Rumi Benefit Concert at GMWS

November 7, 2007 Section: NEWS Edition: RK Page: 7A Chestnut Ridge school plans benefit for capital campaign Doug Forhecz FREELANCE OK CHESTNUT RIDGE - A fund-raiser at the Green Meadow Waldorf School this weekend will give area residents an opportunity to experience culture, music, dance and food from Turkey and the Balkans. The Sunday event highlights the relationship between the school and its neighbor, Jerrahi Mosque, the sponsor of the event. The benefit will feature two parts. The Sufi ceremony, which will be held first, will feature whirling dervishes. "It involves some singing and dancing," said Alix Lowenthal, an English and art history teacher at Green Meadow and a member of the mosque. The ceremony may not be suitable for young children because it might be difficult for them to sit through the hour-long event. "If their parents think they're old enough to watch something like this, we wouldn't turn them away," said Lowenthal. The dinner, to be held afterward, is an Ottoman-style feast. It will feature Turkish cuisine similar to that of the Ottoman Empire, including, tekke pilaf, imam bayaldi, and Circassian chicken, among other dishes. "Certain dishes have recipes that date back to the 13th century," Lowenthal said of the classic Turkish menu. After the dinner, there will be a family folk dance led by Stephen Kotansky, a movement and dance teacher at the school. He will teach and lead traditional Turkish and Balkan folk dances with live music. The folk dancing is suitable for all ages. Balkan folk dance music will include a mixture of Greek and Bulgarian styles, Lowenthal said. All of the proceeds from the event will be donated to the school's capital campaign, which raises funds to "improve and expand the campus," said Lisa Wolfe, director of public relations and outreach for the school. "For instance, expanding our arts building." The school has proposed a plan to add an extension to the arts building as part of the capital campaign. "We're going to be adding more classrooms by expanding the building," said Tony Cirone, Green Meadow's director of development. Members of the mosque have done a lot of the cooking and preparation for the event. If you go Address: 307 Hungry Hollow Road, Chestnut Ridge. Sufi ceremony: The Sunday ceremony will be held in the music room of the arts building at 4 p.m. Admission is $15 at the door. Event is not suitable for young children. Dinner and dancing: The dinner and folk dancing will be held in the gym at 5:30 p.m. Admission is $25 per person, $40 per couple, and $15 for children under 12. Event is suitable for children of all ages. Contact: 845-356-4770 or Green Meadow Waldorf School, 845-356-2514.