Aziza Al-Tawil's World

Mediterranean Copper - Artwork in Pastels by Aziza Al-Tawil

2016-02-04T16:35:00.000-05:00

Available without watermark here:Mediterranean Copper in Pastels Medium by Aziza Al-Tawil

Hijab Woman Mosaic Art by Aziza Al-Tawil

2016-02-04T16:03:00.000-05:00

Available without the "Watermark" here:Hijab Woman Mosaic by Aziza Al-Tawil

Prismacolor Premier Soft Core Colored Pencil, Set of 48 Assorted Colors (3598T)Prismacolor Scholar Colored Pencil Sharpener (1774266)

"Greek Belly Dance in the USA (1955-1967 Recordings)" : A Review by Aziza Al-Tawil

2016-02-03T12:11:00.000-05:00

Wow! How do I say this? Just a great collection of songs, many of which I'm already familiar with through my background in belly dance as a child performer in the "heyday"and from a massive collection of authentic old world record albums accumulated by my mother, NYC belly dancer Johanna. Had the pleasure of seeing quite a few of these artists in person, "live," either from the "audience" perspective or even as the main attraction myself (Anestos Athanasiou was not only a dear friend of the family, but was almost my "Stepfather" and was even my accompanist on several occasions). Yes, "Gyftos" Athanasiou is here as well as many others that made that wonderful era so indeed "wonderful."

You'll hear Jimmy Linardos and Gus Vali. Her name is spelled different here but the cd includes two tracks from my favorite Greek singer Rena Dalia. My mother Johanna worked the "Britannia" club with her. A truly beautiful and distinctive voice.

Petros Kalyvas and Saleas were cousins. Hear them along with Halkias representing the type of clarinet playing that inspired many a "sinewy" move during the Tsifte Telli.

"Oh, Passas" features the almost "Hot Canary" style of Middle Eastern "fiddlin" that Freddy Elias made a name for himself with along with his oft compatriot in music Buddy Sarkissian.

Any belly dance student or aficionado in today's world should check this cd out and let it transport them to a time when the scene was not just "Egypt Centric." Songs, like "Hicaz Tsiftetelli," "Maharajah," "Arapines," "Zenouba," "Tsigana Mou," and "Sylvana" were staples..

We even have a track by Tassos Mavris - a regular around 8th Ave. and "The Feenjon" farther downtown. Tassos, God Rest his soul, showed my mother Johanna how to play finger cymbals.

Always understand with a lot of "Public Domain" re-issues that sometime the names of artists get mixed up or not mentioned at all. At first glance this collection seems to be right as far as credits. "Maharajah" and "Sylvana" sound very much like versions from one of my old albums by "Dimitri and his Ensemble." Have to do a comparison-have another listen, etc. to really tell you if they are the same.

Yet, any time a collection like this comes forth to give younger people a "feel" for what the "Greektown" belly dance scene sounded like it is surely an exciting and good thing. Luckily, there seems to be more and more being released now. This one is an extremely well rounded compilation and I can't wait to add it to my digital music library. (P.S. If you want the Jimmy Linardos belly dance routine you have to purchase the entire album).

The link to order is here:
Greek Belly Dance in USA (1955-1967 Recordings)

FINGER CYMBALS: THEY BETTER HAVE ONE HOLE IN THE MIDDLE!

2016-01-31T15:09:00.000-05:00

I don't know how many times I've been asked "Why do your zil have such a beautiful tone?"

The partial answer is: "They have only one hole in the center of each. I use 14 inche flat elastic in them that I painstakingly poke through the one hole."

This is an explanation for why my zil don't sound dull, clacky, or flat.

Two hole zil came into popularity just to make things easier on the dancer. Too bad it didn't make for "easy on the ear."

The best pair I ever had were from Turkey. I've been playing them forever!
Bundle of Finger Cymbals, Cast, Engraved, 4.5cm And 2 Plastic Egg Shakers - Light Blue Logo

Ancient Egyptian Brush Set for Photoshop

2016-01-30T18:25:00.003-05:00

Wow, I did not know there was such a thing as a brush set for "Photoshop"-this one has Ancient Egyptian textures. Bet this would really benefit belly dancers and their brochure-flyer making for events, what have you! I do not have "Photoshop." Maybe, I need to get it!

Here's the link: Ancient Egyptian Brush Set for Photoshop

Peacock Motif Tribal Style Gypsy Hip Scarf for Belly Dance

2016-01-29T02:50:00.000-05:00

Beautiful hip scarf with Peacock motif-must be new-I don't remember seeing this before. It's really pretty.
Here is the link:
Tribal Fringe Fusion Belly Dance Hip Scarf - V Shaped (Green with Gold Coins)

Stop Smoking Through Hypnosis!

