Gia al Qamar
"Why...you're the Great Beloved One and Only Pure, Divine, Mystical Sultana of Syncopation!!!! "
Festival of the Nile ‘05 by Michael Bonadonna
Belly Dancer
Enter Aszmara on bold bare feet
in a storm of black hair, face
pale as Cleopatra. She nods
to the drummer, signals the beat.
The oud player plucks his strings.
Her arms, laddered in bracelets,
rise up. Her belly begins
its isolated undulations, sequins
shimmer her hips, black chiffon slides
over her flesh - her navel plays
hide and seek in the folds.
On her fingertips brass cymbals
ring changes, she stamps, whirls,
makes dark eddies with her scarf,
sinks to the floor, moves like seaweed
under a turbulent wave, then rises,
supplicating heaven with her eyes.
At my side three pubescent girls
in tight tank tops lean forward,
stare awestruck at the act, while I
like an aging harem mother,
lean back on my fat cushions and smile.
Marie Prentice 2006
Reprinted with permission from
“Singing Into Jars”
poems by Marie Prentice
Melanie Smart
http://minadancer.spaces.live.com
" I took your workshop; it was magnificent! I was so drawn to you as I'm sure many are. Your dancing is gorgeous...I don't think anyone took a breath while watching you."
And you can add to my vast list of sincere gushing that as your student, I have always greedily gobbled up every little nuiance of information that you have offered. Your incredible knowledge of music and your drive to teach the art of dancing musically has improved my work as a performer and now, as a teacher myself, I honor this dance by quoting you, quite often, to my students! I sincerely doubt that my zill playing would have grown beyond a 'gallop' had it not been for your keen ear, great ability to teach and the advice you've offered me inside and outside of class.
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Press Clippings
“Aszmara, an internationally known dancer, provided one of the highlights of the day with an exquisite solo. Using every inch of her eloquent body she clarified the music in all its depth and richness.” Reading Times, PA
“There were several vivid solos. ‘Herosi Bar,’ choreographed and performed by Aszmara... began languidly, then grew increasingly intense.” Jack Anderson, New York Times
“Aszmara... respected for their high production value and their repertory of dances spanning the Middle Eastern spectrum” Arabesque Magazine, NY
“... frenzied moments surfaced when Aszmara made full use of theatrical possibilities of the finger-cymbals and swirling chiffon costumes of her own design.” The Irish Times, Dublin
“She is the most beautiful... and dances so, that one is first in the story of a Thousand and One Nights.” Zurich Press, Switzerland
“... a fire red whirlwind is Aszmara. Her artistic movements go beyond this dance.” Neue Zurcher Zeitung, Switzerland
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Deirdre Celestino
" Each of your classes has always been educational, uplifting, inspiring, and above all, loads of fun. I am so happy and grateful that you continue to spread so much joy and positive energy through Dance!"
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Karen Traub - member Crescent Dancers
"that's what inspires me most about your dancing. Because you are a trained dancer who understands the music, you are even better able to express your passion."
Photo from Mahrajan Festival ’07
Member Angelika Nemeth Dance Ensemble
Chadia
From the first time I saw Aszmara perform almost 13 years ago, I was mesmerized. My jaw dropped!! I had never seen anyone dance like that before! She is captivating and you are sitting on the edge of your seat during the entire performance!
Aszmara is one in a million - honest, supportive, fun, fabulous and just amazing! She has dedicated her live to the art of Middle Eastern Dance and this dedication reveals itself in every class, every workshop, every performance, and in every hip drop!! I am proud to call Aszmara a mentor and a teacher but I am honored to call her my friend!!
http://gypsycaravanenterprises.com
Director of "Chadia & The Gypsy Caravan", a dance troupe featuring Chadia and more than 30 beautiful and talented ladies.
As President of Gypsy Caravan Enterprises, Chadia continues to spread the joy of belly dance by offering workshops and providing the dance community with a fine selection of music, costumes and dance accessories.
read Gia al Qamar's articles at http://www.TheHipCircle.com
and visit her website http://www.IDreamOfGia.com
