Carl’s Camera Captures
Jillina’s Bellydance Evolution
Introduction by Ma*Shuqa Mira Murjan,
Photographs by Carl Sermon
August 30, 2009, Alex Theatre in Glendale, CA.
Enjoy this sampling of photos from this historic event that captures the energy and magnificence of this evolutionary performance and you will be ready to participate in the next Bellydance Evolution Festival presented somewhere in the world.
Jillina Carlano’s Bellydance Evolution marked the beginning of an era in which bellydance moves beyond dance Oriental imported from Egypt and performed in clubs. The "Bellydance Evolution" marks a new milestone in her showmanship, the construction of a bellydanced narrative along the lines of the classical ballets with original music composed by Paul Dinletir.
From traveling the globe and seeing up and coming dancers, came the idea for an online casting competition. The amazing result of the online dancer competition was an eclectic group of dancers who won the competition and came to Los Angeles from all over the globe: Norway, Australia, Japan, Republic of Georgia, and Netherlands. These dancers joined Jillina’s Los Angeles based Sahala Dance Troupe to learn 14 new choreographies for the show in ten days of intensive rehearsal.
Winning the talent competition was a unique gift for winning dancers and for the audience. Dancers of the highest technical level had a rare opportunity for intensive study combined with the opportunity to dance in a top notch professional production.
A special Pre-Show piece featured solos by some of the Bellydance Evolution competition winners: Jennifer Cormier Daly, Shamiram, and Vilia (California), Aisa Lafour (Holland), and Kael (Australia). Siri, a dancer from Norway, was the “People’s Choice” competition winner and performed a solo at the end of the Pre-Show set.
Jillina says, “The goal of the Bellydance Evolution Festival is to entertain and educate people of all backgrounds about this beautiful ancient art form.” Thus, in 2010 she has plans to take the Bellydance Evolution Festival around the world to Germany, Hungary, Morocco – and on to Asia.
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Elayssa as Oracle, Louchia as Aphrodite and Heather as Persephone |
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+Heather as Persephone |
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Scene “Searching for Persephone” includes: Aisa, Fiona, Heather, Jeni, Kael, Shamiram, Vilia |
Elayssa as Oracle, Jillina and Kaeshi |
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Gia as Loki and Heather as Persephone,
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Aisa lafour as Peitho is casting a spell on Loki |
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Zurab as Apollo and Gia as Loki in scene “Apollo’s Revenge”, Apollo wins over Loki. |
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Musicians names: Ozzy, Donavan, Gia, Zurab |
More Information about the coming tour of this performance
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- 1-8-2010 Jillina Advances Dance Theatre, A Review of Jillina’s Bellydance Evolution, by Kristina Nekyia, photos by Carl Sermon
Bellydance Evolution is a full-length theatrical event directed by dancer and choreographer Jillina, ushering belly dance into the world of dance theater. The production is a melding of narrative with a wide variety of traditional and cutting-edge Middle Eastern dance and music. I saw the dress rehearsal of Bellydance Evolution when it debuted in Glendale, California in August, 2009. - 12-14-04 DVD Review of Bellyqueen’s Bellydance Jam by Mara al-Nil
The videography is still excellent, even in the darkened club setting,… - 11-26-08 Bellydancer of the Universe Competition 2008, photos by Carl Sermon
held in Long Beach, California, on February 18 & 19, 2008, produced by Tonya and Atlantis - 9-8-08 Carl’s Raqs LA Photos, Best from the Stage on the Lower Level, Photos by Carl Sermon text by Carl Sermon, Ma*Shuqa and Marta Schill
held May 17-18, 2008 Glendale Civic Auditorium, California, produced by Miles Copeland and organized by Marta Schill - 5-9-08 Carl Sermon’s Photos from the Hoover Hafla
Event produced by The San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of MECDA on February 10, 2008, at Hoover Theatre in San Jose, CA - 6-19-07 My DVD Shoot Adventure, A Bellyqueen & Peko Collaboration by Elisheva
I thought I had left my bad luck mantra at the airport, but I soon found that it followed me right through the studio door. - 12-3-07 Bellyqueen vs. Barbary Coast: It’s an East Coast West Coast Showdown! . Review and photos by Surreyya
Comedic timing, clever costuming and an endless supply of mojo bring about the wonderment of the early settlers of the California gold rush, with a taste of burlesque, and a taunt of influences from around the globe. - 1-10-07 Ansuya’s San Francisco Performance Reviewed by Surreyya
Superstar Ansuya and Belly dancer enthusiast and event producer Gina Grandi provide warm environment to feature up and coming local talent. - 12-18-09 Welcome to the 2nd Miami Bellydance Convention, A Selection of Photos by Denise Marino
Intercontinental Hotel in Miami, Florida, on September 4- 6, 2009, Winners,Teachers, Performers - 10-17-05 How MECDA Began by Feiruz Aram
M.E.C.D.A., (Middle Eastern Culture and Dance Association) is a nationwide organization which began in 1977 for the purpose of organizing working dancers, sharing information between teachers…
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