“Arabesque” A Celebration of Arabian Arts and Culture at the Kennedy Center: Feb 23 – Mar 15… and the FBA takes a Behind the Scenes Tou
Lebanese Bridal Costume
One can indulge in so many of the amazing performances: theater, dance, music, film, and literary arts, and pause within the traditional Arab market, the Souk on the lower level, filled bountifully with ceramics, hanging lanterns, more jewelry, baskets, textiles and wraps, fine inlaid furniture, traditional hanging lamps, small drums and tambourines.
The main halls are now filled with the exhibit of traditional Wedding Dress, true treasures, not for sale, but serving as an introduction to the jewelry that is for sale on the upper level.
Each of the concert venues has Arabesque performances the next three weeks. In addition, there are the 6 pm Millennium Stage performances (first come, first seated) that provide a casual and, free introduction to many of the fine musicians, dancers.
This aggregation of Arabic artists is so rare to experience anywhere. The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer covered it daily its first week.
For FBA members, the timing couldn’t be more perfect. Last Thursday, the FBA had the good fortune to take a tour of the KC “Behind the Scenes” with Mickey Berra, the Kennedy Center’s guru for all stage operations, technology, and production. Mickey has been at the Kennedy Center for 38 years – since its opening, starting as a stage hand and now, coordinates it all.
Walking through the wings with Mickey, on and behind the stage of the Opera House and Concert Hall was amazing, particularly as the group passed the stage hands busily putting together the sets for “Caracalla: Knights of the Moon” performances for this past Saturday and Sunday. The sets and the exquisitely traditional costumes of the male and female dancers really brought the excitement home. Mickey’s nuanced overview of how “Arabesque” came together was fascinating, hosting 900 artists and associates, importing the costumes and elaborate sets, and moving them flawlessly (in one case 19 times in the first act), coordinating KC stagehands with their Arabian counterparts — a fundamental dimension that is necessarily invisible to the audience.
Standing on the Eisenhower Theater stage and gazing out into the audience, there is no question about what magic gifted actors must experience. And for those behind the scenes with the infrared cameras running the lights, sound and curtains, or hoisting sets and lights between scenes, the sentiment is most likely similar to Mickey’s, “ I am so fortunate to do something I love, it’s hard to call it work.” —FBN
Traditional Wedding Dress
“Arabesque” A Celebration of Arabian Arts and Culture at the Kennedy Center: Feb 23 – Mar 15…
“Arabesque” A Celebration of Arabian Arts and Culture at the Kennedy Center: Feb 23 – Mar 15… and the FBA takes a Behind the Scenes Tou
Lebanese Bridal Costume
One can indulge in so many of the amazing performances: theater, dance, music, film, and literary arts, and pause within the traditional Arab market, the Souk on the lower level, filled bountifully with ceramics, hanging lanterns, more jewelry, baskets, textiles and wraps, fine inlaid furniture, traditional hanging lamps, small drums and tambourines.
The main halls are now filled with the exhibit of traditional Wedding Dress, true treasures, not for sale, but serving as an introduction to the jewelry that is for sale on the upper level.
Each of the concert venues has Arabesque performances the next three weeks. In addition, there are the 6 pm Millennium Stage performances (first come, first seated) that provide a casual and, free introduction to many of the fine musicians, dancers.
This aggregation of Arabic artists is so rare to experience anywhere. The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer covered it daily its first week.
For FBA members, the timing couldn’t be more perfect. Last Thursday, the FBA had the good fortune to take a tour of the KC “Behind the Scenes” with Mickey Berra, the Kennedy Center’s guru for all stage operations, technology, and production. Mickey has been at the Kennedy Center for 38 years – since its opening, starting as a stage hand and now, coordinates it all.
Walking through the wings with Mickey, on and behind the stage of the Opera House and Concert Hall was amazing, particularly as the group passed the stage hands busily putting together the sets for “Caracalla: Knights of the Moon” performances for this past Saturday and Sunday. The sets and the exquisitely traditional costumes of the male and female dancers really brought the excitement home. Mickey’s nuanced overview of how “Arabesque” came together was fascinating, hosting 900 artists and associates, importing the costumes and elaborate sets, and moving them flawlessly (in one case 19 times in the first act), coordinating KC stagehands with their Arabian counterparts — a fundamental dimension that is necessarily invisible to the audience.
Standing on the Eisenhower Theater stage and gazing out into the audience, there is no question about what magic gifted actors must experience. And for those behind the scenes with the infrared cameras running the lights, sound and curtains, or hoisting sets and lights between scenes, the sentiment is most likely similar to Mickey’s, “ I am so fortunate to do something I love, it’s hard to call it work.” —FBN
Traditional Wedding Dress