Concerts

Saturday, February 26th, 2000 at 8:30 PM
DEBKA FOR PEACE

Cal State Northridge, Performing Arts Center

History has long been preserved through the performance of traditional arts. Dance is at the top of the list of cultural programs that provides an entertaining forum to share our cultural heritages and experiences. These events promote cultural education and understanding between all ethnicities. Two top International dance companies, The Adam Basma Middle Eastern Dance Company and the Keshet Chaim Dance Ensemble joined together to present a unique and exciting dance program that featured authentic and traditional dances from the regions of the Middle East.  Artistic Directors Adam Basma and Eytan Avisar will presented “DEBKA FOR PEACE,” a program designed to share an exciting parade of color and beauty as the roots and heritage of the Middle East were brought to life through intricate choreography and fast paced footwork.  These directors brought together a presentation expressing true cultural fusion as they merged contemporary movement with traditional dance from the ancient lands.

The "Debka" is a dance that originated from Arabic traditions, predominately performed throughout Palestine, Syria and Lebanon as a dance to fertilize the land and celebrate a good harvest.  The dance is also performed for most celebration feasts like weddings or the birth of a child. In Israel, a line of men, holding hands performs it; they have adapted the "Debka" and developed their own version of it.  This dance, which both companies have in common, has inspired the collaboration, which is taking place between the artistic directors as well as the dancers in the studio.  As they work jointly to learn their differences and similarities in the world of dance, these artists developed a common language and a new piece that they will performed together.