Dance @ "Season of Cambodia" - A great beginning!

Photo:Khvay Smanang

The Cambodian Festival began with a beautiful evening of dance, design, music and words in Sophiline Cheam Shapiro’s A Bend InThe River performed by the Khmer Arts Ensemble at The Joyce Theater.  The team of scenic designers (Kong Vollak, Chheng Kimhong, Prom Putvisal, Son Chanty and Uhorn Rachana), lighting designer (Robert W. Henderson, Jr.), and costume designer (San Vannary) all deserve numerous rounds of applause for such a picturesque beginning of an evening that would only be complimented by Khmer Arts Ensemble’s breathtaking  evening of dance-theatre.  The sheer, connecting circles of what looked like rattan that make up the panels from ceiling to stage, flanked stage right and spilled across the front, on center was a three-tiered platform, and behind, from one side of the stage to the other, were the musicians and their instruments seated low to the ground. Soon the story of family, bravery and love began as we are taken on a journey to the bend in the river.  This was folklore told through dance.  Each dancer spoke through countless gestures with their eyes, hands, knees and feet that were ever so articulate, flexing and undulating with every emotion.  Not to be forgotten are the crocodiles, in five pieces and danced by five dancers.  Ever so subtly in large or small groups, gliding as crocodiles, family members, people in love or people in the community, these performers, would begin a unison dance where they would stomp out their intentions, or shift from one engulfing shape to another, in close embrace, most time ending with a stunning balance, one bent leg with super-flexed feet, lifted high behind them and an arm and super-flexed wrist would match.  What a beginning.  There is a great deal more to see of the Festival. 

For more information on dance go here: http://seasonofcambodia.org/events/category/dance/
For more information on the "Season of Cambodia" go here: http://seasonofcambodia.org/about-soc/

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