sbrobert
Dance star and choreographer Yulia Maluta was back with another “Colors of Love” event at the Center Stage Theater. Now running for ten years. And now a fundraiser for her Transform Through Arts project.
Here are my many photos and my many videos.
There is not space to share most of them here, so I encourage you to look at the full display of photos and videos!
Yulia started off the set with a Latin Dance Medley with Caterina Malinowski and Matthew Wills. You may recognize Caterina from many other local performances. Including Brazilian Drumming with Mariano Silva in Solstice and around town.
Krischana Thompson is a dance teacher and choreographer as well as a dancer. I was performing up at the San Luis Obispo Renaissance Festival recently and wrote an article here about it. What a surprise to be greeted by Krischana there! Here was her Medusa dance.
“Colors of Love” is a chance to see star performers. It is also a chance for young rising stars to show their skills and talents. “Saturn” was the name of this piece choreographed by Elizabeth Tenorio, with young dancers Elizabeth Tenorio, Marlene Erwing, Natalie Sandoval, Sofia Orejel, Maddy Hitch, Yesenia Catalan, Janet Salazar.
“Embracing Inner Child” already received 200 views by the time I am writing this article! With Yulia and young dancer Phoenix Alexandra Belway.
Kavitha Vemuria performed this Bharatanatyam style dance called “Mayur Allaripu”. This is the oldest classical dance style in India. It expresses South Indian religious themes and spiritual ideas of Hinduism and Jainism.
There were many excellent belly dance performances and I cannot share them all here. This was called “Rrrakateka” with dancers Selena Whitney, Kiara Morgan and Michele Johnston.
“Paso Doble” was one of several performances by regular stars Jatila van der Veen and Vasily Golovin.
Mixing up the styles and traditions, here was an Irish Light Jig. An Irish friend of mine noted the contrast that Irish dances are very stiff and not at all sensual! But one can still appreciate the skill and artistry!
Speaking of sensual and skillful, April Rai performed this delightful Modern Baladi style belly dance called “Bloom”. Choreographed by Alex Delora.
Tina Love Flamenco was part of Fiesta this year and we got to see them up close!
Chelsea Miao performed in Colors of Love a year ago and she was back performing “Sino Girl” choreographed by Nan Sun.
Belly dance teacher, choreographer and dancer Elvan performed a fusion piece.
El Toro Mambo felt like another Fiesta performance. In the style of Mexican Folklorico from the Coastal Region of Nayarit. Dancers: Anthony Carrillo, Paola Lopez, Daniel Rosales, Leylany Rodriguez, Ruby Servin, Marleny Albarran, Adrián Castellón Robles
Yulia took a break at this point to explain the philosophy behind Colors of Love and Transform Through Arts and why she thinks the arts can bring peace and unity to the world.
Terrill Carter is another Colors of Love regular, who sang “Only Love”.
Belly Dancer and choreographer Nilay enhanced her skillful and creative belly dancing with a beautiful winged light show.
For more details about this wonderful event, here is the full program: https://swt.org/events/colorsoflove-2024-0817/program/ColorsOfLoveProgram-2024-0817.pdf
This event was a fundraiser for Transform Through Arts. For more information: https://www.transformthrougharts.org/
Belly dancer April Rai kindly reached out to me for a correction to this caption:
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Speaking of sensual and skillful, Alex Delora choreographed her own Modern Baladi style belly dance called “Bloom”.
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Alex Delora indeed was the choreographer. But the lovely and skilled dancer is April Rai! Thank you, April! Sorry!
Robert, Please email ed and have them change the text.
Thank you, April, I very much enjoyed your dance!
I have made the request. I already changed it in the video.