Volare spotlights belly
dancers in Santa Ynez
It may not be the first combination anyone is likely to
think of — Italian food and middle eastern dancing on California’s rural
central coast — but on March 20, those things all came together at Volare, a restaurant in Santa Ynez.
Although the undulations of the women performing belly
dancing appear to Western eyes to be seductive, intended to entice a man, the
dance’s origins in Egypt and Turkey weren’t like that at all. They began,
rather, as story-telling performances that most often were limited to single-sex audiences.
The women performing the dances, then and now, were
artists weaving tales with the sinuous motions of their bodies, much as South
Sea islanders do when dancing a hula. The misconception that the dancing was
somehow licentious was born of Romantic Period paintings depicting
fanciful harem scenes that likely bore no resemblance to reality in the 18th
and 19th centuries.
Today belly dancing is performed locally by women seeking
a healthy dance outlet that combines movement, rhythm, costumes, and
spirit. Dance instructors Judeen Esau and Krischana
Thompson brought their talents and students to Volare
Ristorante and an audience of about 70 guests.
The evening began with an exhibition of dance by the
Desert Delights, a dance troupe including performers Nadira,
Tara, Ziena, Joanna, Jeannie, Wanda, and Krischanna.
Performing the “Candle Dance,” they demonstrated their coordination with
rhythm, style, and balance.
Solo performer Cindy Aldana
followed with a seductive dance solo, followed by an exhibition of Flamenco by
Marissa Garcia from the Garcia Dance Studio.
Dancers Cris! and
Krischana performed together in a graceful and
well-coordinated “Adam’s Dance.”
Judeen
provided a solo belly dance performance, getting the audience involved as she
moved throughout the restaurant guests in the style of Turkish dancers..
Five more performances capped the evening, including a
solo performance by Cris!, a
comedic “Rug Dance,” during which dancers displayed their merchandise — a
Persian rug — to the dismay of the competing dancers. The finale of the evening’s entertainment was
provided by Judeen performing a “Drum Solo,” during
which several male and female audience members were persuaded to join in the
dance.
Volare Ristorante
& Deli
The hosts for the evening of belly dancing were Volare Ristorante owners Tony and
Joan Lazzara.
A transplant from the Portolla Valley in the
Bay area, Tony spent many years developing an electronics business before
retiring to the Santa Ynez Valley.
Finding retirement a bit boring, he wanted a venue to play
his jazz trumpet and soon decided to open Volare Ristorante, featuring Sicilian cuisine. The restaurant is aptly named, as “volare” is Italian for “to fly,” and Tony has been an
active pilot for many years and is the owner of a Beechcraft
Queen Air twin engine aircraft and a single engine Beechcraft
Bonanza.
The menu for the evening was left to server Bert Tipton,
who provided outstanding and personable service. The Ossobuco
alla Milanese was fork tender and tasty, served with
pasta and a red wine reduction sauce.
The pan seared halibut, prepared with a white wine sauce and capers, was
juicy and presented with pasta and asparagus spears.
Dinner was followed by a heavenly tiramisu, a traditional
Italian dessert made of coffee and mascarpone cheese.
Open Monday through Saturday 5-10 p.m. for dinner, Volare Ristorante offers live
jazz Friday and Saturday starting at 7 p.m.
A lunch menu and Mexican specialties are offered through the week, with
lunch served either at the Deli or at the restaurant. Lunch seating is
available indoors or out, weather permitting, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Volare Ristorante has a moderately priced menu with excellent
values, great food, and a good selection of local and Italian wines.
It is located on the corner of Edison and
Sagunto streets in the heart of Santa Ynez. Call 693-8072 for reservations.