2016-01-24T22:20:00.001-05:00

Smoking is such a horrendous habit, the cause
of so many deaths and the miserable illnesses
that lead up to it.
Not to mention it makes your clothes stink
and your fingers and teeth yellow.
Plus "second hand smoke" makes other people
sick.
It's not worth it. After being dismayed that a
friend and her husband seem to be still addicted
to this habit I decided to look at some serious
products for serious results. I've found some high rated products that just might do the trick
for you or someone you care about.

Check out the products and give one a whirl!
Good luck!

Ballet Dancers in the Wings- Degas Cross Stitch pattern by Cross Stitch Collectibles | Crafting | Cross-Stitch | Wall Hangings

2016-01-22T16:54:00.001-05:00

Degas Ballet dancers in Cross Stitch! I don't cross stitch but this is just beautiful! My mother was a ballerina and loved Degas. She would have loved this! Here's the link:
Ballet Dancers in the Wings- Degas cross stitch pattern by Cross Stitch Collectibles | Crafting | Cross-Stitch | Wall Hangings: Finished Sizes (approximate)14 count: 21.5

"Nobody Does it Better" Aziza Al Tawil Sings "The Spy Who Loved Me" Theme

2015-12-10T11:17:00.001-05:00

Shaabi Pop Mujra Slow Sexy Arab Belly Dance

2015-12-01T00:00:00.003-05:00

Sexy Egyptian Grecian Veil Belly Dance: Aziza Al-Tawil

2015-12-01T00:00:00.001-05:00

Sexy Lingerie Maghranat Shaabi Mujra Belly Dance Aziza Al-Tawil

2015-11-30T23:59:00.001-05:00

Sexy Shaabi Belly Dance Pop Aziza Al-Tawil

2015-11-08T12:39:00.001-05:00

Clip from one of the dances sponsored by a fan in the Arabian Gulf for a recent show.

Ode to Monty Python & Hammer Films "Dark Gathering" Starring Aziza Al-Tawil & Billy Jack Watkins

2015-11-02T10:15:00.001-05:00

Our tribute to Monty Python's Flying Circus and the Hammer Films. What a combo! An out of work British Jester makes his way to a mysterious Mediterranean country to work for an equally mysterious countess who is also a sorceress. 3 minutes and 34 seconds long.

Classy, Sexy, Belly Dance with Cape/Veil Aziza Al-Tawil

2015-10-16T12:50:00.001-04:00

2015-10-09T23:15:00.000-04:00

Announcing Aziza's new website for booking shows- the link is:

Incandescent Belly Dance by Aziza

2015-10-09T22:47:00.002-04:00

"The West Side is the Best Side": A Photo Essay Tribute to "Hell's Kitchen" NYC and the West Side of Charleston, WV.

Starring Aziza Al-Tawil and Billy Jack Watkins

"The Mystery of Aris San": A Brief Memory of the "Sirocco" and it's Remarkable Owner

2015-09-16T23:24:00.001-04:00

When I was twelve or thirteen years old we were hired by Aris San to perform at his club "Sirocco" which was literally straight across town from the now defunct "Greektown 8th Avenue" district which was on West 29th St. The old Armenian Quarter was also not far from there on the East Side. My mother was already having woes with the NYC school board over the right to home school me and we were thinking of leaving town at the time. Our joint shows at the time involved "Laziko" with fire on our heads as an opening-if I'm not mistaken-we opened with that at his place. I remember my mother saying this nightclub was oft a hangout for the actor Anthony Quinn (I've since heard that Telly Savalas also frequented the place). I also remembered a musician with what seemed to almost be what they refer to now as a "Jewfro." I remember the audience was great and we were treated well by the management even though I was not fully aware what a huge star Aris was. He and his band were not the usual ones I had worked with over the years so I admit I did not know much about them.

My mother and I did our solos after "Laziko" and then closed with a rousing "Karsilama." During "Karsilama" we over heard one musician saying loudly to the other "Those girls are going to be jealous of each other!" The other shot back in awe, "I heard one call the other one Mother!"

About a week or two after our shows the owner or manager of "The Astor" (who I believe played guitar too - not sure on that though) came to New York to court us with an offer to go to Washington, DC. My Mom and this guy tried to get us dinner at the "Sirocco" but they were strangely closed when we went over there.

