Anahid Sofian Dance Company

Armenian Dance Solo performed by Anahid Sofian at New York's Theatre of Riverside Church Dance Festival in 1985 to a beautiful Armenian song, Uzundara, played by John Var...

The wonderful Riverside Dance Festival held annually at the Theatre of Riverside Church was a nurturing home where my dancers, musicians and I experimented and grew for three consecutive years, 1985--1987. I hope to someday have the funding to enhance the videos from those years. Here is one clip which, though rather dark, still conveys one of my happiest performances to a beautiful Armenian song, "Uzundara," played superbly by John Vartan on tar, Joe Zeytoonian on oud, and Ara Dinkjian on def.

Armenian Dance Solo performed by Anahid Sofian at New York's Theatre of Riverside Church Dance Festival in 1985 to a beautiful Armenian song, Uzundara, played by John Var...

The Dance "The Dance" is an excerpt from a larger work, "Passage through Light and Shadow: The Children of Ararat," a dance-drama wherein Ms. Sofian wove together trad...

Well it's countdown time to our Intensive, starting tomorrow! Here again is the schedule of classes and descriptions. We can still get a couple of dancers into some of the workshops, so email me directly: [email protected] or call 212-741-2848. Looking forward to seeing you there!

DAILY SCHEDULE

I am, excited to post the schedule for my Annual Intensive, Sept. 3 – 6, featuring the incomparable Eva Cernik as guest teacher! We have a very stimulating range of classes offering such favorites as my opening-day Zills and Rhythms Workshop (Thurs. Sept. 3), which again will feature percussionist Richard Khuzami, and the closing day Floor Workshop (Sunday, Sept. 6) assisted by the amazing Jean Musacchio. On Friday Sept. 4, I’m very excited to lead an all-day creative workshop that will involve all the participants. And on Saturday Sept. 5 Eva will teach her fabulous veil work. Please see schedule below:

THURSDAY, SEPT. 3, 2:00 – 5:00PM: A comprehensive Zills and Rhythms Workshop. Anahid with percussionist Richard Khuzami

FRIDAY, SEPT. 4, 10:00AM – 1:00PM and 2:00 – 4:30PM: An interactive Choreography Workshop where participants will create a dance together. In the morning session, Anahid will focus on Technique for 3 very diverse rhythms: Egyptian Saidi, Oriental Chifte Telli and Turkish Karshilama. The class will also explore staging techniques as guidelines. Up to 6 volunteers can choose a rhythm to create to in the afternoon Choreography session (2 per rhythm), utilizing all of the participants in the class. The choreographers will be given a 1-1/2 to 2 minute percussion segment to work with. Students who are interested in being choreographers are asked to contact Anahid in advance, also stating their rhythm preference. Selection will be on a first come first serve basis. Those who don’t want to choreograph, just come and be part of a creative process!

SATURDAY, SEPT. 5, 11:00AM – 2:00PM and 3:00 – 5:30PM: This is Eva Cernik’s day, focusing on her unique and entrancing veil work. In the morning session Eva will teach her favorite Signature Veil Moves in flowing combinations. In the afternoon, she will incorporate the moves into a Veil Dance choreographed to a song in a lilting Anatolian 10/8 meter, creating visuals from ancient Greece and the Anatolian desert, with momentary escapes from the constraints of steady measures.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 6, 10:00AM – 2:00PM: The Art and Power of Floorwork, one of Anahid’s enduring specialties, assisted by Jean Musacchio. The class will provide a wide range of expressive movements suitable for dancers at all levels of physical ability. Beginning with a thorough warmup and careful development of the technique in order to avoid injuries, everyone will work at their own pace and capability. A video of performance clips will be shown if time permits.

FEES: $315 for the entire workshop (limited space; by appt. only)
Individual workshops can also be purchased if space permits. Here is the link to the Daily Schedule and Registration Forms:

www.anahidsofianstudio.com

FLOOR WORKSHOP, SUNDAY SEPT. 6, 10AM - 2PM
Today I wanted to include one more Floorwork clip, for the more athletically inclined. As I've indicated, we will be teaching a range of movements at the Intensive with something for everyone! When you click on the arrow, you will get a link which will take you to Vimeo where the video is posted. I had the pleasure of working with an amazing band and hope you enjoy it!
And here is the link to the Intensive Event page with all details:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1461199690865215/

Anahid Sofian, Riverside Church Dance Festival NYC (1984), floor excerpt Musicians -- Joe Zeytoonian: oud, percussion, vocals; Souren Baronian: clarinet, kaval, saxaphone, percussion; Ara Dinkjian: oud, kanoon, percussion; Rowan Storm:…

Eva Cernik will be teaching her incomparable Veil Dancing at my Annual Intensive, Sept. 3 - 6, on Sat. Sept. 5, with technique in the morning and a beautiful choreography in the afternoon. Enjoy this video clip of her performing to the soulful music of Rachid Halihal, who will be playing at our Intensive Gala Party Friday Sept. 4 at JeBon! Joining Rachid at the party will be Richard S Khuzami and Seido Salifoski on percussion. We hope to see you both at the Intensive and at the Gala! Here is the link to the Intensive Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1461199690865215/

Eva Cernik veil Eva performs in Colorado springs. The musicians are Rachid Halihal and his band. The name of the song is "Le Mouni el Gharumini".

