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Posted by: hannaheath on 02/24/2008 10:52 AM Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 02/24/2008 10:58 PM
Expires: 01/01/2013 12:00 AM
:

Semi-Annual Murphys Belly Dance Festival ~ By Hanna Heath

Murphys, CA….Last night, the semi-annual Murphys Belly Dance Festival featured some of the West Coasts Finest Belly Dancers. The night’s theme was "Moulin Rouge” incorporating one host, 24 dancers, and two fantastic jugglers. The festival was held at the Black Bart Playhouse in Murphys, a common place for theatrical performances…..

Click on Photo For Full Slide Show


The festival was a showcase of the oldest and most sensual form of dancing. Belly dancing is a Middle Eastern dance in which the dancer makes sensuous movements of the hips and abdomen. This event was for all ages and genders. The performance started at 7:30 and continued until 10:00 pm. The Masala Imports Company was vending as well as several local Belly Dance Costume Designers. After speaking with dancer Murwena she shared “Each belly dancer has their own style and personality when is comes to costumes. The traditional costumes have various layers, textures, and colors.”

Because this year’s festival was themed Moulin Rouge, I asked participants the back ground for the story. The plot summary: A young idealist named Christian moves to Paris in the summer of 1899. There he meets a host of characters including Toulouse Lautrec and Harold Zidler, who owns a lavish nightclub called the 'Moulin Rouge'. Lautrec uses Christian to plug his new play and so dresses him up to convince one of Zidler's best employee's, the courtesan Satine, to get the play on Zidler's priorities. Zidler also fixes an "appointment" between an evil Duke and Satine on the very same night so that the rich Duke will invest in his nightclub. Satine mistakes Christian for the Duke and inadvertently falls in love with him and vice versa. Zidler convinces the Duke to invest, but Satine and Christian must keep their love a secret as the Duke believes that Satine loves him and also he is by nature a very jealous man. When the Duke finds out about their secret affair, he gives Satine an ultimatum: she must either do the play his way or go with him at the end of the play, or he will have Christian killed. Satine decides to save Christian and goes on with the show whereas Christian decides to confront Satine about it. When he does, Satine decides to blow off the Duke and go with Christian. She then suffers an undefined but probable respiratory attack and dies of her condition behind the curtains. Christian grieves but a year later, writes their story.

I spoke with charter Harold Zidler better known as John Shreivogal, he shared “The story line to Moulin Rouge is fantastic. I think this festival will be elaborate and fun because of its theme. Tonight, I will use my loud voice and help portray Harry Zidler to the best of my abilities.”

The elaborate and fascinating movements from belly dancers and jugglers came to an end with a “WOW” performance. “This festival is a great opportunity to share the history of belly dancing and juggling. They also learn the diversity and culture of this art,” says juggler Kevin Axtell.

Next month the Mountain Mischief crew will be holding a public fire walk. An elaborate event which encourages self-awareness and courage.


Dates include:
March 29th Public Fire Walk-Murphys
May 24th Dancers Fire Walk-Sonora



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