WINTER '10 NEWSLETTER

Brrrrrr...

Look! We had a new photo shoot!! Here is one of our new photos with Emily and Di included finally. Had to make it a bit blurry to hide the goose bumps :) Alas Miss Katie couldn't make it to the photo shoot but never fear, she is still with us.
Below is the latest... hope you enjoy reading all about it and we'd love to see you at any of our upcoming gigs. There's so much excitement afoot... I'm exhausted just writing about it!

Stay warm and snuggly xox
Love, all at Ghawazi Caravan Studios

Many thanks to photographer Michael Mamak.

News...

Intertwine is in the official selection of the 2010 The Sydney Fringe Festival. WWOOOOHHHHOOO. They call it 'The Fringe', but to bellydancers, this is mainstream!! Please support the non-BD world supporting us... yes, BD can be secular entertainment.
For those of you who saw Intertwine in 2009, it will be similar, but it goes for 1 hour this time, no intermission, and just the live music bits. We've trimmed it, translated some old chores onto ZenRasa pieces, tweaked and created a little too!
It's in September at The Italian Forum Cultural Centre, a really cool new venue - all red and grey and angular - in Leichardt. You could come and get gelato with us afterwards! See below for further details. Also, check out the other rad events on during The Sydney Fringe www.thesydneyfringe.com.au. Listings will be going up soon. Tix on Sale 1st August.
Poster photography: Damien Baker and Tristan Baker. Design: Cristie Fuller.

Are you on Facebook? if you are and want to join our page for updates and photos, go to www.facebook.com/GhawaziCaravan . 'Like' us!

Bellydance Oasis Magazine. In the upcoming edition, Devi interviews QLD troupe Gypsy Rain's director Nina Martinez. Nina has been on a fantastic dance journey with Paulette Rees-Denis of Gypsy Caravan. To read all about it, subscribe at: www.bellydanceoasis.com

Devi's off to Belgium! Yes, it's finally happening. The lovely Hannele from Brussels is having Devi over to teach workshops on the 2nd and 3rd October. Have fun Devi! Eat some waffles for us... and don't forget the chocolate... as if you would. For more info: hannele.aaltonen@tribal.fi

Upcoming Public Events...

Thursday 22nd July '10 - ESMA Black Tie Fundraiser at Anahita Restaurant, Lane Cove. The Egyptian Society for Mercy to Animals is a small group of Egyptian and expatriates committed to improving animal welfare in Egypt in all areas of need.
Tickets $70 includes scrumptious Persian dinner, soft drinks, dessert and 5 Star professional floor show by Sydney's leading dance artists with special interstate performer Melissa Cristina. Other performers include: Jrisi and the Hathor Dance Theatre, Shiva, Devi Mamak and Ghawazi Caravan, Fire dance with Kurvy and Hilary Cinis, Rachel Bond and partner with Tango, Paine Chocolat with Ballet/Burlesque and Masha's Legacy featuring drummer Jamal Zraika.
New Release of tickets! 'B Reserve' with standing room only, no meal only $20. Why not organise a Bellydance Class Excursion?! Contact: www.hathordancestudio.com.au or 0409243764

Saturday July 24, '10 - Evernight 2, hosted by UMBRA Theatrical Gothic Belly Dance. Our pieces are quite an exciting departure from our usual fare, some choreography that we could really get our teeth into.. wink wink. And Doug has been busy crafting us a new costuming element to add to the gothic and fanciful mood. Also performing: international guest...dark fusion star Sashi, Ma'isah, Saahirah Ravyn, Arabiana and UMBRA.
Venue: WEST's Leagues Club "Starlight Room" New Lambton (near Newcastle). Tickets $35...hurry! Snap one up now! Contact Dani: desertmoondancers@aapt.net.au or 0417043307

