"An Evening of Contemporary Middle Eastern Belly Dance and Fusion," was presented Sunday April 27th 2008 at the Julie Ince Thompson Theater in Cambridge, MA. This sold out event featured new work by Johara and Snake Dance Theater Company, local stars of Oriental and fusion Belly Dance, along with traditional Chinese dance -- Chu-Ling Dance Academy. Audience members familiar with Johara’s unique choreography and divers program were not disappointed. Her new work covered a wide range of styles: Contemporary Egyptian (Cane and Oriental Duet), lyrical solo to a Sezen Aksu balad by johara with wings, electrifying (space-age) Turkish techno, Isis Wings trio to Led Zeplin's Kashmere, and Hip Hop and Latin fusions (Beyonce, Shakira).

Photo and design (left) by Jerry Bezdekian
Contact: artbymusic@gmail.com

A Gypsy in Cairo

Click here to see a video clip of  "A Gypsy in Cairo".

Johara and Snake Dance Theater's third production "A Gypsy in Cairo' is a magical tale told through dance. It premiered April 15, 2005 at the Regent Theater in Arlington, Massachusetts before an audience of 400. The presentation featured Johara and a cast of over thirty Middle Eastern-style dancers, actors, and narration by Jennifer Bliss. Johara's theatrical production was inspired by the classic Egyptian musicals of the 1950s and 60s and includes all facets of Middle-Eastern dance and music: Turkish, Egyptian, Oriental, folkloric and fusion.

"A Gypsy in Cairo" brings together colorful choreography, humor, and sensuality in a unique blend of tradition and innovation reminiscent of what "Lord of the Dance" created with Irish Step. Even the newcomers to this dance style were swept away by the strong story line-complete with romance, intrigue, and comic relief-- in addition to incredible performances.

The story transports you to a world beyond where magic bracelets and serpentine dancers invoke the power of the Indian goddess to bring together two lost souls and where the golden Phoenix illuminates the path towards their destiny. Follow our lovers on their stormy journey through gypsy camps, crowded Egyptian market-places, and seedy cafes with Arabesque dancing girls. You will rejoice as fate reunites our lovers in Cairo during this Hollywood-style grand finale.

Celestial Bodies: 2001 Bellydance Odyssey

In January 2001 (the Chinese year of the snake) Johara founded Snakedance Theater Company. Johara's first production, Celestial Bodies:2001 Bellydance Odyssey, was an exploration of the five elemental forces-water, ail, earth, fire, and ether-which underlie every aspect of our lives from our movemnts to our ideas. This introspective, yet celebratory work incorporated Middle Eastern, modern, and African dance styles. The show featured original choreography and poetry by Johara and involved 11 professional and students dancers from Boston, New York, and LA including: Anita Cristina of The Goddess DancingI, Sabrina, Najmat, Jennifer Sears, and drumming by Micheal Gregian and Abes. They enchanted two sold-out audiences in Cambridge with its new approach to an ancient dance form.

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