I'm floored by what I've just recently learned about this amazing guy known as Aris San. Apparently, according to Dani Dotan's gut wrenching Isreali documentary "The Mystery of Aris San," like our own "Elvis," there is a chance that Aris San never died in 1992 but was given an alias and another chance at life. Another chance, free of the mafioso and drugs that seemed to destroy him and his nightclub along with it after an FBI sting and raid that shut down the club and sent Aris to jail for 2 years. Aris had succumbed to the drug "dujour" of the times, "cocaine" and years after "Cabaret Laws" were rescinded in NYC the underworld had finally made it's way into the "Greek Taverna." It was not long before this that they could be seen making a move on the last of the clubs for "protection," but here it seems they actually got "drug dealing" into an establishment.

Aris was rumored to be attacked in 1992 in Budapest and died of his injuries. This is something the documentary calls into question. Also, rumors of his being a spy seem to abound in various circles but apparently no proof was ever discovered.

The documentary is mostly in Hebrew but a few folks interviewed speak English including his Greek relatives and some regular nightclub patrons who never got over his place going "down the tubes" after 12 years. His attempts at comebacks in the U.S. after the drug bust and jail time never really took off. This, after a spectacular break from an Israeli agent's discovery of him as a youth playing in "The Plaka."

Aris San was a complicated and tragic man with an remarkable talent for playing guitar and performing. Despite his faults, he was, as I remember him, very friendly and I can honestly say I enjoyed the brief stint at the club. My mother fell ill within what seemed like a few weeks of working there and it was not too long after we left town to go to West Virginia to be with her mother. In some ways I regret we turned down the offer to go to "The Astor" in DC.

Instead, I enrolled in high school in WV and prepared for an uncertain future outside my beloved NYC. Today, I can honestly say, I will never forget the warm and loving atmosphere of the "Sirocco." An atmosphere as warm as the "desert breeze" it's name invoked.

I may have met the musician on the far right at the "Sirocco" later but I'm not sure. Similar hair though!

About the age I was when I worked the "Sirocco" with my mother Johanna. Photo by the late Jan Gallione, from a Fashion Institute of Technology show

Egyptian Belly Dance Ghawazee Style: Aziza Al-Tawil

2015-07-23T19:04:00.000-04:00

Some still shots from my latest and most favorite video yet. "Egyptian Belly Dance Ghawazee Style: Aziza Al-Tawil." The link to it follows the photos.

The link to the YouTube video:

Egyptian Belly Dance Ghawazee Style by Aziza Al-Tawil

Burgundy Caftan: The New Modeling Shots

2015-06-30T03:40:00.002-04:00

2015-06-09T17:59:00.000-04:00

"Hilarious and touching new short film by film maker "auteur" Aziza Al-Tawil. A woman waxes nostalgic about a Jayne Mansfield travel documentary while on a date with a food additives plant worker."

This is the first "official" short film by Aziza Al-Tawil and Billy Jack Watkins as her co-star. Their first efforts, the 1970s "Drive-In" style thrillers "Hallowed Eve Escape" and "Hallowed Eve Escape Part 2: The Revenge of Barbara" were meant as actors "Demo Reels" but gained a mini cult following."

(Message to everyone-I've lost weight since appearing in this film. I could have insisted we re-shoot but didn't care to wait another six months for this beautiful Fall foliage-I'm happy with it the way it is).

Link to the new short film by Aziza Al-Tawil on Youtube:

"Jayne Mansfield and Protozoa"

More Head Shots

2015-05-30T19:16:00.000-04:00

Armenian Genocide: Look for the Sun - An Original Artwork by Aziza Al-Tawil

2015-05-25T18:22:00.001-04:00

Please look for my new art work which is available in print, canvas, postcards, greeting cards and mugs. Commemoration of the hundred year anniversary of the Armenian Genocide 1915-2015. "Look for the Sun" represents survival and looking for the sunshine of a new day filled with hope.

Here's the link to the print shop- info to the right hand side of the page:

http://zizidiva1.deviantart.com/art/Armenian-Genocide-Look-for-the-Sun-535290869

Alex and Ani Armenian Cross Slider Rafaelian Silver Finish Bangle Bracelet

Images of the Armenian Spirit - The Award Winning PBS Documentary by Emmy Award Winner Andrew Goldberg

Operation Nemesis: The Assassination Plot that Avenged the Armenian Genocide

Aziza Al-Tawil: Turkish Oryantal Gypsy Belly Dance

2015-05-05T13:47:00.003-04:00

THE LINK FOR MY NEW BELLY DANCE VIDEO DEMO

Aziza Al-Tawil: Turkish Oryantal Gypsy Belly Dance

2015-04-28T14:33:00.000-04:00

Aziza is performing at the Avalon Resort "Faerie Fest" in Paw Paw, WV near Washington, DC on June 20th, (Summer Solstice), 2015. Avalon Resort is in the Eastern Panhandle of WV. More details to come about the event and the "line-up." It will be a great Summer filled with fun and tributes to "Mother Earth!"