Nomad Dancers (via Nomad Dancers-About Us.) is a collective inspired by traditions of India, Persia, Central Asia, Middle East, and Turkey, traveling across borders and bridging cultures in search of the ultimate dance experience. The Nomad Dancers proudly present Persian, Afghan, Tajik, Azeri, Uzbek, Uighur, and Ottoman Turkish traditional folkloric dances, as well as Bollywood and Fusion choreographies, at cultural events, celebrations and festivals in the Washington DC metropolitan area and beyond. The individual Nomad Dancers’ fascination and interests in the graceful, playful, colorful, and rich dance traditions from across this vast region, coupled with the dancers’ myriad experiences and talents, have inspired a varied repertoire of dances and glorious costumes prepared by the Nomad Dancers themselves.
While the Nomad collective itself is a relatively new phenomenon, created in December 2008, each of the individual dancers brings years of professional experience in various dance styles to the group, and have performed in venues ranging from universities and embassies to Washington DC’s Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, to the majestic Registan Square in Samarkand, Uzbekistan; from across the United States to Italy, Greece, Cyprus, India and Afghanistan. The Nomad collective is dedicated to bringing master teachers from around the world to help us refine our skills and craft our choreographies, better enabling us to bring diverse audiences together, and to spread cultural awareness of the region.
Caroline Besley
Annetta Burger
Keely Fahoum
Parastoo Ghodsi
Annie Lum
Sema Muslu
Mindy Russell
Saghi Saghafi
Christel Stevens
Adriane Whalen
U.N. Day – October 2010
Nomad Dancers performed traditional dances in colorful costumes enhanced by the charming natural setting of the National Georgraphic Society courtyard as part of the celebration of the 65th Birthday of the United Nations.
Photos by Ellie Van Houtte Photography www.ellievanhoutte.com and Maria Dittrich.
Selection of photos from our 2010 summer and fall performances
Performances include International Children’s Festival at Wolf Trap, International Children’s Festival Preview at Fairfax Corner, Reston Multicultural Festival, 8th Annual Washington DC Turkish Festival, and Children of Persia’s 7th Annual Walk 4 Children. Nomad Dancers premiered two new Uzbek dances and a passionate Russian Gypsy dance!
Meridian’s 4th Annual International Children’s Festival – May 2010
Nomad Dancers performed at this educational fun-fair that brought together the DC community and the diplomatic corps of Washington, D.C., as embassies hosted booths representing their country and culture. Nomad Dancers’ performance featured Persian, Afghani, and Uighur-style dance from the Kashgar region.
Norouz Around the World Concert – March 2010
Nomad Dancers presented a festival of dance traditions to celebrate the Persian New Year in Alexandria, VA.
Guest performers: Kardelen Turkish Dance Ensemble, Raqs Jameel, Skyline Showstoppers, and special guest artists Olimdjon Beknazarov and Simone Verduin.
5th Annual Norouz Celebration at Philadelphia Museum of Art – March 2010
Nomad Dancers performed three shows with Rangeen Kaman youth dance company at this whole-day event to celebrate the Persian New Year.
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