaurants, etc. MEDEA is particularly open to innovative works and to works-in-progress," says Alay'nya, Founder of Troupe Seraband and Artistic Director for the MEDEA series.

This year, the theme for MEDEA is "Diamonds." The artists and dancers participating in MEDEA have been asked to develop new works along this theme

Dance artists are interpreting "Diamonds" in ways ranging from the frivolous and fun (look for "Operation Diamonds" and "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend") to subtle and philosophical, as will be expressed in Alay'nya's closing piece, set to Pink Floyd's "Shine on You Crazy Diamond."

As a new step, the different artists are sharing their personal experiences with you - introspective and otherwise - as they immerse themselves in preparation for this work. Look for their thoughts - and photos - in the next section, "Artists".

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PROGRAMME

 

Look for performances by leading area dancers:

• Alay'nya
• Amustela
• Kamaria
• Katayoun
• Maha Najeeb
• Princess Zaza with Darren Wayne

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The ARTISTS

Special Invited Guest Artist Amustela

Amustela writes:

"Diamonds embody the attainment of perfection. A perfect chemical composition of quaternary-bonded carbon - with no other elements or impurities, producing the strongest and most beautiful substance known. Clear and sparkling, diamonds have enchanted, mesmerized and captivated humankind..... but some have also become obsessed with their beauty. Greed and lust for the diamond's sparkle and status have tarnished and ruined many lives.

"Diamonds are hard. Diamonds are cold. Many diamonds have flaws. People can loose the special elements of themselves, blinded by the glitter of the fast side of life, while striving to obtain an unobtainable "pure perfection". Treasure the real "diamonds" in your life, the soft jewel of kindness, the warmth of love, and the imperfections of human frailty."

 

"Amustela points us to developing something very unusual: The 'soft' quality of diamond brilliance. She intuitively leads us to the essence of the well-known mantra, 'Om Mane Padme Hum' (the jewel in the heart of the lotus).

"This is about recognizing that each of us is a 'diamond' - a jewel, within the lotus of our being. And it is a basis for learning to appreciate and value ourselves more. So a dance could be just an expression of appreciating your own beauty, sensuality, and inner essence on ever-deepening levels."

- Alay'nya

THE PERFORMANCE

 

Photos from "Diamonds"!

 

"Operation Diamond," starring the winsome Maha Najeeb!
(CLICK FOR LARGER IMAGES) Photo Credits: First three: Alan Steinberg, and last: Rose Kislowski, all used with permission. Photo editing by Alay'nya.
Solo and Duet Performances - Part I
(CLICK FOR LARGER IMAGES) Photo Credits: Alan Steinberg, used with permission. Photo editing by Alay'nya.
Solo, Duet, and Group Performances - Part II
(CLICK FOR LARGER IMAGES) Photo Credits: Alan Steinberg, used with permission. Photo editing by Alay'nya.
Solo and Duet Performances - Continued
(CLICK FOR LARGER IMAGES) Photo Credits: First three: Rose Kislowski, and last: Alan Steinberg, all used with permission. Photo editing by Alay'nya.
Alay'nya - Concluding Solo
(CLICK FOR LARGER IMAGE) Photo Credit: Alan Steinberg, used with permission. Photo editing by Alay'nya.

 

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DIALOGUES

 

Do you have thoughts or comments that you'd like to share about "Diamonds"?

E-mail them to Alay'nya at alaynya@alaynya.com.

(Please note: Not every comment can be published; the editor's good judgment and time constraints will apply.)

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