Wookiee Bellydance + Klingon Band

UPDATES: (Oct. 8, 2012) Word of the Nerd Podcast interview with me about the Wookiee Bellydance video! (Oct. 22, 2012) Just signed a release for the usage of the video on Objective Scotland's "50 Funniest Moments of 2012" programme to appear on Channel 4 in the UK. Several months ago Deserae, a wonderful bellydancer dancer …

Yo-Yo Ma’s Romulan Music Project

Nerd Lunch has a podcast about the upcoming Commedia Beauregard's production, "A Klingon Christmas Carol," with a brief mention of my group's (the il Troubadore Klingon Music Project) involvement with the soundtrack.  I composed all the music (you can hear a couple of samples here and here) and my band will record the final versions …

DaHjaj QeylIS qa’jIH.

"I am the Spirit of Kahless Present." Sometimes I have to be in the business of creating culture, not just re-creating culture (or 're-presenting culture' as I sometimes refer to my musical activities).  I've been watching a DVD of the final performance of  "A Klingon Christmas Carol" which is a production by the Commedia Beauregard …

the perils of having too many bands…

Last night I was meeting and rehearsing with my Central Asian music and dance project, Raks Makam, and tonight I get to meet and rehearse with my String Quartet.  The previous night (Tuesday) I rehearsed with the IUS Orchestra which, as I said I do in alternation with the Klezmer group, The River City Klezmer …

on Klingon weddings and playing the Sci-Fi/Fantasy circuit

So, as I mentioned in the previous post, there is an embarrassment of riches as far as performing options are concerned, if you're willing to think outside the box.  The past few years I've been playing the Sci-Fi/Fantasy circuit.  I hesitate to call it the "Sci-Fi/Fantasy Convention circuit" if only because some of the best …

on playing music from Central Asia…

As I mentioned in my last post, I had a meeting with my partner, Jessica, for Raks Makam.  This comes on the tail end of me performing a fully fleshed out version of Kor Arab (otherwise known as Kor Ərəbin Mahnısı).  I had performed an excerpt of this within the context of a longer collage …

Sunday Spotlight on the Non-Western Cello: Anup Biswas, the Cello in India, and Bollywood

This installment of the Sunday Spotlight on the Non-Western Cello will be a bit more personal than those in the past. I know I've been terrible the past couple of months about blogging, but [fortunately] I've just been far too busy performing and giving presentations to have spent much time writing here or elsewhere. After …

Klingon Music Theory (part 1): Intro

Featured Image: The late Ron Taylor (1952-2002) as the Klingon Chef, Kaga, on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Kaga frequently serenaded his customers with Klingon folk songs. Ok, here it is, the post you've all been waiting for! Kinda. So yeah, as many of you know I've been playing "Klingon Music" for some time now …

“Spaced Out: Klingon music? It’s just one of the many languages mastered by this inventive band”

So the interview with me about the il Troubadore Klingon Music Project is out now (see the online version at this link).  We've got a pretty busy weekend as we'll be making an appearance at a local production of The Pirates of Penzance (in Outer Space) given by the New Albany High School choral department …

so busy

Ugh, yes, I have not had much time to post lately--last weekend I was playing a Klingon and this weekend I've been gigging non-stop with three of my bands (well, four if we count the Klingon Music Project as a separate act from il Troubadore 😉 ). One more show in Indianapolis tonight at one …

Performance: Greek Islands Hafla

If you are reading this, it's because it was written earlier today and set to future post as I will be performing at the Greek Islands Restaurant in Indianapolis when this autoposts.  The group I'll be playing with is one I co-founded with vocalist and mandolinist, Robert Bruce Scott, in May of 2004, il Troubadore.  …

Performance: Indianapolis Artsgarden

If you are reading this, it’s because it was written earlier today and set to future post as I will be performing at the Indianapolis Artsgarden in Indianapolis when this autoposts.  The group I’ll be playing with is one I co-founded with vocalist and mandolinist, Robert Bruce Scott, in May of 2004, il Troubadore. We'll …

Performance: Greek Islands Hafla

If you are reading this, it's because it was written earlier today and set to future post as I will be performing at the Greek Islands Restaurant in Indianapolis when this autoposts.  The group I'll be playing with is one I co-founded with vocalist and mandolinist, Robert Bruce Scott, in May of 2004, il Troubadore.  …

Greyhouse Coffee & Supply Co.

This is a prewritten post as I will be performing at the Greyhouse Coffee & Supply Co. with il Troubadore. If any readers are so inclined then please come to the show for live world music as only il Troubadore can present. Show info follows: il Troubadore at Greyhouse Coffee & Supply Co. 100 Northwestern …

Earth House

This is a prewritten post as I will be performing at the Earth House with il Troubadore. If any readers are so inclined then please come to the show for live world music as only il Troubadore can present. On top of that, enjoy the 100% organic and fair trade cafe with vegetarian and vegan …

Zorba's Valentine's Day Hafla

This is a prewritten post as I will be performing at a hafla at Zorba's Greek and Middle Eastern Restaurant with il Troubadore. If any readers are so inclined then please come to the show for live bellydancing by one of Zorba's house dancers, Ja'Niesa, and live world music as only il Troubadore can present. …

Lafayette Music League HOOT Night

This is a prewritten blog post as I will be performing with il Troubadore and special guest, Taletha, at the the February 2009 edition of the Lafayette Music League HOOT Night (see previous post). The Lafayette Journal and Courier had a fun little write-up of the show yesterday: One varied Hoot Night SATURDAY: It’s a …

Mirage Bellydancers Spring Hafla 2009

This is a prewritten blog post as I will be performing at the Mirage Bellydancers Hafla this evening with il Troubadore.  If any readers are so inclined then please come to the show for live bellydancing, live world music as only il Troubadore can provide and then a show at the Knickerbocker Saloon afterwards in …