Desert Wind Dancers

We Are The Desert Wind! Begun in May of 2001, Desert Wind has been bringing entertainment and joy for over a decade! Desert Wind is a traveling troupe of entertainers comprised of a dedicated group of dancers and musicians. With exotic music, eclectic costumes and extraordinary dances, and the dedication of veteran performers, Desert Wind brings with them a fiery energy that cannot be ignored. Desert Wind also offers classes locally for anyone wanting learn the exciting art of belly dancing! Experienced or not, ages 15-95, Desert Wind invites you to join us for fun and exercise! We are always looking for new places to share our dances! If you would like to contact us for a booking, please call, email, or send us a message through our many social networks! Please be sure to visit our Website and Facebook page for further information!

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Liynya and Sabar 

Photo courtesy of Christine E. Hawk Photography

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Saturday Class Reminder

Classes tomorrow morning start at 9 am. at the Reed community center. Classes are just $5 per class or 8 classes for $30. Plus you first class is free.

For more information feel free to email us at [email protected]

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The musicians and dancers of “Desert Wind”.

(Photo courtesy of Faire Photos)

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A nice shot of us from the Renaissance Faire of The Ozarks. We had a great time even despite the rain.  

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Mina, Always well balanced.

Photo courtesy of Christine E. Hawk Photography

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Sabar Nadir 

Photo courtesy of Christine E. Hawk Photography

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Liynya, Lady of the Flame.

Photo courtesy of Christine E. Hawk Photography

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Tales of the Caravan:  Aurora and Sabar Part 3

To complicate matters, several sailors were swinging nimbly to cut off her escape to the top of the mast, while below the rest of the troupe and the ships captain were coming on deck to determine the source of the uproar. Trapped, Aurora spied a large rope hanging nearby and leaped for it. Unfortunately, the rope’s end was seized by the captain just as her hands closed around it, keeping her from swinging to a new perch. Just then the madwoman reached out and placed her dagger’s blade against Aurora’s neck. “Lower yourself to the deck or i start carving,” she growled. Resigned, Aurora closed her eyes and slowly slid down to the waiting arms of the captain and the crew. Her arms were pinned to her sides and her wrists were tightly bound behind her back. Forced to her knees, she awaited her accuser, who quickly regained the deck and strode over.

“What is the meaning of this disturbance?” growled the Captain.

“Somehow, this son of a dog stole my amulet,” the woman snarled. She reached down snatched Aurora’s necklace from around her neck. It was her most prized possession, given to her older sister before she left home. She met the other woman’s eyes as fury built within her.

“Give that back! It;s mine!!” Aurora tried to stand but was held down. Tears of frustration rolled down her face. “My sister gave me that when we were little.”

“Liar! I gave that twin of that amulet to my sister! We didn't have a brother!” The woman reached down and seized Aurora by the neck.

“Hold!” shouted a voice. One of the male musicians strode forward and gently removed the woman's hand from her throat. “ are you so sure she is a boy?” He grinned and helped Aurora to her feet. He looked her over then stared into her eyes. “What is your name, lass? You’re real name.” Aurora knew her fate would be determined by her answer. She had no choice but to tell the truth.

“Aurora. My name is Aurora Nadir.” The madwoman suddenly gasped and clasped her own throat. Slowly, she pulled out a necklace with an amulet, the twin of Aurora’s.

“Then, may i introduce you to Sabar Nadir, your sister.” The musician smiled and gestured to the gaping woman who had tried to attack her. Both women stared at each other momentarily, the Sabar seized Aurora in a powerful hug. Sometime during the laughing and cheering by everyone aboard Aurora’s hands were freed and she returned Sabar’s embrace. The Captain, pleased by the turn of events, declared a celebration for all involved. Finally, after the merriment subsided, everyone went below except the sailors on watch. Once they were in Aurora’s cabin the two women exchanged stories of their lives since parting. Sabar complimented her disguise but was saddened that it had almost led to her death. Aurora wanted to change the mood so she started to question her sister about how she became a musician.

“The last time I saw you, you had been purchased by some nobleman to be a field worker in one of the German kingdoms. How’d you end up here?”

