The Covey Center for the Arts will host a Middle Eastern Dance concert on Oct. 28. This performance, titled Covey's Tapestry of Dance, is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on the center's Main Stage and features a collaboration between the Middle Eastern Dance program and the Desert Goddess Dance Company.
The concert marks the 15th year of the Tapestry of Dance being presented on the Main Stage. The program, led by instructor Odessa Menasian, aims to provide a space for dancers to express themselves without the pressure to fit a particular mold. Menasian, who grew up dancing in the Troupe Little Armenia, has trained through professional intensives and workshops since being accepted by her mentor, Halima, the creator and director of the Desert Goddess Dance Company in 2004.
The Middle Eastern Dance classes at The Covey welcome adult dancers with various experience levels, from beginners to those refining their technique. The program focuses on collective support, musicality, grace, control, and core strength rather than competition. Menasian stated that the classes provide a safe environment for participants to express themselves away from the daily expectations of roles such as parents, spouses, or employees.
Menasian's dance practice includes a fusion of different traditional styles, including Lebanese, Persian, and Argentinian. She described the dancers as translators who make music visual. The program seeks to make dance accessible to individuals who might otherwise feel excluded and aims to provide a safe space for movement within Utah County.
The upcoming Oct. 28 concert is a family-friendly presentation that celebrates the artistry of Middle Eastern dance and the diverse experiences that contribute to a dance community.
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