Menara Moroccan Restaurant -
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Bahira with Alcina
Alcina hosted the First Annual Bennuvian Reunion Bash at
Menara Moroccan Restaurant, 41 Gish Road, San Jose, California on Sunday
evening, February 17. Alcina's Troupe, The Bennuvians, is no longer
performing together, but its members continue to stay in contact fostering
the sisterhood of The Dance as it was originally intended. Many of the
members have gone on to form active troupes of their own and others continue
in the solo pursuit of performance. Over 100 guests, family and
friends attended the Bash and a private gathering of The Bennuvians after
the performances brought everyone up-to-date on what's happening in their
lives.
Bahira
Bahira performed the first solo of the evening in the
Mytho-poetic style, taking the audience to the Caribbean for a little Voodoo
Magic. She enter with a Sailing Veil to the Garifuna Soul song "Yau"
by Belizean artist Aurelio Martinez and ended with Malik Adouane's Mid-East
version of Stevie Wonder's "Superstition":
Photos by Fara'Asha
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TROUPE DAHAB (Director Aseela)
Photos by Bahira
Former Bennuvian Aseela (above left) left the
troupe in 2004 and moved to Dutch Flats with her family. She formed Troupe
Dahab in that area with Ariel, Suzanne and Zakiyya and returned tonight with
them to perform for us. Ariel and Suzanne are below.
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SHAH'LA
Sha'la dance her solo to a song called
"Sun in the Night" by Brand X from the album Moroccan Roll with
Phil Collins singing Sanskrit lyrics.
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EGYPTSIES (Director Mandella)
Former Bennuvian Mandella created her troupe Egyptsies to
fuse her love for Belly Dance and Latin dancing with her husband, Cheron.
Together with Cassiopeia, they danced a lively handclapping, skirt flashing
performance.
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J'LENA
One of the loveliest Grandmothers I know in a costume
created by former Bennuvian Zora.
...Bennuvians tipping over J'lena!
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TROUPE EMERALD (Director Jamina)
Three former Bennuvians comprise this troupe under the creative choreography of
Jamina (in green) who is also a solo house dancer for Menara.
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DONYA
The last dancer Donya brought down the house with her very
first solo: high energy and sparkling smile. Way to go Donya!
Bennuvians Rule!
Come back next year for the Second Annual Bennuvian Reunion
Bash!
See you then!
