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Workshops
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Afghani Dance
Choreographed by Peoples Artist of Uzbekistan, Qizlarhon Dustmuhamedova, this dance reflects a sweet and playful femininity.
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An Introduction to Dance with Finger Cymbals
When playing finger cymbals, a dancer becomes a musician. The ability to enhance performance with precise rhythmic accompaniment demonstrates virtuosity. In this workshop students will learn the various "strikes" possible and the different sounds they create. A new drill for common dance rhythms and "paradiddles" will be introduced. Participants will practice dance combinations while playing finger cymbals. Students must supply their own finger cymbals.
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Ancient Egyptian Dance
Inspired by a lifetime fascination with Ancient Egypt, Laurel Victoria Gray began in 1995 to create a core group of dances, 'Egypta,' based on painstaking research. In 2003, she received an award from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts which commissioned new pieces. The result is a concert length work -- 'Egypta: Myth, Magic, and Mystery' - that depicts various aspects of womens lives throughout the history of Ancient Egypt.
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Ancient Goddess Dances
A growing interest in the Divine Feminine has generated choreographic interpretations of ancient Goddess traditions. Laurel Victoria Gray has crafted several pieces inspired by mythic and historic sources, including those of Ancient Egyptian dance, culminating in the concert works, "Remembering the Legends: Women of the Silk Road" and "Egypt:Myth,Magic,and Mystery."
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Azerbaijani Dance
Graceful and dynamic, the dance of Azerbaijan has long been a favorite genre of Laurel Victoria Gray. Her "Azerbaijani Suite" is a popular element in the repertoire of the Silk Road Dance Company. A solo piece,"The Dancer of Shamakha," is based on the eponymous work by Armen Ohanian who describes her life at the beginning of the twentieth century in the Caucasus and Persia. The town of Shamakha, now part of Azerbaijan, was famous for two things -- silk and dancing girls. "Glorious in all Asia Minor," Ohanian explained, "these dancers wandered, city to city, kindling all hearts with the fiery music of their...tinkling ornaments...Goddesses with languid eyes, in which smoldered the fires of all human passions, bodies trembling, waving delicate veils..." The music is a traditional Azerbaijani wedding melody and the costume is based on a 19th century watercolor.
Choreography and costume design/construction: Laurel Victoria Gray
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Bollywood Dance
Since 2003,Laurel Victoria Gray has choreographed four "Bollywood" dance pieces.The first premiered at the 4th Annual Arabian Nights with a cast of nearly 75 dancers. Bollywood Dance pays homage to the fun and fabulous dances in decades of Indian movies.
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Bukharan Uzbek Dance
Bukharan dance is one of the three major styles of Uzbek dance. Among the many Bukharan dances in the repertoire of Laurel Victoria Gray is "Jura Jon," choreographed in 1989 for Ms. Gray by Peoples Artist of Uzbekistan, Viktoria "Viyolat" Akilova.
This playful dance incorporates the hallmark gestures and movements of the Bukharan Uzbek style.
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California Tribal Dance
Before there was American Tribal (ATS), there was California Tribal in the 1970s, inspired by the legendary Bal Anat dance company directed by Jamila Salimpour. California Tribal dance is less codified than ATS and closely reflects the connections to North African dance and Orientalist paintings.
Laurel Victoria Gray joined the Seattle based Jalaal Dance Company in 1976, initiating her into the popular California Tribal style.
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Central Asian Dance : Shamanka
Choreography by Laurel Victoria Gray
Copyright 2001 by Laurel Victoria Gray
In traditional Central Asian culture, the Shamaness served her community as a vital link between humans and the spirit world. She was a healer and a prophetess. Her costume contained many magical elements and her drum helped her travel to the spirit world.
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Classical Persian Dance: Parting Ways With the Soul
Choreography by Laurel Victoria Gray
Copyright 2004 by Laurel Victoria Gray
Poetry, in the original Persian, by Omar Khayyam, provides the inspiration for the dance on the Classical Persian style.
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Classical Persian Dance: Raqs-e-Pari
Choreography and costume design: Laurel Victoria Gray
Copyright 1999 by Laurel Victoria Gray
In Persian folk tales, the "pari" was a beautiful, fairy-like creature who sometimes visited the realm of mortals. In this dance, "paris" are lured to earth with joyous music, enchanting everyone with their loveliness.
