Dances of the Silk Road & Beyond
What's New?The 5th Silk Road Dance Festival
"The Golden Road To Samarkand" A timeless journey in dance to the heart of Central Asia and a fabled city at the crossroads of many cultures. Directed by Laurel Victoria Gray. Featuring Silk Road Dance Company with special guest artists. Coming in May 11, 2019 Distinctions
Laurel Victoria Gray
Adjunct Professor of Global Dance History George Washington University Internationally recognized dance scholar, choreographer, performer, and costume designer, Laurel Victoria Gray specializes in women’s dances from Silk Road cultures and the Islamic World. Her scholarly articles have appeared in many publications including the Oxford University Press International Encyclopedia of Dance, the Encyclopedia of Modern Asia, the World Encyclopedia of Contemporary Theatre, and the Encyclopedia of Women in Islamic Culture. Known as “the pioneer of Uzbek dance in America,” Gray has studied dance abroad, including two years at the invitation of Uzbekistan's State Academic Bolshoi Theater. She has lectured, researched, taught and performed dance on five continents, traveling to Egypt, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Australia, Qatar, Singapore, Canada, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the UK and throughout the US. Gray works closely with diaspora communities and embassies to accurately present their cultures. Her ensemble, Silk Road Dance Company, performed at the very first White House Nowruz celebration. Distinctions 2018 Khiva Uzbekistan "Magic of Dance" Festival Jury Member 2016 London Open Central Asian International Festival Award 2013 Dance Metro DC Choreography Commissioning Project Award 2011 Toronto Tirgan Iranian Arts Festival “Arash” Award 2009 Fulbright Association International Dance Scholar Lecture 2006 Metro DC Dance Awards ''Excellence in Costume Design'' 2007 Uzbekistan Ministry of Culture Recognition 2005 Embassy of Uzbekistan Award for Strengthening US – Uzbek Cultural Ties 2003 International Academy of Middle Eastern Dance Choreographer Award 2003 Kennedy Center Local Dance Commission Project Award 1999 International Academy of Middle Eastern Dance Best Ethnic Dancer Award 1997 Samarkand Sharq Taronalari International Music Festival Jury Member Major Concert Works
2018 Wedding in Bukhara 2016 SHAHNAMEH: Adventures from the Persian Book of Kings 2015 Swede on the Silk Road 2013 Bollywood Fever 2009 Raqiset Shaabia: Folkloric Dances of the Arab World 2008 Legends of the Silk Road 2006 The Golden Road to Samarkand 2005 Haft Paykar: Seven Beauties 2003 EGYPTA: Myth, Magic, and Mystery 2001 Remembering the Legends: 3,000 of Women on the Silk Road Shahnameh: Adventures from the Persian Book of Kings
Silk Road Dance Company at
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