The Whirling Dervishes of Turkey perform at Sanders

The Whirling Dervishes of Instanbul performed at the Sanders Theater in Cambridge, Ma, yesterday, October 7th.

A highly ritualistic, stylised and formal event, it is advisable to read up on their performance, their moves and their symbolism before attending this program. If you do not and come expecting a somewhat dizzying, crazy, ecstatic spinning by the dervishes, a kind of event equivalent of a male belly-dance; a joyous, unrestrained event where the dancers literally throw caution to the winds and whirl away in mad abandon, you may be disappointed...because this is serious stuff, with slow, measured movements, respectful bows, deadpan appearances (absorption?) and a deep solemnity (no applause during the performance).

But, it is still quite an arresting spectacle to watch the flowing white skirts, the equipoise of the dancers...especially after the ritualistic bowing to the master when each dancer kind of "takes off" into the dance, it suddenly reminds one of flowers blossoming or some fanciful unearthly tops spinning with great serenity on four corners of the stage.