- Dance instructors taught traditional works from Mexico, Ukraine and the Middle East
- The showcase was part of Festival UnBound, Touchstone Theatre's annual celebration of arts, music and dance
- Festival UnBound runs through Oct. 1 in Bethlehem
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Leticia Gutierrez held up a brown fishing net for the class as she explained the steps of "El Pescador," a traditional dance from Veracruz, Mexico.
One by one, Guiterrez led the group of 15 women to form a circle as they picked up the net in unison.
The ceremonial piece is among the many works she has taught as director of El Grupo Mexico of the Lehigh Valley, a folklore dance group.
"Since it is the end of summer, I wanted to pick something for the group that was easy, fun and colorful," Gutierrez said. "I feel that in Mexico, there is so much color and diversity."
Her piece was one of three at the "Women's Dance from Around the Globe," a free workshop and part of Touchstone Theatre's Festival UnBound.
The two-hour workshop was held on Saturday at Fowler Center on 511 E. Third Street.
Joining her were fellow dance instructors, Tahya and Paula Duda Hoviak, who taught moves from the Middle East and Ukraine, respectively.
Ellas aprenden danza de el pescador at @TstoneTheatre Festival UnBound 🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/sCvVAkBiAt
— Micaela Hood (@micaelahood) September 30, 2023
Advocacy through dance
Hoviak's dance, the "Ivana Kupala," is performed in Ukraine during the summer solstice and coincides with the celebration of Saint John the Baptist.
As she explained to the group during a Kupala ceremony, young people look for a husband or wife by performing a dance in a circle around a fire.
Women wear Carpathians, or wreaths, on their hands as part of the dance — which Hoviak brought to the workshop and taught the group how to properly bow their heads, stand straight and move in a circle to the beat of the ceremonial music.
Hoviak is a member of the Kazka Ensemble and the Ukrainian Homestead of ODWU, Inc., based in Lehighton.
The group hosts events in the Lehigh Valley including a summer camp for kids in July and a Ukrainian Independence Day festival in August.
In particular, we are doing a lot of community advocacy. I hear these polls that say Americans are getting tired of Ukraine, but the war is still going on,Paula Duda Hoviak, fellow dance instructor
Though its biggest mission is to raise money for aid in the war-torn country.
"In particular, we are doing a lot of community advocacy. I hear these polls that say Americans are getting tired of Ukraine, but the war is still going on," she said.
"For us, it's always about keeping Ukraine in the forefront and showing how amazing the culture is. Something that [President] Putin has tried to do is annihilate the culture. He's hit museums, universities."
Healing choreography
Tahya's piece consisted of circles and stretches that are found in ancient dances from North Africa and the Middle East.
She chose the moves to tie into this year's Festival UnBound "home" theme.
"The history of the dance that I share is so deeply steeped in ancient civilization and ancient cultures that by diving into these movements, we're reconnecting with something in our DNA that is associated with celebrating our femininity and sensuality," Tahya said. "I can definitely see the thread of the idea of coming home to ourselves."
Tahya teaches lessons online, as well as belly dancing classes at Northampton Community College and We Yoga in Allentown.
Dance is a form of catharsis, which she hopes may impact others.
"Whenever I have had to face hardship or heartbreak, I use the dance as a means of processing that grief rather than curl up in a ball," Tahya said. "I get up and move so that I keep myself healthy and vibrant and moving through the world rather than retreating from the world."