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Classical Persian Dance: Spring Rain in the Rose Garden
Choreography and costume design: Laurel Victoria Gray
Copyright 1994 by Laurel Victoria Gray
In a scene inspired by delicate Persian miniature paintings, two harem ladies venture out into the garden to enjoy the first roses of spring. They are caught in a sudden downpour but soon the sun reappears and they remain outdoors to enjoy the beauty of nature.
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Crimean Tatar Dance
Crimean Tatar dance soloist Meena met Laurel Victoria Gray in Uzbekistan and taught her these dances in 1992. Meena also arranged for an authentic costume to be created for Ms. Gray. The Crimean Tatar dance company "Khaitarma" worked in Uzbekistan until they were able to return to the Crimea late in 1992 after decades of punitive exile dictated by Stalin. Learn more about the Crimean Tatars at the link below.
This choreography consists of two sections, the lyrical "Emir Jalaal" and the lively "Khaitarma."
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Dances of the Islamic World
Joined by her award winning Silk Road Dance Company, Laurel Victoria Gray has created a lecture/dance presentation which illustrates the varied and rich dance traditions of different regions of the historical areas known as the Islamic World.
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Egyptian Folklore Dance
Egypt possesses an intriguing variety of folk dances including the energetic Saidi style. The beloved cane dance -- or "raqs as-assaya -- represents a feminized version of the male combat dance.
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Egyptian Ghawazee Dance
Celebrated by Victorian travelers and depicted by Orientalist painters, the Ghawazee occupy a unique niche in the dance world of Egypt. Their dance was described in the accounts of 19th century European travelers who were fascinated by their sensuous movements. The unique style of Ghawazee dance and costume enhanced their mystique as "invaders of the heart."
Believed to be of Romany ("Gypsy") origin, the Ghawazee tradition has almost died out in the 21st century but foreign interest has generated a renaissance in this style.Their
profound influence on various forms of "belly dance" continues today.
Cultural background and costuming will be covered. Students will learn a short choreography to traditional music. Please bring finger cymbals and a fringed shawl.
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Ferghana Uzbek Dance
One of the three major styles of Uzbek dance, the Ferghana genre is the most lyrical. Since 1976, Laurel Victoria Gray has conducted extensive field research in Uzbekistan. She includes several Ferghana dances in her personal repertoire,as well as that of her professional ensemble, the Silk Road Dance Company. Among these treasures is the classical piece "Munajat" which is rarely performed in contemporary Uzbekistan.
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Georgian Dance
Laurel Victoria Gray saw the Georgian State Dance Company as a child and first visited Georgia as a teenager in 1976. The compelling dances and intoxicating music of Georgia fired later trips and dance study. The choreographies "Narnari" and "Samaya" resulted from this research. In 1990, Laurel Victoria Gray had the honor of working with the Georgian State Dance Company while teaching Georgian dance at City Center Theatre in New York
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Golden Age Egyptian Dance
The Golden Age of Egyptian Dance reached its culmination in the glorious films of the 1940s and 1950s. Laurel Victoria Gray choreographed "Zaina" and "Raqs al-Huriyat" to embody this theatrical, glamorous style.
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Hand Dance: Cry of the Heart
Often imitated, this original workshop and choreography was created in 1997 by Laurel Victoria Gray. It focuses almost entirely on movements of the hands and arms. Drawing from gestures used in womens dances from many cultures of the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia and India, this emotionally compelling piece has been taught by Ms. Gray to dancers in both the United States and Europe. Peoples Artist of Uzbekistan Qizlarhon Dustmukahamedova called it "the most powerful dance in the repertoire of the Silk Road Dance Company." The choreography, entitled "Cry of the Heart," is set to music by Steven Flynn.
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HOORAY FOR BOLLYWOOD
Bollywood Dance Workshop
Date: Sunday, May 4, 2008
Time: 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Level: All levels, all dance styles welcome!
JOMDC Bethesda
Tuition: $30 in advance/$35 at the door
REGISTER ON LINE AT:
http://www.joyofmotion.org/Spring%202008/workshops.htm
Spice up your Spring with some Indian flava!
