For my next long term gig, they’ve requested two shows. One for Turkish Night, and the other for Palace Night.
Palace Night entertainment features, but is not limited to (i.e. I don’t remember the whole program): a fusion dance group of two or three, a Russian revue dance group, a Russian-speaking comedian, and me. I think I will perform candle tray that night. (Sorry, Mom. I know you hate fire.)
Turkish night includes live music, another belly dancer (she’s from Turkmenistan), a zenne (male belly dancer), a folk dance group, a Kafkas group (I love this. The female dancers are elegant and graceful, and the men do this thing where they parade around on their toes, which is cool and surprisingly masculine.) For Turkish Night, I think I’ll incorporate some floor work and a cane dance. “But cane dancing is Egyptian and Lebanese!” you say. And I say, “So, what?”
Months ago, in one of my updates, I mentioned that I had been doing some improvisations with darbuka player Coşar Kamçı, formerly of Baba Zula, and promised that I would post one online eventually. Well, I probably never would have, but my drummer did, so here it is. I think we recorded this one in August of 2012. Please note: the refrigerator in the background and my sigh of relief at the end signify authenticity.
