Egyptomania: A Love Affair with the East 1890 - 1950s
Inspired by America’s fascination with Egypt and Egyptian adaptations of Hollywood style and western music, Snake Dance Theater Company shares a mélange of dances from the 1890s to the 1950s. Egyptomania explores the cultural appropriations between America, Egypt and beyond. We welcome you to delight in a world in which tradition, music and dance blend to create a fascinating fusion of beauty, intrigue, fun and—of course—flappers!
We are delighted to support the Batwana Initiative this year. The Bantwana Initiative creates stronger, more effective community responses. Bantwana works with local partners to influence policymakers through collective advocacy and works hand-in-hand with donors—all of who play critical roles in supporting AIDS-affected children and families over the long term. For more information, visit http://bantwana.org
We are delighted to support the Batwana Initiative this year. The Bantwana Initiative creates stronger, more effective community responses. Bantwana works with local partners to influence policymakers through collective advocacy and works hand-in-hand with donors—all of who play critical roles in supporting AIDS-affected children and families over the long term. For more information, visit http://bantwana.org
Act One
Veil Opening Piece: Waters of the Nile............................ Serpentine Dancers
Performers: Alejandra and April
Choreography: Johara
Join us on our journey into a fantasy world where East meets West!
Performers: Alejandra and April
Choreography: Johara
Join us on our journey into a fantasy world where East meets West!
Dance of the Seven Veils.................................... Samarra
Song: Dance of the Seven Veils by Richard Strauss
Choreography by: Samarra
This piece is inspired by the interpretation of the biblical episode of Salome. Samarra chooses to represent it by using Middle Eastern veil dance and the original music from the 1905 opera “Salome”.
Song: Dance of the Seven Veils by Richard Strauss
Choreography by: Samarra
This piece is inspired by the interpretation of the biblical episode of Salome. Samarra chooses to represent it by using Middle Eastern veil dance and the original music from the 1905 opera “Salome”.
Tribute to Ruth St Denis: Peacock Dance.................... Tamsyn Bindal
Song: “Golden Peacock” by Music and Dance of the Minority Communities; and “Myrthes” by Benedito Lacerda (recorded 1934).
Choreography by: Tamsyn Bindal
“The Legend of the Peacock” was one of the early solos by modern dance pioneer Ruth St Denis (1879 - 1968). St Denis is widely celebrated for introducing American dance to eastern ideas. Here, her original solo choreography is adapted and extended. This interpretation is a synthesis of traditional Chinese and modern dance with tribal fusion belly dance.
Song: “Golden Peacock” by Music and Dance of the Minority Communities; and “Myrthes” by Benedito Lacerda (recorded 1934).
Choreography by: Tamsyn Bindal
“The Legend of the Peacock” was one of the early solos by modern dance pioneer Ruth St Denis (1879 - 1968). St Denis is widely celebrated for introducing American dance to eastern ideas. Here, her original solo choreography is adapted and extended. This interpretation is a synthesis of traditional Chinese and modern dance with tribal fusion belly dance.
Mata Hari..............................................Alashiya
Song: “I Put a Spell on You” by Natacha Atlas
Choreography by: Alashiya
This powerful stage performer (and yes, courtesan) bewitched audiences in Paris and across Europe just after the turn of the century, sharing her interpretation of exotic Sumatran temple dance. While her demise is shrouded in mystery, her indelible images live on as a testament to her creativity and beauty. Delve into the world of Mata Hari but don’t let her put a spell on you.
Song: “I Put a Spell on You” by Natacha Atlas
Choreography by: Alashiya
This powerful stage performer (and yes, courtesan) bewitched audiences in Paris and across Europe just after the turn of the century, sharing her interpretation of exotic Sumatran temple dance. While her demise is shrouded in mystery, her indelible images live on as a testament to her creativity and beauty. Delve into the world of Mata Hari but don’t let her put a spell on you.
Possente Ftha (O Great Ptah).................................Aisha Aladeen
Song: “Possesnte, Possente Ftha” and “Danza Sacra Delle Sacerdotesse” from the opera “Aida” by Giuseppe Verdi
Choreography by: Aisha Aladeen
Inspired by Act 1, Scene 2 of Verdi’s opera, Aida. In the temple, the high priestess consecrates the sword of the Egyptian army’s commander and prays for the god Ptah's protection of the Egyptian forces going into battle. "Great Ptah, Creator and Animator, we invoke Thee...bless the sword of Thy son; protect and defend this sacred soil of Egypt." Aisha presents an Ancient Egyptian inspired belly dance with sword.
