Margo Abdo O'Dell celebrates this Mother's Day weekend with a dance and multimedia concert that takes a one hour, uncharted emotional and geographic journey, crossing cultural boundaries and generations, and honoring the women of some of the world's most wrenching diasporas. Civil war, famine, economic depression, and colonialism have forced cultures to disperse and people to emigrate, seeking safety and stability for their families. Women's Voices honors the resilience, the resourcefulness, and the defiant humor of women of the Middle East, Algeria, and Afghanistan, countries and cultures that have endured upheaval and sometimes violent change.

Margo and guest artist Elena Lentini of New York City present inspired, original choreographies that give voice to women's experiences through diverse mediums while exploring traditional and nontraditional styles of artistic expression. From the classical strains of Arabic music to the oral poetry of Afghani women; from the raucous rebelliousness of Algerian rai to the sumptuous fusion of Arabic/Spanish dance -- audiences will be transported and transformed.

Featured in Women's Voices is the voice of Cheika Remitti, known as the grandmother of Algerian rai. Rai (pronounced like "rye") is a spicy mix of Berber, Arab, Bedouin, Spanish, and French musical styles and is in many ways the Algerian cousin of blues and rap. Loosely translated, it means "point of view" and is a musical form born in the streets. Lyrics discuss love and politics with equal fervor. Like rai itself, the dancing that accompanies Remitti takes ancient tribal and folkloric styles and gives them a modern feel.

Women's Voices gives audiences the rare opportunity to hear poetry from women of the Pashtun tribe of Afghanistan. The oral poetry, some originally collected in refugee camps in Pakistan, reveals bold discourse, not the submissive, meek, or shy commentary one may stereotypically expect from Afghani women.

Abdo O’Dell delves into personal subject matter in two pieces, examining what it means to be raised in a mixed cultural family. The first piece, Sittee - Memories of my Grandmother, honors her Lebanese grandmother. The second, Marjoue/Identity, is one of the evenings more abstract pieces and explores issues facing second-generation Americans, including women's cultural, individual and group identity.

Joining Margo and her ensemble of dancers is Elena Lentini, who is distinguished for her impact on Middle Eastern Dance. In addition to touring the United States, Europe, the Middle East and South Africa, she has performed in most major American concert venues including The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and Boston’s New Life Theater. She brings to dance a unique lyrical focus, a quality of mystery, and a commitment to the integrity of every movement as she sculpts fluid designs with her body. In Women's Voices, she will recreate the Arab-Spanish fusion dances which were traditional during the Moorish period of Spain's history.

The performance also features local dancers Cheryl Benyebka, Julie Rohn, Valerie Scott, Brenda Sowada and Mary West.

This activity is made possible, in part, by funds provided by the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council through a grant from The McKnight Foundation and an appropriation by the Minnesota Legislature

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