Back Everybody has their own ritual for celebrating the end of Spring. Some sacrifice goats, others declare war and still others replace their government with a new one. The Gypsies, on the other hand, visit and perform at this bazaar known as the Cairo Carnivale.
Described as Mecca for dancers, the Carnivale provides complete immersion into Oriental dancing as well as dance forms from many other regions. As usual, it seems to me there are more and more people at this event who want to look like us. Indeed, I nearly called over to several who looked like they were part of our Tribe but really were not.
Two stages are set up for continuous dancing, each with its own perpetual soul stealing device as the Cossak and Kalilah seem to possess. We were slated to perform at the appropriately named Gypsy Stage at dusk. Members of the Tribe traveled the four corners of the shire to all meet there.
There was enough time before our show for a little bartering and acquiring. The Cossak, demonstrating an unusal sense of good judgement, acquired for himself a new darbuka. Your excuses for not attending our musician meetings are now wearing thin, Petr!
And then there was our show. We were graciously announced as "the show you do not want to miss," and we exceeded the advance hype. At the point of the first contact with hand to drum skin, the audience was captivated by the incredible energy by our troupe. From the elegance of Koshgeleh, to the energy of Sawah, from the primal essence of Mukalehle (sic) to the boundless enthusiasm of Bonji, we were in another world. Perhaps we expended just enough energy for the show, for after the final bow the Gypsies seemed to reach a catatonic state. Somehow we managed to exit the stage and find our way home.
It does not seem to be possible, but we just become better and better with each performance. Now Alexis has claimed to have attained the Holy Grail of a rival Tribe, whose musical alchemy can now be passed down to us. Our charmed lives continue.
This Friday we begin anew. I hope to see you all there.
--Gavril
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