The term ''Bollywood'' refers to India's enormous film industry that is located in Bombay (now known as ''Mumbai.'') Bollywood movies, like the old American musical comedies, feature big production numbers with lots of dancing, singing, melodrama and romance. Dancing is an important and beloved part of Bollywood films. Dance sequences often tell a story or allow the hero and heroine to live out a fantasy. Bollywood choreographies originally drew from classical Indian dance and folk forms. More recently, jazz, hip hop, Bhangra, and belly dance have entered the mix.
In this workshop students will learn some basics of typical Bollywood styling including frequently used steps, hand gestures, head and eye movements, and pantomime elements. A brief introduction to spins and turns will be included.
By the end of the the class, all will be dancing to happy, high energy music
-- just like a Bollywood movie!
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Iranian Folk Dance
Rich in regional and tribal dances, Iranian folklore includes pieces like Ghassemabadi, Bandari, Qashqai, and more....
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Khorezm Uzbek Dance
Playful and unique, the Khorezm style of Uzbek dance depicts the movements of animals as well as everyday chores. One of the most beloved forms, it brings a smile to every face.
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Macedonian Rom ("Gypsy"): Cocek
"Cocek" is the energetic and flirtatious Macedonian Rom ("Gypsy") dance.
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Raqs Sharqi Dance
As an instructor at the Joy of Motion Dance Center, which has the largest Middle Eastern dance program in the Unites States,
Laurel Victoria Gray has created numerous Raqs Sharqi ("belly dance") choreographies for all levels to traditional and contemporary Middle Eastern music.
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Russian Roma ("Gypsy") Dance
The Roma ("Gypsy") people were popular entertainers in Imperial Russia. Their distinctive dance style features pyrotechnic turns and spins, exuberant shoulder shimmies, and an expressive demeanor. Full skirts and shawls are also used at times in the dance.
Laurel Victoria Gray studied Russian Rom ("Gypsy") dance in the former Soviet Union. She has shared her knowledge of this genre in workshops throughout Europe,Australia, and the United States.
CLASSROOM ATTIRE:
For the Russian Roma ("Gypsy") class, a full skirt worn at the waist is recommended. Students should also bring a large fringed shawl or veil to class. A long sturdy cane or broomstick is needed for the technique portion of the class.
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Spanish-Arabic Fusion Dance
Ever since the 8th century invasion of Spain, Arab and Spanish cultures have comingled. Catherine Spotswood, an ancestor of Laurel Victoria Gray, lived in Tangier, Morocco, in the 17th century, giving birth to her son, Alexander Spotswood in 1676. (Alexander later became a colonial governor of Virginia.) Perhaps this legacy has inspired the creation of several Spanish-Arabic fusion pieces, including "Lost in Tangier"(1995), "Ojos Asi"(1999) with music by Grammy Awar winner Shakira, "Habibi de Mis Amores" (2001)and "Salma ya Salama."(2002)
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Tajik Dance
Tajik dance is energtic, graceful and technically challenging.
Laurel Victoira Gray has studied Tadjik dance in Central Asia with Galia Ismailova, Viktoria Akilova, and Qizlarhon Dustmuhamedova. She first visited Tajikistan in 1989.She also recieved instruction in Tajik dance in Samarkand, working with leading professionals.
Most recently, Laurel Victoria Gray created a Tajik choreography for the Joy of Motion Youth Dance Ensemble that permiered at the Publick Playhouse on April 4, 2006.
Workshop will include training in characeristic spins and turns.
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Turkish Rom ("Gypsy) Dance
Set to the dynamic 9/8 karsilama rhythm, Turkish Rom dance also employs unique hand gesturing,
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Uighur Dance
The Uighur people are a Muslim, Turkic people found in Uzbekistan and Western China. Laurel Victoria Gray studied Uighur dance in Central Asia. Peoples Artist of Uzbekistan, Kadir Muminov, created a special Uighur choreography for her in 1993.
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Vampyre Tango
Combining elements from Middle Eastern dance with Tango steps, Laurel Victoria Gray created the unusual Vampyre Tango, an instant hit when it premiered at the 3rd Annual Arabian Nights in 2002.
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Veil Dance
While dancing with the veil is not traditional in Arab culture, it has become an important component in contemporary Raqs Sharqi (belly dance). The ancient origins of veil dance, and well as its connection to Turkic cultures, are explained in workshop presentations by Laurel Victoria Gray.
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Zikr: Ritual Dance
This ritual Sufi dance is practiced throughout different regions of the Islamic world.
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