Middle Eastern Dancers Chosen as Ambassadors
to the World Peace Concert in Bali
By Roxanne Shelaby
A collection of Middle Eastern Dancers led by Jiliina and the Sahlala Dancers and including Ansuya, Amar & Kaishi-"Belly Queen", and The Desert Rose Dancers journeyed all the way to Bali to participate in the World Peace Concert. The concert, which took place on June 14, 2003 at the Garuda Wishu Kencana featured top musical artist from around the globe who came together to spread a message of peace, unity, tolerance and understanding through music.
A 100% multi-national volunteer effort co-sponsored by Miles Copeland of Mondo Melodia/ARK21 Records, the concert was broadcast live via free satellite downlink to an estimated 3 billion viewers worldwide. It is believed to be the biggest musical event since "Live Aid". INXS, Baba-G, Gloria Gaynor, Kinky and Maxi Priest were among the many artists who participated in the concert.
Jillina, Artistic Director of the Middle Eastern Dance show expressed that "It's a huge honor as a dancer to be included in such a multicultural event. You only dream of shows like this, sharing the stage with artists of such magnitude from around the world."
For Jillina, Bali was an incredible experience as a performer but it did have its challenges as an Artistic Director. Her mission was to show Middle Eastern Dance at its best to educate billions of people that this dance is an Art while bringing together the many styles of the dance in one show and sometimes even in the same dance. With her extensive experience in stage productions, skill in choreographing and her incredible drive to be her best, Jillina succeeded in putting together a show that highlighted each dancers strengths yet was a cohesive choreography, truely Belly Dance at its best.
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