Dawn Xiana Moon: Difference between revisions
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==Dance== |
==Dance== |
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Moon's early dance training came from [[lindy hop]] and [[blues]]; she fell into [[tribal bellydance]] almost on accident.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://thisisanothercastle.com/2014/07/10/raks-geek-an-interview-with-a-dancer-who-fuses-fandoms/ Another Castle|title= RAKS GEEK: An Interview With a Dancer Who Fuses Fandoms | accessdate= 2014-11-01}}</ref> Raks Geek was the first dance company to combine professional bellydancers and firespinners with geek themes, and they became notable after a video of a live performance (a [[Wookiee]] bellydancing to a [[Klingon]] band playing an original song in [[Shyriiwook]] went viral on YouTube.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2352155/When-Star-Wars-meets-Star-Trek-Female-Wookiee-belly-danced-Klingon-band-ultimate-geek-mash-up.html#ixzz2YODwtfV2 dailymail.co.uk|title= When Star Wars Meets Star Trek: Female Wookiee Belly Danced to Klingon Band in Ultimate Geek Mash Up | accessdate= 2014-10-31}}</ref> Moon formed the company after a late-night internet search for "geek bellydance"; she was disappointed by the artistic and technical proficiency of examples she found. As she was already a professional dancer, she decided to do the topic justice by creating a show by geeks, for geeks (Moon has given talks at [[C2E2]], the [[University of Chicago]], and [[Chicago Comic Con]] on issues surrounding women in geek culture, and other members of the group are scientists and organize Chicago geek community gatherings).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://thisisanothercastle.com/2014/07/10/raks-geek-an-interview-with-a-dancer-who-fuses-fandoms/ Another Castle|title= RAKS GEEK: An Interview With a Dancer Who Fuses Fandoms | accessdate= 2014-11-01}}</ref> |
Moon's early dance training came from [[lindy hop]] and [[blues]]; she fell into [[tribal bellydance]] almost on accident.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://thisisanothercastle.com/2014/07/10/raks-geek-an-interview-with-a-dancer-who-fuses-fandoms/ Another Castle|title= RAKS GEEK: An Interview With a Dancer Who Fuses Fandoms | accessdate= 2014-11-01}}</ref> Raks Geek was the first dance company to combine professional bellydancers and firespinners with geek themes, and they became notable after a video of a live performance (a [[Wookiee]] bellydancing to a [[Klingon]] band playing an original song in [[Shyriiwook]] went viral on YouTube.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2352155/When-Star-Wars-meets-Star-Trek-Female-Wookiee-belly-danced-Klingon-band-ultimate-geek-mash-up.html#ixzz2YODwtfV2 dailymail.co.uk|title= When Star Wars Meets Star Trek: Female Wookiee Belly Danced to Klingon Band in Ultimate Geek Mash Up | accessdate= 2014-10-31}}</ref> Moon formed the company after a late-night internet search for "geek bellydance"; she was disappointed by the artistic and technical proficiency of examples she found. As she was already a professional dancer, she decided to do the topic justice by creating a show by geeks, for geeks (Moon has given talks at [[C2E2]], the [[University of Chicago]], and [[Chicago Comic Con]] on issues surrounding women in geek culture, and other members of the group are scientists and organize Chicago geek community gatherings).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://thisisanothercastle.com/2014/07/10/raks-geek-an-interview-with-a-dancer-who-fuses-fandoms/ Another Castle|title= RAKS GEEK: An Interview With a Dancer Who Fuses Fandoms | accessdate= 2014-11-01}}</ref> |
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Once of Moon's missions with Raks Geek is bringing visibility to Asian-Americans in the performing arts - the dance company is majority Asian-American. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://smcthechronicles.blogspot.ca/2018/04/dawn-xiana-moon-spaceand-spaces-between.html Starlight Music Chronicles|title=Space... and Spaces Between | accessdate= 2018-04-30}}</ref> They also have a strong social justice mission and partner with local non-profits.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://voyagechicago.com/interview/meet-dawn-xiana-moon-raks-geek-andersonville-uptown/ Voyage Chicago|title=Meet Dawn Xiana Moon of Raks Geek | accessdate= 2018-04-30}}</ref> |
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== Trivia == |
== Trivia == |
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Revision as of 04:58, 1 May 2018
Template:Chinese name Dawn Xiana Moon (born August 27, 1983, Singapore) is a Chinese American singer-songwriter and bellydancer based in Chicago, Illinois. She is notable for being the first musician to blend traditional Chinese music with Americana, pop, and jazz.[1] Moon is also the founder and producer/director of Raks Geek, the first bellydance and fire company of its kind.[2]
She is listed as a musician in the Encyclopedia of Asian American Folklore and Folklife [3] and Southern Connecticut State University's list of famous Chinese-Americans.[4]
Early life
