Inspirational Students, Fabulous Workshop and Show!

Friday, April 23, 2010

Last weekend was amazing! I sponsored Amani Jabril for “April Shimmies,” a weekend workshop and student show – and it was a fabulous success.

Approximately 30 dancers from three states joined the festivities that started at 2:30 pm. Students sunk their teeth into fun Oriental patterns and technique and then enjoyed the passion of Khaleegy (Iraqi and Saudi style) dance. Amani conducted effective exercises that allowed the dancers to apply what they had just learned by giving the beginning and ending pieces of choreography and then allocating time for the dancers to create the middle based on what they had just learned. It was well received and the great news is that now, they’re still raving about the experience.

The show was a special event for me, for many reasons. Seeing the growth of my dancers is unequivocally the biggest reward to me as a teacher. And several spectacular things happened for this show. Level 1 and Level 2 dancers performed for the first time – and their excitement inspired me greatly!!! It is such a treat for me to see the ladies work so hard on the choreography and to have their families come out and support them in the experience. My Level 3 dancers mastered one of my choreographies that is challenging, has a smokin’ hot style and is a full-length piece. Each dancer let their inner sexiness out – and it was beautiful to see. My Level 4 dancers embraced the 10/8 Mushawat rhythm featured in the beautiful Spanish/Arabic piece, Amaya Guena. Raksanna’s Production Company, comprised of student troupe Alif Ba (Arabic for A, B) and Raksanna’s Desert Flames, also performed. Alif Ba delighted the crowd with the ever popular Shik Shak Shok and not only did Raksanna’s Desert Flames open the show with a piece of my award-winnng choreography of Alfrec, every member of the Flames performed a professional, high end solo that was wonderful.

Guest soloists included Aasali from Pittsburg with Tales of the Sahara, Baracka with Alf Layla, Lehla with Yemana, Zerlina with Esma Yali, Johara with Into the Night, Sahbeen with Walk This Way, Nan with Aahat, Amra with Kalouli Anou, Andrea with Intertwine and Gilae with Hadouni Hadouni.

With her usual unbridled passion, Amani performed a fabulous Khaleegy piece, followed by Oriental number and a beautiful beledi dance. In celebration of a difficult year placed soundly behind me, I performed to Holly Cole’s rendition of I Can See Clearly Now and dedicated it to the rain being gone.

So, what made the evening so special to me? Several things – dancers felt comfortable in sharing their joy through our beautiful artform, new dancers took a chance and my team of faculty and staff (Jodi, Sid, Ruth, Laura, Brian, Kim, Dan and David) were solid as the rock of Gibraltar.

I am truly a blessed woman to be surrounded by energetic, positive people.

Thank you, everyone, for believing in the dream and making it a reality.