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"In the Garden of
Gaia" is an original, theatrical dance production celebrating the
circle of life through the seasons of the year. Sisters of Avalon
incorporate many different styles of dance including tribal fusion
belly dance, American Tribal Style (ATS) improvisation, gypsy,
flamenco, classical and modern dance. Incorporating some of the most
innovative and creative choreography with the inspirational music of
E Muzeki,
Garden of Gaia is a life affirming work that will touch your heart
and feed your soul.
Original artwork “Tree Woman” © Susan Flynn
to see other art by this great artist, please
visit her Deviant Art site by following this link:
We would like to
thank Alma Novotny, Historian for Houston Area Belly Dance
Association for this wonderful review. Thank you!!!
Review: In the Garden of Gaia, August 11, 2007
“We came out of nothingness, scattering
stars like dust.”
With these words Stephanie Peacock
introduced the journey through sacred time conducted by the Sisters
of Avalon in “The Garden of Gaia” at the University of St. Thomas on
August 11. Traveling to the compositions of E Muzeki, the Sisters
produced a unique range of interpretations based on Middle Eastern
traditions with mixtures of Hindu, Spanish, Celtic, Greek and
American Tribal elements. In modern usage Gaia, the original Greek
goddess of the Earth and mother of the seasons, symbolizes the unity
of the biological and non-living systems of our planet and provides
the perfect metaphor for this group of talented and innovative
dancers.
Amiya was perfectly cast as the Spring
Maiden, introducing the cycle of life with optimism and innocence.
In the early part of the season, she balanced a crystal globe,
representing the Earth, with playfulness and dexterity. She then led
her fellow dancers Lotus, Sirena and Tala Ali through a series of
varied and joyful patterns using swirling skirt accents. Silvia,
representing the Life Force that drives the change in seasons, drew
on cultural traditions Gypsy and Flamenco to provide a dramatic
transition to the full fruit of summer.
Dancing as the Mother, Marisela Ali
performed a witty competition duet with Silvia as she took charge of
the Garden. She then filled the earth-space with a dance using
fan-veils, a relatively new prop for Houston audiences. We’re hoping
she introduces this technique to her fellow dancers, as it allows
her to provide exciting floating accents without compromising her
ability to perform complex movements. She then opened the Garden to
her children. Shannon, Julie, Lotus, Tala Ali, Sirena and Amiya
celebrated the season while Silvia and Dania lounged, presenting
fruit to the audience. As summer drew to a close, Silvia returned
and brought in autumn with a dramatic number involving sweeping
floor passes.
Sirena, as the Wise Woman, presented us with
a Crone worthy of both personal and archetypal emulation. She
communicated wisdom and strength to her attendant dancers Dania and
Julie with a poignancy that comes from experience as a dancer and as
a woman. Their veil routine flowed with matched fluidity in the
moves that were synchronized and perfect counterpoint in the
accents. She faced the end of her time in the Garden with great
dignity in the duet with Tala Ali, counter-pointed by Silvia
reappearing with the balanced sword.
In the culminating Death and Rebirth
sequence, Tala Ali superbly evoked the goddess Kali. As she
confronted Wisdom, she exemplified the power and seduction of
destruction. Watching her dance, the audience understood why people
have worshipped this goddess for centuries. As the Destroyer, she
led Lotus and Marisela in a hand candle sequence whose swirling
lights promised that death would turn and lead to renewal. The
lighting for this number was particularly effective in that the
dimmed stage spots allowed the audience to see the dancers without
washing out the glow from the candles. The background of moving
lights added texture and suggested the final turn of the seasons.
As the show closed, Silvia expressed the
effort of rebirth in a stunning dance sequence. She performed
wearing a white costume that tied her to the reborn Maiden, whose
final emergence brought the cycle to completion and the audience to
its feet. In the course of the evening the Sisters had demonstrated
mastery of a variety of dance moves, props and expressive styles.
The lush costuming emphasized the movements and maintained the
allure of mystery. All of the presentation techniques were
subordinated to the expression of the message and beauty of the
dance.
The greater Houston area currently provides
the dance community with an exciting center of creative expression.
The groups Qantara, Solange, Khazana and Tribal Glitter have all won
prizes from the Choreography Project at the recent Middle Eastern
DanceTroupe Competition. Urban Gypsy enjoys international
recognition for its unique style and inspiring instructional DVD.
The Sisters of Avalon are part of this greater community and have
applied their talent and training to a truly innovative format that
resonates with the spirits of our community members. The audience
was deeply involved and responded to the evening with enthusiastic
clapping, cheers and a standing ovation.
If you missed this wonderful evening, the
Sisters of Avalon are considering an additional performance, and
HABDA will help spread the word once there’s a date. The Sisters
will also be performing excerpts on September 15 at the Zahirah Noor
Studio, 14250 Memorial Drive, suite 57. On October 7th, 4 to 8 p.m.
they will again support AssistHer at a fundraiser at the South Beach
Club, 810 Pacific Street and on October 13th they are headlining the
Witches Halloween Ball at Orene’s Palace, 6817 Homestead. You can
find more information and pictures on their web site,
www.sistersofavalon.com . HABDA is
pleased to support these inspiring and creative members!
Al Mamun
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