Thursday, December 25, 2014

North Las Vegas Care Center: Celebrating the Season!

Merry Christmas! We celebrated the season in style with our friends at North Las Vegas Care Center this past Friday! We not only had a wonderful time performing, but we had a terrific time dancing with everyone afterward. Thank you! -- and we're looking forward to seeing you again soon!



"Christmas Celebration!"
North Las Vegas Care Center
December 2014

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Throwback Thursday: Silver Hills!

As we near the end of the calendar year, I find myself thinking ahead to my plans and goals for the upcoming year. I've been reflecting on the many performances we were fortunate to enjoy this year, from several Greek-themed shows and an Egyptian show at Atria Seville, to our holiday shows for Mardi Gras and Halloween at Destinations Oakey, to PirateFest, Ren Faire, and the Las Vegas Belly Dance Intensive.

All that reminiscing has me both looking forward to celebrating the joy and magic of Middle Eastern dance next year! -- and thinking back to the many, many wonderful shows we've enjoyed. Today, I'd like to share with you some pictures from my very first show, which was a volunteer show at Silver Hills Care Center.

In some ways, I consider this a run-through for my first "real" show, which was a year later, at Atria Sutton. I say this because, although I'd stopped by a few weeks in advance, when I arrived at Silver Hills, no one was expecting me! (In contrast, when I arrived at Atria Sutton, they had arranged the common area for our performance, and had a sign out in the lobby to direct residents to our show.)

Anyway, although they'd forgotten about me, the staff at Silver Hills found a space for me to perform and rounded up an audience. I put on my music and started to dance...and, as they say, the rest is history.

So, for a real throwback this Thursday...

Silver Hills Care Center
September 2008


Thursday, December 11, 2014

Recipe: Hot Spiced Cider

While this recipe isn't especially unusual, it's incredibly popular with guests when I serve it, so I'd like to share it with you. It's one of my favorites for get-togethers, because it's made in the slow cooker. So, I can prepare it in advance, and it's ready for company when they arrive...and it fills the house with the aroma of spices, too!

When I make it for company, I use apple juice, but when I prepare it for myself, I use a sugar-free apple juice drink mix. I'm okay with sugar substitutes, and it's a calorie-free holiday option.

Hot Spiced Cider

Ingredients:

8 cups (2 quarts) apple juice
3 (3") cinnamon sticks
3 whole cloves
3 allspice berries
1/2 orange, thickly sliced
1/2 lemon, thickly sliced
Brandy or rum (optional)

Directions:

Place all ingredients in slow cooker. Cook on HIGH until boiling. Reduce heat to LOW. If desired, add a splash of brandy or rum to each glass before serving.

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Christmas Music...Middle East Instruments!

 

I'll be honest: I love Arabic music. That said, I especially prefer Christmas songs performed on Middle Eastern instruments. To me, there's nothing more appropriate than listening to music about a man born in the Middle East being played on Middle Eastern instruments!

I'm sharing links to amazon.com, but they're also available on iTunes and elsewhere. Enjoy!

My first Middle Eastern Christmas album was this one, "A Time of Peace," by Brothers of the Baladi. It's equally as enjoyable to listen to as it is to dance to...Take a listen!

A Time Of Peace

Naser Musa's version of "Jingle Bells" is Desert Gypsies' favorite rendition of this classic song! Check it out, and the rest of Musa's beautiful album titled "Christmas and Beyond," at this link.



The title of George Sadak and Fae Wiedenhoeft's album says it all! "Christmas Tapestry--East Meets West" is a wonderful fusion of Eastern and Western music and instrumentation. Sadak provides the Middle Eastern rhythms, while Wiedenhoeft's angelic voice covers the lyrics. But don't take my word for it...Listen to the gorgeousness here for yourself!


 

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Dance Softly -- and Carry a Big Stick!

A friend recently asked me about the "stick dance" Anthony does as part of his solos and several of our troupe performances. Dancing with a stick derives from tahtib, a type of martial art that originated in Egypt. In tahtib, men use a large, heavy stick to protect themselves or kill an attacker. This has developed into performances between two men, often accompanied by music. Although there's music in the background, the performances are focused on warfare, not dancing.

