{"id":5341,"date":"2014-02-07T13:19:59","date_gmt":"2014-02-07T20:19:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/?p=5341"},"modified":"2014-02-07T13:19:59","modified_gmt":"2014-02-07T20:19:59","slug":"suzanne-mecda-first-fundraiser","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2014\/02\/07\/suzanne-mecda-first-fundraiser\/","title":{"rendered":"Samrah’s Legacy"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"Aradia\"
\n This is Aradia dancing to show off her designs in the fashion show
\n she did with my mother Samira at this event.<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n

Revisiting MECDA\u2019s First Fundraiser
\n\t\t in Los Angeles, May 1978<\/h2>\n

by Suzanne McNeil<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\tposted February 7, 2014 <\/span><\/h3>\n

Created in 1977, the Middle Eastern Culture and Dance Association (MECDA) is an organization dedicated to serving the community as a source of education, communication, promotion, and inspiration for the near and middle east music, dance, and arts community worldwide. Members include dancers, musicians, artists, and other persons interested in Near East and Middle Eastern culture, music, dance, and arts.<\/em><\/p>\n

There had been some confusion between my mother, Samira<\/span>, and myself as to when MECDA\u2019s actual first event began. Thus, my mother wrote an earlier article about the outdoor festival she hosted for MECDA in the early summer of 1978. That article can still be read on the MECDA website among its archives.<\/p>\n

Recently, my friend and past MECDA president, Ilia Wilken<\/span> (then known as Ilia Bergman<\/span>) sent me the flyer and pictures from the very first fundraiser for MECDA that occurred in May of 1978. I had totally forgotten about this event, even though my mother and I had participated. <\/p>\n

The name of this event was simply \u201cMECDA presents a Middle Eastern Festival\u201d and it was held at the Pasadena YMCA. This event had the usual format we are accustomed to today; classes and entertainment during the day and an evening show. <\/p>\n

However, THIS event was different due to the overwhelming support and participation from our dance community. The community I mention was primarily working nightclub dancers and musicians, and a few vendors. In fact, I had not seen so many musicians\u2019 come together for a common cause before and certainly ever since. <\/p>\n

Brand new MECDA had just started in October 1977, led by the outspoken and popular Samrah Masoud<\/span> who became its president. It was mainly due to her driving force and the dancers who rallied around her that this event was so effective. MECDA was in need of funds and this event was the answer to that need.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Jenza,<\/p>\n

Jenza (author) performing during the day at this event.<\/h6>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

I performed during the day as one of many who did not get mentioned on the printed program. However, we have a copy of that program and many pictures for you to enjoy. The program was a \u201cwho\u2019s who\u201d of the dancer and musician world at the time. Check out the program pictured at the bottom of the page! <\/p>\n

One of my favorite parts of the day was a comedy skit called \u201cToximia\u201d with Stella, Ilia Bergman, Julie Mishkin, Marta Shill<\/a>, Ben, Charlotte Bocage<\/span>, and Natasha<\/span>. We were rolling on the floor with laughter! <\/p>\n

Recently, Ilia said the following about the Toximia skit:<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cToximia, I remember and smile when I think of it! My character was the club owner: Abu Lecherelian el Wretched; Julie was my wife (don’t know if she had a name); Marta was the drummer; Stella was Toximia. The whole idea was, of course, dancers’ rights. Stella was as tacky as possible. I was wearing my father’s tomato soup red golf pants and a flaming printed shirt and a pillow in my pants to fit it all in. I had everyone’s watches on one wrist, as one of my lines was an aside where I rolled up my sleeve: ("Wanna buy a watch?").\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n
\"Amal-MECDA
\n This is Amal who performed during the day at<\/h6>\n
this event. She was a well-known dancer and costume designer.<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n

The character Toximia was a hit and was used in numerous skits over the years at MECDA functions to lampoon the tackiest habits a dancer could possibly ever have.<\/p>\n

After Toximia, the great magician, Dean Shipcott<\/span> mesmerized us, followed by the musician\u2019s from Delila\u2019s Restaurant<\/span>: Manoucher Fadeqi<\/span> on santour, Parvis Ramanian<\/span> on tar, Mahdi Afshar<\/span> on drums, and from Persia, Firuze<\/span>.<\/p>\n

One of the highlights that day was Samrah, Feiruz Aram<\/a>, Mish-Mish<\/a>, Ixchel<\/span>, and Pearl<\/span> who performed a five-part dance together to live music with Hassan Khalil<\/span> on oud, George Mouysatti <\/span>on organ, and Mark Bell<\/a><\/span> on dumbec. (These dedicated musicians played twice that day). <\/p>\n

There was so much more going on! Fascinating classes and events were organized during the day by local talent to include Rico Orell<\/span> (drums), Rozyana<\/span> (stage makeup), Stella<\/span> (head-wraps), Samira<\/span> and Aradia<\/span> (costume workshop and fashion show), Linda Hithe<\/span> (yoga), Aradia<\/span> (Taksim), Marta Shill <\/span>(Veil), Feiruz Aram <\/span>(Arms, Hands, Sagats, and Torso), and Kevin Kidwell<\/span>, who presented a self-defense demonstration<\/p>\n

The Evening Entertainment had such greats as John Bilezikjian<\/a><\/span> on oud and Louis Sayeh<\/span> on dumbec, Laura Shaheen<\/span>, Adel<\/span> on violin, Abdullah Kdough<\/a><\/span> on oud, Ali Darwish<\/span> on dumbec and Fatih<\/span> on dumbec. Nabil Labenenah<\/span> and Samrah<\/span> performed.<\/p>\n

Aisha Ali<\/a><\/span>\u2019s Ghawazee Dancers<\/span> were amazing (my personal favorite), the Troupe Koroyar<\/span> performed an Armenian dance suite, and the Gypsy Folk Ensemble <\/span>wowed us. A 3-part dance with Marie Silva, Marta Shill <\/span>and Feiruz Aram<\/span> topped off this stellar show. Hundreds of people attended! It was a magnificent first festival for our new organization! <\/p>\n

In the following years, MECDA fused the original indoor fundraiser festival at the Pasadena YMCA and the outdoor Summer festival together in one event that became Cairo Carnavale<\/span>.<\/p>\n

This year, MECDA continues its legacy bringing the Cairo Caravan (previously Cairo Carnavale) back to the Glendale Civic Auditorium. The theme is \u201cWelcome Back\u201d and will include some wonderful instructors we have not seen for many years.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Ilia
\n Ilia Bergman dancing in this event, she became President of Mecda at the end of 1979.<\/h6>\n
\"Stella,
\n Stella, Ilia, Julie in the skit "Toximia".<\/h6>\n
\"Stella
\n Stella and Ilia in Toximia<\/h6>\n
\"Toximia\"
\n Another scene from Toximia.<\/h6>\n
\"Linda
\n Linda Hithe performing during the day at this event.  She was our Cymbal Editor at the time.<\/h6>\n
\"Samrah\"
\n Samrah Masoud performing at this event.  She is Mecda’s founder and 1st President. <\/h6>\n
\"MECDA<\/a>
\n click for full program
\n <\/h6>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Resources:<\/h5>\n