Born in Singapore, Moon began studying classical piano at the age 5, the same year her family moved to the United States.[5] Though she was born in Asia, English is her first language.[6] She grew up in Michigan, just outside of Detroit. [7] Throughout high school, she earned recognition at regional competitions for piano, flute and voice. But it wasn't until her freshman year at the University of Michigan that she left classical music and started playing the guitar. Two months later, she began writing songs.[8] She moved to Chicago and began collaborating on projects ranging from a commissioned piece for Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre to independent films.[9]
Music
Moon's musical style draws influences ranging from traditional Chinese music to modern American folk, from jazz to pop, from minimalism to Americana; she strives to bridge the musical traditions of the East and West.[10] Her work incorporates traditional Chinese instruments like the guzheng and erhu; she is also noted for singing in three languages: English, French, and Mandarin Chinese. Encyclopedia of Asian American Folklore and Folklife notes that for Moon and others like her, influences from Western classical music can be traced back to early Chinese court orchestras.[11]
She also often writes in odd time signatures like 7/8 and 5/4.[12]
The combination of Eastern and Western influences has garnered acclaim in Asia.,[13] which sees the music as bringing cultural traditions into the future.[14]
Dance
Moon's early dance training came from lindy hop and blues; she fell into tribal bellydance almost on accident.[15] Raks Geek was the first dance company to combine professional bellydancers and firespinners with geek themes, and they became notable after a video of a live performance (a Wookiee bellydancing to a Klingon band playing an original song in Shyriiwook went viral on YouTube.[16] Moon formed the company after a late-night internet search for "geek bellydance"; she was disappointed by the artistic and technical proficiency of examples she found. As she was already a professional dancer, she decided to do the topic justice by creating a show by geeks, for geeks (Moon has given talks at C2E2, the University of Chicago, and Chicago Comic Con on issues surrounding women in geek culture, and other members of the group are scientists and organize Chicago geek community gatherings).[17]
Once of Moon's missions with Raks Geek is bringing visibility to Asian-Americans in the performing arts - the dance company is majority Asian-American. [18] They also have a strong social justice mission and partner with local non-profits.[19]
Trivia
Dawn has acting credits in three independent films: Weapon (2011), Detroit Unleaded (2012), and Motivational Growth (2013).[20]
Although Moon was born in Singapore, she is a naturalized US citizen.[21]
References
- ^ Lee, Jonathan H.X. Encyclopedia of Asian American Folklore and Folklife, Volume 1.
- ^ MSN.com "Never seen a sexy Wookiee belly dance? This can be remedied". Retrieved 2014-10-15.
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help) - ^ Lee, Jonathan H.X. Encyclopedia of Asian American Folklore and Folklife, Volume 1.
- ^ Southern Connecticut State University "Famous Chinese-Americans 1785-Present". Retrieved 2014-11-01.
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help) - ^ The Herald Times "Premier Cafe Hosts Singer-Songwriters". Retrieved 2014-11-01.
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help) - ^ Starlight Music Chronicles "Space... and Spaces Between". Retrieved 2018-04-30.
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help) - ^ Barile, Paul (April 6, 2006). "Practical singer takes care of business" (PDF). Pioneer Press. Chicago, Ill.
- ^ The Herald Times "Premier Cafe Hosts Singer-Songwriters". Retrieved 2014-11-01.
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help) - ^ DawnXianaMoon.com "Official Biography". Retrieved 2014-11-01.
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help) - ^ DawnXianaMoon.com "Official Biography". Retrieved 2014-11-01.
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help) - ^ Lee, Jonathan H.X. Encyclopedia of Asian American Folklore and Folklife, Volume 1.
- ^ Starlight Music Chronicles "Space... and Spaces Between". Retrieved 2018-04-30.
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help) - ^ Lin, Alice (November 20, 2013). "Singaporean-American Finds Her Roots". Straits Times. Singapore.
- ^ China Daily "美国作曲家发现的中国根". Retrieved 2014-10-17.
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help) - ^ Another Castle "RAKS GEEK: An Interview With a Dancer Who Fuses Fandoms". Retrieved 2014-11-01.
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help) - ^ dailymail.co.uk "When Star Wars Meets Star Trek: Female Wookiee Belly Danced to Klingon Band in Ultimate Geek Mash Up". Retrieved 2014-10-31.
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help) - ^ Another Castle "RAKS GEEK: An Interview With a Dancer Who Fuses Fandoms". Retrieved 2014-11-01.
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help) - ^ Starlight Music Chronicles "Space... and Spaces Between". Retrieved 2018-04-30.
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help) - ^ Voyage Chicago "Meet Dawn Xiana Moon of Raks Geek". Retrieved 2018-04-30.
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help) - ^ IMDB "Dawn Xiana Moon". Retrieved 2015-09-21.
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help) - ^ IMDB "Dawn Xiana Moon". Retrieved 2015-09-21.
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help)