Well, June is here and Rana Gorgani's June 26 - 28 workshops are filling up. As previously announced, you need to contact me directly at [email protected] to reserve your spot, and payment in advance will guarantee your place! For your pleasure, another exquisite clip of Rana doing a Persian dance, which she will be teaching on Friday June 26th, 6:00 - 9:00pm. As she explains about dancing to Persian poetry and music: “Every gesture and movement acts as a word and can evoke a servant pouring a cup of wine, the beloved who inflames the heart, the divine bird in the garden of roses, the roses shedding its petals or the fragrant perfume evaporating …” Link to events page with details: https://www.facebook.com/events/438692062946864/

Rana Gorgani - Persian Dance - Institut du Monde Arabe Rana Gorgani Persian dance Institut du monde arabe - Paris Spectacle Parfums de P***e www.ranagorgani.com Music composed by Pejman Tadayon "Hilat" Musicians ...

For your enjoyment, a clip of Rana Gorgani teaching Afghani dance, which she will share with us on Sunday, June 28th, 1:30-3:30pm. We have limited space and her workshops are nearly full. So, if you haven't reserved your spot yet, write to me today at [email protected] or call 212-741-2848. Check out the descriptions for all of these beautiful workshops on the events page
https://www.facebook.com/events/438692062946864/permalink/478524125630324/

Afghan Dance Workshop with Rana Gorgani Afghan Dance Workshop with Rana Gorgani Compagnie l'Oeil Persan [email protected] www.loeilpersan.com Music : Afghan Ensemble - Instrumental Rubab (Kha...

Hello, everyone -- Details on the first class in our Sofian Dance Company Repertory Series (October 4 - November 8).

WORKSHOP 1, OCTOBER 4, 3:00 - 5:00pm
The first workshop in the series will not focus on an entire choreography, but will juxtapose movement phrases from two very different dances with very different approaches and technical demands, an earthy, Moroccan tribal dance and an ethereal dance inspired by an old Greek folk song.

"Morocco" (1979) -- premiered at the Sofian Dance Co. debut at the Casa Galicia/Webster Hall in 1979, and made its professional debut at the 1980 NY Ethnic Dance Festival in Carnegie Hall. The dance is inspired by the Berber dances of southern Morocco, which I videotaped in 1974, and incorporates elements of trance dances found throughout the Middle East. Accompanied by a percussion ensemble in North African style and meter (6/8), the dance conveys the mystical power and vitality of tribal communion. "Morocco" was awarded a NY State CAPS grant for choreography.

"Ode: A Dance at Twilight" (premier 1994, NY Library for the Performing Arts)
An ethereal dance inspired by an old Greek folk song combines modern dance movements with traditional Greek folk dance movements. The song is in a lyrical 7/8 meter, arranged by the famous Greek composer, Vangelis Papatranassio, and sung by Irini Pappas.

Be sure to make your reservation: [email protected]. Look forward to seeing you!

Beautiful pictures of our Anniversary show taken Sat. nite performance by Stacey R Muir Lespinasse and Clemente Lespinasse!

BrowsersOnline.com by Stacey & Clement Lespinasse Web Design, Graphic Design, and Photography by Stacey & Clement Lespinasse

Well, we had an amazing tech rehearsal last night and the day we've been working so hard for is finally here! My post for today is a beautiful slideshow done by Stacey R Muir Lespinasse of my dance at last year's New York Theatrical Belly Dance Conference, (thank you Ranya Renee) which I am looking forward to recreating tonite. It has been quite a journey getting ready for this show, and want to thank the amazing group of dancers and musicians who are performing with me!
https://vimeo.com/97139986

Anahid Sofian, Garden of the Beloved "Love is like the smell of a flower, something that you cannot touch ... and like the bird in love with the flower, flying and always seeking its fragrance in the…

The Anahid Sofian Dance Company would like to thank the following donors for making in-kind gifts that have enabled us to raise funds toward our production thus far: Broadway Dance Center, Tachea Corbett, Elite Islands Resorts: Caribbean, Fahrusha, Jean Musacchio, Mark Morris Dance Group, Maria Michaels, Anastasia Pridlides, Tara Quinn, Uza Dancer and Sunset World Resorts, and also the volunteers who helped make our fund-raising party a success -- Alison Chin, Sobeida Azabache, and Marissa Julia.

