Virginia - Awakening
As dance is the art of courage, accomplishment is the art
of triumph! With this thought in mind, I want to express
my joy for the artistic works of a friend and colleague (and
former student); the world-renowned Dance Master known
worldwide as Virginia.
I have known Virginia for all her 20 years in the business
of Middle Eastern Dance. Our history together began when
she was taking classes at The MidEastern Dance Studio on
Lincoln Road, in Miami Beach. She was studying mainly
with Tamalyn Dallal, but on occasion took some of my
classes as well, even after I stopped teaching there to branch
out on my own.
I remember well her early performances, both solo and as
part of the studio’s student ensemble, and how each time, she
evolved into a better performer than the last time. I especially
remember, with sweet nostalgia, the first time she was given
the opportunity to create her own choreography for one of the
showcases sponsored by the studio. Virginia is a visionary who
goes all out, “no holds barred”! Her costume design for this show
was (in my opinion) a take on Erte’s ii Art Deco muses, and a
remembrance of Hollywood’s 1920s flapper queens, fan dances
and long fringe, and monochromatic, all-white (Suffragette
Purity) and Chanel iii elegance; curtains open to each dance
propped up on their own pedestals! I was so impressed and
moved, I welled up; (Carlos Ruiz, AKA Mr. Virginia can attest
to that). To date, it remains one of my favorites of her many
choreographed works, which are all always defined by her use
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The Belly Dance Chronicles
July 2017
of the entire stage, and her trademark of dynamic, directional
changes – forever, very visually entertaining and awe inspiring,
and also her impeccable choice of costume designs which flow
from stage, directly to the brain.
Virginia has accomplished a lot in her more than 20 years
in the dance, and I was very curious to see how she would
honor her work in her latest production, “REFLECTIONS
– A 20 Year Retrospective Of One Woman’s Choreographic
Work In the Art of Oriental Dance”, presented at the Colony
Theatre iv on September 30, 2016, as part of her annual five-
day Workshop and Shows Series, “RAKSTAR”™.
It always seems that something happens to test our
determination in turning out to important events; important
to the producer and choreographer, and to those of us who
support the arts and the producer, or who are just enthusiasts.
As I recall, we were under hurricane threat warnings and it
seemed like the storm was already upon us. Collins Avenue
was flooding, with cars stalled in the middle of the street, and
frustrated drivers honking their horns, as if that was going to
change anything. I thought, for sure, we would never make it
to the theater in time for the be