MP3 Gypsy Caravan - Awakening

An eclectic troupe of tribal bellydancers and musicians, a contemporary family, urban berbers, dedicated to performing Middle Eastern and North African inspired rhythms and dances.

11 MP3 Songs
WORLD: World Fusion, WORLD: Middle East



Details:
**AWAKENING** 2002. A different and slightly darker look in to the tribal dance world from this eclectic band of gypsies. With special guests Jeremiah Soto and Wayne Gilbertson.
The Gypsy Caravan is an eclectic troupe of tribal bellydancers and musicians, founded in 1991 by artistic director Paulette Rees-Denis. They are a contemporary family, urban berbers, dedicated to performing Middle Eastern and North African inspired rhythms and dances.

Today they perform a fusion style of tribal bellydance that reflects the ancient longing to celebrate community spirit. The name pays tribute to the nomadic Gypsies and tribal folk who carried their song and dance with them as they traveled. Beginning on the Gypsy Trail in India, the Gypsies performed traditional dances for the various communities they encountered, in Egypt through Algeria, Morocco, Turkey, Greece, to Spain. Rhythms, costumes, and dance styles shaped Gypsy's lives as they migrated from country to country. This migration into modern times is what continuously inspires the the Gypsy Caravan.
The Caravan musicians play a combination of traditional and modern instruments. Percussive acoustic instruments, such as the dumbek, davul, tar, and djembe, match the dancers' vigorous hip movements. Melodies played on various wind instruments including zurna, mizmar, arghul, and ney, inspire the dancers' sinuous stylings. They sometimes fuse other instruments into the music -- the harmonium from India, the didgeridoo from Australia, and others. Together they contribute to an exhilarating and often mesmerizing sound.

The dancers occasionally use props such as fans, veils, swords, baskets, zils (finger cymbals), and percussive tambourines, to demonstrate their skill as well as to enrich the performance. Although some of the dances are choreographed, the dancers use their improvisational instincts with the spontaneity of the moment. A balance of precision and grace showcase this dance as both intoxicating and powerful.

With the resurging interest in this dance style, the Gypsy Caravan are able to both educate and entertain their ever growing audiences. In addition to touring throughout the Pacific Northwest from their home base-Caravan Studio-in Portland, Paulette and the dancers teach and perform around North America and Europe. Paulette has produced and directed two full length stage performances (known as mythic celebrations), with the Caravan musicians and dancers, and guest artists. The Gypsy Caravan has produced four CD's, with a fifth due out in August 2003. They have released several award winning videos-two performance videos, four instructional videos, and a live compilation video.

The core musicians are Bruce Beaton, Jeff Rees, Hans Janowitz, and Jared Lewis.