"Releasing the Goddess" Dialogues

 

The ARTISTS

 

Alay'nya - Artistic Director

Alay'nya writes:

"We are reaching back to very ancient roots - to a time when expression of art and experience of the sacred were often one and the same. We are bringing this perspective into the present day, so that creating art, even in the context of a dinner theatre - is also a means for creating community, and both experiencing and expressing the sacred in our lives."

"I choose Ashtarte because I'm starting to incorporate a lot of energy work into my dance, and my life -- this is something that women used to do, and particularly did this in honor of their chosen Goddess -- we are re-creating a tradition that existed in the earliest matriarchal cultures, but has been largely eliminated over the past 4000 years."

Troupe Seraband

 

"Amustela has consistently been one of our most inspiring, and exciting creative artists -- she comes up with a unique theme for each of her dances, and by now we have seen her be ethereal in Goddess, dramatic in Unveiling, and a combination of classic / flirtatous / saucy in Viva la Diva. So imagine how her unique approach to Releasing the Goddess will be!"

 

 

"TBD"

 

"This one is speaking to me now, renewal, rebirth and faith in the universe."

"Kali"

"Kali's esoteric attributes are PASSION and physical and sexual energy. Be alert to those who undermine your self-confidence - Kali is here to hurl your life onto a new path that will ultimately prove to be more fulfilling than your current path."

• My new life path reveals itself to me
• I say goodbye to destructive influences
• There are rainbows in every rainfall
• I am awake to my life's calling
• I welcome Kali's strength & recuperative powers
• I trust the Universe to provide
• It's OK to release my juicy anger
• I can say "no" to negative influences

From Alay'nya - about Katayoun:

"Katayoun is one of the most beloved and respected dance performers and leaders in the NOVA area. She inspires us with her dance, her choreography, and her teaching -- and she has been an ongoing positive force in developing the NOVA dance community, especially with the Tiraz network, centered on the Leesburg area.

"We are exceptionally pleased to have Katayoun join us in this show!"

 

Kayce & her feline ancestry

"Wise, kind, graceful, skilled huntress, 4-legged teacher and companion, now in spirit. My personal goddess is the energy within that, in this world, connects my body with healing and dance."

 

Years earlier, Linda was a professional belly dancer, performing primarily in Arabic, Greek and Moroccan venues, as well as 10 years with the Maryland Rennaissance Festival.

This will be making a rare public appearance for Linda, as she is now devoted largely to teaching, massage, and personal growth facilitation.

 

"She has so much raw talent... a class act, and a real credit to the local dance community."

 

 

Hathor

"Hathor is the goddess of love, music, beauty, and dance."

"Hathor's cult is unusual , as both men and women were her priests (most deities had clerics of the same gender as they). Many of them were artisans, musicians, and dancers who turned their talents into creating rituals that were nothing short of works of art. Music and dance were part of the worship of Hathor like no other deity in Egypt. Hathor herself was the incarnation of dance, and stories were told of how Hathor danced before Ra when he was in despair to cheer him up."

Sabira has been dancing for 8 glorious years. She has been with Alay'nya for 3 of those years. Sabira's style is exquisite. Always bejeweled with her own design of jewels, ornate or rthnic with her long locks she indeed looks and glides like the Queen of the Nile!

Kali

Sasheen has been studying with Alay'nya for a year and a half. She has been fascinated by world cultures since she was very young, and fascinated by sharp and dangerous objects for just as long. In the following dance she combines the two into a meditative reflection of a sword...

"Swords have been in use in many cultures for millennia. While they are usually instruments of destruction, they have also been made into decorative or ritual objects. However, their very shape suggests danger... violence... death... and victory."

In her dance, Sasheen reflects on the nature of the sword and its uses. Should the sword be feared, or respected? Are the meanings we assign it arbitrary? Or is there something deeper, some meanings inherent in the weapon, that we can only discover and never change? Can a sword be tamed, or does it affect the hand that wields it?

From Alay'nya - in response:

"Sasheen is an emerging dancer with extraordinary potential, and an amazing ability to capture and hold audience attention."

"We've been watching Sasheen evolve her sword dance since she did one as her first (or near first) solo. Sasheen has always been adventurous. (As she puts it, she "loves playing with sharp objects!") But more than that, she's been consistently refining and elevating her artistic style and presentation. In this new sword dance, she takes us from her more meditative early works to something more vigorous and dramatic, and exceptionally exciting."

"I have been an avid lover of mythology since I was a child. While my interests span various cultures, I am more enamored with the ancient Egyptian and Greek pantheons than any others. Choosing a goddess for this show was a challenge, as I found myself with a list that I could not narrow down. Then, lightning struck my brain. J.W. Waterhouse's "Circe Invidiosa" hangs in my bedroom -- who knows how many times I have walked by it or looked at it without a second thought. I dashed to the print, drinking in the rich colors and peacock feather motifs. The wheels in my head were spinning with ideas."

Circe is most famous for her part in the Odyssey; however, she has a role in many other tales as well.

"There is a distinct duality that defines her character, as mythology paints her as a dark and a light goddess. She represents both the seductive enchantress and the benevolent wise woman... the wicked witch and the gentle healer.

"Though Circe is a deity, I feel like such duality makes her rather relatable and very intriguing. There is so much more to her than that which is presented on the surface.

"I shall endeavor to properly represent this goddess pharmakeia at the MEDEA VI: 'Releasing the Goddess.' Wish me luck!"

 

From Alay'nya - in response:

"Sitara is one of our most exciting emerging dancers.

"With a deep appreciation for the full and complex range of emotional expression that we have in this art, she is infusing her dances with a combination of exuberance and joy, sensitivity and passion, subtlety and drama. We are very excited by her upcoming work, which moves beyond her more traditional Egyptian cabaret style, into newer and more expressive realms."

 

Quan Yin

"Quan Yin is unconditional love, mercy, and compassion. It more represents how I feel and want to live my life more so than the the performance piece.

"However, dancing with Bhakti (my snake) is unconditional love, communication, compassion so we are both experiencing these qualities during our dancing time together."

Urvashi will be dancing with her snake, Bhakti, to the music of Lasse, Grant Doucor - Qntal

From Alay'nya - in response:

"Snake dancing -- one of Urvashi's specialties -- is one of the most ancient dance practices honoring the Great Goddess. We are particularly pleased to have Urvashi join us; she is so in keeping with the theme of this occasion!"

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