COLORS OF TURKEY: Traditional Dances & Music from Anatolia

Hasan Isikkut Ensemble & Collage Dance Ensemble

Collage will perform dances from different geographical regions of Turkey, such as Bolu (Central Anatolia), Bingöl (Eastern Anatolia), Artvin (Northeastern Anatolia), as well as a part from Ahmet Lüleci's award winning choreography Balkan Blues.

Bolu - This suite of dances from Western Anatolia shows a variety of spoon dances enjoyed on special occasions, such as weddings, engagements, and the "kina gecesi" (henna night) - a celebration among the women of the two families and the bride's friends prior to the marriage.

Bingöl - A southeastern Anatolian dance medley of "Halay" style, this dance is performed by men, forming a line, semi-circle, or circle, and holding each other's hands, shoulders or little fingers. One dancer acts as the leader to direct the steps, sometimes even breaking away from the line to perform brief solos.

Artvin - This suite is a medley of men's and women's dances from Northeast Anatolia. The women's figures, flowing and smooth, are in clear contrast to those of the men which exhibit the ruggedness of nature in Northeast Anatolia.

balkanBLUES - Balkan Blues explores themes of death and rebirth, and the different reactions people have to death, including shamanistic perceptions of death. Mr. Luleci was inspired by recent experiences with injuries to people close to him, and their subsequent experiences of loss and recovery. Despite this seemingly dark theme, the piece features Mr. Luleci's trademark high energy movements as the dancers celebrate life and rebirth. Tonight, Collage will perform only the second part of the choreography.



Hasan Isikkut Ensemble will perform Turkish traditional folk music from different parts of Turkey.