Song: “Possesnte, Possente Ftha” and “Danza Sacra Delle Sacerdotesse” from the opera “Aida” by Giuseppe Verdi
Choreography by: Aisha Aladeen
Inspired by Act 1, Scene 2 of Verdi’s opera, Aida. In the temple, the high priestess consecrates the sword of the Egyptian army’s commander and prays for the god Ptah's protection of the Egyptian forces going into battle. "Great Ptah, Creator and Animator, we invoke Thee...bless the sword of Thy son; protect and defend this sacred soil of Egypt." Aisha presents an Ancient Egyptian inspired belly dance with sword.
Char Lady Blues and Boa-Liscious............................... Johara
Songs: Bear Mash Blues by Erskine Hawkins; Egyptian Fantasy by Sidney Bechet
Choreography by: Johara
My childhood dream was to be the star of a variety show, like Carol Burnette. That dream led me to dabble in this theatrical dance of transformation; this style is a fusion of belly dance and burlesque.
Songs: Bear Mash Blues by Erskine Hawkins; Egyptian Fantasy by Sidney Bechet
Choreography by: Johara
My childhood dream was to be the star of a variety show, like Carol Burnette. That dream led me to dabble in this theatrical dance of transformation; this style is a fusion of belly dance and burlesque.
More than I Dreamed of ........................ Johara, Dan Marshall and Joseph Germanos
Song: Istanbul by Jacques Hélian & Jacques Hélian et Son Orchestra
Choreography by: Dan Marshall, Johara and Joseph Germanos
Inspired by Marilyn Monroe and the show stopping performance of a blonde bombshell, this is a theatrical blend of jazz, belly dance and Broadway.
Song: Istanbul by Jacques Hélian & Jacques Hélian et Son Orchestra
Choreography by: Dan Marshall, Johara and Joseph Germanos
Inspired by Marilyn Monroe and the show stopping performance of a blonde bombshell, this is a theatrical blend of jazz, belly dance and Broadway.
~~ Intermission - 15 Minutes ~~
Act Two
Genie of the Lamp.........................Snake Dance Members with Lene Martinsen
Song: Mkhtarat Wahab - performed by Ferqat Al Tooras Orchestra
Choreography by: Alashiya
Group Performers: Tamsyn Bindal, Somaya MaRose, Lene Martinsen, Alashiya
In the famous Afrita Hanem (1949), Samia Gamal portrays a Genie who "helps" to sort out a love triangle but contributes to the mischief of the story. But have you ever wonder about the lamp's history or who else has found and rubbed it? This is the story of three young ladies who also find the lamp and the three wishes the genie grants them.
Song: Mkhtarat Wahab - performed by Ferqat Al Tooras Orchestra
Choreography by: Alashiya
Group Performers: Tamsyn Bindal, Somaya MaRose, Lene Martinsen, Alashiya
In the famous Afrita Hanem (1949), Samia Gamal portrays a Genie who "helps" to sort out a love triangle but contributes to the mischief of the story. But have you ever wonder about the lamp's history or who else has found and rubbed it? This is the story of three young ladies who also find the lamp and the three wishes the genie grants them.
“I’m Dreaming of You”...................................... Nepenthe Ahlam
Song: “Bahlam Beek” - Performed by Ya Salam Orchestra. Original sung by Abdel Hafiz Halem. Composed 1959.
Choreography by: Nepenthe Ahlam
Bahlam Beek - “I’m Dreaming of You” is a classic song sung by one of the four Egyptian “greats” of the golden age of music. This instrumental version has been arranged for dancers. Egyptian Raqs Sharqi
Song: “Bahlam Beek” - Performed by Ya Salam Orchestra. Original sung by Abdel Hafiz Halem. Composed 1959.
Choreography by: Nepenthe Ahlam
Bahlam Beek - “I’m Dreaming of You” is a classic song sung by one of the four Egyptian “greats” of the golden age of music. This instrumental version has been arranged for dancers. Egyptian Raqs Sharqi
Habbina.............................................................Serpentine Dancers
Song: Habbina
Choreography by: Johara
Group Performers: Gina, Isis, Alejandra, Natalia, Sophia, Nisha, and Kate
This dance is an exploration into some Golden Era Egyptian-style movements to a classic song by Farid Attrash.
