Belly dance showcase to benefit Dana-Farber

Posted 9/25/14

On Sunday, Nov. 2, Rhodes on the Pawtuxet in Cranston will be the site of a fundraising event to help find a cure for cancer while celebrating the art of Middle Eastern belly dance.

“A Billion …

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Belly dance showcase to benefit Dana-Farber

Posted

On Sunday, Nov. 2, Rhodes on the Pawtuxet in Cranston will be the site of a fundraising event to help find a cure for cancer while celebrating the art of Middle Eastern belly dance.

“A Billion and One Nights” will be held from 3 to 6 p.m., with 100 percent of the proceeds going to benefit the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. More than 400 persons are expected to attend.

The general public and businesses are encouraged to help raise funds for the cause by becoming a sponsor, purchasing event tickets, buying an ad in the program book, renting a vendor booth in our Holiday Bazaar area, supporting the silent auction, making a donation and helping to spread the word to ensure success.

Conceived and organized by Kanina, a Wickford resident and professional dance teacher, the event is a tribute to her late husband, Bill Hague, who passed away from lung cancer in March 2014.

“This past spring, my beloved husband, best friend and greatest fan lost his battle with lung cancer,” said Kanina. “He was the greatest supporter of Kanina Dance and the backbone of our annual show, which is called ‘A Thousand and One Nights.’ My students and I are dedicating this show to the man who made all of it possible and have renamed it ‘A BILLion and One Nights: A Tribute to Bill Hague (Mr. Kanina),’ in his honor. Because of the care given to him by doctors at Dana-Farber, we were able to celebrate his 70th birthday, our daughter’s wedding, and unforgettable holidays with our entire family. We are so grateful and hope that this event will help contribute to finding a cure for this disease.”

The fundraiser promises an authentic afternoon of Middle Eastern music with performances by top-notch professional belly dancers, a showcase of Kanina’s Beledi Dance Company troupe and group performance by student dancers. The Harry Bedrossian ensemble, a Middle Eastern band from Boston, will play live Armenian, Arabic and Greek music and accompaniment. Local dancers from Kanina’s classes in Warwick and East Providence are among the student performers.

Kanina has studied, taught and performed Middle Eastern dance for over 40 years and has been greatly influenced by the Arabic, Turkish and Armenian traditions. She continues to take seminars and master classes from nationally recognized experts. She began her studies with Adonna and Morwenna Assaf of Boston and has taken ongoing seminars and master classes from nationally recognized experts. Travels to Greece, Morocco and recently Turkey and Egypt have enhanced her knowledge and appreciation of the art. She has dedicated much of her life to helping others learn how to belly dance, teaching over 1,500 students. In 1974, Kanina opened Rhode Island’s first studio dedicated solely to the study of Middle Eastern dance.

Featured soloists at the event will be Kanina, performing a traditional cabaret-style belly dance with veil and finger cymbals; Cristina, performing a Moroccan Tray Dance with a candle tray balanced delicately on her head; and Kara, performing a scimitar (sword) dance demonstrating the power and strength of the Arab woman.

Attendees are encouraged to participate by dancing line dances and other folkloric-style dances to the live band throughout the afternoon.

The Harry Bedrossian Ensemble features Harry Bedrossian (keyboard), Mitchell Kaltsunas (oud and vocals), Leon Janikian (clarinet) and Charles Dermenjian (doumbec).

Rhodes on the Pawtuxet is located at 60 Rhodes Place in Cranston. Tickets for the 2 p.m. show start at $22 for adults and $15 for children under 10. Tickets can be purchased in advance, or at the door on a first-come, first-served basis by visiting www.kaninadance.com.

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