Sama-e Rast in Toronto

Sama-e Rast – in only 9 days for one day only. 

Toronto-based Sashar Zarif Dance Theatre presents the world premiere of Sama-e Rast, a spectacular, special night this Winter Solstice with the internationally renowned Azerbaijani master singer Alim Qasimov and his ensemble. Sama-e Rast  re-integrates the lost dance element back into the ancient artistic practise of Mugham and runs for One Night Only on December 21, at the George Weston Recital Hall of the Toronto Centre for the Arts.

 

Qasimov has been honoured with the prestigious UNESCO Music Prize (1999), one of the highest international accolades that a musician can hope for. Previous laureates include Dmitri Shostakovich, Leonard Bernstein, Ravi Shankar and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

 

Zarif is the recipient of a New Pioneers Award and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

 

This unprecedented, multi-layered evening of integrated dance and music connected to the mystic traditions of Azerbaijan, Iran, the Middle East and Central Asia is a new work from the Dance of Mugham series, choreographed and performed by Sashar Zarif to the music of legendary Mugham singer, Alim Qasimov and his Ensemble. Sama-e Rast represents a mystical journey of man's spiritual ascent through mind and love to self-discovery.

"Mr. Qasimov is simply one of the greatest singers alive, with a searing spontaneity that conjures passion and devotion, contemplation and incantation." ~ New York Times

"Sashar Zarif, a superbly expressive and charismatic dancer" ~ The Globe and Mail

 

The premiere of Azerbaijan filmmaker Elchin Musaoglu's short documentary Three Apples Fell from the Sky based on Sashar Zarif's pilgrimages to Baku to study the Dance of Mugham opens the program.

Centuries ago, Mugham was the integrated practice that brought poetry, music, and dance together to represent seven unique psychological moods. However, through the years, the connection between poetry and music disappeared and the dance element deteriorated such that only traces of it exist today.

 

Sama-e Rast is the outcome of eight years collaborative research between Zarif and Qasimov to recreate this lost artistic practice.A Gallery Exhibit is a companion to the show; a collection of rare audio visual material from Central Asia that Zarif has collected over the years.

 

Sama-e Rast is a DanceWorks Co-Works Series event. This production has been generously supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, Azerbaijan Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the Aga Khan Museum.

 

Sashar Zarif Dance Theatre presents the world premiere of Sama-e Rast on Friday December 21, 2012

Choreographed and performed by Sashar Zarif

Music composed and performed by Alim Qasimov and Ensemble

Dramaturgy & Creative Facilitation by Elizabeth Langley

Lighting by Arun Srinivasan, Costumes by Sashar Zarif

 

7pm: Gallery Exhibit of audio and visual material from the Dance of Mugham research archive opens for viewing

8pm: S 8pm: Sama-e Rast begins, including premiere of Elchin Musaoglu's short film Three Apples Fell from the Sky

 

George Weston Recital Hall, Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge St. (north of Sheppard subway)

Tickets: $35, $45, $55, $75, $100 (VIP). Box Office: 416-250-3708 OR online at sashardance.com