Kentucky Belly Dance »Dance News »Raquy and the Cavement in Louisville 2006
Her drumming was... amazing... inspiring... rabble rousing... primal.. I would never have guessed I could listen to lengthy drum compositions and solos for so long with so much pleasure, missing the melodic instruments not at all! For the first time I understood the power of strong and appropriate changes of rhythmn. This insight hit me when she went from a 5/4 to a 'waltzy' 4/4 (yes I know a waltz is 3/4, but!).
Another layer - how did she get all those cavemen to play accapella with her and spot on? Endless rehearsals? Something akin to FCBD and their inner troup signals? It was fabulous!
Another layer - wonderful show(wo)manship on minimum budget. Her entire stage setting consisted of one table. She came out and sat on a table so that she was somewhat elevated above the others, but her subsequent demeanor through the entire concert was that of an artist at the service of her art and her troupe. When the focus was on her, she held it magnificently. When the focus was on another, she turned the full power of her attention (and ours) on that caveman. Also, her non-drumming movements - almost like dancing - raising her arms, extending them, movement of head -- added a wonderful ornament to the show. That was it for stage props!
Another layer- her Iranian kemenche. Not only can she play the microtones that I am struggling so hard to grasp on my 'western' violin, but she can play entire CHORDS with them. I loved loved loved that kemenche playing.
Another layer -- her articulate intelligence. During the show her remarks were focused, articulate, informative and humorous. After the show she and her cavemen met the audience and answered questions. When I asked her a question about her violin playing after the concert, she was still focused, spot on and attentive to the task at hand.. at that point, me. Wow. No wonder she's managing to make a living at this in the heart of NYC!
Last but not least -- great prices on her CDs! and here's her website: www.raquy.com, on which she has 'doumbek lessons of the month.'
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