Song: Habbina
Choreography by: Johara
Group Performers: Gina, Isis, Alejandra, Natalia, Sophia, Nisha, and Kate
This dance is an exploration into some Golden Era Egyptian-style movements to a classic song by Farid Attrash.
Musical Interlude: Aziza......................................... Club Mediterranean
“Tamra Henna”..................................................Nepenthe Ahlam and Aisha Aladeen
Song: “Tamra Henna”
Choreography by: Johara
Inspired by Naima Akef’s classic performance in the movie Tamra Henna to the eponymous song.
Song: “Tamra Henna”
Choreography by: Johara
Inspired by Naima Akef’s classic performance in the movie Tamra Henna to the eponymous song.
Volcano Dance.............................................. Snake Dance Members with Mahsati
Song: Final Version Volcano and solo 5:56
Choreography by: Johara and solo by Mahsati
Group Performers: Bri Wall, Tamsyn Bindal, Alashiya, Somaya MaRose and Mahsati
Inspired by Samia Gamal and Egypt’s Hawaiian-themed musical numbers, this piece depicts island girls scared by the rumblings of the great volcano decide to offer a sacrifice to the volcano in order to save their village.
Song: Final Version Volcano and solo 5:56
Choreography by: Johara and solo by Mahsati
Group Performers: Bri Wall, Tamsyn Bindal, Alashiya, Somaya MaRose and Mahsati
Inspired by Samia Gamal and Egypt’s Hawaiian-themed musical numbers, this piece depicts island girls scared by the rumblings of the great volcano decide to offer a sacrifice to the volcano in order to save their village.
ZAMBRA!.............................................................................. Katia
Song: Lama Bada by Radio Tariffa--composer Anonymous
Choreography by: Katia
The so-called “Forbidden Dance” highlights a colorful & passionate culture of Gypsies who were persecuted during the Inquisition. But more recently the dance reemerged as it’s own revival in the 1940’s.
Song: Lama Bada by Radio Tariffa--composer Anonymous
Choreography by: Katia
The so-called “Forbidden Dance” highlights a colorful & passionate culture of Gypsies who were persecuted during the Inquisition. But more recently the dance reemerged as it’s own revival in the 1940’s.
“Seaside Stroll (Melaya Leff)”...................................... Snake Dance Trio
Song: Abdullaz Ala Keefik - The Henkesh Brothers
Choreography by: Nepenthe Ahlam in collaboration with Aisha Aladeen
Trio: Aisha Aladeen, Brianne Wall, Nepenthe Ahlam
“Three ladies accompany each other on a day out to enjoy the view of the seaside; one of them enjoys the view a little too much.”
Song: Abdullaz Ala Keefik - The Henkesh Brothers
Choreography by: Nepenthe Ahlam in collaboration with Aisha Aladeen
Trio: Aisha Aladeen, Brianne Wall, Nepenthe Ahlam
“Three ladies accompany each other on a day out to enjoy the view of the seaside; one of them enjoys the view a little too much.”
Musical Interlude: Alf Leyla................................................Club Mediterranean
Scheherazade’s dream................................................. Soumaya MaRose
Song: Scheherazade
Choreography by: Somaya MaRose
The song Scheherazade, played by an Egyptian orchestra in 1970, was inspired by a symphonic poem composed by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov from A Hundred and One Nights (Arabian Nights). Like the music, this piece is inspired by dancers from decades ago. Souheir Zaki often performed in a full dress, that covers her midriff, so that she could express her art with less social pressure. The costuming and dance style will reflect this conscious choice to cover more of the body, but to allow the dance to be enjoyed by all.
Song: Scheherazade
Choreography by: Somaya MaRose
The song Scheherazade, played by an Egyptian orchestra in 1970, was inspired by a symphonic poem composed by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov from A Hundred and One Nights (Arabian Nights). Like the music, this piece is inspired by dancers from decades ago. Souheir Zaki often performed in a full dress, that covers her midriff, so that she could express her art with less social pressure. The costuming and dance style will reflect this conscious choice to cover more of the body, but to allow the dance to be enjoyed by all.