Dancing with the stick is called al-assaya. Typically, men dance with a large, heavy stick, while women dance with a smaller stick or cane. The sticks Anthony's dancing with in today's picture are quite heavy and long, so it would be difficult for me to use them a dance. I prefer using a cane; the stick gives a sense of "I've got a stick, and I know how to use it!," while the cane is more playful, even flirtatious.

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Recipe: Aloo Gobi


Indian cuisine is my favorite! This particular recipe is my daughter's favorite Indian recipe. I've simplified it using typical Western preparation techniques. It still takes some time to prepare, but it's easy to make -- and well worth the effort!

Aloo Gobi
Ingredients: 

2 tablespoons margarine
1 tablespoon bottled minced ginger
2 tablespoons coriander powder
½ teaspoon turmeric
¼ teaspoon cayenne powder
6 tablespoons water
¼ teaspoon asafetida
2 teaspoons cumin seeds
1 (7-ounce) can mild diced green chiles
1 head cauliflower, cut in small florets
2 medium potatoes
1 cup water, divided use
2 teaspoons mango powder 

Directions:
Heat margarine in large skillet over medium heat. Combine ginger, coriander, cayenne, turmeric, and 6 tablespoons water to make a paste. When margarine is melted, add spice paste to skillet and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes. Add asafetida, cumin seeds, and chiles, and mix well. Add cauliflower, potatoes, and ¼ cup water, and mix well. Cover pan and cook on medium heat for 30 minutes, stirring every 5 – 10 minutes, adding water as necessary. When vegetables are tender, add mango powder and mix well.

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Recipe: Indian Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Spinach

It's that time of year when recipes for sweet potatoes abound! I love sweet potatoes, and I'll be sharing more of my faves as the month progresses. I've made this recipe on the stove top and in the pressure cooker, but I usually make it in the slow cooker: It's fast and easy, and fills the house with the exotic spices of India. Garam masala is an Indian spice blend; I strongly suggest using Rani's, which you can find online at www.ranifoods.com.

Indian Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Spinach

Ingredients:

1 (29-ounce) can sweet potatoes, drained
1 (14-ounce) can reduced-sodium, fat-free chicken broth
1 medium onion, quartered and thinly slice
2 tablespoons bottled minced ginger
1 tablespoon bottled minced garlic
1 1/2 teaspoons garam masala
1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground four-peppercorn seasoning
2 dashes ground cayenne
1 (10-ounce) package spinach
1 pound chicken tenderloins

Directions:

Combine sweet potatoes, broth, onion, ginger, garlic, garam masala, peppercorn, and cayenne in slow cooker. Add tenderloins and cook on LOW for 2 - 4 hours, or until chicken is cooked through. Chunk tenderloins using two forks. Add spinach and cook briefly, until spinach wilts.

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Destinations Oakey -- Spanish Spooktacular!

As always, we had a fantastic time visiting with our friends at Destinations Oakey! Happy Halloween, everyone...We're already looking forward to seeing you all again soon! :)

 

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Recipe: Pumpkin Hummus

It's that time of year when pumpkin recipes abound! -- and one of my favorites is pumpkin hummus. Pumpkin hummus is good with cut raw veggies or plain pita chips, but it's sublime with cinnamon pita chips or cinnamon pretzels. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Hummus

Ingredients:

1 (29-ounce) can pumpkin puree
1/2 cup bottled minced garlic (or 8 garlic cloves, minced)
6 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 cup tahini paste
salt, to taste

Directions:

Combine pumpkin, garlic, lemon juice, and tahini in blender or food processor and puree until very smooth. Add salt to taste.

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Ren Faire 2014!!

We had such a wonderful time performing at Ren Faire this year! We especially want to thank all of our friends who joined us for our performances. It's a real delight to look out into the audience and see a familiar face or two! We're already looking forward to next year's Ren Faire. :) Here's a pic from our last performance, but if that's just not enough dance for you (and we hope it isn't!), check out our Video Gallery. Huzzah!



