We begin at the beginning...

Mind you what follows is raw extract from old newsletters, taken from my perspective mostly. I may clean it up in the future, but for now, it is what is is.

All my love,

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1992: PW XXI
(From Veil & Drum V2 #1)
Well, this year we tried an experiment...the Orluk Oasis as an emcampment. Camped with us were Dorian and Seliene, Alitha, Atesh and her daughter, Sandra, Blanca, Aleinora, Gisele, Asha, David (for a while anyway), Ariel and Shoshona. Classes for drumming and dancing as well as garb and dwelling seminars were the basic order of the day, while we knew where to find each other for the evening. As it was not a formally structured camp (i.e. you were responsible for your tent and cleaning up after yourself), everyone was free to come and go as they pleased. The only obligation was to help with the dance classes.

This arrangement seems to be fairly popular, so we might try it again next year. What I’d like to know is, what improvements could we make.

During the first week of the War this year, it was my pleasure to host several of my friends for a hofla on nearly a nightly basis. Linnet came to visit from her camp on the Sarengeti, as well as Gerald and friend from up near merchant-ville (both of them are Aletha’s appretices.) We were also visited by various itinerante dancers and drummers from various parts of the Known Worlde.

(Added commentary) Atesh was evicted from the Bathhouse for charging for handouts, and continued to teach at the Orluk Oasis. Coopers provide the first load of sand.

1993: PW XXII
(From Veil & Drum, V3 #1)
Special thanks goes our benefactor, the Barony of Bergental. They donated the use of their large tent (when it was not actually required for it intended use, the Runnymeade dinner) to our cause. Without this special gift, it would have been very hard to teach many of the classes in the blazing sun. My thanks to those who donated funds to renumerate our hosts.
Chengir named our little venture for us: al-Mul’lin (the School). Although he scheduled several classes on history and customs, our information network did not draw any to the school for these. However, his first wife did have several guests come to her class on period garb.
Of course there was much drumming (Savanas, David and I taught classes from noon to six every day.) Many students of last year returned, and many of the new students were doing quite well by the end of the week. (I couldn’t believe that people would want to tape the sessions, but there were at least three cameras and several tape recorders present this year.) I’m planning on having four to eight new rhythms ready for next year.
Leonne Monhafoc taught many classes in basic dance, and Su’ad, Farasha, Alexis, and Gisele taught other sessions. The dance shows were held for the dancers by the dancers, which means that we will have to try for the public shows next year. The Middle Eastern Dance Coop (of the East Kingdom) also held meetings at the al-Mul’lin, and occasionally, the drum class was invited over to participate with the dance classes (like Farasha’s zill class).
After teaching drumming, I had a pleasant surprise. Sadika came to the oasis from the Sun-Drenched Plains and we would spend an hour (houri?) or two playing the oud and guitar. It truly made my Pennsic (I’m learning something new!) Next year, maybe we will be able to extend the performance and classes to include material such as this (and singing, and customs, and Arabic, and...)
Of course, much more than classes occurred this year. In the first week (and I did teach classes during the first week) of the war, there was a hafla at the Oasis for the first few nights of the week. These were attended by various friends, old and new. Rena, Kamille, and Tsuranaga were regular attendees. Tsuranaga discovered that his sense of rhythm was sufficient that he took up the drum and was greatly pleased by his success. So much so that he sponsored a hafla on Friday night and joined one of our traveling Drum and Dance attack teams. He has taken the name Hassan (the grand Sultan of the Orient), and I am very pleased that he has joined us on this path.
Camped with us this year in the Oasis was Atesh and her family and my daughter Neefa with the folks of Black Beast. Aletha (and others from last year) were not there this year. I sill had space for about eight people if any had asked.


1994: PW XXIII
(From Veil & Drum, Vol 3 #2,3,4)
The Orluk Oasis is Full (we have reached the 30 person limit). Discussions will be held at Pennsic on the matter of sub-dividing the group into another small group (the reason is that this works better with the land grab folks). Rules for the Orluk Oasis this Pennsic are as follows:
• Be responsible (if not, you will leave).
• Durr al-Um la! (Durr is not the Mama!)
• This is a Staff Camp. All residents will perform some Pennsic service.
That’s it for the rules. Now for the fun!
Iffa’ al-Islam and Neefa bint Durr (and House Black Beast) want to have a wedding celebration, and Blanca wants to have a Bachelorette party this year. I suggest that we set aside Wednesday evening for this celebration (a henna party, a hofla, and whatever else). There will be some refreshments provided by Black Beast, but contributions of additional refreshments will definitely be welcome.
The Baron of Bhakail (Tristan) is making great efforts to provide a perfect Sunday night Hofla at the War this year (he has been conferring with various dancers and myself as to needs and requirements for care and feeding of the entertainers). I will be there!
I have asked Kathira um Rashid to research the customs of wedding celebrations and present them to us at Pennsic so that we can implement as many of these customs into this festive event!
I have spoken with Farasha, who said that her apprentice was going to organize the classes this year. From then on, I’ve heard nothing. So I spoke with the Classes Autocrat, and she is putting a general classes announcement in the class schedule that will say something to the effect “classes at the Orluk Oasis, daily 12 to 4 PM”. We should put up a schedule board with announcements of classes (you should also contact the classes Autocrat and see if it can be included in the site programs.
The A&S will not provide a tent for us (last year’s tent was a windfall from Barony Bergental and House Runymead), so if I can get the berber finished, we might have that to use. Otherwise, I will bring an old canopy (18 x 18) which we can set up if we scrounge up some wood and ropes.
Atesh has informed the Classes Autocrat of the sessions that she will be teaching, which will include:
“Improvisation and Performance Tips for Bellydancers”, and
“Forum for Teachers of Mid Eastern Dance”, which will focus on lesson planning strategies such as class structure, skill assessment and development, and what helps students learn. This is mainly for the benefit of new teachers of Bellydance, but she hopes we’ll have some experienced teachers come and share their ideas on what works or doesn’t work.

