Margo Abdo O'Dell and Intermedia Arts present

Evolutions
September 9-12, 2004
Thursday - Saturday at 8:00 PM, Sunday, at 7:00 PM
Intermedia Arts, 2822 Lyndale Ave.S., Mpls., MN 55408
General: $18.00 Students and Seniors: $12.00
Reservations: 612-871-4444
More information: www.margo1.com

Evolutions presents a kaleidoscopic blend of Arabic, Persian, and Turkish music
and a
variety of dance pieces inspired by the musical selections. Colorful and
creative,
soulful and surprising, this mesmerizing mosaic of music and movement delights
the
senses as it explores cross cultural influences and globalization. Choreographer
and
Artistic Director Margo Abdo O'Dell named the piece Evolutions, as it is an
exploration of worldwide changes and of her own artistic journey.

Dancer/choreographer, Margo Abdo O'Dell leads the ensemble of seven local
dancers. Rounding out the ensemble is guest artist Artemis Mourat, who brings
her
30 years of research and performance of Turkish dance to the production. The
musicians in Evolutions are among the best ethnic musicians in the Twin Cities
including David Burke, Salah Fattah, Pat O'Keefe, Tim O'Keefe, Steve Spaise,
David
Stenshoel, MaryAm Yustefedah, and Moez Zakroui. The music in Evolutions has been
carefully and accurately instrumented to reflect the various regional styles
within the
Middle East as well as allowing for east/west musical fusion.

"Border Crosser" is a multi-media collaboration between filmmaker Michelle Mehri
Mousavi, musician MaryAm Yusefsadeh and dancer Margo Abdo O'Dell. The theme
was borne out of a desire to define the concept of home as the grounding force
in the
shaping of one's identity. For immigrant families crossing borders and oceans to
build new lives, one reality is the process of reinventing a sense of identity
and home
on an almost daily basis. Drawing on their collective Iranian and Lebanese
cultures,
against the backdrop of the American experience, this piece explores the
artists'
journey toward a more permanent sense of home.

In "Exotic", musicians and dancers address the evolution of a Hollywood
stereotype.
Under consideration is the stereotypic film depiction of Middle Eastern dance
and
Middle Eastern women. It forces a look at exploitation as one result of
cross-cultural
influences and globalization.

The creation of Evolutions has been made possible by funding from
the Jerome Foundation in celebration of the Jerome Hill Centennial and in
recognition
of the valuable cultural contributions of artists to society, the St. Paul
Travelers
Foundation and the Arts and Diversity Committee of St. Paul Travelers through a
grant to COMPAS, the Women's Foundation of Minnesota, the Metropolitan Regional
Arts Council from an appropriation by the Minnesota Legislature, and the COMPAS/
McKnight Community Art Program