                                                                       -To be continued

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Tuesday’s Tales of The Caravan: Aurora and Sabar Part 2

  Aurora was credited with any theft that occurred, especially the more daring ones. She kept moving south but was finding opportunities to ply her trade more difficult. Everyone was hiring more guards and locking away their valuables. She realized the she had to leave the country or be imprisoned. Now it looked as if she would have to abandon her best chance for freedom if she couldn't safely reach the ship. At that moment she noticed a group of women wearing headscarves and veils ascending the gangplank of the ship. This gave her an idea. She quickly wrapped her upper body in her cloak and veiled her face with a bandana. With her disguise in place she calmly broke cover and headed for the ship, hoping that bystanders would take her for a straggler of the women already aboard. Aurora’s plan worked like a charm as, other than a few glances, no one appeared interested enough to question her. Once she was safely on deck she checked in with the officer in charge of passengers and sought her cabin. It was small, but comfortable, especially to someone who had been frequently living in abandoned buildings and sleeping on the ground. Aurora stayed below deck until the ship was well out to sea then went up on deck to observe her fellow passengers. She was surprised to find that the women she had seen earlier belonged to a troupe of Middl eEastern Dancers who were on their way from North Africa to southern France. Since the sea was calm they were practicing and performing for the crew as partial payment for their passage. Aurora found the intricate choreography and music delightful and envied the obvious happiness of the tight knit group. However, one of the drummers, a woman about the same age as Aurora, was somehow familiar looking. As Aurora stared and tried to remember, the woman looked up and, noticing her, smiled. She also seemed to be trying to recognize Aurora. Alarmed, Aurora quickly turned away and moved behind some crates lashed to the deck. After the music stopped and the dancers went below, Aurora started to head to the galley for some food. As she stepped around the crates, the female drummer stepped out from around the ship’s mast and blocked Aurora’s path.

“Excuse me, but do i know you?” the woman asked. Aurora’s reply was cut off as the woman stared at her neck. A snarl of fury erupted from the stranger and she lunged at her! Quickly as a cat, Aurora leaped away and scampered up the rigging. “Give it back! Give it Back to me or I’ll pull you down and gut you like a fish!” To emphasize her point, the woman pulled out a huge dagger, placed it in her teeth and began climb towards Aurora.

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Tuesday's Tales of the Caravan: Aurora & Sabar

   Aurora carefully surveyed the area between her hiding place and the merchant ship she had booked passage upon earlier that morning. Although the dock was crowded with sailors and a few soldiers, no one seemed to be looking for a wanted pickpocket and thief. So far she had been able to stay one step ahead of the many warrants for her arrest. The problem was that she had run out of escape avenues. Here in Reggio,at the tip of Italy, her only route would have to be by sea. Fortunately, se had found a ship ready to sail with the morning tide. Now if she could just get on board without being noticed, her pursuers would lose her trail. It had been hard for a young woman, alone and without money, to run away from her home in Eastern Europe. She was quick and good with her hands, and when driven by hunger to steal food, found that she was capable of sleight if hand. Disguised as a young man, people she had encountered took her for someone seeking his fortune or at least a vagabond. She had tried odd jobs, but knew if somebody found her out, she would be carted off to a nunnery or worse. The last thing she wanted was to be forced into a life of drudgery like the one she had escaped from.During her trek, she had observed the entourages of nobles and rich merchants and decided that she would personally see to a redistribution of wealth, with herself as the beneficiary. Once she had obtained a sharp knife she developed her skill as a cutpurse, reaping more money than she had ever seen. When Aurora reached the Italian city-states, she tried her hand at burglary. Her initial success had been followed by official recognition of the fact that someone was creating a crime spree among the rich. Eventually, she had been spotted climbing a wall at a nobleman’s estate and almost captured. During her frantic escape she had been revealed as a woman, and this had resulted in a public out-cry that she be quickly apprehended. As word spread, so did the reward on her head. 

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Tuesday's Tales of the Caravan:  Mina and Liynya (The Final Part 5)

“We must give the wagons time to reach the next village. I will hold them as long as I can.” Kazaan turned and went to his wagon where he quickly donned leather armor, scimitar, dagger, shield and helmet. He returned to the rear of the wagons to find his wife Shaheen waiting with and expression of annoyance.

 “We finally get to have some excitement and you want to hog the fun all to yourself! Besides, who is going to watch your back?” She smiled and brandished a sword in either hand. Liynya could see tears streaking her face as she knew that neither of them would survive such a one-sided encounter. Aman stepped forward with a spear and a rope.

 “Let’s string some snares quickly and I will stick a few before they can get through.” He spoke softly glancing at his wife as she hurriedly sent the dancers and the wagons fleeing down the road. She was responsible for those who could not stay or else she too would have remained. At that moment Liynya hopped out of her wagon with her secret possession. She raced back to the trio and handed over the pouch.

