Rite of Spring Online Video Program

The Rite of Spring was performed on April 27 and April 29, 2007 at the Forest Theater at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill by the Devoted Bellydance Collective. Over $1000 in proceeds from the two nights were donated to the Arbor Day Foundation and the Orange County Rape Crisis Center.

The collaboration featured these dancers from the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina:

Young Girls
Dawn Ruckert
Maqui Ortiz
Amy- Jae Rignola
Sara Beaman- The Chosen One

Wise Elders
Rachel Burton
Julia Milton
Suzanne Kennedy- The Oldest and Wisest One

Each movement is an exploration of the themes from the original ballet through the vocabulary of Tribal Fusion bellydance. Every dancer's voice is represented through their own choreography or choreographies. The entire show was truly a collective effort made possible not only by the dancers but through the support of local sponsors Balanced Movement Studio, Plum Spring Clinic, Syd's Hair Shop, Diana and Robert Griffin, Blue Fusion, Inc. and our mistress of ceremonies, Sarah Myers.

While the online video format can't completely convey the beauty of the setting or the energy of a live performance, we all hope you enjoy the videos nonetheless.



Part I: Adoration of the Earth

Movement I ~ Introduction
The tribe gathers, the circle is cast, the rite begins...
Music: Paradise lost (edit) by Solace
Choreography by Julia Milton and Sara Beaman

Movement II ~ Dance of the Young Girls
The girls dance to show the elders that they have matured..
Music: Algerian Drum Song by Gypsy Caravan
Improv with short choreography by Dawn Ruckert

Movement III ~ Ritual of Inductions
The young girls are inducted, the chosen one is identified...
Music: Circle (edit) by Solace
Choreography by Julia Milton

Movement IV ~ Spring Rounds (Round Dance)
They dance together, young and old...
Music: Wedding Song by Mychael Danna and L. Subramanaim
Improv lead by Sara Beaman

Movement V ~ Ritual of the Two Rival Tribes
A victory from the history of the tribe is remembered...
Music: Curcuna/Karshlama/Sliding Karachi by David Macejka
Choreography by Sara Beaman and Suzanne Kennedy

Movement VI ~ Procession of the Oldest and Wisest One
The elders dance the dance of ages...
Music: Gulag Orkestar (edit) by Beirut
Choreography by Suzanne Kennedy

Movement VII ~ Adoration of the Earth, or the Wise Elder
The oldest one is honored for her wisdom...
Music: Ganga Dev (edit) by DJ Cheb I Sabbah
Choreography by Rachel Burton

Movement VIII ~ The Dancing Out of the Earth
All dance to show love for the earth...
Music: Black is Black by Yuki Kajiura
Choreography by Amy-Jae Crawford



Part II: The Sacrifice

Movement IX ~ Introduction
The rite resumes...
Music I Cash Radii by Pentaphobe
Choreography by Suzanne Kennedy

Movement X ~Mystic Circle of the Young Girls
The young girls dance to prepare for the ritual...
Music: Chant of the Paladin (edit) by Dead Can Dance
Choreography by Dawn Ruckert

Movement XI ~ The Glorification of the Chosen One
The chosen one is adorned and blessed for her sacrifice...
Music: Qabil (edit) by Solace
Improv and short choreography by Maqui Ortiz

Movement XII ~ Evocation of the Ancestors (Ancestral Spirits)
Those who have passed are summoned...
Music: Early Memory (edit) by Art Bleek featuring Benjamin Degrandsart
Choreography by Julia Milton

Movement XIII ~ Ritual Action of the Ancestors
The ancestors animate to dance one more...
Music: Mother Tongue (edit) by Dead Can Dance
Choreography by Julia Milton

Movement XIV ~ Sacrificial Dance of the Chosen One
The chosen one sacrifices her lower self to be transmuted into pure creative energy...
Music: The Execution (edit) by Mychael Danna and L. Subramanaim
Group choreography and solo improvisation by Sara Beaman

Upcoming Performance Information

RITE OF SPRING is a for-charity belly dance theater event at UNC's Forest Theatre presented by local belly dance collective The Devoted on April 27th and 29th.
It features original tribal fusion choreography depicting a feminine interpretation of themes from Stravinsky's ballet, set to evocative music from around the world.
Opening night will be Arbor Day, Friday, April 27th at 6:00 pm. All proceeds from this performance will be donated to the Arbor Day Foundation, to help plant trees in areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina.
Sunday, April 29th will be a matinee performance at 3:00 pm, and all proceeds from this show will go to the Orange County Rape Crisis Center.
Rain date for both shows is Sunday, May 6th at 3:00 pm.
Donations will be graciously accepted.