Evolutions presents a kaleidoscopic blend of Arabic, Persian, and Turkish music and a variety of dance pieces inspired by the musical selections. Colorful and creative, soulful and surprising, this mesmerizing mosaic of music and movement delights the senses as it explores cross cultural influences and globalization. Choreographer and Artistic Director Margo Abdo O'Dell named the piece Evolutions, as it is an exploration of worldwide changes and of her own personal journey as she explores the process of developing her own artistic voice. An integral part of her artistic development was the process of collaborating with other artists within her own medium as well as those working in other mediums.

Dancer/choreographer, Margo Abdo O'Dell leads the ensemble of dancers including Cheryl Benyebka, Susie Bracken, Annette Bujold, Jocelyn Gorham, Esther Ouray, Julie Rohn and Jackie Walker. Rounding out the ensemble is guest artist Artemis Mourat, who brings her 30 years of research and performance of Turkish dance to the production. The musicians in Evolutions are among the best ethnic musicians in the Twin Cities. David Burke, Salah Fattah, Pat O'Keefe, Tim O'Keefe, Steve Spaise, David Stenshoel, Maryam Yustefedah, and Moez Zakroui have all won awards and fellowships and have studied with master Middle Eastern music teachers. All are active in a variety of musical groups.

The music in Evolutions has been carefully and accurately instrumented to reflect the various regional styles within the Middle East. While clarinet is commonly heard in different styles of Turkish music, it is uncommon in Arabic music. A Turkish musician invented the chumbush, basically a kind of fretless banjo, just over a hundred years ago, but because of its sonic similarity to instruments like the harder-to-obtain tar, it has been readily adapted to Persian music. Arabic percussion is based upon the 'iqa'at', or traditional body of cyclical rhythmic patterns. Rhythms in Persian music are based upon a similar system, but with entirely different rhythms and results. There are also traditional instruments such as the violin (or "kemenche") and oud that are universal within all regions of the Middle East. Evolutions also includes east/west musical fusion that incorporates the bass guitar and drum kit.

Border Crosser is a multi-media collaboration between filmmaker Michelle Mehri Mousavi, musician MaryAm Yusefsadeh and dancer Margo Abdo O'Dell. The theme was borne out of a desire to define the concept of home as the grounding force in the shaping of one's identity. For immigrant families crossing borders and oceans to build new lives, one reality is the process of reinventing a sense of identity and home on an almost daily basis. Drawing on their collective Iranian and Lebanese cultures, against the backdrop of the American experience, this piece explores the artists' journey toward a more permanent sense of home.

In Exotic, musicians and dancers address the evolution of a Hollywood stereotype. The west has a long history of fascination with all things eastern while not differentiating one eastern culture from another. Under consideration in this piece is the stereotypic film depiction of Middle Eastern dance and Middle Eastern women. It forces a look at exploitation as one result of cross-cultural influences and globalization.

Intermedia Arts
www.intermediaarts.org
Intermedia Arts is a catalyst that builds understanding among people through art.

This production is made possible by funding from
The Jerome Foundation in celebration of the Jerome Hill Centennial and
in recognition of the valuable cultural contributions of artists to society,
the St. Paul Travelers Foundation and the Arts and Diversity Committee of St. Paul Travelers through
a grant to COMPAS, the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council from
an appropriation by the Minnesota Legislature, and the COMPAS/McKnight Community Art Program

Home  /  Classes  /  About the Dance and Music  /  Events  /  Newsletter and Articles  /  About Lebanon  /   Background  /  Speaking and Workshops  

E-mail: