Americanistan's Events of 2005

Some of our 2005 events:

Dec. 24. Americanistan, Razia and Audrey at the Holiday Market, Lane County Fairgrounds. We got mentioned in the local rag: "If dance is your thing, check out Americanistan, performing music inspired by Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cultures. Specializing in bellydance music, the group uses ethnic instruments, lavish costumes and several languages to create music both slow and sensual and lively and upbeat."
--Eugene Weekly, "Music for Shopping," by Vanessa Salvia, 12/1/05 issue

Sat. Oct 22. Americanistan, Carina & Jeannie at the Drift Inn, Yachats.

Sat. Oct 15, Middle Eastern Dance Guild of Eugene (MEDGE) Fall Festival. Americanistan performed with festival dancers Jamara, Marah, & Jasmine,plus a special goblet dance performance by Dunyah.

Sat. Oct 8, 9pm: Americanistan, Elena Villa, Carina & Sister Celebration Tribal Dancers, Luna Jazz Club, Eugene.

Sun. Oct 9, 1-4pm. Technique for Intermediate Drummers workshop with Dunyah & Wayne Omar. Salem. Sponsored by Sherry Calahan (Galadriel) at middlearth0@comcast.net

Sun. Oct 2: Americanistan were featured on Planet Soup World Music radio program, KWVA 88.1FM.

Sat. Oct 1, 4pm: Health & Well-Being Stage at Broadway & Charnelton. Americanistan & Special Guest Dancers Sabine and Sister Celebration Tribal Belly Dancers.

Fri. Sept. 30, 6:00-7:30pm. Eugene Celebration. Americanistan, Tribalation! and Sister Celebration Tribal Dancers perform at 3 Ambient Stages.

Fri. Sept 23, 7:00pm. Iraila Mediterranean Rustica 2nd Anniversary Celebration! 24th & Hilyard , Eugene.

Sat. Sept 24m Noon - Sun Sept 25, 4:00pm. Hurricane Katrina Benefit Marathon Concert, Eugene Hilton. Sponsored by Whole Hog Productions.

Sept 9-11, Mezdulene's 16th Annual Belly Dance Retreat in Southern Oregon. Workshops by Dunyah on Goblet Dancing and Drum & Chant for Inner Peace, and live music by AWAS (All-Women All-Stars).

Fri. Sept 2, 7:00pm. Rumi Night! An Evening with the Dervishes. Featuring music by Americanistan, dinner, poetry and more. Sponsored by Rhythm and Bliss Presents

Sat. Sept 3, 2:00pm. Americanistan and Special Guest Dancers Carina and Mara performed at the Eugene Saturday Market.

Sun. Sept 4, 6:30pm. Americanistan and Special Guest Dancers Angela Palmer and Jamara at the Drift Inn, Yachats.

Fri. Aug 26, 7:00pm. Fine cuisine and beautiful music at Iraila Mediterranean Rustica, 24th & Hilyard (Humble Bagel dining area).

Sat, Aug 6, 7pm. Live music by Dunyah & Omar of Americanistan, plus Susan Reed, Jamara and guest dancers. Alexander's Greek Cuisine, Roseburg.

Tues, Aug 2. Multicultural Festival, Sheldon Community Center. Americanistan performed music and songs of Egypt, Turkey, Greece & Israel, with folk dancing. Sponsored by the City of Eugene.

Fri. July 22. Americanistan and the Circle Dance Company performed at the 5th Annual Estacada Summer Celebration. Sponsored by the Estacada Arts Commission and Estacada Together.

Sat. July 23. Iraila Mediterranean Rustica, Eugene.

Fri. July 29. The Platinum Club, Corvallis.

June 24, Luna Jazz Club, 30 E. Broadway, Eugene.

June 26. Americanistan and the Mystical Oasis Dance Troupe, Umpqua Valley Arts Festival, Roseburg, OR.

June 26. Drum Workshop with Wayne "Omar." Mystical Oasis Dance Studio, Sutherlin.

June 26, 6-8pm. Americanistan & Mystical Oasis dancers at Digger Don's, Sutherlin, OR.

June 18, Macedonia Greek Cuisine, Salem.

June 17, Iraila Mediterranean Rustica, Eugene.

June 4-5. Shining Stars Festival, Lake Selmac, Oregon.

May 5-6, Americanistan presented two programs on the music and dance of Afghanistan for the Bend/Deschutes Public Libraries as part of the Community Reading Series.

Saturday, March 26, 2005

Show at Cafe Paradiso

By Dunyah

Live music by Americanistan. Featured Dancer Marah

Special Guest Dancers: Zahra, from Eugene; Jamara, from Roseburg; Aloria, from Roseburg; Angela Palmer, from Florence; Samar, a duet from Eugene, and Special Guest Singer Anna Armaiti. What a great line-up of talented performers!

We all had a fabulous time at this show! There were some last-minute changes to the line-up but in spite of that, it was an incredible show. All the dancers were really "on" and so was the band--must have been the full moon influence. The house was packed (we like Saturday night, and starting the last Saturday in June, we will be moving to Saturdays permanently.)

Having Anna Armite sing in Turkish was a special treat. We plan to hear more from this talented singer in future shows. She sings in several languages and specializes in Roma (Gypsy) songs.

Marah, our featured dancer for the evening, did an excellent solo showing a lot of finesse and great stage presence in her interactions with Wayne Omar during the drum solo. She returned to the stage with her dance partner Michelle in a

dynamic duet titled Samar.

The audience couldn't get enough of Samar and clapped until they returned for an encore.

All in all, it was a really great evening. The band was hot, the dancers were sizzling, and the audience was great. Can't wait to do it all again.