In August of 2011, I will be presenting a show called, "Domari". It is a story related to the Romani in Scotland in the 16th century, and what befell a small group of people because of the Egyptians Act (also referenced as "The 30 Day Law") created by King Henry VIII and later amended by Queen Mary. This act required that "Gypsies" leave Great Britain or suffer the consequences - in some cases disposession and deportation, in others, death. At its root, this is a story of love and sacrifice... but it is also a story of fear, prejudice and defiance.
I've begun the process of music selection and choreography, and began working with some excellent dancers in my classes in the last month to put some of these ideas in motion. I will have the same problem I always have... finding enough dancers. There are dancers aplenty, yes... but not many that are necessarily interested in working my format or dedicating the time necessary to prepare the quality of show I require... or that have the foundation of the different forms of dance I'm utilizing.
I started changing the way I do shows in 2007, with the last Dance From the Heart show. No longer is the production the "recital" kind of lineup with one unrelated dance after another. Now, I require dancers that are multi-disciplined and can act (or are willing to learn and have an instinct for it). The entire show is a story, and each piece moves the plot forward to its conclusion. It's more of a ballet format that is not usually done in the "bellydance" arena. The movement has to be called fusion, since I will not be sticking to "strict" Romani movement for those dances, nor will I stick to "strict" Highland dancing for the Scots dances. I have learned over the last few years that no one movement vocabulary can tell the stories I wish to tell with the music I wish to use... therefore, the subject matter is true to historically documented events, with liberal license in costuming, movement and music.
The "gypsies" historically break down into three linguistic populations, whose origins are traced back to the Sind area of India (now South Central Pakistan): The Romani, or Western gypsies that are the most widely known; The Domari, or Eastern gypsies that went to Egypt and the Middle East; and the Lomavren from Armenia and Eastern Turkey. Where I take artistic license in this show is that I use traditional movement from Turkey, Israel, Egypt (as well as American tribal, ballet, modern, etc, though that is not what I'm referencing for this particular point) ... and some of each would fall into the acceptable broader category of Roma. The Romani are the documented group that were in Great Britain, however, it is not implausible that a Domari or two joined that group. With some historians asserting that the Roma first entered Scotland at the side of Templars that came from the crusade, it is not all that great of a stretch to make this link. The (pivotal) main male character is considered a Domari, hence where I get the name of the show. :)
As I began the process, I laid out the storyline, the scenes I wished to enact... and then I started looking for music. I hoped to use one musician's music, leaning heavily toward Omar Faruk Tekbilek... but he doesn't have the Celtic aspect in his repertoire... though in some cases, it's relatable with imagination. I wanted this to be a live music show... but if you think that finding dancers that are this multi-disciplined is tough... man! That may be the impossible point on which I have to compromise. As I find music, the scenes change... to fit the music and what I'm able to find. Evolution continues, until I get the entire thing set in choreography. Sometimes, one piece suggests a different scene than I originally intended... and while that makes me a bit crazy, it's important to remember that this is rather a living, breathing being for a while.
At the base of it is also funding... I'm looking for additional funding sources beyond the 2-3K that I have to put into it, in order to make is bigger, better, blah, blah, blah. :) I have some excellent options that I am working on, and I have some very experienced minds involved in this, to assist with the areas where I've lacked expertise in the past. At the end of the day, this show is a benefit put on by a non-profit organization. We do things as inexpensively as we can in order to bring more money in for the recipient charity. In honor of my mother, the recipient will be an organization, family or facility that works in the area of curing, dealing with or treating Alzheimer's patients.
So, if you're reading this, and you are a Houston dancer or musician interested in this crazy idea... please contact me. I am in SERIOUS need of dancers, male and female, from age 17 and up. We rehearse at the Dominic Walsh Dance Theater in Montrose. I can promise that you will learn something, be challenged, meet wonderful people and have a great time for a great cause. If you'd like to donate to the organization, visit http://www.dfth.org/. We welcome all help.
