Photo by kaizennw.com
Who are Gypsy Caravan Dance Company?
Since 1991, with tribal instigator and director Paulette Rees-Denis, Gypsy Caravan Dance Company, often with live music from the bands Gypsy Caravan or Mizna, have explored many types of performance venues and experiences to showcase their thrilling and innovative shows. Besides monthly shows at home in Portland, Oregon, they have performed and taught throughout the United States and around the globe, including shows in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Holland, Germany, Spain, and Italy.
A tribute to the past, created in the present, borrowing from many cultures and full of today's urban spirit, feel your tribal soul coming to life. Paulette and the Gypsy Caravan are available to perform for festivals, shows, benefits, and celebrations of many kinds. Contact with your request!
Paulette published a book in 2008, Tribal Vision: A Celebration of Life Through Tribal Belly Dance, which details Paulette's tremendous influence in the bellydance world, along with history of the Gypsy Caravan. Paulette's documentary, Tribal Travels: A Collage, following Gypsy Caravan’s experiences and performances (June 2005), won “Best Historical Documentary” from the Giza Academy Awards. With Gypsy Caravan, she has won awards for “ Troupe of the Year” (twice), “Favorite Musicians” (twice) from the Zaghareet Magazine Golden Belly Awards, “ Best Choreography for the Camera” from the International Academy of Middle Eastern Dance, and “Best Troupe”, and “Best Entertainment Video” from the Giza Academy Awards.
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"Gypsy Caravan was delightful and graceful. The feminine moves and subtlety of their dance was a breath of fresh air!"
From an audience member at the Totally Tribal Festival in Washington in August 2009!
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Photos of Gypsy Caravan at Folklife, Seattle, 2009, by Byron Dazey
Some past Gypsy Caravan live footage for you to check out!
I was recently sent this clip from a past show with Gypsy Caravan Dance Company and Mizna playing at Folklife Festival in Seattle, Washington 2 years ago. This sound is not so good, but it is still fun to watch!
You tube also has several clips from my Tribal Technique DVDs if you want a preview.
Ah, a filmmaker, Charlie Nano, sent me an email about this clip of a Gypsy Caravan show, at the Fez Ballroom from a few years back! So fun to reminisce, and I especially love the view through the ghawazeeing hips!
The song is T’yem—one of my favorites, from the Quest CD.
Tom Cooper from Domba is sitting in as a guest musician with Jeff, Bruce, Hans, and Jared. Then Carol and Cammi play the big Italian tambourines on Allesandra, while Dulcinea, Michele, and Karen dance. Did you see Dulcinea’s eyebrow raise?
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Highlights from their illustrious career include playing assorted events, both big and small:
And hundreds of shows, including festivals, clubs, gatherings, celebrations, theatrical productions!
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