With a heightened rehearsal schedule, including the addition of live music, costumes and technical elements, we greatly need your assistance! We continue to fund raise for our show at the end of June. If you haven't given yet, please join consider donating in any amount to our Indiegogo campaign:https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/bring-to-life-a-show-35-years-in-the-making

Bring to life a show 35 years in the making! The Anahid Sofian Dance Company needs your help to showcase its signature numbers from its repertoire spanning almost four decades.

HERE IS ALL THE INFORMATION FOR BUYING TIX TO OUR SHOWS:

The link to the Sat. June 28, 8:00pm performance:

http://www.ticketfly.com/event/584355

The link for the Sunday June 29 matinee, 3:00pm

6/29/14: http://www.ticketfly.com/event/584359

Other information for Ticketfly:

Order Tickets by phone: (877) 987-6487
Customer Support: [email protected]
or call (877) 435-9849
Customer Service Hours: Monday – Saturday from 7am-6pm
Sunday from 10am-6pm

MMAC General Number: 212-787-1178

Anahid Sofian Dance Company 35th Anniversary Celebration - Tickets - Manhattan Movement and Arts... The Anahid Sofian Dance Company, formed in 1979, made its professional debut at Carnegie Hall and has performed at a variety of venues including Avery Fisher Hall, the Theatre of Riverside Church, num

Well, we are gearing up for an absolutely great evening at our Fund-raising party May 18, 7 - 9:30pm, admission only $20 bucks! Bring extra cash or your checkbook to bid on some of our wonderful auction items -- ranging from costumes to private lessons, class cards at renowned dance studios, incredible personal services, and even getaways to Mexico and the Carribean. Bidding starts at half price! If you haven't confirmed your attendance with me yet via email, your name won't be on our guest list. There is still time and a few seats left! Please email: [email protected]. The doors will open at 6:30, and the show will start promptly at 7:00pm!

We have numerous 4-star vacation packages to the Caribbean and Cancun that have been donated for our fund-raising auction! Plus wonderful personal services such as massage, psychic reading, private fitness sessions, and much more -- in addition to gorgeous costume items, jewelry, wine, goodies, great dancers and a special international star, Rana Gorgani! What more could we ask for?! We are filling up fast, so do make your reservation by writing directly to me: [email protected]. Check out the events page for all details: https://www.facebook.com/events/844091375606933/

Announcing our fabulous line-up for our Company Fundraiser Show on May 18 @ 7pm. For reservations please email [email protected].

Here is the flyer for our fund-raising party, May 18th

We have just scheduled a fantastic fund-raising party featuring our special guest, Rana Gorgani, and members of the Sofian Dance Company. This will sell-out! so make your reservations asap by writing directly to: [email protected]https://www.facebook.com/events/844091375606933/?notif_t=plan_user_joined

Here is our new flyer for the show! Please feel free to share!
All event info can be found here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1455018218042890/?ref=br_tf

Lami'ah Dance, Teadora Dance and Patricia Clarke performing a Beledi dance at Sera Solstice's wonderful CD release performance for Raquy Danziger March 1. They will be recreating the dance to live music at our performances June 28 - 29. Lovely photo by Kay

IMG_4502 Explore safiradance's photos on Flickr. safiradance has uploaded 18349 photos to Flickr.

Reconstructing "Morocco" yesterday for our show -- whew! Thank you Jean Musacchio, Robin Vignet, Elissa White, Kaitlin Hines, Janeen Stevens, Patty Eiben, Marjorie Campos, Linda Lugo, Ava - Gazelle Dancer. That's Ava standing on the window sill taking the picture!

Here is our new flyer for the show! Please feel free to share!
All event info can be found here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1455018218042890/?ref=br_tf

I'm very pleased to post an excerpt from the very first dance I choreographed for my newly formed company in 1979. It was inspired by my trip to Morocco in 1974 to videotape their world-famous Folkloric Dance Festival held in Marrakesh yearly. This dance happily was awarded a NY State Caps grant for choreography, and the company again performed it at Carnegie Hall in 1980. This excerpt was filmed at our company's debut at the Casa Galicia (Webster Hall), NYC in 1979. Hope you enjoy it! https://vimeo.com/85739014

MOROCCO Inspired by the dances Anahid Sofian videotaped at the Moroccan Dance Festival in 1974, "Morocco" was the first dance she choreographed for her newly--formed company.…