ransitions are the heart of all art - the flow of scenes in a movie, the progression of sentences in writing, the pattern of chords in music, the composition of a photo, the pivots of a dance.
At Zahirah Dance Centre, the transitions in question are usually of the hands, the feet, and the torso since they are belly dance specialists. In the past few months, though, they have had to contend with the transitions of their founding teacher moving out of town and a new leader from within their ranks moving to the front of the class.
Transitions are never easy. So much hinges on them. Zahirah's spiritual leader Sandra Tanemura has been carefully watching from her new home in Oliver, and she is pleased with how the group is standing strongly without her, since her departure this winter.
She will be back in costume and back on stage in Prince George next week alongside the new lead choreographer Irina Doering.
"It'll be that passing of the torch as well as seeing all the friends and family and see all the changes that have already happened in such a short amount of time," said Tanemura. "My ultimate goal for the dancers in Prince George, Zahirah cast or not - there are other belly dancing groups in P.G., all considered friends by the Zahirah members - is just to keep going and keep growing. There is not only a core group of dancers that has stayed together, but Irina has managed to get some new outreach done, children are now involved, so we will have baby belly dancers."
It's one thing to be an experienced dancer, but another to coach it and arrange the activities of a group. Doering did not initially volunteer for the leadership role, but in the to-and-fro of the Tanemura departure, her name was eventually called.
"It was a bit of a huge dilemma for all the ladies, when Sandra left us," Doering said. "She wanted someone in P.G. to carry on with Zahirah. I didn't vie for the position. Lets say I was recruited for it. I have years of management and HR experience so to lead a group of people is not new. Dance has always been a passion in my soul, so I was certainly motivated. And the ability to explain something foreign or new to someone, to groups, is an important skill. I don't have to be the most talented dancer in the room to be the leader. It's not that kind of leadership."
"Irina is crazy passionate. She eats and breathes it. Lots in P.G. enjoy it, but very few consume it like Irina does," Tanemura said.
Zahirah is one of the busiest cultural dance groups in the city, with high profile appearances all over the annual calendar. They are regular performers at events like Canada Day in the Park, the Pride Parade, BC Northern Exhibition, Festival of Trees, and other community events and fundraisers. They also perform for private bookings.
Since Irina has been leader, there have been about a 10 classes and workshops involving Zahirah, some at their dance centre on Queensway and some at the YMCA.
"It has been absolutely fantastic," said Doering. "There is no better feeling than meeting someone who has no prior dance experience, and describes themselves as awkward and untalented, but then by the end of a session watching them fluidly performing the dance moves, smiling, enjoying the movement of their bodies and the artistry of belly dancing. No feeling compares, other than watching your child at a recital or a colleague achieve a Masters degree, the feeling is that big. To be a part of someone's achievements is an indescribable sensation."
The future of Zahirah will be put on colourful display on Apr. 22 at Theatre Northwest. The group is holding its annual recital, where the dancers show off their solo, small group and large ensemble highlights of the year.
Tanemura will be back as well to reconnect and give some demonstrations of her own progress since moving to wine country. She is in a hotbed of B.C. belly dancing, by total coincidence, and several former Zahirah cast members also live in the area so she is far from lonely in her new address.
Some special guests will also be in attendance.
Former Prince George standout belly dancer Kelley Ware, now living in Edmonton, will be back for a return engagement on stage.
Tribal fusion dance troupe Heart of the Hart Folkloric Dancers will have a feature spot in the program.
And special guest star Celina Blais, one of the leaders of the Penticton belly dance group Get Bent will be the incoming headliner.
"It's quite interesting. Penticton is home to the annual BC Bellyfest," said Tanemura. "Get Bent is more Bollywood fusion and I'm more cabaret traditional, so we can do some mixing. It'll be entertaining to see the different styles and what directions you can take belly dancing."
"Get Bent is a familiar name outside of the province and we are so excited to have someone of that group come all the way up to be with us - thrilled," said Doering.
"Their reputation for dance excellence is widespread beyond our borders. See, Sandra is still giving us love and guidance even out of town."
Adding flavour, literally, to the night is the caterer. The food for sale will be a collection of Middle Eastern appetizers and treats handmade by a family recently moved to Prince George from Syria.
There will also be opportunities to invest in some fundraising items on the silent auction table, with the proceeds going to the Elizabeth Fry Society.
Showtime is at 7 p.m. Tickets ($30 each or two for $50; children under five are free) in advance can be purchased from Zahirah cast members or by calling Doering at 250-563-5300.
