Vinok falls under Gypsy spell
Canada.com
Homage to often-misunderstood people plays out in music, words and dance
Pamela Anthony
Freelance
Monday, May 14, 2007
The romance and mystery of the Gypsy life has fascinated people for ages.
The popular view of Gypsies is that of beautiful outlaws who reject conventional life for a world of passionate independence and the freedom of the road.
Hollywood has reinforced this vision, portraying Gypsies as attractively dangerous, characterized by their haunting music and sensual dance.
These are attractive myths, and they contain elements of truth.
There are also darker sides of the image, that of the "tramps and thieves" variety.
But reality is always more complex than stereotypes.
The Gypsies are a unique ethno-cultural group, with a distinct language, laws, traditions and ethos.
Even the term "Gypsy" can be a bit problematic. Gypsy is an English word for the Roma people, and in some parts of the world it's used in a derogatory fashion.
Then there is the notion of a free, nomadic lifestyle. In many cases, a more accurate description would be of a permanently displaced people. Roma have suffered centuries of discrimination and oppression, and are still part of a vast, ongoing diaspora. They're people whose history of survival is still unfolding.
And yet the art and cultural traditions of Romany people have had immeasurable impact throughout the world, inspiring generations of artists.
The artists of Vinok Worldance are among those who have fallen under the Romany spell.
They have developed a new show, Romany Blues, that is a homage to the Roma, played out in poetry, music and dance.
Vinok executive director and show co-creator Leanne Koziak says it's a celebration tempered by a keen awareness of the complexities of a still largely misunderstood ethno-cultural group.
"There are so many myths and ideas about the Roma," she says. "We did a lot of research for this show. It was a long process, but we wanted to get a better idea of who they are as a people. We're trying to be realistic, not overglamourizing or romanticizing their culture, but not focusing on too many of the racial and political issues either."
The issues are complex, but Romany Blues reflects them through art, music and dance.
"It's done with a story that links everything together. It's set in modern times, but we kept with the strong traditional representation of Gypsy dance."
The story is that of a young man who wanders Europe, fuelled by the memory of his great-grandfathers, and searching for a treasured guitar. He becomes enthralled with a woman -- and Romany culture.
Koziak says the company is trying to express that sense of enchantment, one the music and dance can easily create.
"The music is just fantastic, it's beautiful. And the dancing is easy to connect to on a personal level. It has forms, but generally it's very personal -- there is lots of room for improvisation and individual style."
Koziak says wide-ranging regional and artistic influences, from India and across Europe, have created distinct variations in both the music and dance. Recognizable dances such as the flamenco will be seen beside less well-known forms.
But they're all part of the Roma history and traditions.
Tracing out folk traditions and giving them an authentic place onstage in contemporary society is what Vinok is all about. The company has a repertoire that includes folk dance and music from cultures around the globe. Koziak says the anthropological aspects of "folkloric" work are endlessly fascinating.
"Music and dance tell us so much about who people are. Folk dances are snapshots of people from a very specific time and particular place."
Koziak recognizes the often tragic history and daunting contemporary challenges faced by Gypsies the world over.
But Romany Blues is a chance to express her own lifelong admiration for a special people.
"Growing up in Ukrainian culture, Gypsies were seen in a positive light.
"Others might be very negative, horrified to accept any relationship to Gypsies. But for us, there was a sense of attraction to the culture. They were always the most desirable, the most beautiful girls, and the most handsome men. And of course, the most beautiful music and dancing."
Dance Preview
Romany Blues
Company: Vinok Worldance
Where: Maclab Theatre, Citadel
When: Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30
Tickets: Citadel box office, 425-1820
© The Edmonton Journal 2007
Homage to often-misunderstood people plays out in music, words and dance
Pamela Anthony
Freelance
Monday, May 14, 2007
The romance and mystery of the Gypsy life has fascinated people for ages.
The popular view of Gypsies is that of beautiful outlaws who reject conventional life for a world of passionate independence and the freedom of the road.
Hollywood has reinforced this vision, portraying Gypsies as attractively dangerous, characterized by their haunting music and sensual dance.
These are attractive myths, and they contain elements of truth.
There are also darker sides of the image, that of the "tramps and thieves" variety.
But reality is always more complex than stereotypes.
The Gypsies are a unique ethno-cultural group, with a distinct language, laws, traditions and ethos.
Even the term "Gypsy" can be a bit problematic. Gypsy is an English word for the Roma people, and in some parts of the world it's used in a derogatory fashion.
Then there is the notion of a free, nomadic lifestyle. In many cases, a more accurate description would be of a permanently displaced people. Roma have suffered centuries of discrimination and oppression, and are still part of a vast, ongoing diaspora. They're people whose history of survival is still unfolding.
And yet the art and cultural traditions of Romany people have had immeasurable impact throughout the world, inspiring generations of artists.
The artists of Vinok Worldance are among those who have fallen under the Romany spell.
They have developed a new show, Romany Blues, that is a homage to the Roma, played out in poetry, music and dance.
Vinok executive director and show co-creator Leanne Koziak says it's a celebration tempered by a keen awareness of the complexities of a still largely misunderstood ethno-cultural group.
"There are so many myths and ideas about the Roma," she says. "We did a lot of research for this show. It was a long process, but we wanted to get a better idea of who they are as a people. We're trying to be realistic, not overglamourizing or romanticizing their culture, but not focusing on too many of the racial and political issues either."
The issues are complex, but Romany Blues reflects them through art, music and dance.
"It's done with a story that links everything together. It's set in modern times, but we kept with the strong traditional representation of Gypsy dance."
The story is that of a young man who wanders Europe, fuelled by the memory of his great-grandfathers, and searching for a treasured guitar. He becomes enthralled with a woman -- and Romany culture.
Koziak says the company is trying to express that sense of enchantment, one the music and dance can easily create.
"The music is just fantastic, it's beautiful. And the dancing is easy to connect to on a personal level. It has forms, but generally it's very personal -- there is lots of room for improvisation and individual style."
Koziak says wide-ranging regional and artistic influences, from India and across Europe, have created distinct variations in both the music and dance. Recognizable dances such as the flamenco will be seen beside less well-known forms.
But they're all part of the Roma history and traditions.
Tracing out folk traditions and giving them an authentic place onstage in contemporary society is what Vinok is all about. The company has a repertoire that includes folk dance and music from cultures around the globe. Koziak says the anthropological aspects of "folkloric" work are endlessly fascinating.
"Music and dance tell us so much about who people are. Folk dances are snapshots of people from a very specific time and particular place."
Koziak recognizes the often tragic history and daunting contemporary challenges faced by Gypsies the world over.
But Romany Blues is a chance to express her own lifelong admiration for a special people.
"Growing up in Ukrainian culture, Gypsies were seen in a positive light.
"Others might be very negative, horrified to accept any relationship to Gypsies. But for us, there was a sense of attraction to the culture. They were always the most desirable, the most beautiful girls, and the most handsome men. And of course, the most beautiful music and dancing."
Dance Preview
Romany Blues
Company: Vinok Worldance
Where: Maclab Theatre, Citadel
When: Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30
Tickets: Citadel box office, 425-1820
© The Edmonton Journal 2007
Labels: Dance, Gypsy, Music, Roma, Vinok Worldance
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