Silk Road Dance Company, cultural understanding through Beauty and Delight
|
Drawing from the elegant lines and garments of Persian Saffavid miniature paintings, this classical Persian dance choreography is set to a song by the popular Iranian singer, Haydeh.
Don't grieve, my love, for life is beautiful. Don't be treacherous with anyone, for the world has many colors. Choreography and costumes: Laurel Victoria Gray |
Bandari
In Persian, bandari means ''harbor.'' This spirited Iranian folk dance from the Persian Gulf reflects not only close ties with the peoples of the Arabian peninsula, but also tribal African traditions of trance dance, brought to Persia by the slave trade.
Choreography and costume design: Laurel Victoria Gray |
Chesh Chesm
Dancers in this choreography wear the shaliteh skirt that became popular at the Persian court of Nasseredin Shah in the late 19th century. According to some legends, these skirts were inspired by the skirts of the European ballet dancers the Shah saw in his 1873 visit to Paris.
The dancers perform flirtatious gestures to the song ''Chesh Chesh,'' that speak of the eyes, the eyebrows and the lips of a beautiful girl. Choreography and Costume Design: Laurel Victoria Gray |
Parting Ways with the SoulKnow this: you shall part ways with your soul
Beyond the veil, into the mysteries of annihilation, you shall go. Drink the sweet wine, for you know not from whence you have come. Be happy, you don't know whither you shall go. This caravan of life strangely passes. Be happy a moment, for with rejoicing it passes. Why worry about tomorrow with its rivals? Wine bearer, bring forth the cup, for the night passes! Choreography and Costume Design: Laurel Victoria Gray |
Persian Dance of the Princess of the White Dome from Haft Paykar: Seven BeautiesDance of the Persian Princess of the White Dome
from the concert work Haft Paykar: Seven Beauties In Nizami Ganjavi's epic poem, Haft Paykar, the Princess of the White Dome is linked to the planet Venus. Choreography and costuming: Laurel Victoria Gray |
|
"Dance of the Pari" or
|
|
Varan (Classical Persian)Choreographed in 2009 by Laurel Victoria Gray, this peice premiered in the Hidden Yearning concert in St. Paul, Minnesota, in which Silk Road Dance Company performed with local dancers. "Varan" means rain and the theme of the dance dealing with pain, healing and purification. |
Zendigi Ba To"Zendigi" means "life." This charming dance, set to a song by legendary Persian singer Moein, acknowledges a deep love. Silk Road Dance Company premiered this piece in 2012 at a Persian culture event held at the DC Public Library. Choreography and Costume Design by Laurel Victoria Gray. |