Berkley, MA -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/13/2014 -- Aurelevant Productions presents Aurel, The George Maalouf Ensemble, Yasko Kubota, and special guests, Sunday August 17, 4-8 PM at Holiday Inn Ballroom, 31 Hampshire St. Mansfield, MA. This event will celebrate friendship, connection, and cultural exchange through Middle Eastern music and dance featuring the vivacious Aurel performing international dance and vocal stylings along with her long-time accompanist, virtuoso Yasko Kubota on keyboards, Lebanese troupe The Mirza Dance Ensemble, and highly celebrated musicians including beloved Lebanese vocalist George Maalouf and his ensemble. Early-bird price for ticket rates when ordered now are just $54-$62.

Starting August 10, prices will increase by $10 per person. Kids' discounts ($10 per ticket) are still in effect after August 10th.

Event Background:

Aurel, a passionate, multi faceted entertainer and director of Ancient Art Studios, a dance school dedicated to the art of belly dancing, says, “Egypt's elegant belly dance icons who are captured in Cairo's golden film era [1940s-‘70s] are one source of inspiration for this show and dance party. The event also takes inspiration from the big stage era [‘60s-‘80s] where belly dancers regularly performed multi-act shows to large bands and orchestras in Cairo's 5-star hotel night clubs.”

Both of these eras followed and were heavily influenced by Hollywood and the west’s expectation and fascination with what Napoleon’s army discovered - Gypsies (proper name, Romi) performing an unusual torso and hip-related dance. The soldiers dubbed the dance “Dance DuVentre,” (dance of the stomach) which evolved into belly dancing in contemporary parlance.

It is a somewhat limiting misnomer as belly dancers move their entire bodies while performing and in several of the older traditions the dancers play instruments and some even sang.

This event, held in an elegant ballroom, pays homage to these old traditions but will include a few twists through Aurel’s added theme which is traditionally not part of most belly dance shows. Aurel and the world-class musicians she proudly presents will perform songs in Arabic, Greek, Turkish, and European languages to serve the theme of cherishing friendship and connection among people the world over. Guests are also invited to enjoy a hafli (Middle Eastern dance party) with live music after Aurel’s performance.

Also included in this enticing event are appetizers and dessert buffet, prizes, cash bar, vending of international belly dance related goodies, and open dancing for all guests. The international band will feature artists George Maalouf, Yasko Kubota,John Maalouf, Mohammed Majaour, George Mansour, Nabil Merhej, Hady, Layth Sidiq, Kevin Cobb, Bill D’Agostino, Jeff Ramsey, Karen Bell, Andrea Capozzoli, and Matt Langley - with more still being added as of this writing.

Aurel adds, “This band, show, and party are also inspired by my deep love of live music and that time in history when socializing and enjoying our connections happened around live performances.Once a vital part of society, getting out and enjoying music and dance is still relevant to the health and management of the human condition – but many people are missing out. As a musician and a belly dancer, I see magic happen on the dance floor where friends are cherished and adults enjoy the exhilaration of free movement usually associated only with childhood. There is a bonding, a release, and an exchange of energy – even between strangers which is enriching to both the artists making the music and those witnessing, dancing, and participating in the moment. One rarely experiences energy, fascination, connection to the community at large, and magic while sitting home on the couch watching a screen.”

And regarding that, she's completely right. Interested parties can visit the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/833125163381561/ for more information.

About Aurel
In addition to a thriving performance schedule, Aurel heads a successful belly dancing school and an online belly dance boutique catering to both private individuals and business entities. She was brought up in a musical environment with a father who was a jazz pianist/singer and a mother who loved singing harmonies in the Irish quartet tradition. Aurel’s vintage-inspired shows draw on her experience as a vocalist and actress trained at the prestigious Boston Conservatory of Music, Dance, and Theater, and internationally celebrated Berklee College of Music. She also cites her years of extensive and ongoing studies of dances of the Middle East including Egyptian, Turkish, Lebanese and folkloric styles, as inspiration. Aurel’s passion for music and dance are inspiring to fans and enthusiasts of any age or walk of life.

Contact:

Aurel D'Agostino
aurel@ancientartstudios.com
508-822-6449
590 Berkley Street, Berkley, MA 02779
www.danceaurel.com
www.danceaurel.com/Shows.html