Sunday, March 20, 2011 was a day of dance at the Love2Dance studio in Fairlawn. Andrea Love and Leyla Soleil sponsored a spirited two-hour “clean up your act” workshop. No, it was not about avoiding risqué or inappropriate moves but was a seminar on adding ballet finesse to belly dance.
Andrea and Leyla have created “lyrical belly dance” which incorporates ballet into belly dance. The amalgam of the two art forms creates a soft, feminine, flowing form of dance. Various turns, levels and classical arm movements are incorporated into routines. I especially liked the dramatic “showgirl walks.” I also loved the warm-ups incorporating floor exercises, a beneficial core workout.
After the workshop and break in-between, it was “showtime.”
A hafla/dance party, in the “warm, loving and caring environment” of the studio featured dancers from beginner through professional level. The featured performer was the incomparable Sherena.
The full moon must have radiated energy since the dancers were all very energetic and enthusiastic. The dance routines were mesmerizing.
Sherena’s dance troupe, Art in Motion, presented a Gypsy/Rom fusion piece with attitude. It was titled, “fight for the spotlight” and the diva attitude prevailed in a fun manner complete with swirling skirts and fancy footwork.
The amazing Mariah followed with a classical cabaret piece. The Spanish-influenced chefta telli music accompanied her slow, sensuous and controlled technique. A floral veil, and zills added to the mystique enhanced by shimmies and delicate arm movements. Mariah’s professional experience and award-winning style is evident in the perfection and confidence she exudes. Beauty in motion.
Dance de Soleil featuring Andrea Love, Leyla Soleil and Babette Hatchett got into the groove with a high-energy, spirited jazz choreography. Much of the choreography featured was taught during the day’s workshop. Seeing it put into action was another story. Practice time!
Erika Elliott’s love of Suhaila’s renowned dance technique is evident in her style. She’s working on her Level 3 certification. With precision, she danced with firey zills to drum music. Even the loss of a zill during the routine did little to stifle the energy and its loss was hardly noticed.
A dance troupe founded by Nicole Scaggs, “Calista Huzeen” (apologies if I have the name wrong) presented a high-energy cabaret choreography by Jillina.
Babette Hatchett, on the eve of her 14th birthday, pulled out all he stops for a jazz solo, a piece she is competing with. She is a dance powerhouse trained in all forms of dance, including belly dance. This sassy “black and gold” number, choreographed by Natalie Orr, was amazing. Babette is amazing.
Angela Prato’s troupe, Gems of Egypt, presented a fun, energetic Egyptian group number. They were as smooth as their form-fitting velvet dresses.
Next came the Oasis Dance Troupe, led by Kasia. These ladies did a Rock Gothic belly dance interpretation to classic rock music. These ladies were funky and fun. Loved the glitzy fringed costumes!
The Love2Dance Senior Competition Team danced to a Natalie Orr tap dance choreography on friendship. What fun!
The youngest participant, Sara, Sherena’s adorable little cousin danced a solo as a Polynesian princess. She channeled Sherena’s Pacific-influence style of dance with the poise and confidence of an adult.
After a brief intermission, Leyla Soleil’s passion for all forms of dance was evident in her cabaret solo. Her training in ballet influences the beauty of her belly dancing with flowing, lyrical movement. She’s very ethereal and lovely.
The Love2Dance Senior Competition Team captivated with a lyrical dance about girls finding their place. These visions in white reminded me of elegant swans gliding on a glassy pond.
What can I say about legend Angela Prato? She is one of the few American dancers, in my opinion, who truly captures the essence of Egyptian dance. She interprets the music, lyrics and emotion of the music in her dancing.
Dahmia is another dance legend and has danced in high heels almost as long as Tina Turner and with as much grace and attitude. In this performance, she showcased her Ahawat el Rakisat dance troupe, a group of beginner dancers. These newly-minted belly dancers exuded confidence in executing their dance to amazing drum music. It isn’t easy dancing in front of your peers, beginner or not.
The lovely Maria, a member of Dance de Soleil, premiered her first solo choreography and performed a lovely, graceful belly dance to Hakim’s music. She was a vision in red velvet and silver bangles.
Sahirah Badr, always glamorous and graceful, danced to her favorite nostalgic song, “Desert Rose” by Sting. Her love for the music shone in her ethereal movements and “lost in the moment” demeanor. She was pure joy.
Razia, in slinky silver, channeled Randa in a traditional-style Egyptian dance. Her Middle Eastern genes kicked in with her belly dance training to create a sensuous yet elegant performance.
A group of powerful women, Tribal Fire, presented a troupe routine, a mixture of Tribal Fusion and Gypsy. With their swirling black skirts and confidence, the exuded the strength of womanhood.
The next dancer, a guest from Columbus-Dayton, was Anna Mar Del Sur. She performed a Spanish-influenced dance, complete with shawl to the beautiful Hossam Ramzy song, “Yearning.” Her shawl work and dancing was befitting such a lovely piece.
Last but not least. The star of the show was Sherena. Dancing since she was born (I swear that she probably danced in-utero), though she claims only 19 years of experience, she is the consummate belly dancers’ belly dancer. Her classical ballet training, other forms of dance training, expertise in Polynesian dance are evident in her technique. This evening she danced an American Cabaret with a Lebanese influence routine, pulling out all the stops. She was a powerhouse with zills, fast movements and shimmies, slow sensuous moves and even threw in some floorwork. She’s a true professional.
As a nightcap to the evening of dance, I quote Sherena, “Keep dancing. Believe in what you do.”
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