Local Media Coverage and Reviews
Review
by Washington Post Dance Critic Barbara Allen
June 28, 2004
WASHINGTON POST
Silk Road Dance Company
Ancient Egypt came alive Saturday night at Dance Place with the Silk Road Dance Company performing Laurel Victoria Gray's evening-length "Egypta: Myth, Magic & Mystery." With the passion of an educator and avid storyteller, Gray, along with her 23-member troupe, proceeded to unfold the myths and history of the ancient world. The work is a "reconstruction of what they might have danced like," said Gray, who drew her ideas from ancient Egyptian art as well as current Middle Eastern dance styles.
Originally a tribute to the early 20th-century modern dancer Ruth St. Denis, it evoked the dramatic gestures of silent films. A colorful whirl of motion connected a series of recognizable Egyptian tableaux (at times perhaps too recognizable, verging on cliche). A deep voice coming from a smoky netherworld narrated the historical dance-drama replete with striking and sumptuous images: A quartet of glistening aqua nymphs emerged from the Nile, depicted by billowing silk. Thoth, the alligator god and creator of life, made his way across the floor swishing a magnificent gold-and-blue brocade tail. The costumes, designed by Gray and Elizabeth Anna Groth, were scene stealers.
Mythic dances were interspersed with ones depicting the everyday lives of people in the kingdom. Women shown harvesting in a ritual dance had a distinctly African flavor, and linen weavers, working at the loom with playful gestures, framed the myths nicely.
The evening was a visual treat of whirling, glittery costumes, fluid movement
narratives, rich, exotic music and a dance troupe that was clearly having fun.
— Barbara Allen
Student Stories: Bollywood Performance Class
with Laurel Victoria Gray
by Erika Kottenmeier
August 20, 2012
Dance is for Everyone Blog
(Excerpt. Click title for complete artilc
Bollywood Performance Class at Joy of Motion Dance Center has turned out to be so much more than a dance class. Dr. Gray, a professor at The George Washington University, has not only instructed us in the steps of a dance in the traditional kathak style, but also taught us the intention behind each movement. By explaining the meaning of the lyrics and the cultural context, she helps us convey the right amount of emotion in each step, which I’ve learned is so important in a dance style where your eyes say as much as your body. Subtle movements are far more difficult to execute than large, dramatic steps, but as we practice together to achieve synchrony, it is becoming clear that small movements can have a very large impact. It has been fascinating to learn this new language. I am very excited to be a part of the Bollywood performance, and have thoroughly enjoyed my class with Dr. Gray.
Join Erika and the dancers from our Summer 2012 Studio to Stage Classes for their final performance showcase. Saturday, August 25th at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, August 26th at 7:00 p.m. at The Jack Guidone Theater. Click here to buy tickets.
August 20, 2012
Dance is for Everyone Blog
(Excerpt. Click title for complete artilc
Bollywood Performance Class at Joy of Motion Dance Center has turned out to be so much more than a dance class. Dr. Gray, a professor at The George Washington University, has not only instructed us in the steps of a dance in the traditional kathak style, but also taught us the intention behind each movement. By explaining the meaning of the lyrics and the cultural context, she helps us convey the right amount of emotion in each step, which I’ve learned is so important in a dance style where your eyes say as much as your body. Subtle movements are far more difficult to execute than large, dramatic steps, but as we practice together to achieve synchrony, it is becoming clear that small movements can have a very large impact. It has been fascinating to learn this new language. I am very excited to be a part of the Bollywood performance, and have thoroughly enjoyed my class with Dr. Gray.
Join Erika and the dancers from our Summer 2012 Studio to Stage Classes for their final performance showcase. Saturday, August 25th at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, August 26th at 7:00 p.m. at The Jack Guidone Theater. Click here to buy tickets.
"Axis of Evil" Dancers Come to
D.C. Cultural Ground Zero
DC Examiner Article on
Silk Road Dance Company
THE DC EXAMINER
Nov 20, 2007
by Harry Jaffe
WASHINGTON - I’m not sure where President George Bush was doing noon last Wednesday, but I do know where he should have been — watching lovely women performing seductive, might I say entrancing, dances from the part of the world he keeps threatening.
