Creation. |
SAMA-E RAST (2012)
75 minutes
Sama-e Rast represents a mystical journey of man's spiritual ascent through mind and love to self-discovery in the dance style of Mugham. The Dance of Mugham is the Sufi-shamanic art of spirit that exists in and out of the physical realm. Centuries ago, Mugham was an integrated practice that brought poetry, music, and dance together to represent seven unique psychological moods. Over the years, the connection between the poetry and music disappeared and the dance element deteriorated such that only traces of it exist today. In Sama-e Rast, walking on the vulnerable edge of emotions, Sashar Zarif, in an extraordinary collaboration with Alim Qasimov and his Ensemble, passionately reintegrates dance back into the art form, the result of eight years of collaboration between these unparalleled artists to reincarnate this lost artistic practice. Choreography and Performer: Sashar Zari Creative Collaborator, Composition and Musician: Alim Qasimov Original Lighting Design: Arun Srinivasan Projection and Costume Design: Sashar Zarif PREVIOUS SHOW POSTERS 
PHOTOS VIDEOS ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE Media refer: Dianne Weinrib/DW Communications – [email protected] 416=703-5479
Sama-e Rast, Dance of Mugham Canadaʼs acclaimed Sashar Zarif Dance Theatre and legendary Alim Qasimov of Azerbaijan in concert to launch inaugural International Festival of Integrated Arts – Celebrating the Winter Solstice ONE NIGHT ONLY on December 21– "Mr. Qasimov is simply one of the greatest singers alive, with a searing spontaneity that conjures passion and devotion, contemplation and incantation." ~ New York Times "Sashar Zarif, a superbly expressive and charismatic dancer" ~ The Globe and Mail Toronto, November 18, 2012 – Sashar Zarif Dance Theatre proudly presents the world premiere of Sama-e Rast, an unprecedented,, multi-layered evening of dance and music connected to the mystic traditions of Azerbaijan, Iran, the Middle East and Central Asia. Sama-e Rast is a new work from the Dance of Mugham series, choreographed and performed by Toronto’s acclaimed Sashar Zarif to the music of legendary Azerbaijani composer and singer, Alim Qasimov and his Ensemble. This thrilling DanceWorks CoWorks Series event is presented for one night only – Friday, December 21, 8pm – at the Toronto Centre for the Arts’ George Weston Recital Hall in celebration of the Winter Solstice. Sama-e Rast represents a mystical journey of man's spiritual ascent through mind and love to self-discovery in the dance style of Mugham. The Dance of Mugham is the Sufi-shamanic art of spirit that exists in and out of the physical realm. Centuries ago, Mugham was an integrated practice that brought poetry, music, and dance together to represent seven unique psychological moods. Over the years, the connection between the poetry and music disappeared and the dance element deteriorated such that only traces of it exist today. In Sama-e Rast, walking on the vulnerable edge of emotions, Sashar Zarif, in an extraordinary collaboration with Alim Qasimov and his Ensemble, passionately reintegrates dance back into the art form, the result of eight years of collaboration between these unparalled artists to reincarnate this lost artistic practice. A not-to-be missed event. Sashar Zarif is a multi-disciplinary artist and educator whose acclaimed artistic practice examines multiculturalism through dance and whose merging of creative and cultural perspectives in over 22 countries has earned him global notoriety. His artistry is steeped in the traditional, ritualistic and contemporary dance and music of the Near East and Central Asia, specializing in Sufi and Shamanic dance rituals. On faculty at York University, he has toured across the Americas, Europe, North Africa, Central and Western Asia and the Middle East. The recipient of numerous prestigious awards for his work and collaborations with Canadian artists, international icons (such as Alim Qasimov), universities and arts institutions across many continents, Zarif’s recent awards include a Chalmers Fellowship, New Pioneers Award and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. The Globe and Mail calls him “superbly expressive and charismatic.” Alim Qasimov is the world’s leading exponent of the sophisticated Azerbaijani art form of Mugham. Qasimov has been hailed for his dexterity, unashamedly emotional delivery and a vocal improvisation that represents a move away from the traditional style of Mugham. The recipient of the international IMC/UNESCO Music Prize in 1999, one of the highest international accolades for music, his numerous ongoing collaborations with Yo Yo Ma and the Kronos Quartet are among his many experiments with Mugham. The New York Times says, "Alim Qasimov is simply one of the greatest singers alive, with a searing spontaneity that conjures passion and devotion, contemplation and incantation.” Azerbaijan filmmaker Elchin Musaoglu premieres his short documentary Three Apples Fell from the Sky at the end of the show. Based on Sashar Zarif’s pilgrimage to Baku in 2004, the film tracks Zarif’s search for the dance of Mugham and his collaboration with Alim Qasimov. A question and answer session follows. Elchin Musaoglu worked in Azertelefilm from 1994 to 2004 where he produced more than 30 short films and documentaries. In 2004 he established “RITM” Production Company. Musaoglu is a member of the Union of the Azerbaijan Cinematographers, the Union of Turkish Documentary Cinematographers, and is a founder of the Society for Support of the Development of Documentary Films and Authorial Programs. Sama-e Rast is supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, Azerbaijan Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Aga Khan Museum. Sashar Zarif Dance Theatre presents the world premiere of Sama- e Rast A DanceWorks CoWorks Series Event Choreographed and performed by Sashar Zarif, Music composed and performed by Alim Qasimov and Ensemble Creative Facilitation by Elizabeth Langley, Lighting by Arun Srinivasan, Costume design by Sashar Zarif Friday December 21, 2012 at 8pm George Weston Recital Hall, Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge St. (north of Sheppard subway) Tickets: $35, $45, $55, $75. Box Office: 416-250-3708 OR online at .sashardance.com -30- |
