Magical Nights of Music Under the Stars – Where I got my start

The Honourable Lady Leila Rosa bint Zaidun (a.k.a. ME!)

When I was 14 I discovered the SCA (Society for Creative Enactment).  This world-wide organization recreates medieval and renaissance times.  My young friends and I were immediately charmed, and quickly taken under the wings of several long-time members.  It became a huge part of my healthy growth as an adolescent.  I found mentor-ship, friends, a rich place to explore the world of human interactions, a safe place to explore flirtation, a way to make the study of history irresistible, skills in sewing, beading, court dancing, fencing and heavy weapons fighting… But most important of all, I discovered a particular crowd who was passionate about middle eastern culture.

Me and my bro in the U.A.E., circa 1988.

This resonated with me strongly from my year living in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates as a kid with my mom, and my studies in Arabic and Islamic culture since then.  I began learning to belly dance, accompanied by basic middle eastern rhythms on the Darbuka.  And then one night I began to sing.  I knew the feel of middle eastern music under my skin, from when the call to prayer rang out across the city when I was a child.  And before I knew it, the true power of my voice was unleashed for the first time.  It’s here that I learned to improvise in Eastern modes and scales, weaving melodies out of the night, watching my voice possess the dancers and the fire respond.  I am profoundly grateful to this era of my life, exploring and experimenting and drinking in the dreamy magic that humans can make under the stars…

So here’s a big shout out to the Francesca di Pavia, my guardian and mentor, and the people of Caer Galen who welcomed me to one of the best parts of my adolescent education, and to my beloved Darbuka family over many years (Ah!  All the beauty and fun we’ve made!), and all the precious souls I have met in my SCA adventures.  I could not be on the delightful, deep and unique path I’m on without each and every one of you!

Here’s a little clip of said magic.  You can hear me briefly around minute 2:50…