Mm Mm Monday - Latcho Drom

Oh happy day. Heaven of heavens!  Someone has put all of Latcho Drom (in parts, but all of it) up on YouTube...in high quality!  I had seen bits and bobs before, but usually low quality stuff that might as well have been on an old VHS.

What is Latcho Drom? It is a seminal documentary film made in the 90's about the Romani people, specifically tracing the travels of the "Gypsies" through India, Spain, Egypt, Turkey, Romania, etc.  In short, it is a visual and musical journey through the regions from which tribal bellydancers draw their fusion elements. There is much awesome music, much awesome dancing, much awesome costuming...and none of it is "costumed". These are The Real Thing.  And the worst part is that the video is no longer available except on old VHS.  They never made a DVD of it (though if someone did, they could make a small fortune from bellydancers alone).  In the meantime, we have YouTube. HOORAY!  Here they are:

A classic interview with Paulette Rees-Denis

I wanted to share this interview/article from several years ago in which Paulette was interviewed by a local NW dancer, Oberon, on iShimmy.com


There was always a fateful connection for me with Paulette...a reason why I was drawn to her, that was not simply geographical proximity. And those who know me will see how much we speak with the same voice on so many issues. I have always been inspired by how she has found such articulate, positive ways to channel her passion for bellydance, and all the nuances of artistic ethics and community building. She has always been, and continues to be, a mentor to me on so many levels, and I loved re-visiting this article and be reminded again why I am so proud to call her my original tribal bellydance "Momma". I hope you enjoy it, too!