In the 1970's, Wichita began to
express curiosity about 'belly dancing' (Danse Oriental),
so Amira conceived 'L'Orient Dance Group' to fill
this performing void. It is remarkable! Most of the original
dancers are still performing today, over 30
years. Even a second generation dancer has taker her place
along side her mother in L'Orient. To widen their performing
outlets, Amira trained them in Hawaiian and Tahitian
styles, creating Amira's South Seas Dancers. Further
public performances beckoned for Amira's International
Dancers adding Turkish, Spanish, Romanian, Armenian,
and Egyptian, with line and circle dances from Greece and
Lebanon. In 1995, Amira
conjured up a whole new batch of dancers desiring their own
roles in this dance scene. Mahmoud Reda, a world famous
choreographer of Egypt, seeing the group perform, suggested
their name of 'Danse Arabesque.' With a dream of attaining
their own recognition Danse Arabesque is introducing new
ideas and forging new inroads in the evolving art of 'Danse
Oriental.'
In the early nineties, a
third dance troupe led by Dasara was formed to accommodate
the phenomenal growth of our studio. They took the name 'Raks
Araby' meaning Arabian Dancers. Bringing intriguing veil
work and cane dances to our audiences, along with dazzling
them with the dramatic flair of gypsy and rom dance.
An interest for East
Indian dances brought Lalitha Sivanesan to teach our advanced
dancers in film and folk styles. Lalitha holds a degree in
East Indian
Classical and Folkloric Dances. She formed 'Sithanjali
Dancers,' which means Symphony of Goddesses. A prolific Lalitha astonished all by staging ten dances in the three years she
was with our organization. This has widened our
horizons from the East to the West.
All of these dance troupes
have remained together since Amira's passing, and wish to
carry on her legacy. Reminding us of where we have been and
where we are going, we carry on her name, with her blessing.
Continuing Amira's dream, Sheba and Dahabeya have taken on
the ownership of the studio. We all look forward to continue
to produce professional
shows and creating a welcoming class environment to all
interested in dance. |