Thursday, October 9, 2014

Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Mole

We're headed to the Renaissance Faire tomorrow! -- and we're excited to share many of our favorite Spanish choreographies tomorrow, so it's no surprise I'm thinking about mole. Mole is one of my favorite Mexican dishes. Given my sweet tooth, that's not surprising: Mole incorporates cocoa powder and sugar. That also makes mole the perfect recipe for Halloween -- a little chocolate in my dinner makes it easier to steer clear of all the candy and treats! I use the slow cooker to prepare mole, which makes this a terrific recipe if you're hosting a party or headed out to celebrate the evening.

My husband was reluctant to try my take on mole because his mother and aunts prepared mole that was more sweet than spicy. Mole is typically a high-fat dish, too. I've eliminated nearly all of the fat, and struck a balance between sweet, spicy, and savory flavors, so my husband and I can both enjoy mole. !Buen provecho!

Slow Cooker Chicken Mole

Ingredients:

1 (1 1/2 ounce) package dried pasilla, mulato, or ancho chiles
1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
1/4 cup cornmeal
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 tablespoon sugar (or sugar substitute)
2 teaspoons bottled minced garlic
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins

Directions:

Remove stems from chiles, if necessary. Combine chiles and tomato sauce in blender, and puree until chiles are well-integrated into sauce.

Pour sauce into slow cooker. Add cornmeal, cocoa powder, sugar, garlic, cinnamon, coriander, and cloves, and stir to combine. Place chicken on top of sauce. Cook on LOW setting 4-6 hours, or until chicken is cooked through.

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Las Vegas Renaissance Faire 2014!!

We're seriously excited about Ren Faire next week, in part because we're looking forward to sharing some exciting new music and choreography with our audiences! Here's our schedule on the Shifting Sands Belly Dance stage:

Friday, October 9th, 3 PM -- "Mediterranean Delights"
Friday, October 9th, 5:30 PM -- dancing with Tribe Al-Wadi
Friday, October 9th, 8 PM -- "Spanish Nights"
Saturday, October 10th, 4 PM -- "Arabic Dreams"
Saturday, October 10th, 5:30 PM -- dancing with Tribe Al-Wadi
Sunday, October 11th, 3 PM -- "Mediterranean Delights"

We look forward to seeing you at Ren!! :)

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Las Vegas Renaissance Faire 2014!!

The Ren Faire is definitely one of our favorite places to perform, and this year, we're excited to share that we'll be performing more often than we have in previous years. Desert Gypsies will be on the Shifting Sands stage as follows:

Friday, October 9th, at 3 PM
Friday, October 9th, at 8 PM
Saturday, October 10th, at 4 PM
Sunday, October 11th, at 3 PM

We'll also be dancing with Tribe Al-Wadi on Friday and Saturday from 5:30-6:30 PM on the Shifting Sands stage. We hope to see you there!

"Juntos"
Las Vegas Renaissance Faire 2013


Thursday, September 18, 2014

Atria Seville -- "Splendor of Egypt!"

We thoroughly enjoyed everything about our performance at Atria Seville last Friday! We love exploring classic Egyptian music and dance, and we have equally as much fun experimenting with more modern elements, too. Above all, we had a fantastic time seeing our good friends in the audience, and chatting with them after our performance. We <3 you, Atria Seville! :)

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Las Vegas Belly Dance Intensive 2014!!

We had a terrific time performing at the LVBDI for the second year in a row! -- and we had even more fun connecting with old friends, making new friends, and watching the dancing. Lililililiiiii!

Las Vegas Belly Dance Intensive
September 4, 2014

Thursday, September 4, 2014

We're Off to the Intensive!

Desert Gypsies will be at the Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive today! We're looking forward to seeing some dancing, then performing at 4:20 PM. We hope to see you there!

Desert Gypsies
Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive 2013

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Anticipating the Intensive!

The Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive and Festival is one of the events we look forward to all year long! We enjoy performing, but we also love seeing other dancers of all styles and skill levels, taking workshops, and of course, checking out all the vendors and doing a little shopping. There's something for everyone at the Intensive!