Saturday July 31st and Sunday August 1st 2010: Festival Mystique - "Magic, Music & Mayhem”. Rachelle and Cristie are teaching fun and challenging 'Tribal Duets' and April will be teaching 'Khalbelia Gypsy Dance'. Dinner and performances on the Saturday night. Directed by Anne Dunston of Eastern Spirit Belly Dance at Pokolbin Hall, McDonalds Road, Pokolbin. www.festivalmystique.com
Image of April dancing in Khalbelia costume by Michael Edge-Perkins // syncretismassociates.com

6th, 7th and 8th August 2010 (Fri-Sun): Drills and Individual Critique Levels 3 & 4.
Join Devi Mamak and Cristie Fuller for drilling, individual attention and constructive critique on advanced ATS moves, Ghawazi Caravan moves, zilling and musicality. An exciting and intensive workshop where you will really see improvement in your dance and come away with a toolbox for working on your specific needs. For bookings or a complete breakdown of what will be presented for levels 3 and 4 please contact devimamak@ghawazicaravan.com. Held in Hazelbrook, Blue Mountains.

Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th August 2010: 'Build Your Own Workshop' - Private lessons with Carolena Nericcio... don't you want to tell your grandkids that you were face to face with Carolena? Contact Devi - devimamak@ghawazicaravan.com. Will be in the Blue Mountains.

4th and 5th Sept, 2010: Australian Dance Festival at Sydney Town Hall. Ghawazi Caravan have been asked again this year to perform at the ADF on Saturday night 4th September. Ghawazi Girls will also perform in the day concert! Check out www.australiandancefestival.com.au for further info; you might be interested in their workshops too.
Youtube of us dancing there last year: 'Australian Dance Festival: Ghawazi Caravan' Film thanks to Tristan Baker

11, 12, 13th September 2010: Tribal and Trance Festival - The Red Carpet Night (Sat 12th) showcases TTF workshop Instructors and professional troupes such as: Elizabeth Strong, Melusina of Underbelly Melbourne, Ghawazi Caravan, Hilary Cinis, Tribal Jewels, Tribal Blossoms and many more..... Saturday 11th September 2010 Riverside Theatre, Parramatta NSW. 7:30pm $35 ($28 concession)

Tribal and Trance Festival Classes with Ghawazi teachers: Devi - Flamenco Fusion: Devi has been working on brand new Flamenco and Gypsy inspired combos and has come up with seven so far. She will be showing them for the first time here.
April and Devi - Indian Fusion: These two have put their heads together and with rich bellydance AND Indian dance knowledge, come up with this awesome new fusion piece for you.
Emily - African Dance with Trance Elements: Brand new African/ATS inspired combos since she has been dancing with us for about a year now (of couse along with her many years of teaching and training in West African and Contemprary)...so new stuff all around and showcased for the first time at TTF.
Plus!! Ghawazi Caravan, Ghaziya and Ghawazi Girls will perform at the Sunday All Day Soiree... PLUSS!! April and Cristie will be sharing a stall with Jacqueline of Tribal Jewels. April will have her Indian wares, Cristie will have handmade headgear and belts and Jacq will have her divine Indian-made bags and accessories. More info at www.tribalandtrancefest.com

Hey... if you are coming to Sydney for TTF... why not hang out a couple of days and come to Intertwine??!

September 2010: The Sydney Fringe Festival and Ghawazi Caravan with ZenRasa
present Intertwine (see above News for more info) Tuesday 14th 8pm, Sat 18th 8pm, Wed 22nd 6.30pm at The Italian Forum Cultural Centre, Norton St Leichardt. Enter through The Italian Forum. Tickets $24 on sale August 1st. For more info and tickets (on sale 1st August): www.thesydneyfringe.com.au

Recent Events...

Rachelle's Tribal Make-up class: On 5th July, Devi's students took advantage of the first of the free workshops the celebrate GCS 10 years of Tribal. Oh the vision of gorgeousness we all were with our war paint on! Thanks Rach, you are awesome!!

