There are two dancing events tomorrow night, Thursday April 5th and other events happening over the weekend. Note that the Dances of Universal Peace on April 5th are in a different room, but at the same location as usual.

April 5 (and April 16, Monday): English Country Dancing

Relax from your work day with the soothing tunes and dance moves of English Country Dancing, the "more-refined" cousin of contra dancing. Think elegeance, grace, propriety, and, of course, eye-contact and just a little bit of flirting... Sponsored by University Historical Dance Enthusiasts. A wide range of dances are featured, including those danced prior to 1700 as well as modern dances. All levels of dancers are welcomed, and all dances are taught and cued after the music begins. Dress is casual and wear comfortable shoes! Want to read more about ECD? Go to our website, http://snocd.raincloudpub.com /

Location: Jewel Box Theatre, Clark County (Flamingo) Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Ave.
Time: 6:30 to 8:45 pm.

Info: return e-mail, or 656-9513
Directions: The library is between Maryland Parkway and Eastern Ave., on the south side of the street. The library entrance that is close to the Jewel Box theatre is the door closest to the intersection of Flamingo and Escondido. Inside the door, turn left, go down a short flight of stairs, and the Jewel Box is the room on your right.

Location: Christ the King Catholic Community
Address:   4925 S Torrey Pines Dr.
                 Southwestern corner of Torrey Pines and Tropicana
Time:        7:00 to 9:00 PM (with a little time for community at the end).

These dances are typically held in the Community Center, but because this is Holy Week and there are many activities at the church, we will be in Activity Room #1 (we danced in this room once before several years ago). These events and services probably will mean that the parking lot might be full, so you might need to park on the street. We will have our DUP signs posted, but here are some directions.

When you enter the parking lot from the first entrance from Tropicana --
1. The Community Center is on the right (north) side,
2. There is a long 1-story building on the west set (directly opposite the entrance),
3. Just to the left (south) of the 1-story building is a large 2-story complex of buildings that holds the gymnasium and Activity Rooms (there are several steps up to the entrance).
4. Enter the Activity Room part of the large building from the north side (you should see the Community Center diagonally across the small part of the parking lot), and once inside the building, Activity Room #1 is the first room on the left.

If these directions are not clear enough, write back and I'll try again.

If you need additional information, please see the DUP of southern Nevada webpage ( http://raincloudpub.com/dupsn/ ), or call Oma (702 371 2273), or me (David 702 658 4094).

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Sunday, April 8: World Steps: Debki dance (Lebanese) starring Nabila Mettualli
Winchester Cultural Center, 3130 S. McLeod • 455-7340
2 p.m. • General admission $10; seniors and children $7

Debke, the national dance of Lebanon is performed in a line and is rich with complex steps, consisting of grapevine maneuvers, stomping, hopping and intricate footwork. The dance is steeped in history and folklore.

Mettualli has toured and performed Lebanese debke throughout the Middle East and Europe. She founded the debke dance group at the Arab University of Beirut, where she also studied and earned her bachelors degree in business administration.

As a performer, she assisted in creating and training the Fahd Abdalla dance group, which achieved acclaim for Lebanese folklore performances, and toured with the group from 1984 to 1989. In 1990, she established the Nawara Dance Group, which specialized in Oriental and folklore styles, and performed at locations such as the Piccadilly Theatre in Beirut. In 1994, she won first place at the Belly Dance Festival in Lebanon and was awarded the title of Dance Teacher of Lebanon and Arab Countries. She now owns and operates Nabila Dance Studios in North Hollywood, Calif. and splits her time between Southern California and Las Vegas.

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and, "down the road"

4/20/2007, Friday, 6 p.m.
West Las Vegas Library
Room: Theatre

Lambarena - An African inspired Ballet

The Nevada Ballet Theatre, Inc. presents a thrilling fusion of African dance and ballet. "Lambarena," conceived and choreographed by Val Caniparoli, is an eight movement, emotion-filled work that boldly merges the vocabularies of classical ballet and African dance. Comprised of African rhythms and melodies with extended passages from J. S. Bach, the music, played on African and Western instruments, was composed to honor Albert Schweitzer, an is a ballet rich in cultural significance and meaning.