We'll be performing on Thursday, September 4th, at 4:20 PM. We'll be sharing a new choreography that we've only performed once, at Atria Seville. We'll also be dancing to "Yalla Sarah," which is a choreography we don't perform at the Ren Faire in October. So, we hope you can be there Thursday to catch our performances! We'll also be there Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to socialize, shop, and learn, so we hope to see you around.

Need more information? Check out the LVBDI Website at www.bellydanceintensive.com to learn more. Lilililililiiiiii!


"Yalla Sarah"
LVBDI 2013

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Quinceanera Fun!

We had the privilege of performing at a friend's quinceanera last weekend, and we had a terrific time! It was also a perfect opportunity to explore some new choreography and costuming, and delve a bit deeper into flamenco and gypsy music and dance. We'll be revisiting this costuming, and much of the music and dance, at the Renaissance Faire in October. Until then...!Jale!

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Word of the Week: Habibi

Many years ago, I was at a Persian restaurant with a friend, and got to chatting with a man who spoke Arabic. I asked him what habibi meant, as I'd heard it in practically every Arabic song, and thought it'd be good to know. He told me habibi means darling, sweetheart, beloved, etc., so it's no surprise it's an oft-used word!

Sometimes you'll hear the phrase ya habibi. In Arabic, "ya" is used before a name or endearment to clarify that you're speaking directly to someone. A reasonable translation to English would be "My darling."

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Recipe: Mediterranean Potato Salad

This Mediterranean take on classic potato salad makes a cool, refreshing side dish for a hot summer's day. I like to serve it on top of a bed of chopped greens and garnish it with chopped tomato to make it a meal. Enjoy!

Mediterranean Potato Salad

Ingredients:

2 pounds potatoes, waxy-type
1 cup Greek yogurt
1/2 cup celery, thinly sliced
1/4 cup onion, minced
2 teaspoons dried dill weed
1 teaspoon whole coriander, crushed
1/8 teaspoon fresh-ground peppercorn mix

Directions:

Boil potatoes until just soft. Drain and cool. Chop into 1/2" cubes.

Place potatoes, yogurt, celery, onion, dill weed, coriander, and peppercorn mix in medium bowl, and gently stir to combine.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Las Vegas Belly Dance Intensive!

The Las Vegas Belly Dance Intensive (LVBDI) is an international celebration of belly dance, offering classes from renowned instructors, professional shows, amazing vendors -- and the Desert Gypsies! LVBDI opens its stage to the public during the day, so you can enjoy every imaginable style of belly dance, offered by every caliber of dancer.

The open stage is free to the public, and we invite you to visit the stage on Thursday, September 4, at 4:20 PM, to see Desert Gypsies perform. (We encourage you to arrive early and stay late, so you can enjoy other shows, too!) Want more information? Check out LVBDI's Website at www.bellydanceintensive.com for directions, details, and much more!

Now, for a quick Thursday Throwback...Here we are at the Las Vegas Belly Dance Intensive 2013!




Thursday, July 3, 2014

Thursday Throwback: Atria Sutton

We're going way back in time today, to a Christmas performance at Atria Sutton, back in December 2009. This was about a year before the founding of Desert Gypsies: You can see two of my future troupe members in the background in street clothes, watching the show. Enjoy!

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Father's Day Celebration at North Las Vegas Care Center

We made some new friends last Sunday! We celebrated Father's Day at North Las Vegas Care Center, and had a terrific time dancing there. To all our new friends at NLVCC...We're looking forward to dancing with you again soon! :)

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Opa! Greek Week at Atria Seville!

We had the opportunity to celebrate the dance and music of Greece this past Sunday with our dear friends at Atria Seville. As always, we had a stellar evening! We <3 you, Atria Seville!! :)
 
 



Thursday, June 5, 2014

Recipe: Turkish Salad

This is one of my favorite summer recipes: It requires no cooking, and it's a light, cool dish that's perfect for a fast-and-easy lunch or a light supper. I adapted this recipe from Almost Turkish, a fellow BlogSpot that's well worth the surf. If you'd like to check out the original recipe, you can find it here.