Musical Outro: ...............................................Francesca
Act Three
Cat Dance...................................................... Snake Dance Members with Narraya
Song: 30 Theives by Benny Berigan
Choreography by: Johara in collaboration with Tamsyn and Alashiya
Group Performers: Johara, Tamsyn, Alashiya and Narraya
Inspired by a panther dance featuring Lucille Ball in the Ziegfeld Follies (1945) production, this dance is a blend of modern belly dance, fusion and jazz.
Song: 30 Theives by Benny Berigan
Choreography by: Johara in collaboration with Tamsyn and Alashiya
Group Performers: Johara, Tamsyn, Alashiya and Narraya
Inspired by a panther dance featuring Lucille Ball in the Ziegfeld Follies (1945) production, this dance is a blend of modern belly dance, fusion and jazz.
Musical Interlude: ...................................................Lisette
GRAND FINALE: The Snake Dance Follies
Grand Finale Dancers: Snake Dance Theater Co, Narraya, Inaya Nour, Joy Jing, Liat Frenkel, Serpentine Dancers
and Garabed as the Peacock
Songs: Pharonic Dance; Ismaaouni by Upper Egypt Ensemble; “The Charleston” - Bob Wilson and His Varsity Rhythm Boys
Choreography by: Johara and Inaya Nour; Charleston step lessons by Joy Jing and Liat Frenkel
A Ziegfeld inspired mash-up of Pharonic, bellydance, Charelston, and camp; this dance celebrates the Egyptomania phenomena in full swing during the roaring twenties.
Grand Finale Dancers: Snake Dance Theater Co, Narraya, Inaya Nour, Joy Jing, Liat Frenkel, Serpentine Dancers
and Garabed as the Peacock
Songs: Pharonic Dance; Ismaaouni by Upper Egypt Ensemble; “The Charleston” - Bob Wilson and His Varsity Rhythm Boys
Choreography by: Johara and Inaya Nour; Charleston step lessons by Joy Jing and Liat Frenkel
A Ziegfeld inspired mash-up of Pharonic, bellydance, Charelston, and camp; this dance celebrates the Egyptomania phenomena in full swing during the roaring twenties.
Special thanks to Mike Mesleh and Anthony Zaninno from Club Mediterranean for lending their musical talents to our show.
(Influenced by Edward Said, who grew up in Palestine and Cairo before moving to the US, author of Orientalism and Culture and Imperialism, music critic, and concert pianist.)
We'd also like to thank Lissette Chao and Francesca Devries for their wonderful voices!
A giant hug goes out to Shadia Tohme of Tohme Beadwear for the amazing costuming, also with shout outs to all solo artists who designed their own costumes, and Johara for her inspiration to much of the costume design throughout the show!
And our final thanks goes to those behind the scenes: Austin Dolan - Stage Manager; Alan Bount - Lighting and Sound; Reynaldo Tenezas-Norman - Props.
We wish Pia and Bevin, both who were supposed to be in the show until untimely injury, a speedy recovery!
(Influenced by Edward Said, who grew up in Palestine and Cairo before moving to the US, author of Orientalism and Culture and Imperialism, music critic, and concert pianist.)
We'd also like to thank Lissette Chao and Francesca Devries for their wonderful voices!
A giant hug goes out to Shadia Tohme of Tohme Beadwear for the amazing costuming, also with shout outs to all solo artists who designed their own costumes, and Johara for her inspiration to much of the costume design throughout the show!
And our final thanks goes to those behind the scenes: Austin Dolan - Stage Manager; Alan Bount - Lighting and Sound; Reynaldo Tenezas-Norman - Props.
We wish Pia and Bevin, both who were supposed to be in the show until untimely injury, a speedy recovery!
Snake Dance Theater Director and Co-Director: Johara and Alashiya
Snake Dance Theater Company Members: Tamsyn Bindal, Aisha Aladeen, Nepenthe Ahlam, Somaya MaRose, Brianne Wall
Serpentine Dancers: Gina, Isis, Alejandra, Natalia, Sophia, Nisha, and Kate
Snake Dance Theater Company Members: Tamsyn Bindal, Aisha Aladeen, Nepenthe Ahlam, Somaya MaRose, Brianne Wall
Serpentine Dancers: Gina, Isis, Alejandra, Natalia, Sophia, Nisha, and Kate
