By LISA G. CURRIE

By LISA G. CURRIE

Rappahannock News Staff Writer

Bringing various forms of religious belief and religious movement together for one night of harmony is Middle Street Gallery’s second annual art event, “Spirituality and Art.”

The night of entertainment featuring dance, various style of music and voice will be at 8 p.m. May 17 at the Washington Town Hall. Several different performers are featured in the two-hour presentation.

“The idea of the show is to demonstrate how spirituality in all forms — whatever the background — can be expressed whether by music, dance performance or singing,” presentation coordinator Toni White said.

“In the past there have been separations of spirit due to difference in belief,” Ms. White said.

“This night gives a chance to bring a unity to spiritual and traditional beliefs,” she said.

Featured is Lillian Aylor and the Spiritualaires of Sperryville.

The six-member group features local voices singing four negro spirituals. Lillian Aylor is joined by Mabel Glasker and her two sons, Larry and Robert, Deacon James Williams and Alfreda Dean, all of Rappahannock.

“The presentation is centered around the existance and the leadership of the black church,” Ms. Aylor said.

“We will do four songs,” she said, explaining that in addition to singing the pieces each is accompanied by a “background on how the song came about.”

While the songs are old, many are familiar to congregations today. Chosen for the presentation are “Still Away to Jesus,” “No More and No More,” “Roll, Jordan, Roll,” and “Precious Lord Take My Hand.”

An artist familiar to the Rappahannock stage is bellydancer Anthea Poole of Madison, who will also perform.

“All dance originated in religious ritual,” Mrs. Poole said.

“Dancers were the first performing artists,” she said, explaining the two dances she will perform are ancient and modem interpretations of dance.

One dance is an interpretation of a dance nearly 4,000 years old.

“I am using an interesting piece of music,” she said.

“It is translated from clay tablets found in an ancient city in western Syria,” she said, explaining the words and music were dedicated to the Goddess Nikkal.

“That means it’s about four or five thousand years old,” she said.

A newcomer to the Rappahannock stage is Jeffrey Seidel of Warrenton. Known professionally as Jeffrey, he specializes in writing folk songs and music.

For the presentation, Jeffrey performs three songs exploring the relationship between man and his spiritual enviroment. The first is about an eagle and its relationship to mankind and nature.

The song’s origin stems from a meeting between Jeffrey and a Blackfoot Indian.

Another piece the artist will perform is about the beach — the physical and political aspects involving the beach in respect to personal judgement and individual vision.

“I write music about people,” he said of his selection. The last song is about a homeless man. Other performances include “Awakening,” a folk rock duo from southern Virginia; Jeanine Michele Witowski, a dancer from Richmond; and Linda Talbot of Maryland singing ritual-inspired songs. “ ‘Awakening’ is made up of two young women in their 20s,” Ms. White said.

“Their music is an expression of how the up and coming generation is taking spirituality and have a spiritual connection with the earth,” she said.

“It’s how their spirituality is expressed in art,” she said.