Turkish Salad

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 - 3 teaspoons bottled minced garlic
1 tablespoon dried mint
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 tablespoon dried dill weed
1/2 cup feta cheese
1 (14-ounce) can fava beans, drained (see Cook's Notes)
2 cups frozen peas, thawed

Directions:

Combine olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, mint, parsley, and dill weed in a small bowl. Place fava beans and peas in a medium bowl. Drizzle beans and peas with dress, and add feta. Stir gently to combine.

For best results, refrigerate at least 2 hours, or until chilled.

Cook's Notes:

Look for canned fava beans in Mediterranean, Indian, or Middle Eastern markets. If you can't find them, you can replace them with your favorite firm-textured bean. Fava beans are similar in flavor to kidney beans, but I prefer to use large butter beans.

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Destinations: Yes, We're Approved Vendors!

Are you an activity director at a Destinations location? If so, look no further for unique quality entertainment for your location! Desert Gypsies is already on the approved vendor list, and we're ready to unveil the magic and mystery of Middle Eastern dance for you.

Not sure what kind of show you'd like? Here's a sampling of shows we've done over the past few years. Still have questions? Click the FAQ tab, or call/text (702) 238-4748 for more information, or to bring the beauty of Middle Eastern dance to you!

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Thursday Throwback: Atria Seville

We're headed to Atria Seville to celebrate the music and dance of Greece next month, which has us reminiscing about our first performance at Atria Seville a year ago, in May 2013. Enjoy!



Thursday, May 8, 2014

Recipe: Foul Mudhammas

I've put off posting this recipe, even though it's one of my favorite go-to meals, for several reasons...beginning with the unusual name. It's actually pronounced fool moodhammus, but that's only something of an improvement!

I also held off sharing this recipe until I found a source for canned fava beans. You can use cooked dried fava beans (readily available at Indian or Middle Eastern markets), but that'll require an extra step, which takes away from how terrific this dish is for a super-quick lunch or a light supper. If you can't find canned fava beans at your local Indian or Middle Eastern market, you can find them online at  www.ranis.com.

It's well worth the effort to look past the name, and round up canned fava beans. This recipe is healthy, filling, quick and easy to prepare, and it's absolutely delish in an Arabic or Greek pita. Enjoy!

Foul Mudhammas

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, quartered and thinly sliced
1 (4-ounce) can chopped mild green onions
2 teaspoons bottled minced garlic
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 (14-ounce) cans fava beans, drained
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions:

Heat olive oil in medium saucepan over medium-high hat. Add onion, chiles, garlic, parley, and cumin, and cook, stirring often, for 2 - 3 minutes.

Add fava beans and lemon juice, and stir constantly until mushy (to desired consistency). Add a tablespoon or two of water, if necessary.

When heated through and at desired consistency, serve in pita bread as sandwiches.

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Arrrrr, Mateys! PirateFest 2014

Despite the windy conditions Friday afternoon, we had a terrific time performing at PirateFest again this year! Here are a few of our favorite pics:


 


 


Thursday, April 24, 2014

PirateFest Performance Update!!

Yes, our performance schedule has changed again, but it's good news...PirateFest invades Lorenzi Park tomorrow! -- and Desert Gypsies is ready to take the Main Stage at 4:45 PM. If you can't make it that early, we'll be performing again on the Second Stage at 6 PM. Assuming the wind isn't too fierce, the second show will be entirely different, so if you catch our first show, we hope you'll stop by to rak with us again. See you then!

PirateFest 2013


Thursday, April 17, 2014

Recipe: Tzatziki (Cucumber Yogurt Dressing)

Tzatziki is one of my favorite dressings. It's delicious with all sorts of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes, from kebbeh to foul moudhammus, but it's a classic with falafel. It makes a wonderful chunky salad dressing, too. Enjoy!

Tzatziki

Ingredients:

2 cups Greek yogurt
2 cucumbers, peeled and diced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons bottled minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
2 teaspoons dried dill weed

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in medium bowl. Serve chilled.

Thursday, April 10, 2014

PirateFest Performance Time Update!

As mentioned in an earlier post, we're looking forward to performing at PirateFest in a few weeks. Since that post, our performance time has changed, to Friday, April 25th, at 5 PM. We hope to see you there!

PirateFest 2013
"Awtar 'W Haneen"

Thursday, March 27, 2014

The Early Bird Gets the Dancers...!

