Nadia Maria Michaels: "The Five Elements" Sacred Belly Dance

"The Five Elements" Sacred Belly Dance at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, NYC Dec. 10th, 2008
A new collaborative project featuring NYC dancers Cammi Darshan Vance, Layla Isis, Elizabeth Mariyah Jossick, Nadia Maria Michaels, and Sira. It was created especially for the Cathedral's Rededication Ceremony and Festival. Project director: Nadia Maria Michaels

Metal: Choreography and Performance by Nadia Maria Michaels, http://www.nadiadance.com
Music: Yeh Sidi by Saladin's Orchestra
Water: Choreography and Performance by Sira, http://www.siradancer.com
Music: Sword Dance by Light Rain
Earth: Choreography and Performance by Layla Isis http://www.laylaisis.com
Music: Medieval Drum Dance by Mince Pye
Air: Choreography and Performance by Elizabeth Mariyah Jossick, http://www.easterndancer.com
Music: The Passion
Fire: Choreography and Performance by Cammi Darshan Vance, http://www.darshandances.com
Graphic Open Music "Anasma" by Pete List http://www.petelist.com

Videotaped and edited by
Amy Staub
http://www.amyraks.com

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Nadia Maria Michaels
• Sira
• Layla Isis
• Mariyah
• Darshan
• Pete List
• belly dance
• five elements
• sacred belly dance
• mermaid dance
• sword dance

[daisydances]

Great Piece! But where is Wood representing the Five Elements?

The element Air has a place in Metal.

Loved it all, but usually in the colors scheme- Metal is White and Water is Blue.Earth is yellow. And Fire is Red. I teach this stuff through middle eastern dance, thats how I know.

But otherwise, loved seeing it performed by beautiful dancers!

[amyraks]

Thanks for the comment! Glad you liked the clip! We used the 5 Element theme as an inspiration and jumping off point, not necessarily as a literal translation. Each dancer was allowed to interpret and choose an element that resonated with her, as well as to choose costuming and music. At the time, no one resonated with Wood, so we created our own (somewhat unorthodox) grouping! -Nadia

[brittagyrl]

Earth was definitely my FAVORITE!

[velvetsnape]

My group and I are going to be doing one to the seasons :) We may do one to the elements eventually. I definitely already have something in mind for water. (Pieces, lol.)

[NessieTheWicca]

Honestly...I'VE LOVED IT.

Earth is "my" element...and Earth-Performance is absolutely the one I prefer here. *_*

Such a RICH performance on the whole.

Really...THANKS. )O(

Nessie

[HadarahLT]

beautiful...i love the ending all together :)

[reannan1462]

Awesome!! Loved it!!! Talented dancers and choreographers!

[OzzyTheBoogieman]

I know the song played for Earth. It's Medieval Drum Dance!

[gringabilingua]

"Metal" (segment out of the 5 Elements) performed and choreographed by Nadia Maria Michael was a thrilling and novel experience. Her stage presence was immense and her choreography cut through the air as "metal" can do. A ground breaker for this choreographer performed at one of the most sacred spaces in NYC.

[bellybliss]

thank you! peace,Nadia