LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – October 19, 2025 – Raqs Maqom, a collaborative project between the Crescent Moon Dance Company and Saw Peep Pan-Asian Ensemble, is pleased to announce Dances & Music from Central & West Asia, a celebration of folk and classical arts from Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Xinjiang. The event is presented in partnership with the World Affairs Council of Kentucky and Southern Indiana.

Founded in 2008 by dancer Taletha Al Badr and musician Jon Silpayamanant, Raqs Maqom is currently led by Jo Hadley, founder and director of Crescent Moon Dance Company, and Jon Silpayamanant, founder and director of Saw Peep Pan-Asian Ensemble.

The performance will showcase two dances each from Afghanistan, Iran, and Uzbekistan. The dances feature choreographies by People’s Artist of Uzbekistan Viktoria Akilova, Muhabbat Beknazarova, Jo Hadley, Travis Jarrell, People’s Artist of Uzbekistan Qadir Muminov, and Hanna Romanowsky of Ballet Afsaneh. Musical accompaniment for the dances, and the instrumental numbers performed in between have been arranged and adapted by Jon Silpayamanant for Saw Peep Pan-Asian Ensemble.

The event is Free and all ages, but please RSVP at this link as space is limited: https://worldaffairscouncilofkentucky-bloom.kindful.com/e/see-paw-raqs-maqom-program