Atria Sutton, May 2013
"Cinco de Mayo, Gypsy-Style!"
If you've stopped by our FAQs page (or, for that matter, visited either of our Galleries), you know Desert Gypsies are grounded in Middle Eastern dance. That said, we often foray into related dance forms, particularly the skirt-twirling, foot-stomping dance moves of zambra and flamenco. In fact, our most popular show at the Las Vegas Renaissance Faire is strongly Spanish-influenced.

That versatility allows us to present an engaging Spanish-influenced show that's perfect for Cinco de Mayo. Sadly, last year we had to turn down several requests for a Cinco de Mayo performance, as we were booked in March for a May 5th show. (We don't double-book, because we prefer quality over quantity.)

We're not booked for a Cinco de Mayo show...yet. If you'd like to nab us before it's too late, now's the time! May 5th is on a Monday this year, and our calendar is clear from 10 AM - 3 PM. If you're ready to enjoy a sizzling Cinco de Mayo show, click on the Contact Us page for our contact information!

And, since it's Throwback Thursday, here are some pictures from our Cinco de Mayo show at Atria Sutton last year, and from a Mexican-themed show we performed last year. Ole!


Atria Sutton, May 2013
"Cinco de Mayo, Gypsy-Style!"


May 2013
"Fiesta Before the Siesta!"


Thursday, March 20, 2014

Desert Gypsies Headed for PirateFest!

Desert Gypsies are delighted to announce we'll be returning to PirateFest for our second year in a row. We'll be performing on Friday, April 25th, at 5 PM on the main stage, and hope to see you there!

Since it's Throwback Thursday, I'm sharing a picture from last year's PirateFest, from a performance near the Fairy Stage. Lilililililililiiiiii!

PirateFest 2013
 

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Happy Mardi Gras! at Destinations Oakey

We've wanted to celebrate Mardi Gras by sharing the joy of Middle Eastern music and dance for years, so the opportunity to enjoy the day with our friends at Destinations Oakey was a real treat!

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Recipe: Slow Cooker Kebsa in Dakkous

I'm fond of converting recipes to slow cooker recipes. Here, I've combined kebsa, a traditional Saudi dish made with chicken and exotic spices, and dakkous (a flavorful tomato sauce served with kebsa) into one recipe, making it fast and easy to prepare.

Kebsa is traditionally served with rice made from the poaching broth used to cook the chicken, so if you'd like to enjoy your kebsa with rice, I suggest preparing it using chicken broth instead of water.

You can enjoy kebsa as is (as in the picture), in a sandwich, or served on rice or mashed potatoes, but my favorite way to enjoy it is on a pita, like an individual pizza. It's hardly traditional, especially if you add cheese, but it's delicious!

Slow Cooker Kebsa in Dakkous

Ingredients:

1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
1 (4-ounce) can mild green chiles
1/2 large onion, halved and thinly sliced
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins

Directions:

Combine tomatoes, paste, childes, onion, coriander, pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg in slow cooker. Add chicken and cook on HIGH 4 - 6 hours, or on LOW 6 - 8 hours, until chicken is cooked through.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Valentine's Day Thursday Throwback!

Willow Creek Valentine's Day 2011
Whether you intend to wow your Valentine with a few sultry belly dance moves or not, I hope you've had a chance to experiment with a little veil work. It's a terrific all-over upper body workout that benefits your mind and spirit, too.

Still need a little inspiration? Here's a Thursday Throwback we hope will encourage you to find a length of chiffon or satin, put on your favorite music, and have some veil fun. Check out how much fun we're having dancing and posing with the veil in these pictures from previous years!


Need some music inspiration? Swing it to John Williams' "Song of India;" get your '70s groove on to Maria Muldaur singing "Midnight at the Oasis;" or rock it to "Desert Rose" by Sting.  Happy Valentine's Day!


All About Kidz, Valentine's Day 2012
I'm doing a Turban Veil move here.

