The art of Middle Eastern dance will be explored in a program at the University of Rochester at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, in the dance studio of Spurrier Hall on the River Campus.
Morocco (Carolina Varga Dinicu), an internationally acclaimed performer, researcher, and teacher, will perform and discuss topics related to the development of the genre. She will talk about the emergence of Middle Eastern dance in the United States, representation of the dance form in Hollywood films, cross cultural perceptions, dance and spirituality, and other subjects.
Considered the leading performer and authority in her field, Morocco is the recipient of numerous grants and awards. She was one of the first inducted into the American Academy of Middle Eastern Dance Hall of Fame, was named "Instructor of the Year" by the International Academy of Middle Eastern Dance, and also has been honored by Mideastern Dancer and Zaghareet magazines.
Her ethnographical research has helped preserve traditional dance forms in danger of being lost. An interview with Morocco was commissioned by the dance division of the Lincoln Center Library of the Performing Arts for its oral history archives, and she was nominated for the Dance Heritage Coalition's list of "America's Irreplaceable Dance Treasurers."
Morocco has performed and lectured throughout the United States and abroad. Her local appearance is sponsored by the Dance Program of the University of Rochester. For more information, call (585) 273-5150.