2015 Year in Review

2015 was a wonderful year for Desert Gypsies, and we are looking forward to another year of sharing the joy of Middle Eastern music and dance with you! As we begin this new year, we wish you a healthy, happy year ahead -- and hope your year includes an abundance of music and movement that delights you, body and soul. Happy new year!

Desert Gypsies
2015 Year in Review

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!

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!


 

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! :)