2005 (See how short my hair is?)
Here, I'm just posing with the veil behind me,
with my arms in a L position.
Do you have questions or comments? Post below...Let me know! :)

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Veil It Up for Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day is just a week away! Would you like to dazzle your sultan with a few sultry veil moves? Here's a brief primer on veil basics, and a few easy-but-effective veil moves. Even if you've never danced with a veil before, you can pick up these moves in just a week!

First, you'll need a veil. Veils can range in size, shape, and material. The moves we'll be discussing are best with either a chiffon or silk veil that's roughly 36" wide x 48" long. (The exact size that's right for you will depend on your height, but to get started, these measurements work for most women. If you have any questions about what's right for you, leave me a message.)

Once you've got your veil at hand, here's how to do the Basic Hold: Pinch the top edge (the long edge) with your first finger and thumb, with the veil in front of your body. Leave about as much space on each side past your hands. For most veil movements, the veil should be draped a little between your hands, as though your veil is giving you a little smile.

Got it? Great! You're ready to start dancing with your veil! Let's take a look at three basic movements, and some ways to vary each one:

Poses: This is the easiest of veil movements, but it packs a powerful visual punch. All you do is bring your hands together over your head! With the veil behind you, it creates a sensual background for any movement. If you drape the veil in front (as in the picture above), it creates a mysterious curtain. To vary this movement, make a V-shape with your arms, instead of bringing your hands together. This variation is particularly effective with moving or traveling steps, as the veil will float up and out as you move or travel.

Turban Veil: I've heard this movement referred to by many names, but I call it this because essentially, you're wrapping your hands around your head, as if you were putting on a turban. To do the Turban Veil, begin with the Basic Hold. Bring your right hand around in front, then up and over your left ear. As your right hand passes behind your head, follow your right hand with your left hand, passing your left hand behind your head and over your right ear. Once you've got the hang of it going from right-to-left, be sure to experiment with reversing direction (bringing your veil from your left hand over your head, past your right ear, then bringing your right hand behind your head and past your left ear).

Here's a picture of me bringing my left hand behind my head, to my right ear:



The Turban Veil incredibly simple, but effective, and you can vary it up in a number of ways. Try alternating directions; experiment with hesitating just a moment before switching directions (this creates a little whirlpool shape in the veil); or add in a level change by going up on tiptoe, then bending your knees. Try experimenting with a Turban Veil in each direction, then pausing in a Pose.

Turban Arm Veil: Once you've got the Turban Veil down, you're ready for the Turban Arm Veil. Begin with the Basic Hold, then bring your right hand and arm over your left hand (it helps to bring your left hand and arm forward a little), then place your right hand on the back of your left shoulder. When you're comfortable with doing the Turban Arm Veil to the left, experiment with going to the right (bringing your left hand and arm over your right hand, bringing your right hand and arm forward, and placing your left hand on the back of your right shoulder).

Obviously, you can do the Turban Arm Veil from right-to-left and repeat this movement, creating a sense of a bullfighter's cape. Or, you can intersperse Poses, Turban Veils, and Turban Arm Veils.

My favorite thing to do with Turban Arm Veil, though, is to work the extended arm. If your right hand is on your shoulder, your left arm will be extended...and you can use that left hand to create figure 8s, swooshes, or simply turn in place with your arm extended. (If you turn in the direction of your extended arm, the veil floats in front of your body. If you turn in the opposite direction, the veil floats behind you. Experiment with both directions!) Here's a picture of me turning in the direction of my extended arm, using the Turban Arm Veil:



Now that you have these three basics in your veil dance vocabulary, it's time to have some fun dancing! Put on your favorite Valentine's Day music and get to dancing! :) If you have any questions or concerns, post below and let me know. Happy dancing!

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Let's Make Some Noise!

Did you know that Middle Eastern dancers love it when their audience makes noise? Of course, we appreciate a little applause at the end of the show. But we also love it when audiences get clap along, move to the music, or (as we talked about last week) zagharoot during the dancer's performance.

Western audience members can find it challenging to clap along to the music, though, as Arabic rhythms are often entirely unlike typical Western rhythms. Today we'd like to share with you a few tips to help you have fun making some noise, no matter what Arabic rhythm you might hear!