 “I cannot use a sword but I too can contribute to the fight. Here, perhaps you can use this to scare the raiders.” Liynya then turned and ran back to the rapidly moving wagons. She climbed on top of the last wagon and joined Aleeytis and Sabar, another dancer who had a bow and arrows, while they watched and waited. A few minutes passed when there was a sound like thunder in the distance, then nothing. The wagons reached the next village with no signs of pursuit. Giving a warning to the mayor Aleeytis asked that a squad of militia be sent to rescue her husband and friends. No sooner had the militia been assembled when a lookout on the palisade surrounding the town called out that someone was approaching! Liynya was first to reach the lookout’s post and thus was able to keep the archers on the wall from making pincushions out of Aman, Kazaan, and Shaheen! They were splattered with blood (not theirs) and weary. When they had rejoined the troupe Kazaan explained that while Shaheen kept watch, Aman strung his rope across the rode. Kazaan filled his helmet with Liynya’s powder and rocks and packed it against a large boulder beside the trail. When the raiders reached the rope they bunched up before they could hack their way through. Kazaan lit the fuse with a candle and ran like hell. The explosion sent shrapnel from his helmet and rock splinters scything through the marauders. Those still mounted fled while the remainder were easily dispatched by the trio of warriors. They then turned towards town and a chance to recover. Liynya was happy and pleased by the attention and accolades everyone was giving her when she spied Aleeytis striding towards her with a stern expression. With Mina beside her Liynya awaited the woman who could dash her future hopes.

 “You deliberately carried that powder in the wagon even after I warned you of the consequences?” Liynya shook her head, her eyes downcast. Mina made as if to speak but Aleeytis held up her hand to stop her. “I will hear no defense. Her actions were hers and only hers.” She then spoke softly. “By your action you saved my husband’s life as well as my friends and possibly the entire caravan.” Aleeytis grasped Liynya’s shoulders and grinned.                                                                                       

                                    "Welcome to Desert Wind!” 

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One of our talented musicians, The elegant Sabar. 

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Tuesday's Tales of the Caravan: Mina and Liynya (Part 5)

 "I cannot endanger our troupe. What if she takes offense at someone and decides to cause trouble? My heart agrees with you, but my mind says otherwise." Desperate, Mina's father offered a bag of silver coins to Aleeytis but she still refused. Finally, a nanny goat was thrown into the deal and Liynya was accepted. It seemed that several members of the troupe were very fond of goat cheese and wanted a fresh source during their wanderings. Aleeytis took Liynya aside and spoke sternly to her. "You are on probation as of now and I expect you to train and help around the camp. I will treat you fairly but, if you attempt to cause mischief I will see to it that you are unable to sit down for a week. Furthermore, I will give you to the first peddler we meet!" Aleeytis then gently pushed her towards the other troupe members. "Now go to your sister and catch up on your lives, tomorrow you begin a new career!" Liynya quietly rejoined her sister and soon was amazed by her tales of travel and adventure. That night she lay awake for some time. She had much to ponder and her mind was awash in emotions. She also felt a little apprehensive over one of the things she had brought with her. A cloth pouch full of the remainder of gunpowder she had discovered in the forest and subsequently used to scare her mean stepmother. Perhaps she could sell it at the next town they reached. She had to keep it hidden or her reunion with her sister would be short-lived. She fell into a troubled sleep. As the days and miles passed Liynya enjoyed her new lifestyle and became friends with everyone except Aleeytis, who was still wary of her being with the caravan. However, as time passed and no disasters occurred, Liynya detected a thawing of the older woman's demeanor. Things would no doubt have continued quietly when fate again intervened in the lives of the Tiziri sisters. The Caravan was passing through a thinly wooded area when Aleeytis's husband Aman rode up to their noon encampment with bad news.

"We must leave immediately! I spotted a troop of marauders following our tracks." Aman warned.

"How many and how far?" Asked Kazaan, the husband of Shaheen, who was another dancer.

"Twenty horsemen, five miles back and closing." Aman replied.

    -To be continued-   

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The lovely yet dangerous Mina. 

For more pictures of our dancers be sure to check out our Facebook page.

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Monday classes Cancelled

Due to icy and unsafe road conditions Monday evening classes at the Reed Community Center are cancelled.

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December is well under way, and we are already gearing up for some exciting events in 2015.

Voting for the 10th Annual Renaissance Festival Awards ends on December 31st. So, if you have not already done so, please vote for us in the 10th Annual Renaissance Festival Awards of 2014 under the section 6 Specialty Shows category: "Best Dance Troupe (on stage or in the street)."

And while you're there, please also vote for our friends The Bilge Pumps' new album "Bail Money" for Best New CD Released in 2014, and for the Bilge Pumps as Best Comedy Musical Show and Best Musical Group.

We all definitely appreciate your time and your votes as we're hoping to have a good showing in these awards categories this year! 

http://renaissancefestivalmusic.com/awards2014/

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Mina and Aleeytis hard at work practicing the Veil Waltz at class on Saturday morning. 

Dont forget Desert Wind has classes Saturday Morning at 9am at the Reed Community Center in Tulsa.

Your first class is FREE after that its $5 per class or 8 classes for $30! For more details please go check out our Facebook page.

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For this weeks Throwback Thursday we have Badriyah and Aleeytis dancing with candles at the Gypsy Coffee House in Tulsa in 2008