The Denison University Department of Dance presents "Mosaic: Dances of the Middle East" at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday (March 30, 31 & April 1) in the Doane Dance Performance Space. This evening-length performance is composed of many dances set by Rihab Kassatly Bagnole, Middle East world dance guest instructor for spring 2006. Tickets are $8 general public and $4 for students and senior citizens. For more information and reservations contact Jill Uland at 587-6712, or visit www.denison.edu/dance/performances/tickets. (The Doane Dance Performance Space is located at 231 W. College Street. Parking is available next door behind Burke Music Hall.)

Weaving together dances of the Middle East from a native point of view, "Mosaic" blends the everlasting charm of the East with the contemporary aspects of its regenerated allure in present-day. "This performance, as presented by the students of Denison University, expresses the exotic Middle Eastern culture in a true-to-nature style and reveals the ability of the trainees to absorb and demonstrate the dances," says Associate Professor Sandy Mathern-Smith, chair of the dance department. "In other words, the collaboration of the Middle Eastern/American artist Rihab Kassatly Bagnole and Denison University grants the East a rare opportunity to speak for itself and truthfully represents its dances."

Bagnole was born and reared in Damascus, Syria, where she began dancing at a young age, entertaining her parents' guests and learning the dances of the villagers of Ma'loula where her family spent the summer. She has lived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and Cairo, Egypt, teaching dance and learning the dances of the cultures there. Since her arrival in the United States, Bagnole has earned a master of fine arts in photography at Ohio University and has recently completed her doctorate in interdisciplinary arts. Her dissertation titled, "Imaging the Almeh: Transformation and Multiculturalization of the Eastern Dancer in Painting, Theatre and Film, 1850-1950," deals with the multiple images of the Middle Eastern dancer and the affect of the West in refining her dances. At Ohio University Bagnole has taught courses in art history, photography, and Middle Eastern dance. She is teaching three courses on the dance of the Middle East at Denison University during spring semester.

Calendar Listing:

CALENDAR LISTING: Denison University, Granville -- "Mosaic: Dances of the Middle East" set by world dance guest faculty member Rihab Kassatly Bagnole; Thursday, Friday and Saturday (March 30, 31 and April 1), Doane Dance Performance Space (231 W. College Street). Tickets are $8 general public and $4 for students and senior citizens. Call 740-587-6712 or go to web site www.denison.edu/dance/performances/tickets to make reservations.

About Denison:

Denison University, founded in 1831, is an independent, residential liberal arts institution located in Granville, Ohio. A highly selective college enrolling 2,100 full-time undergraduate students from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, Denison is a place where innovative faculty and motivated students collaborate in rigorous scholarship, civic engagement and the cultivation of independent thinking.

For press inquiries:

Name

Barbara Stambaugh

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Director, Media Relations

Primary Email

stambaughb@denison.edu

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(740) 587-8575