The first two performances were from a non-Cambodian dance company. It was cool to see a production that blends the traditional with the temporary. I could tell that these dancers really took some time to learn some of the posturing and movement of traditional dance. I see this willingness as the dancers showing their open hearts in dance. As I have begun my own training in traditional dance, I have learned that the movement requires an open heart. Same with the practice of yoga. The more open your heart is, your mind will follow and so will your body. Never would I have thought I was capable of doing dance today after being in a terrible accident. My heart was telling me to dance and to be open about the experience!

Description: Satuka is a custom in Cambodian dance that plays before an important show to cleanse the stage and invoke past dancers and masters to bear witness to the performance and to guide the dancers on the stage. This piece was set by the Khmae Urban Ballet on the dancers of Crash Dance Productions during the festival, symbolizing confluence - the coming together - of cultures and communities, setting the stage for this performance.

The second performance was Robam Boung Soung Yakorn, and it was my first time witnessing this traditional dance! Gabrielle Sour performed the role of the masculine, communicating a spiritual relationship between the land and the heavens. She dances on behalf of the people, requesting for fertility, harmony, and abundance. Ritual is a key aspect of Cambodian/Khmer culture and through this dance, we see the see a devotee offering prayers. The dance requires A LOT of mind and body training, and to be able to perform it in full costume, is truly a blessing to us all to witness such a sacred performance.  I interpret it as ultimate devotion to the culture and the spiritual realm. 

Another thing I learned about this role is that masculine/feminine postures are distinct. Masculine roles often take a wider, more earthy stance, while feminine roles take a more delicate and conservative flow.   

Description: Robam Boung Soung Yakorn (Dance of Prayer) is a sacred prayer dance deeply rooted in Cambodian Tradition, performed during ritual ceremonies to invoke blessings of peace, well-being, and prosperity. At the heart of a Boung Soung ceremony, where sacred dance and music serve as a powerful bridge between earth and sky, this dance carries profound spiritual significance. It is believed to communicate the people’s request to the heavens, asking for peace, the fertility of the land, and harmony. The dancer becomes a vessel of divine energy, as if the spirits themselves come to life on stage through ritual. This dancer offers prayers to the four cardinal directions, mirroring the Hindu Diety Brahma, whose four heads gaze toward every corner of the universe. Brahma’s four faces symbolize his omniscience and his supreme authority over the balance of creation, preservation, and destruction. Just as Brahma oversees all realms, Robam Boung Soung Pream calls upon the divine to maintain balance and bring blessings to the earth. Through this sacred performance, the dancer conveys a prayer for universal harmony, extending the request to every corner of existence. 

The image of the Apsara was the art I had adored the most growing up. Statues and paintings existed all about my grandmothers house. Now that I’m older and have studied religious iconography, I see how these figures serve as protection. To embody the poses takes incredible mental and physical discipline in which all of these dancers have spent years of perfecting their practice. I admire the intention of their every move, and the divine beauty that is emanated inside and out. Though I’ve just began my journey of dance, I remain hopeful that this practice is challenging my mind body and spirit. It's truly a blessing to partake in the culture of Cambodian dance. 

Description: Robam Apsara (Dance of the Celestial Nymphs) is a captivating symbol of Cambodian culture, representing divine beauty, grace, and ethereal elegance. According to ancient legend, these celestial beings emerged from the cosmic churning of the Sea of Milk, a mythic event where gods and demons tugged on a divine serpent wrapped around a submerged mountain, creating the enchanting foam which the Apsaras were born. Among these heavenly figures was an Apsara named Mera, a radiant presence known for her celestial charm. Adorned in elegant white, Mera fell in love with a wise hermit named Kampu, and their union led to the birth of the ancient kingdom of Kampu-Mera or Kampuchea. In this piece, Mera is portrayed dancing gracefully in a lush garden with joy found in their delicate fragrance. Their blossoms connect her to the earth, a reminder of life’s sweetest pleasures. The Apsara’s intricate carvings, showcased throughout the majestic Angkor Wat, immortalize this divine beauty and continue to reflect Cambodia’s rich cultural legacy. 

This was an incredible performance. Peter Veth creatively curates the story of Joan of Arc's life through Cambodian Ballet. As an art history fanatic myself, I thought this performance is incredibly unique and shows us that the telling of history can be so sacred. So much untold emotion is told through the embodiment of Joan of Arc. I loved the costuming of this act as well, the purple of Joan of Arc representing a sort of revolutionary femininty that is realized in modern times. This piece inspired me the most, as it changes the way we percieve storytelling in history!

And if you don't know Peter Veth, definitely check out his website! He has done some extrordinary work in the spiritual  community, reading tarot, doing psychic mediumship, and group readings virutally and in the Lowell community. 

Description: Khmae Urban Ballet presents an unforgettable journey through Joan of Arc’s life, a story that has captivated audiences across the globe. Peter Veth brings Joan to life as a courageous general who, despite her victories, ultimately loses everything she loves. The performance weaves together timeless themes of betrayal and identity while addressing contempoarary issues of nationalism and gender. Viewers will witness Joan’s rise from leading the French army to her tragic capture, trial for heresy, and witchcraft, and execution in 1431. The production also reflects on the challenges of preserving one’s identity within diverse cultural contexts-echoing Peter’s personal journey as a Cambodian artist navigating Western culture. Through this lens, Khmae Urban Balley not only honors Joan’s story but also invites audiences to consider their own idneties and the social forces that shape them.