= =

Salimah Ghadan perf= orms in Riskallah Riyad’s ‘The Celebrati= on Continues!’

in Danbury, CT on June 25. Pho= to by Amy Smith.

(CT) Riskallah Riyad presents “The Celebration

Continues! A Middle= -Eastern Dance Concert,” Ives

Concert Hall, Danbury, June 25<= o:p>

That “wow” thing. That is the extra punch, that special

something= that accomplished Connecticut dancer

Riskallah Riyad claims that she can teach. Well, she

can and she proved it in a delightful and well-paced=

afternoon= of dance theater on a rainy summer afternoon

in= June. The genteel Ives Concert Hall on the

campus of Wester= n Connecticut State University was=

the setting.

Act One opened with a vivid tableau of a chaotic

middle eastern street scene that segued into a colorful=

and comprehensive suite of folkloric dances. The first

two numbers were choreographed by the legendary

Mahmoud Reda. The show opened in fine s= tyle with

a<= span style=3D'font-family:GoudyOldStyleT-Regular;mso-bidi-font-family:GoudyOldSt= yleT-Regular; color:#231F20'> Saiidi duet. It was followed by= a sassy number called

“Pepper Gr= inder,” performed by what appeared to be

Riskallah’s youngest students. As I watched, I mused

that Mr. Reda would surely be charme= d by this rendition

of= his work.

The students bro= ught that unguarded sense of fun that

only young folk can seem to truly manage, putting an<= /span>

exclamation point on Mr. Reda’s perfe= ctly constructed

terpsichorean sentence. In both costuming and style, it=

was a number nicely suited to young dancers.<= /p>

The rest of the folkloric suite featured Riskallah’s=

own wonderfully detailed choreography, including a

Ghawazee dance, a women’s dance, a raqs al assaya, a

dabke and an energetic number to a personal favorite

of= this writer, George Abdo’s timeless recording of

“Hadouni.” Of particular n= ote was a lively nightclubstyle

beledi number entitled “Cairo by Night” danced

by= Lorelie, Rose Lacey, Luciana, and Salimah Ghadan.

A traditional Spanish flamenco dance, complete with

graceful<= /span> fan work, was choreographed by Andrea Del=

Conte and capably performed by Riskallah’s student,

Angela.

After a short intermission, Act Two, “The Oriental<= /o:p>

Suite,” unfolded with another colorful tableau

entitled<= /span> “In the Hall of the Pharaohs.” This set was

chock-full of treats for the audience. A very long blue

veil stood in for “The River Nile.” In this enthrall= ing

dance, the veil, which was the width of the entire

stage, was floated and rippled by two dancers creating=

a<= span style=3D'font-family:GoudyOldStyleT-Regular;mso-bidi-font-family:GoudyOldSt= yleT-Regular; color:#231F20'> frame and a foil for other dancers moving under, be-

hind, in front of and around it. As dancers filled the

stage, the veil was snaked among them like the flowing=

river it was meant to represent. In contrast to the modern

theatricality of this dance was “Oriental Mosaic,” set

to= music by Eddie “The Sheik” Kochak, complete with

some of those tried-and-true veil tricks beloved by belly

dancers past and present as well as some nifty zill playing.

Other highlights included a skirt-swirling karsilama<= /span>

and a little something called “The Happy Dance” tha= t

was, well...happy!

The polished Lor= elie performed a fine classic raqs sharqi

choreographed by Riskallah and Rose Lacey performed a

mystical<= /span> dance of her own creation called “Drum Fire.”

Salimah Ghadan also performed her own choreography

to “Adiemus.” T= his Celtic-inspired creation stepped elegantly

across the line where oriental dance from “over<= /o:p>

there” becomes truly our own - is it American-style<= o:p>

belly dance? Fusion? The universal women’s dance? It

does not matter what you call it; it worked and worked

well. Salimah Ghadan has soul, skill and presence. I=

think that we will be hearing more from her. We were

also treated to a second flamenco performance, this time

by= the fiery and dynamic Sandra Hernandez. The young

Ms. Hernandez, billed as a special guest artist, had the

“wow” factor down pat. Although not a middle east= ern

dancer, this is a dancer you should not miss should you=

ever get the opportunity to see her perform. Like I said,

wow!

The creative for= ce behind this thoroughly satisfying

show performed her own solo veil dance called<= /p>

“Incense Rising.” Riskallah dedicated this dramatic

and emotional piece to the memory of a friend.

This gentleman’s life and passing inspired an eloquent

tribute that, though clearly a deeply personal

experience for Riskallah, the audience was privileged

to= share. Hats off to Riskallah Riyad for producing a

show of a high caliber and good taste. There was not<= /span>

a<= span style=3D'font-family:GoudyOldStyleT-Regular;mso-bidi-font-family:GoudyOldSt= yleT-Regular; color:#231F20'> moment wasted or detail overlooked. Yes, it was a

student recital, complete with bouquet-bearing friends

and relatives, but it was also well-crafted theater. I was=

genuinely= entertained. - reviewed by Pam= Renaud 􀂲