Storytime for the Inner Child - R-Rated Show, 8—11 PM
Host - Michael Capozzola
VAU DE VIRE SOCIETY
Lasya Dance Company
Bolivia Corazón de America
Hot Pink Feathers
Shabnam / OOH LA LA Belly Dance
Fantasy Dance
NEW!!! View 2008 Storytime for the Inner Child Gallery
A - Afternoon Performer E - Evening Performer
Our Host - Michael Capozzola (www.capozzola.com) A, E
Michael Capozzola is a San Francisco-based comedian and cartoonist. You can see his comic Cheap City every Thursday is the “96 Hours” section of the San Francisco Chronicle. Cheap City offers quick fixes for city living, social ills, and surviving on a budget.
Please, visit website to learn more.
VAU DE VIRE SOCIETY (www.vaudeviresociety.com) (Myspace) A, E
with guests GOOFERMAN (www.gooferman.com/) A, E, Fou Fou Ha! (www.foufouha.com) A, E, and Angelo Moore aka Dr. Madd Vibe (Myspace) A, E
"The most amazing artistic landscape that I have ever witnessed first hand. I can say no more, see them if you can…it changed the way that I will view art from here on out" GlideMagazine, Josh Klemmons
Spawned from the depths of San Francisco’s thriving Dance and Circus sub-cultures, the Vau de Vire Society has ravaged and titillated the live entertainment scene causing jaws to drop in awe and admiration around the Bay Area and beyond. This Avant-Cabaret community consists of classically-trained dancers, some of the nations most acclaimed acrobats, aerial artists, contortionists, side-show acts and a live orchestra. The group has been cross-pollinating genres by collaborating with an eclectic variety of world-renowned musicians and Dj’s in creating original stage shows and festival productions spanning social barriers. Most notable recent collaborators include Cirque du Soleil, San Francisco Symphony, Paul Oakenfold, The Dresden Dolls, Peaches, The Alkaline Trio, Fishbone, The Madd Vibe Orchestra, Crystal Method and many more widely respected international artists.
Vau De Vire will perform their new "all-ages" show during the afternoon "Tales of Enchantement" show.
Lasya Dance Company (http://www.worldartswest.org/) E
It is believed that he who utters the names of Shiva during Shivarathri, with utmost devotion and concentration, is freed from all sins and attains moksha, or liberation. There are many incidents told about the greatness of this day. One story that we shall be depicting goes as follows. A hunter in the forest, unable to catch any animals, found himself lost, deep in the jungle, one late evening. As night fell upon the jungle, a tiger started chasing him. In order to escape from death, he climbed a tree which coincidentally happened to be a bilva tree. The tiger sat under the tree waiting for him to come down. The terrified hunter, wanting to stay awake and on guard, started plucking the bilva leaves and dropping them on the ground, without realizing that there was a Shiva lingam (symbol of Lord Shiva) below the tree. Lord Shiva was pleased with the hunter's Upavasa (hunger) and the pooja (sacrifice) he performed without realizing what he was doing, and gave him moksha. Today, many ardent devotees observe a strict fast throughout the night of Shivarathri, while staying awake. The Shiva Lingam is worshipped throughout the night by washing it every three hours with milk, curd, honey, and rose water, constantly chanting the Siva mantra. Devotees decorate the lingam with flowers and garlands, burn incense sticks, and offer fruits and sacred betel leaves to the Lord.
The famous composition of Dayananda Saraswati that we will be performing is Bho Shambho. In this item, the poet says, "Oh Lord, all the good things that happen to us, are due to your blessings. Please help us cross this endless ocean of birth and death, through your compassion and protection." The poet goes on to describe Siva as the one whose existence is not caused by anyone or anything, the one without any attributes, and the one who is unlimited by time and space, indestructible, and beyond comparison. He transcends this universe that is made up of the five elements: space, air, fire, water, and earth. All the sages including Matanga worship Him, who is all pervading, ever blissful and the dancing Lord of Chidambaram.
© San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival
Bolivia Corazón de America E
"Bolivia Corazón de America presents dances from the Bolivian Andes, once the center of Bolivia's most important pre-Columbian civilization. Here, high in the rugged cordilleras, indigenous Aymara and Quechua people have celebrated dance and music traditions for 5,000 years. Today, 50% of Bolivia’s population are descendents of these civilizations.
Bolivia Corazón de America was formed in 2000 to give Bolivian-American children an opportunity to dance and perform music of their heritage. Today the company includes young people of all backgrounds, and its goal is to showcase the traditional dances of Bolivia. This award-winning company has performed for seven years at Carnaval San Francisco, as well as at the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival and in China.
© San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival
Hot Pink Feathers (www.hotpinkfeathers.com) E
Where Carnaval meets Cabaret: Hot Pink Feathers performs World Cabaret Showgirl dance. The Feathers are committed to delighting the world, one showgirl at a time. From family friendly to delightfully risque revues, the Feathers' entertainment themes are inspired by dance from around the globe: from Rio to Havana, Bucharest to Bombay, Vegas to New Orleans, and Paris to Cairo, we gratefully celebrate the cross pollination and reimagination of world dance and music! Think Busby Berkeley choreographing an ethnic dance festival, with Carmen Miranda, Josephine Baker, Lola Montez & Little Egypt as his side kicks.
Led by Kellita, the current reigning Queen of Carnaval SF, Hot Pink Feathers embodies full tilt joy and passion through exuberant dance . A Feathers show is guaranteed to bring smiles to each and every face in the house. Hot Pink Feathers was recently voted Best Dance Company in the SF Bay Guardian 2008 "Best of the Bay" polls and earned First Place in Original World Dance in San Francisco's Grand Carnaval 2005 & 2006. We teach classes that are open to the community through the Hot Pink Feathers Showgirl Academy and annually participate in Carnaval SF's Grand Parade. Join us!
The Feathers are thrilled to be featured with their amazing and talented Hot Pink Feathers All-Star Band.
Shabnam / OOH LA LA Belly Dance (www.oaklandbellydance.com) E
Shabnam is a multi-award winning dancer and choreographer. Recognized at the first dancer to bring athleticism to art of Bellydance, in less than 3 years she won every major Bellydance contest. As choreographer of Ooh La La and Rashika she is well known for her whimsical concepts, unique staging and creative costuming. She teaches all levels of Bellydance in Oakland and performs thoroughout the Bay Area and beyond.
© San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival
Fantasy Dance (www.fantasydance.us) A, E
Fantasy Dance Studio will bring joy and child's laughter into afternoon performance. Its young members will not only present some dances from around the world but will also attempt to involve young audience members into their fun performance.
Fantasy Dance was founded in 2002 by young and energetic choreographer, Alla Harea. At first, there were only four students and in a month, the enrollment doubled, and in one year there were 35 students enrolled in the dance group. In 2004, the Fantasy Dance Group became Fantasy Dance Studio. Fantasy Dance Studio continues to grow and shows no signs of slowing down. Fantasy Dance provides a variety of styles, ranging from Ballroom to Country, Swing to Tango, and let's not forget Salsa and Meringue and modern dance as well. Fantasy Dance is highly devoted to providing its knowledge and passion of this always stylized and admired pastime to those who embrace the desire to learn with grace and elegance, to glide with passion, and to give back magic to the audience.