(Veil & Drum Vol 4 # 1)
This Pennsic was full of efforts to further extend the enlightenment of a civilized culture. Besides al-Mulin (The School), many individual and joint ventures did much to enhance and promote the expansion of our area of interests. The Hofla’s of Bhakail and House de Tyre, the circulation of the various artists and performers, the sharing of knowledge all came together to spark further growth. To honor those whose work came to my attention during this war (and please forgive me if I have missed others, but all-seeing I am not) the following lists are given.
Teachers who appeared at the Orluk Oasis:
Mistress Tahjah, who taught multiple dance classes on varied topics (including African dance).
Mistress Aletha, who jumped into the breach and taught various levels of dance in the time slots left.
Atesh Hanaum, who conducted symposia and discussions on instruction methods and motivations.
Leonne, who taught many beginning classes in the late afternoon (after merchanting earlier in the day.
Blanca, who (did not wallop anyone with her skirt, and) taught classes in Spanish and Gypsy dance.
Kathira um Rashid, who gave us lessons on life in Islam (including sex) and men's garb.
Chengir abu ben Said, who participated in and entertained so many of the classes as well as his enlightening discussions for those who thirsted by his well. His gift of the sobriquet for the brave Mustafa al-Wali is one of the more satisfying memories of Pennsic this year.
Sadika, who shared her musical knowledge and skill with so many eager folks. I promise to work hard this next year and do better, really!
Me (with assistance from Aziza, Bevin, Mustafa al-Wali, and one Name-I-Forget) who finally found his ear-plugs on the last day of classes. I really appreciated the help the senior students gave in the classes this year. It gave me a chance to concentrate on some things that needed to be done.
.....
Sadika performed several pieces that were universally appreciated (even after some technical difficulties with her instrument). Kamile started teaching line dancing at one point. It was impressive to watch! We also confounded Aletha with our traditional (non-four count) rhythms like Zabeck, Laz and Sami. Josh was there, but we couldn't connect.
Monday - Hofla (My Home) - Sadika, Hasan, Aziza, Christian, Leonne, Kamile, Ciannit, Chengir, and other guests wandered in all evening. It was a very pleasant and relaxed affair.
Wednesday - Wedding Celebration- Neefa and Mahout (Iffa’), Sabira, Shandra, Chengir, Kathira, Christafano, Aziza, Christian, Kamile, Ciera, and the rest of House Black Beast. Chengir conducted the formalization of the marriage in the manner of the Afghan people. Tahjah had taught the wedding dance earlier in the day, which was then performed at the celebration. Neefa and Iffa’ had prepared humus, babaganoush, malfuf salat and sekanjabin for the celebration. As it is my custom to prepare far too much food, so did my daughter! I now have a wonderful Fez (I'm so happy!)


(Added Comments) This was the year of the BIG RAIN. Sadika camped in the Orluk.


1995: PW XXIV (The HOT war)
(Esmeralda organizes classes; Pennsic provides TINY official tent.)
(Neefa becomes Land Agent.)
(Veil & Drum Vol 5 #1)
There were many things that made this a very good Pennsic for many folks, particularly the efforts of no small number that made it possible. I cannot hope to list all whom made it work so well this year, and even in trying, some names would be missed. Esmeralda and Neefa, for their advance work on classes and camp reservations; Chengir, Mustuapha, and Sartakh for their assistance in preparing the tent floor; All those who took time to schedule and teach classes, even in the heat! Special thanks to those who jumped-in to fill class voids, and special thanks to Kamelah and Sabirah for filling the need for beginners classes. (My personal thanks to Mustapha, Khavi, Bevin, and Sartakh for teaching the beginning drum classes for me.)
Friday night we all gathered at the Orluk Oasis. Alitha had mentioned to me the year before how Sadika had restored the magic mood of the dance through her singing and instrumental work on the Tuesday evening of PW XXIII. Well, for me that same rekindling of the magic and mystery occurred when all of my friends, old and new gathered at the hafla.

1996: PW XXV
(Added Comment) Ezmeralda organized the classes. The new tent appeared at the top of the hill. The old tent still had classes.