Home from Ruta Maya

We saw Wine and Alchemy for the first time. It was a great show, despite a really disappointing audience turn out. I guess it was a Monday evening, and they were opening for another act, so maybe that's why. BUT...everyone who wasn't there--YOU MISSED AN AWESOME SHOW!!

If you like Loreena McKennitt, and/or Bellydancing and/or Renaissance Festivals, then Wine and Alchemy is a MUST-see.

Roxanne Bruscha, the lead singer, alternated between singing in a very Loreena type vocal style in SEVERAL languages (fantastic pipes) and bellydancing (with swords, scarves, and fans, even!) and also played Zils in some numbers. She was all done up in Tribal-style bellydance garb, which is my favorite, and just put on a GREAT show. You know she has to be in FANTASTIC shape to sing and dance like that. I don't think I heard her out of breath once.

Mark Varelas, formely of EMuzeki, plays several instruments VERY well. And he's really nice to look at, too.

The other three musicans were also very talented, but I'm afraid, NOT quite as charismatic as Mark and Roxanne. (I did find myself wondering what happened to Jenny, Mark's partner from EMuzeki. She was an adorable little mouse sparrow girl)

They did a lot of traditional-sounding music from Romany culture, folk music of Europe, etc, and then closed with a version of "Bolero" that was very yummy indeed. I got the CD and I can't wait to listen to that again in a more intimate setting.

If you ever get a chance to see this band, GO. Clap, dance, sing along if you know the words, and don't forget to yell "Opa!"