Co-sponsored by the Uzbek Dance and Culture Society

INSTRUCTORS:
People's Artist of Uzbekistan, Qizlarhon Dustmuhamedova
direct from Tashkent!

Laurel Victoria Gray, Artistic Director, Silk Road Dance Company

CENTRAL ASIAN DANCE:
Set at the heart of the Great Silk Road, Central Asia is crossed by an ancient network of caravan routes that linked China with the Mediterranean. The dances of the region reflect the rich legacy of many cultures, both indigenous and foreign. Through commerce and conquest, Iranian, Turkic, Indian, Arabic, Chinese, and Mongolian elements have entered dance styles of the region.

Central Asian dance primarily focuses on the upper torso; the hands, arms and face are especially expressive. Wrist circles, hand undulations and shifting arm patterns create intricate spatial designs around the body and above the head. Portions of the dance often take place with the performer kneeling on the floor, requiring a graceful ascent and descent. Spins and turns, ranging from simple to complex, are also characteristic of the style.

CLASS SCHEDULE:
Classes will be held daily — Monday through Friday — beginning at 9:30 AM at the Joy of Motion Dance Center in Friendship Heights. After a lunch break at 12:30, there will be a session on culture and costuming before beginning the afternoon dance classes which run from 2:30 - 5:00 PM.

Participants will study the Uzbek "Doire Dars," a dance etude incorporating fundamental elements such as traveling steps, arm movements, turns, as well as shoulder and head movements. In addition to working on Central Asian dance technique, students will learn two complete Central Asian folkloric choreographies — tenatively a Khorezm style Uzbek dance and a modern Afghani dance. Laurel Victoria Gray will present classical Persian dance elements and a complete Persian choreography.

Monday and Tuesday classes will focus primarily on Uzbek and Persian dance fundamentals and technique. Choreographies will be introduced starting on Wednesday.

On July 6 and 7, we will present "Crossing Cultures: An Evening on the Silk Road" featuring Qizlarhon Dustmuhamedova and the Silk Road Dance Company.Concerts on July 6 at 8 PM and on July 7 at 7 PM at the Jack Guidone Theater in Friendship Heights.

Our camp coincides with the Smithsonian's Folklife Festival which is dedicated this year to the Great Silk Road. Outside of scheduled class time, we will visit the exhibits on The Mall where some 400 artists and craftspeople are scheduled to share their traditions with visitors.

FEES:
$300 for the 5-day class session; $75 per day.Detailed written notes and cotuming information as well as cassettes of class music will be provided.

DRESS:
Character shoes for Uzbek; ballet slippers for Persian. Leotard, tights, and dance skirt. (Wrists bells helpful but not required for Uzbek dance.)

For more information please see: our special camp web site.