The Belly Dance Chronicles July/August/September 2017 Volume 15, Issue 3 | Page 46

“ Y ’ msafer Whadak ”, Kelly , Lorena , Romi , Nawar , Carmen , Arielle , Music , Oum Kolthoum / Virginia ’ s Khan Al Khalili CD . This number proved to be my favorite piece in this segment , including the costuming ! I normally am not a big fan of fusion pieces , but Virginia ’ s great eye for stage occupied space , directional changes , and elegant movement technique , make this Arab-Flamenco fusion piece really stand out as one of the strong group pieces in Reflections , with an ending of “ Mantilla de Manila ” ( Shawls of Manila ; a Philipino embroidered and fringed shawl used and popularized by Classical Spanish and Flamenco dancers ).
Y ’ msafer Whadak
“ El Toba ”, Ashmina , Jelila , Music , Abdel Halim Hafez .
Winter / Wisdom - ( ACT IV ) RAKS AL SHAMADAN , Virginia ’ s Dance Company , Wa Nour Al Ayoun , Arielle , Carmen , Amida , Victoria , Melissa , Nawar , Destiny I am very partial to the candelabra dance , Raks al Shamadan , and this was also one of my favorite segments in the show . The dancers , all dressed in white and each donning a lighted candelabra headpiece ( Shamadan ), enter the stage amidst huge , long and narrow white veils , from ceiling to stage floor ; a very ethereal feeling that made the dancers seem to float in the air as they crossed each other on the stage and assumed their positions , then interlacing their trajectory on
Shamadan the stage , as if creating a lattice work with their directional crossings , and making it seem perfectly effortless . I also love when they descend to the floor to show their talent and dexterity , keeping the candelabra in perfect balance and unison - A very elegant and somewhat eerily mesmerizing number , to say the least .
“ Inta Omri ” ( You Are My Life ), Virginia , Music composed for Oum Kolthoum by Mohammed Abdel Wahab , rendition by Hossam Ramzy Virginia puts her whole heart and soul in her dance interpretation of one of the Arab world ’ s most beloved songs , made famous by Egypt ’ s greatest female singer , Oum Kolthoum . This piece is all about feeling and how the artist can translate into movement the love and passion in the lyrics , and evoke emotions from the audience , convincing them of the pure and honest and very intimate ode to love . “ Passion has no intelligence ” ~ Mariano Parra
Virginia crushes it !
Virginia presents Reflections - The World Tour ! Coming to Asia , America , Europe , and South America - featuring Virginia , Virginia ’ s Wa Nour Al Ayun and her International Bellydance Company featuring top dancers from around the world . www . bellydancebyvirginia . com
46 The Belly Dance Chronicles � July 2017