|
|
|
Inspirations
|
|
Ancient Art of Cat Dancing
Discover the lost art of cat dancing! Practiced by priestesses of Asia Minor 25 centuries ago, cat dancing has been preserved through the ages in the remote highlands of Lechistan.
Lechistan is a mountainous region, with natural wonders, including
caverns, hot springs, and caves decorated with prehistoric paintings women dancing with domestic and wild cats.Villages in are inaccessible six months out of the year because of heavy snows and,in the spring, dangerous mudslides.
In Lechistan, the New Year is celebrated at the Spring Equinox.
Little is known today of these ancient dances; scholars are forced to speculate based on enigmatic depictions in ancient artifacts.
Cat dancing is a vestige of "secret womens dance" and most probably a remnant
of a coming-of-age celebration involving red and white hankies, or twirling little white balls on a short string chased by young kittens,to insure fertility.
The folk saying about a confined space -- "not enough room to swing a cat" -- derived from Lechistani cat dancing movements, specifically "the back inside death spiral." As alarming as the movement may sound, it never endangered the cats since they were carefully supported during the performance and actually enjoyed the spinning sensations. The priestesses,however, were not so fortunate.
Modern day remnants include synchronized water ballets performed by the famous Turkish swimming cats of Lake Van. A few rare cats found in North America that are linked g
...More
|
|
|
|
Croatian Cats!
Lechistani Dancing cats can be found
all over the world.
Mica-Maca is an online magazine for cat lovers. They have articles on the health
and care of cats of all ages, as well as
some beautiful and endearing photographs.
...More
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Ratna Roy
An accomplished scholar and dancer, Dr. Ratna Roy performs traditional Odissi dance of India.
...More
|
|
|
|
FILM: The Story of the Weeping Camel
Set in Mongolian, this lovely film brims with ethnographic detail and adorable Bactrian camels. There is even tiny sequence showing a Mongolian dance class. The healing ritual is fascinating and explores the power of sound.
...More
|
|
|
|
|
Interview with Egyptian Violinist
Learn more about Arabic music in this interview by Worl Music Central with
Egyptian violin virtuoso Riad Abdel-Gawad.
The musician defines many of the most important terms and concepts in Arabic music
-- such as taqaseem and tarab -- as well as sharing biographical information.
Click on ''more'' to read the interview.
...More
|
|
|
|
INTERVIEW: YoYo Ma and the Silk Road
Enjoy this insightful interview with YoYo Ma from the The Diane Rehm Show. He discusses his Silk Road Project and shares captivating musical examples.
...More
|
|
|
|
|
|
Koraljka Polaček
Koraljka Polaček is a painter and
art teacher who was born in Zagreb.
She finds that "the Cat is her favourite inspiration."
In 1991 she enrolled into the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb to become a professor in painting. She graduated in 1998 in the class of professor Eugen Kokot. While still attending the Academy, she started exhibiting her works in collective and individual exhibitions, as well as taking part in art colonies and art/humanitarian projects.
After graduating from the Academy, she started working at the Ljubljanica Elementary School in Zagreb, where she teaches art class even today. In recognition of her work she won the Europe at School Award for children's drawings (7-14 years of age) in 2002. Together with D.Nazor and S.Grković she co-authored a drawing book called Tin in the Land of Dwarfs.
Since 1995 she has been presenting her work holding individual exhibitions. The same year, she started painting and exhibiting her works in the family atelier in Baška on the Island of Krk. Her paintings and drawings are part of private collections throughout Croatia and abroad.
She is a member of art associations the Croatian Artists Center (HDLU) and the LIKUM. She lives and works in Zagreb, Croatia.
...More
|
|
|
|
Paws of Enchantment
A Holistic Pet Spa
recommended by Lechistani Cats
for their canine friends.
...More
|
|
|
|
|
Qizlarhon Dustmuhamedova
My beloved mentor whose 1979 performance
introduced me to the world of Uzbek dance.
...More
|
|
|
|
Rajastani Dancing Cat
Tribal feline cousins in India wear distinct costumes for dance performances. Pashmak,pictured here, enjoys modeling traditional costumes but will only perform at ladies gatherings or family events.
...More
|
|
|
|
|
Synetic Theater
"The Synetic Theater traffics in rapturously surrealist stagecraft."
Bob Mondello
Synetic Theater seeks to advance and enrich the theater arts through presentation and education in its unique performance style of a synthesis of the arts, fusing the classical elements of drama, movement, dance, mime, and music into a distinct form of non-realistic theater. As Synetic Theater begins to develop a bridge between the DC and New York theater scenes, the company also seeks to expand its international presence. The theatrical style of Synetic Theater lends itself beautifully to cross-cultural performances, and the company plans to share their work and vision with people from around the world.
Paata and Irina Tsikurishvili, artistic director and resident choreographer, respectively, have garnered international, critical, and audience acclaim for their award-winning productions. Mr. Tsikurishvili has received six Helen-Hayes-Award nominations and two awards (Best Director and Best Resident Play for Hamlet…the Rest is Silence). Mrs. Tsikurishvili has received seven nominations for Best Choreography and won the award three times (The Idiot, Faust, and Hamlet…the rest is silence).
“Art with a capital A” – The New York Times
...More
|
|
|
|
TAMARA KHANUM
I was honored to be the very first American
guest in the Tashkent home of this legendary dancer.
...More
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOBI TOBIAS
This New York dance critic truly loves dancers and the dance.
Her reviews are witty, literate, and sensitive.
...More
|
|
|
|
|
