Johara / Snake Dance Productions

[kina]

in Boston

I'm sitting here waiting for the cable. In another thread, there was a request for examples of pot dancing, so I was looking through youtube trying to find a clip of a local dancer, Susi, who does this.

As I'm doing so, I run across a clip from the show Emergence, which was produced and (except for individual solos) choreographed by Johara, a local dancer.

Since I was actually *in* the show, I did not get the opportunity to watch many of the performances, especially since the theater that we were in did not in actuality have a backstage...

Anyway, I watched this clip today of Johara's solo, titled Blue Flame:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pitlX-XLkxY]YouTube - Bellydance - Johara - "Blue Flame"[/ame]

and I was inspired and also awed.

Johara is an incredibly versatile dancer, she performs arabic, turkish, american caberet, and folkloric Rom and turkish. And accurately represents these stylings. She has traveled extensively to further her dance education and consistently takes classes and workshops.

Johara has been producing stage shows in Boston since I've been dancing (about 8 - 9 years now) and I've appeared in 2 of them (Gypsy is Cairo & Emergence, the clip attached is from Emergence), as well as a number of other local dancers. Johara tends to tap the entire local scene of dancers for her shows, not just her students.

In the clip ('cause you know I had to mention costuming, didn't you?) she is wearing an original Costless, base made by Shadia Tohme, whose costumes are guaranteed for her lifetime.

Johara is a fantastic choreographer, from whom I've learned much in terms of how to choreograph for the stage, including sight lines and how to step back and really *look* at what is happening on the stage.

I'm amazed at her ability to actually *remember* choreo, especially since I have none, and yet she keeps asking me to be in her shows! go figure.

Anyway, while I know this sounds like an ad, it isn't. I just watched the clip and was touched.

That show was the last full dance show that M watched, and he was in agony. He spoke about it afterwords, and just how happy he was to have made the effort to go. M had tumors in his spine, walking was very difficult at that point and he had to climb a long flight of steps to get to the theatre. Sitting upright was also very difficult for him at that time, and he sat through this 2 hour show. At home, as we always did, he talked about and critiqued the show, with nothing but praise for Johara.

I'm glad that he was able to see the beauty that she brought to the stage.

And, even though her talent is enough to shine through, I have to add that Johara is legally blind, with a degenerative disorder that will eventually lead to total blindness.

How's THAT for choreographic skill?

this is her website if you'd like to see more of her...

Johara Snake Dance Productions

[kina]

Just adding this because of how it sounds: I was not paid, asked to, requested, insinuated at or heard dogs barking at me to write this.

My cats made me do it.

[dunyah]

Beautiful clip! Thanks for sharing. So sorry about M, and for Johara's vision loss. Such beauty amidst the sadness and losses of life - it really is very moving. What a wonderful expression of the dance.

[ANA_bellydancer]

Lovely dance!

[Lesgemini_Zafirah]

That was sooo beautiful, it brought tears to my eyes. I love the haunting music, too, along with the gorgeous dancing... Thanks for sharing, Kina!

[kina]

I'm glad you've enjoyed it. Thank you Dunya.

[badriya_al_ahmar]

Johara is truly inspirational, for all the reasons you mentioned and also for her community spirit.

[kahaz]

I met Johara many years ago in Vermont; she was at a workshop and I mostly remembered that she sat in and drummed with the band. The she did a kick-ass drum shimmy. I run into her from time to time (I'm in Maine so a very different place) and am always astounded by her danceing.

thanks for sharing Kina!