In most Western music, the accent (the time when you'd normally clap your hands along with the music) is on the second note, like this:

1 - 2 - 3 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 1 - 2 - 3 - 4

Most Arabic music, though, is accented on the first note, not the second. And, to make things more complicated, many Arabic rhythms, while technically 4/4 rhythms, track across 8 counts, instead of 4. For example, in the baladi, there's an accent on the first 1, the second 1, and the second 2, like this:

1 - 2 - 3 - 4 1 - 2 - 3 - 4  1 - 2 - 3 - 4 1 - 2 - 3 - 4

You may be wondering how in the world you'll follow along and make some noise as you enjoy the show, but not to worry -- you even have options! You can clap along on that first count. It's okay if you miss some of the accents. Or, if it's easier for you, clap on each count, instead of hitting just the accents. (You'll often hear dancers on the sidelines doing this for their fellow dancers.) If you can catch the accents, then feel free to follow along with your clapping. Have fun and enjoy the music and dance!

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Recipe: Basic Hummus

Hummus is a classic Middle Eastern recipe, which means there are many opinions and variations. In the Middle East, hummus is usually prepared with tahini (sesame seed butter), but in Greece, olive oil is used. I find raw olive oil upsets my stomach, so I opt for canola oil. It'll be delicious no matter how you prepare it! Serve with pita chips, a veggie platter, or use as a spread for sandwiches in lieu of mayonnaise. Yum!

Basic Hummus

Ingredients:

2 (15.5 ounce) cans chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup bottled minced garlic (or 8 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped)
1/4 cup canola oil, olive oil, or tahini
1/4 cup lemon juice

Directions:

Combine chickpeas, water, garlic, oil or tahini, and lemon juice in blender or food processor, and puree until smooth.

Thursday, January 16, 2014

What's That Noise You're Making...?

In many Middle Eastern songs, and in practically any Middle Eastern dance performance, you'll hear a distinctive "Lilililililiiiiii!" sound, like this:



That sound you hear is called a zagharoot, (in the plural, zaghareet). It's a sound of delight and joy, so it's not uncommon to hear musicians or dancers zaghareeting during or after a performance.

It's not hard to learn how to zagharoot. And, unlike Western dance performances, in which audiences are often expected to sit quietly and observe, Arabic dancers love to hear a little appreciation from their audience as they're performing! Here's how to show your Middle Eastern dancer just how much you're enjoying his or her dancing:
  1. Put your hand in front of your mouth, just above your upper lip, with your palm facing up just a bit. (Your hand should be roughly at a 45-degree angle.)
  2. Touch your tongue to your upper gum, just above your teeth.
  3. Say, "Li-li-li-li-liiiii," as quickly as you can.
That's all there is to it! Don't worry if you can't zagharoot quickly at first. With a little practice, you'll master it. And in fact, the speed of a zagharoot varies from region to region. In some countries (like Egypt), the zagharoot is fast, but in other countries (like Saudi Arabia and Sudan) it's much slower. Your Middle Eastern dancer will appreciate you, no matter how quickly or slowly you zaghareet!

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Opa! Greek Week at Atria Seville


Desert Gypsies kicked off Atria Seville's "Greek Week" celebration this past Sunday in style! As always, we had a wonderful time dancing for -- and with! -- our friends in the audience. We had the opportunity to dance with some new friends, too. :) Until next time...keep shakin' those hips and shoulders, everyone!

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Throwback Thursday, and Destinations...Yes, We're Approved Vendors!

Destinations Alexander
June 2012

Desert Gypsies is happy to announce we're on Destinations' approved vendor list!

Destinations Activities Directors, we've taken the hassle out of providing quality entertainment for your location. We're on the vendor list, and we're ready to celebrate the joy of music and dance at your location!

And, to celebrate Throwback Thursday, here are a few of our favorite pictures from performances at Destinations Alexander and Destinations Valley View.

Destinations Valley View
July 2013

Now's the time to contact us if you'd like to celebrate January birthdays in style, plan ahead for a unique Valentine's Day performance, or just enjoy the magic and mystery of Middle Eastern dance and music. Our calendar fills up quickly, so don't delay. Call, text, or e-mail us today. Just click on the "Contact Us" tab!