Dance Journey
Performing Ensemble

Performing since 1999 Dance Journey has evolved into one of the premier dance companies in Northern California.   Known for their original choreography, elegant costuming and live music, Dance Journey has performed at numerous venues throughout the North Bay. 

Collage, world fusion music with a Middle Eastern Pulse!  Collage’s regular members are Evan Morgan on oud and guitar, Linda Hutchinson on electric bass, Mark Moran on djembe and didgeridoo, Clement on percussion, Guido Ricciardi on Table Baladi, and Ellen Cruz on Arabic percussion instruments.  Collage features guest artists to ‘sit-in’ and to ‘make music in the moment,’ bringing audiences music that is ethereal and at the same time, down to earth.   The wide and varied backgrounds of the musicians brings essences of rock’n roll, Middle Eastern (of course!), jazz, blues, African, Brazilian, and a touch of blue grass now and again.   One of our most noted and well respected guests of Doug Adams who lent his hand to his violin at our Art in the Plaza Concert this past summer.  Collage is available to perform at your event, with your dancers, or hire Collage and Dance Journey together for an unforgettable dance and music collaboration. 

Collage

During the year 2002 Dance Journey bid a fond farewell to alumni members Jessica Jewett, Noella Wroten and Irene Theusen, and welcomed in Sue Anderson.  Dance Journey now boasts the Fab 4! Of Kathy Wolff, Eva Willenhag, Deborah Bennette and Sue Anderson.   Throughout this transition phase Dance Journey kept performing and creating new pieces.  Dance Journey operates so that all principals can bring in choreography and artistic ideas to the goup.  It is this diversity that brings an eclectic aire and complexity to their choreography and stage presentations. 

In the year 2002 Dance Journey performed at
Rakkasah Festival West, Tribal Fest 2, Art in the Plaza Series sponsored by the Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Lagunitas Brewery Bash in Petaluma, Gathering of the Tribes, Health & Harmony Festival, Tatseena’s Fantasy Festival, International Dance Festival at the Santa Rosa Finley Center, Festival Fantasia, Kajira’s Student Salon & Hafla, and closed the year with two shows in December; the Concert of Middle Eastern Music & Dance with special guest Nanna Candelaria, and Rose Productions Holiday Hafla Party. 

May                 Santa Rosa Middle School, Multi Cultural Event & diversity celebration
May                 Night at the Oasis, Windsor, Country Day  School Benefit
May                 Gathering of the Tribes, Redwood High School, Larkspur
May                 Belly Dance Flea Market, Sebastopol
June                 Laura Genant’s Wedding, Occidental
June                 Health & Harmony Festival, Santa Rosa
June                 Summer Festival of Middle Eastern Music & Dance, Polly Klaas Theater
July                  Art in the Plaza, SEBASTOPOL
August             Guido’s Private Party, Sebastopol
September       Desert Dance Festival, San Jose
October           Festival Fantasia, Sebastopol
October           World Music Showcase, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa
October           Petaluma Education Foundation, Night on the Nile, Petaluma
October           Creatures from the Black Laguna, benefit for the Middle Way, Sebastopol
November        Ethnic Music and Dance Showcase, Sebastopol
November        Kajira’s Student Recital, Salon and Hafla, Rohnert Park
December        Shimmy Fest, San Ramon
December        Sebastopol School Middle Eastern Dance & Music, Hafla and Celebration
December        Papa’s Taverna, Petaluma
December        Goddess Crafts Fair, Sebastopol

What began as an after school program for teens has evolved into a performing music and dance ensemble.  Dance Journey members are continually striving for higher levels of professional presentation in their performances through hard work, rehearsals and study.  Dance Journey has performed at numerous events including Creatures from the Black Laguna, Community Arts Showcase, Sebastopol Plaza Summer Music Series, Luther Burbank Center for the Arts Ethnic Music and Dance Showcase, The San Jose Rosicrucian Temple, Festival Fantasia, and the Rakkasah Festival.   All members of Dance Journey have been invited to participate in the Company and ages can range from the teens to forty something.  This wide array of ages clearly displays the way the Art of BellyDance reaches women of all ages and transcends stereotypical images present in our culture.

Dance Journey has also performed at a variety of school functions including multi-cultural days and Project Graduation.  They have been very warmly received at Maria Carrillo High School,  Santa Rosa Middle School, Cardinal Neumann and Ursuline High School.

Please feel free to contact Dance Journey for your event or function. We will work with you to manifest the vision that you create in an entertaining, professional, and sophisticated presentation.

Ellen Cruz
(707) 824-0533 phone
(707) 824-0590 fax
ellencruz@aol.com 
http://www.gildedserpent.com/ellencruz

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