Dressed in flowing silk dresses, flickering with sequins, ringing with tiny bells, the dancers stooped and twirled and mimicked the making of silk in their native lands in and around Persia — what we now call Iran.
“We call ourselves the ‘Axis of Evil’ dance company,”artistic director Laurel Victoria Gray told the noontime crowd that had come to see her troupe. Around 150 people sat in the brand new Sidney Harman Center on F Street for the first Happenings at the Harman.
Laurel Gray was joking, of course. Gray’s group is the Silk Road Dance Ensemble, an award-winning, tiny company based in Washington. But her dancers do perform pieces from lands along the ancient Silk Road, from China to Europe. These lands might be better called Bloody Road these days; they cut through Kurdistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq.
All joking aside, the dance ensemble’s appearance last week at the Harmon was a sort of cultural explosion in downtown Washington, thanks to the expanded Shakespeare Theatre. Last month, the theater company opened its new Harman Center for the Arts, around the corner from its original Lansburgh Theatre. This month, the arts company unveiled its weekly free performance programs, every Wednesday at noon.
“This whole neighborhood is alive, daytime and nighttime,” Shakespeare artistic director Michael Kahn told me.
Indeed, the part of town we describe loosely as Chinatown, Gallery Place and Penn Quarter has become the cultural centerpiece of the Washington region. It now has a half-dozen theaters, from the National and Warner to Woolly Mammoth and the two Shakespeares; the Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum; plenty of art galleries, movie theaters and the Spy Museum. The Verizon Center is celebrating its 10th year.
“When I came to Washington, this part of town was a ruin,” Kahn said. “No one was down here 15 years ago when we opened the Lansburgh Theatre.”
True enough. Seventh Street was Washington’s market street 100 years ago. It became an urban dead zone until the cultural community resurrected it in the past two decades. “We’re right in the middle of where we’re supposed to be,” Kahn says.
I caught up with some of the Silk Road dancers after the performance. Some had family roots along the Silk Road; some were intrigued by the dances and the clothes. Most
were returning to the normal lives of law offices or classrooms or caring for children.
But everyone who saw them perform was touched by the beauty and grace of cultures that have been making song and dance thousands of years along the Silk Road.
Perhaps President Bush should invite them to the White House.
Harry Jaffe has been covering the Washington area since
1985. E-mail him at [email protected].
Silk Road Dance Company
THE DC EXAMINER
Nov 20, 2007
by Harry Jaffe
WASHINGTON - I’m not sure where President George Bush was doing noon last Wednesday, but I do know where he should have been — watching lovely women performing seductive, might I say entrancing, dances from the part of the world he keeps threatening.
Dressed in flowing silk dresses, flickering with sequins, ringing with tiny bells, the dancers stooped and twirled and mimicked the making of silk in their native lands in and around Persia — what we now call Iran.
“We call ourselves the ‘Axis of Evil’ dance company,”artistic director Laurel Victoria Gray told the noontime crowd that had come to see her troupe. Around 150 people sat in the brand new Sidney Harman Center on F Street for the first Happenings at the Harman.
Laurel Gray was joking, of course. Gray’s group is the Silk Road Dance Ensemble, an award-winning, tiny company based in Washington. But her dancers do perform pieces from lands along the ancient Silk Road, from China to Europe. These lands might be better called Bloody Road these days; they cut through Kurdistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq.
All joking aside, the dance ensemble’s appearance last week at the Harmon was a sort of cultural explosion in downtown Washington, thanks to the expanded Shakespeare Theatre. Last month, the theater company opened its new Harman Center for the Arts, around the corner from its original Lansburgh Theatre. This month, the arts company unveiled its weekly free performance programs, every Wednesday at noon.
“This whole neighborhood is alive, daytime and nighttime,” Shakespeare artistic director Michael Kahn told me.