For more information, please call the West Las Vegas Library at 702-507-3989 or contact Dr. Victoria Holley-Foster, Nevada Ballet Theatre, Inc.'s Director of Education and Outreach at 702-243-2623, ext. #249. Free and open to the public.

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Saturday and Sunday, April 21 and 22

The Highland Games will be held at Floyd Lamb Park on April 21st and 22nd. Info on the event is at http://www.lasvegascelticsociety.org/games.html. The group "The Wicked Tinkers," will be performing both days, and they are highly recommended.

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Saturday, April 21
International Food and Folklife Festival
Clark County Amphitheater • 455-8200
500 S. Grand Central Pkwy
11 a.m.- 8 p.m.• Free
Over thirty countries from around the world will be showcased with ethnic food vendors, music and dance performances, colorful costumes, cooking demonstrations and handmade craft sales and demonstrations at the annual International Food and Folklife Festival. The featured performers Moscow Nights, a traditional touring trio from Russia, take the stage at 7 p.m. The Festival is free to the public.

The International Food and Folklife Festival is sponsored by Clark County Parks and Recreation, with support from the International Festival Association and the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, and partial funding from the Nevada Arts Council. It is the seventh year for the event at the amphitheater.

The event is unique in Las Vegas. There are many events that celebrate a single culture, but no other event puts together so many ethnic groups and diverse cultures, demonstrating their authentic performances, crafts, costumes, food and customs.

Food vendors expected to return will sell cuisine and beverages from Germany, the Philippines, Hawaii, Japan, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Korea, Greece, Mexico, China, Ireland, Thailand, Italy and more. There will also be Basque food, French pastries, food from Malaysia, Peru, and Native American fry bread. There will be an outdoor cooking demonstration stage where participants can see how the dishes are made and then taste the results.

This year’s performances on three stages include, among others, Kaminari Taiko drumming, Polynesian dance, The Spirit of Flamenco, Friends of India dancers, Chinese Erhu music, Bulgarian music, Korean dance, Indian sitar music, Thai Cultural Arts dancers and Japanese Koto music.

Craft demonstrations and sales will take place in the pyramid. Crafts include among others, Persian painting, East Indian Henna, Peruvian Shipibo Indian art, Ukrainian pysanky and embroidery, Columbian jewelry and Chinese calligraphy.

Performers and craft demonstrators are subject to change.

The Clark County Government Center Amphitheater is located off I-15 and Charleston. The Amphitheater features lawn seating and ample free parking. Blankets and low back chairs are welcome, but no food or drink may be carried in for this event, and no pets are allowed.

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Saturday, April 21: Mexico Vivo

East Las Vegas Community/Senior Center, 7 pm

$10, children 12 and under free

Icela (Ixela) Guitierrez, founder of dance troupe Mexico Vivo, directs a celebration of the colorful traditions of folkloric dancing, music, theatre, pagenantry and Mexican/Latine American rituals. Features ranchero-style music.

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Sunday, April 22
World Vibration: Moscow Nights
Winchester Cultural Center, 3130 S. McLeod • 455-7340
2 p.m. • General admission $10; Seniors and children $7

This versatile trio presents a repertoire centered on masterpieces of Russian folklore that represents the diversity of the culture, ranging from gently humorous songs, to elaborate lyrical suites, to pulsating dance numbers. Moscow Night's lively program presents an authentic picture of Russian folk traditions. World Vibration is a monthly world music series hosted by KUNV's Kay Tuma.

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Sunday, April 22: Mythili Prakash - Dances of India

Reed Whipple Cultural Center, 3 pm

$10 advance, $15 performance day

Mythili Prakash is a name to reckon with in the world of bharata natyam, the classical dance style of South India. The former child prodigy is praised for her fluid grace, passion and exquisite execution of intricate, traditional Indian dance movements. Prakash tours India frequently, performs across the United States, and in Europe, and is the recipient of numerous awards in both this country and India.

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