Devi and April taught workshops in Arakoa in NZ in June. Tracey and Margy were their gracious and super fun hosts. The workshops on Indian Fusion and ATS went down a treat and the NZ gals kicked up their heels at the Hafla afterwards. You'll be able to experience some of this goodness at the Tribal and Trance Fest workshops. Yay! Image: Michael Edge-Perkins // syncretismassociates.com

WINTER MAGIC!!!!! Rock the solstice! Ghaziya froze their bells off in the parade and still looked hot. Emily did the fantastic Hands Heart and Feet thang then ran into the Carrington Ballroom to do the Ghawazi thang and we had a ball!! The house was packed and jumpin and we all had a great time!

The next day (20th June) was the Winter Soiree hosted by Annie at Ingleburn. Ghaziya said it was a relly good one with so much excellent dancing. Fun and entertaining! Photo of Kirstie, Roz, Sara and Kelly of Ghaziya fusioning it up!

Also on the same day was the 'Hips Don't Lie Bellydance Academy' hafla at which Cristie performed. Cristie had been teaching an 'Introduction to Triba'l class for Georgette and the wonderful students did a short Tribal piece that impressed all!

Al-Ikseer - A night with Jill Parker on the 30th May, hosted by Kellie Harkin (Kurvy) was a truely amazing production, talented dancers - cab, tribal, fusion, Odissi etc! - from all over Australia and of course Mz Jill Parker from San Fran.She knocked the sox off her workshop participants over the weekend and it was great to see her perform the choreo she taught. Five members of Ghawazi had a great time helping Jrisi with her amazing new prop.... megaskirt! And the rest of her solo was pure mesmerising art. Devi debued her new solo 'Osama'. So the highlight for me!!! Go alien belly! Photo: Sean Guenther

'Souk in Sydney' on 1st of May was the concert of the Sydney Middle Eastern Dance Festival. Melusina was amazingly graceful. Hilary and Ali were wonderful entertainment with their cheeky boudoir piece! Elenie mesmerising with her dramatic Minnie piece. There was too many outstanding acts to comment on! Ghawazi Caravan and ZenRasa performed a slow piece and Emily's crazy solo Setta. Photo: Alma Sarhan
The next day at 'Festival Follies', Ghawazi Girls and Ghaziya were excellent. Good work, ladies. Ghawazi Caravan enjoyed performing Caravan and Sadats.

Bellydance Soul Cards Sydney Launch on 6th June was a beautiful event at the Vanguard in Newtown. The Soul Cards are a pack of inspirational/divination cards by Jasmine Safi featuring photos of bellydancers representing different aspects of life. Ghawazi is 'Sisterhood', Devi is 'Temple Dancer' and April is 'Gypsy Spirit'! To buy a pack: www.haremlounge.com

My goodness! there are so many great things to talk about from the past few months!! Phew... like the Dance Week show and April's adventures at TribalFest in California ... Devi in Adelaide.. etc... seriously fun dancing and teaching all over the place!

Into the future...

Alexandra of Deset Flame is conducting a retreat in Bali this October 3rd-10th "Join Alexandra and Nicole on this amazing, memorable and magical personal journey through Yoga and Egyptian dance". You know you want to!
Contact: alexandraflame@gmail.com www.alexandrabellydance.com.au

30th October, 2010: Bringers of the Dawn. Part of the Footbeats Festival. More info to come.... Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains. www.footbeatfestival.com.au

Wednesday 4th November Carolena Nericcio and Devi Mamak teach and perform in Adelaide. Carolena and Devi are co-teaching the General Skills Certificate. Carolena will be staying on to conduct Teacher Training. Contact Evangeline: evangelinefeary@bigpond.com

19th, 20th, 21st November 2010: Unearthed Tribal Bellydance Weekend in Mooroolbark, Victoria. Mooroolbark Community centre.
www.redearthghawazee.com/Red_Earth_Ghawazee/Unearthed.html

Ghawazi Caravan Studios End of Year Celebration Show! Saturday 4th December 5pm-8pm at Hazelbrook Public School Hall.

Quote of the season...

"People are crying up the rich and variegated plumage of the peacock, and he is himself blushing at the sight of his ugly feet." - Sa'Di

"Don't try to be different. Just be good. To be good is different enough." - Arthur Freed