Indeed, the part of town we describe loosely as Chinatown, Gallery Place and Penn Quarter has become the cultural centerpiece of the Washington region. It now has a half-dozen theaters, from the National and Warner to Woolly Mammoth and the two Shakespeares; the Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum; plenty of art galleries, movie theaters and the Spy Museum. The Verizon Center is celebrating its 10th year.
“When I came to Washington, this part of town was a ruin,” Kahn said. “No one was down here 15 years ago when we opened the Lansburgh Theatre.”
True enough. Seventh Street was Washington’s market street 100 years ago. It became an urban dead zone until the cultural community resurrected it in the past two decades. “We’re right in the middle of where we’re supposed to be,” Kahn says.
I caught up with some of the Silk Road dancers after the performance. Some had family roots along the Silk Road; some were intrigued by the dances and the clothes. Most
were returning to the normal lives of law offices or classrooms or caring for children.
But everyone who saw them perform was touched by the beauty and grace of cultures that have been making song and dance thousands of years along the Silk Road.
Perhaps President Bush should invite them to the White House.
Harry Jaffe has been covering the Washington area since
1985. E-mail him at [email protected].
REVIEW:
Wonders of the Uzbek Silk Road
by Alexandra Tomalomis
WASHINGTON POST
June 16, 1989
It's a pretty safe best the most Americans were fairly hazy about the location, if not the existance, of Uzbekistan until its residents started trowing rocks at each other on the evening news couple of weeks ago....
The dances were introduced by Laurel Gray, an American dancer who fell in love with Uzbek culture and was invited to tashkent to styde.,,
It's
DCist: Hurray for Bollywood
This article by Meghan Welsh previews Laurel Victoria Gray's Bollywood dance workshop ''Hooray for Bollywood'' in Washington, DC, area.
If National Dance Week got your blood pumping, consider heading over to Joy of Motion’s Bethesda Studios this Sunday afternoon for Hurray for BOLLYWOOD! The adult workshop class invites all levels and styles of dancers to come and explore Indian dance.
For those of you who haven’t had Dhoom on your Netflix queue lately, Bollywood refers to India’s enormous film industry; the dance-heavy movies, with frequently over-the-top plot lines, are often compared to old American musical comedies.
“Bollywood movies have an innocent optimism, an infectious charm and an unabashed sense of melodrama that paints the world in brighter colors,” said
Dr. Laurel Victoria Gray, artistic director of Silk Road Dance Company.
If you show up for the workshop, you’ll get the chance to learn basic Bollywood dance techniques, from simple steps to hand gestures; those who have a little more experience can take a whirl at spins and turns. Fans of other dance styles will probably feel comfortable at the workshop, as there will be influences of jazz, hip-hop, Bhangra and belly dance. But Gray stressed that no experience is necessary and that everyone should feel comfortable attending.
Added bonus: Gray says taking the class might even spice up your love life.
“Every woman can benefit from learning to waft her veil flirtatiously or cast a devastating glance across a crowded room,” she said. “Guys can try out the exuberant shoulder movements of Indian movie idols.”
It’s definitely recommended that you register in advance before going; tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. “Hurray for BOLLYWOOD!” takes place this Sunday, May 4 from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. To register, please visit the Joy of Motion Web site.
http://dcist.com/2008/05/02/hurray_for_boll.php#more
PHOTO of Silk Road Dance Company by Laurel Victoria Gray
If National Dance Week got your blood pumping, consider heading over to Joy of Motion’s Bethesda Studios this Sunday afternoon for Hurray for BOLLYWOOD! The adult workshop class invites all levels and styles of dancers to come and explore Indian dance.
For those of you who haven’t had Dhoom on your Netflix queue lately, Bollywood refers to India’s enormous film industry; the dance-heavy movies, with frequently over-the-top plot lines, are often compared to old American musical comedies.
“Bollywood movies have an innocent optimism, an infectious charm and an unabashed sense of melodrama that paints the world in brighter colors,” said
Dr. Laurel Victoria Gray, artistic director of Silk Road Dance Company.
