~ EVENT REVIEW ~
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A otpourri
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Ori 2017
Aziz
Albuquerque, New Mexico
By Deborah Newberg
Photos by Carl F. Sermon Photography
www.reelsoundandlight.com
Amaya’s Annual Oriental Potpourri Festival 2017 was an energizing
and inspiring event for belly dancers and dance lovers from near and
far! The African American Performing Arts Center in Albuquerque,
NM, was the place to be from June 16 th -June 18 th , 2017. There were
outstanding workshops taught by guest artists Aziz, Silvia Salamanca,
Ma*Shuqa, and Amaya herself ! There was an incredible Gala show,
a beautiful production with the guest stars and many other talented professional
dancers! And there was a wonderful Friday night restaurant show, photoshoots, vending, and a lot of visiting
with friends old and new…what a weekend of art and joy! Indescribable, so I will describe just a few highlights!
Aziz! On stage, he is powerful and contained, mesmerizing, and focused. There is nothing extraneous in his dancing! Every
element in his dance contributes to the whole. Dressed in assuit fabric and dance boots, he seemed to dance from a still
center; a concentrated essence within himself. Though he comes from the Bal Anat lineage of Jamila Salimpour and from the
October 2017
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