Bluestar Dance Troupe
Hit of the 2005 International Festival in Raleigh, the Bluestar Dance Troupe perform their dynamic repertoire of traditional Turkish dances as part of the Music of the Carolinas series. Founded in 2004 by folk dancer Zeki Maviyildiz, the Bluestar Dance Troupe explores the rich history and cultural heritage of Turkey as dramatized by indigenous dances, costumes, and music.
Born in Turkey, Zeki Maviyildiz has traveled to more than 25 countries as part of the Turkish National Folk Dance Troupe before moving to the United States to pursue his education and passion for promoting Turkish performing arts. While living in the Triangle, Maviyildiz has become an integral part of the area's dance scene, performing with the Opera Company of North Carolina, the Broadway dance project in Raleigh, Duke University's Ballroom Dance Team, and the International Festivals of Raleigh and Charlotte. Bluestar Dance Troupe has also performed at Washington DC, Detroit MI, Norfolk VA, Valdosta GA and Harrisburg PA.
Turkish folk dances are performed at weddings, engagement ceremonies, when sending young men off to perform their military service, at national holidays and religious festivals. Some dances describe natural events or daily life, and others treat social events and matters of the heart, but all reflect the rich cultural mosaic of Anatolia. The Zeybek in the West, Halay in the Southeast, Kafkas in the Northeast regions, Horon in the Black Sea and the Spoon dances in and around Konya are the best known examples of these.
Maviyildiz and the dynamic Bluestar Dance Troupe performance will showcase a variety of these colorful and vibrant folk dances, combining ancient and modern elements from Turkey on stage. The following notes are provided to guide you through this journey.
Note: Turkish words for blue and star are mavi and yildiz respectively.