FJK Dance is excited to present the project Unforbidden at the Green Space theater’s Take Root program in Long Island City.

A multimedia contemporary dance theater piece where choreographer Fadi J Khoury takes the stage with his New York Dance Company FJK Dance, to tell a story he shares with so many of his heritage around the world. Unforbidden is a journey of finding peace and opening the heart to share the truth. A queer story so humane and relatable, yet so hard to tell from a Middle Eastern background in these times of oppression and resistance to the LGBTQ+ community.

The piece incorporates conceptual video projection which correlates to the narrative of the story, chronologically, it includes character reference, Arabic calligraphy, and photography. The musical score is based on important and iconic songs from the Arabic heritage which reference key time frames to touch on the intergenerational impact of culture, including compositions by Abdel Wahab, Sabah & Hossam Shaker with sound design by Omar Dewachi and Mal Stein.

Unforbidden is an ongoing project for FJK Dance that continues to grow in context and technique. It resembles a pure platform where the choreography reflects an authentic voice speaking from the heart which inspires a diverse group of international New York dancers, to embody and communicate a Middle Eastern perspective which otherwise doesn’t get the chance to be scene.

The choreography in this piece challenges the stereotypes and expectations of gender roles especially in Arabic culture. The solo parts of this piece were created during the pandemic lockdown in 2020 and was premiered as a solo in FJK Dance Season 2021 at New York Live Arts Theater. After several festival presentations locally, and FJK Dance Season in 2022, especially when public activities went back to normal, Fadi was able to expand this dream and include the full vision to execute in FJK Dance Season 2023 at New York Live Arts.