If you show up for the workshop, you’ll get the chance to learn basic Bollywood dance techniques, from simple steps to hand gestures; those who have a little more experience can take a whirl at spins and turns. Fans of other dance styles will probably feel comfortable at the workshop, as there will be influences of jazz, hip-hop, Bhangra and belly dance. But Gray stressed that no experience is necessary and that everyone should feel comfortable attending.
Added bonus: Gray says taking the class might even spice up your love life.
“Every woman can benefit from learning to waft her veil flirtatiously or cast a devastating glance across a crowded room,” she said. “Guys can try out the exuberant shoulder movements of Indian movie idols.”
It’s definitely recommended that you register in advance before going; tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. “Hurray for BOLLYWOOD!” takes place this Sunday, May 4 from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. To register, please visit the Joy of Motion Web site.
http://dcist.com/2008/05/02/hurray_for_boll.php#more
PHOTO of Silk Road Dance Company by Laurel Victoria Gray
"We Are the World" article
features Laurel Victoria Gray's dance classes
THE GAZETTE
MARCH 5, 2009
Excerpt from
'We are the world'
Prince George's offers a global variety of entertainment, culture and heritage
by Elahe Izadi
Laurel Gray, instructor of the class at Joe's, teaches dances originating from throughout North Africa and the Middle East. The belly dancing she teaches is more centered on its folkloric origins rather than just giving students a good workout.
Dance student Marcea Austin of Washington, D.C., said the class has improved her worldview."We're not only dancing here," Austin said. "[Gray] gives us an international
view of women from all around the world."
Gray includes explanations of the origins of the dances and what the particular moves mean, student Kathy Papienski of College Park said."It's great we don't have to travel as far as Bethesda to take this class," she said.
During the class, participants learn choreographed dances that require them to isolate their hips or torsos while moving their arms about, while shawls around their waists jingle with their movements.
MARCH 5, 2009
Excerpt from
'We are the world'
Prince George's offers a global variety of entertainment, culture and heritage
by Elahe Izadi
Laurel Gray, instructor of the class at Joe's, teaches dances originating from throughout North Africa and the Middle East. The belly dancing she teaches is more centered on its folkloric origins rather than just giving students a good workout.
Dance student Marcea Austin of Washington, D.C., said the class has improved her worldview."We're not only dancing here," Austin said. "[Gray] gives us an international
view of women from all around the world."
Gray includes explanations of the origins of the dances and what the particular moves mean, student Kathy Papienski of College Park said."It's great we don't have to travel as far as Bethesda to take this class," she said.
During the class, participants learn choreographed dances that require them to isolate their hips or torsos while moving their arms about, while shawls around their waists jingle with their movements.
A WEEKLY DOSE OF EASTERN DANCE
Dancing novices and veterans learn lessons from cool teacher
Thursday, April 13, 2006
by Dennis Carter
Staff Writer
THE GAZETTE
As Laurel Victoria slipped on her worn, pink dancing slippers, the belly-dancing teacher described her students’ motivation with an eloquence of a global traveler well versed in the art form of ‘‘the dance of the East.”
‘‘It’s women’s way of expressing themselves, of letting off steam, of having joy, and they are not judged,” said Victoria, who teaches a dozen weekly classes across the metropolitan area, including one at the College Park Community Center onThursday evenings. ‘‘It is popular for women at all stages of life because it
really is this joyous form of self-expression.”
After a rigorous session April 6, Mary Jo Shapiro said the belly-dancing classes – which work upper body muscles more than many dance forms – have helped her in many ways since she began the classes in September.
‘‘My legs are great, they can do anything,” said Shapiro, of Colmar Manor, a former tap
dancer. ‘‘The rest of my body doesn’t move very well. And as I’m getting older ... I wanted something that would really get me moving.”
The class moved to the community center in March after two years at the
University of Maryland’s Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center – a welcomed
change for Victoria and her students.
‘‘These floors are so much better,” Victoria, of Mount Rainier, said of the smooth, wood-grain floors at the community center.
As her students rotated their attention from their feet to their hips to the large mirrors in front of them – trying to follow the quickening rhythm of the Arabic music – Victoria
motivated the class with lines such as, ‘‘C’mon, pretend you’re a superhero, and your power is in your hips.”
Victoria’s enthusiasm is appreciated by many who take a weekly foray into the foreign world of belly-dancing.
‘‘You can see your stamina build up,” Shapiro said. ‘‘I see people learn stuff really fast, and it has become a good little community of people.”
Some students, like Beatriz Ruiz and Drena Galarza, said the class’ all-female atmosphere brings them back for every belly-dancing session.
‘‘I like the girl camaraderie,” said Galarza, a Riverdale Park resident. ‘‘You really threw us
off tonight,” she said – half jokingly – to a male reporter attending the April 6 class.
‘‘There is some kind of power involved,” said Ruiz of Silver Spring. ‘‘It can get very sexy, and we giggle because we really try.”
Marcia Evangeline Austin, in her third year at the College Park classes, said the atmosphere is conducive to learning the challenging dance motions.
‘‘It’s delightful as a group. The girls are sweet and very supportive,” said Austin, a District resident. ‘‘It’s all about dancing and self-expression.”
Copyright © 2006 The Gazette - ALL
RIGHTS RESERVED.
Privacy Statement
Thursday, April 13, 2006
by Dennis Carter
Staff Writer
THE GAZETTE
As Laurel Victoria slipped on her worn, pink dancing slippers, the belly-dancing teacher described her students’ motivation with an eloquence of a global traveler well versed in the art form of ‘‘the dance of the East.”
‘‘It’s women’s way of expressing themselves, of letting off steam, of having joy, and they are not judged,” said Victoria, who teaches a dozen weekly classes across the metropolitan area, including one at the College Park Community Center onThursday evenings. ‘‘It is popular for women at all stages of life because it
really is this joyous form of self-expression.”
After a rigorous session April 6, Mary Jo Shapiro said the belly-dancing classes – which work upper body muscles more than many dance forms – have helped her in many ways since she began the classes in September.
‘‘My legs are great, they can do anything,” said Shapiro, of Colmar Manor, a former tap
dancer. ‘‘The rest of my body doesn’t move very well. And as I’m getting older ... I wanted something that would really get me moving.”
The class moved to the community center in March after two years at the
University of Maryland’s Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center – a welcomed
change for Victoria and her students.
‘‘These floors are so much better,” Victoria, of Mount Rainier, said of the smooth, wood-grain floors at the community center.
As her students rotated their attention from their feet to their hips to the large mirrors in front of them – trying to follow the quickening rhythm of the Arabic music – Victoria
motivated the class with lines such as, ‘‘C’mon, pretend you’re a superhero, and your power is in your hips.”
Victoria’s enthusiasm is appreciated by many who take a weekly foray into the foreign world of belly-dancing.
‘‘You can see your stamina build up,” Shapiro said. ‘‘I see people learn stuff really fast, and it has become a good little community of people.”
Some students, like Beatriz Ruiz and Drena Galarza, said the class’ all-female atmosphere brings them back for every belly-dancing session.
‘‘I like the girl camaraderie,” said Galarza, a Riverdale Park resident. ‘‘You really threw us
off tonight,” she said – half jokingly – to a male reporter attending the April 6 class.
‘‘There is some kind of power involved,” said Ruiz of Silver Spring. ‘‘It can get very sexy, and we giggle because we really try.”
Marcia Evangeline Austin, in her third year at the College Park classes, said the atmosphere is conducive to learning the challenging dance motions.
‘‘It’s delightful as a group. The girls are sweet and very supportive,” said Austin, a District resident. ‘‘It’s all about dancing and self-expression.”
Copyright © 2006 The Gazette - ALL
RIGHTS RESERVED.
Privacy Statement
