Qaina: A Middle Eastern Dance & Music Event sponsored by the Barony of Brendoken

A pale moon rises over the desert sands as a rider gallops into the night. Far behind him a cry rises from the royal stables as his work has been discovered. Beneath the thief the Sultan's prized stallion snorts as the robber spurs him on towards a maze of desert cliffs and canyons.

Have you ever wondered what goes on in the kitchen at events?  Ever wanted
to try your hand at “authentic” food?  This is the place to start.  Some of
our most notable cooks have agreed to come and share their knowledge.  Come
prepared to enjoy a day of learning, and food.

You are Called to the Crusades!
Protectors of Jerusalem, you are called to the Holy Land!
Christians, Muslims, and Jews of the world, defend the land that is rightfully yours! War and battle, a meeting of cultures, and an exchange of art and science will greet you as you arrive.

Freer and Sackler Galleries Celebrate the Persian New Year
Family Day, March 7, Features Traditional Arts, Music, Food

Salaam and Marhaban from the Shire of Quintavia as we once again open our doors for our annual Hafla.

Greetings!  Please join me in Dragonsspine (Colorado Springs) on Saturday, February 20, 2010 to rid yourself of the winter doldrums. Bask in the warmth of good friends, stuff your mouth and belly with delicious food, share your best "No ****, there I was . . . " Estrella War stories, and
bellydance and drum to your hearts content. For those of you going to the class at Cedars, please join us after.

Devotees of Joan of Arc were disppointed recently to learn that relices of Joan of Arc, overseen by the Archbishop of Tours in Chinon, France, are not only fake, but actually the "bones of a human and a cat tracing back to ancient Egypt."

St. Nicholas, the 4th century Christian saint who influenced so many Christmas traditions, is thought to have lived and died in Myra, Turkey. His remains were removed to Bari in southern Italy in the 11th century. Now Turkish officials would like to see Nicholas' basilica restored.

Historians believe they have evidence of same-sex marriage in late antiquity and early Middle Ages. One piece of evidence is a monastic icon depicting the marriage of two male saints with Jesus officiating. (photo)

The Barony of Dun Carraig invites you to return to another day in the Medieval Middle East. There will be the usual drumming, dancing and enough fabulous food & drink to keep all attendees happy throughout the day.

A hoard of over 350 pieces of rare, antique marble has been discovered beneath a cellar floor in the Israeli coastal city of Akko. The hoard dates to the 13th century, and is believed to have been collected from nearby destroyed buildings.

Through Winter's bleak silence comes a Bedouin's plaintive call. Harken! Harken to the call of the desert sands. Hear the music call you to Al-Hafla. Come, let your spirit soar on the wings of dance. Experience the art of henna. Let the savory food of the sand's denizens fill your belly and senses. Glory in the warmth of friends, old and new.

Come, come to Al-Hafla.

Hrorek and Slaine, Baron and Baroness of al-Barran, are pleased to invite you to enjoy the warmth and hospitality of their halls and delight in sharing the delicacies and treasures of the Silk Road with you at al-Barran Midwinter Celebration

Research shows that the Roman guards who occupied Hadrian's Wall came from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds, from northern to eastern European. Recently, evidence has shown that a fair number came from the Middle East.

On its website, BBC America has posted a series of videos on the Freer and Sackler Galleries exhibit Falnama: Behind the Book of Omens, the exhibit, which runs through January 24, 2010. The exhibit focuses on "a group of rare and unusual manuscripts that were once used to explore the unknown through divination in 16th- and 17th-century Iran and Turkey."

The discovery of two Crusader-era murals in a church in Syria may offer archaeologists insight into the history of Christianity during the Middle Ages. The murals are the first found in the Middle East which depict heaven and hell as subject matter.

A joint team of Syrian and Japanese archaeologists have discovered the graves of children dating to the 6th century in the ancient city of Palmyra. A wealthy city along the caravan route, Palmyra was known as the Bride of the Desert.

University of Minnesota professor Susan Noakes has received a US$70,000 grant for two years for a project entitled “Globalization of the Middle Ages.” The research will be funded by the university's Imagine Fund.

Murmurs of soft voices whisper in your ear. The smoky scents of Amber and Sandalwood waft through the air. Aromas of turmeric and cumin tease your palette while the low throbbing of drums caresses your soul.

In 1864, the Imperal Library of Russia acquired the "collection of ancient Kufic Qur'ans on parchment bought from Mme Desnoyer, heiress of Arabist Marcel who was among the members of the learned French expedition to Egypt equipped by Bonapart," a magnificent set of about 2000 parchment leaves in Arabic, illuminated in full color and gold.

A joint team of French and Qatari archaeologists is excited about the discovery of a 9th century town, "a remarkable village of 220 houses, two forts and two mosques," buried for centuries beneath the sands of northwest Qatar.

In celebration of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new Year, officials at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem are displaying the Nuremberg Mahzor, a 14th century collection of "handwritten Ashkenazi, or northern European, prayers and liturgical poems." The manuscript is considered the largest surviving text of its kind with only 7 of its 528 pages missing.

A new study shows that some Lebanese men carry genes traceable to Western Europe, a heritage, say researchers, from Crusaders who established settlements and castles in the country in the 11th through 13th centuries.

An early Byzantine cathedral, complete with columns and stairs, has been discovered by the excavation team in Tal Al-Hasaka site in north eastern Syria. Also found was the "skeleton of a human who died of torture."

Archaeologists excavating the ancient port city of Andriake in Lycia have discovered what they believe is the "first archaeological trace of Jewish culture" found in the area. They believe the temple was one of the earliest built after a 212 C.E. law allowed Jews to become Roman citizen.

Sandy winds are blowing from the west, the palm trees are swaying, and the midday sun is beating down on our heads. The smell of falafel is wafting from the fires. That seems to be all they feed us, falafel day after day falafel, falafel, falafel ... sheeez.

A team of Hungarian and Turkish experts has begun the search for the tomb of Suleiman I, the Lawgiver, who died in Hungary in 1566.

Researchers in Nara, Japan are excited by the discovery of shards from an Islamic vase dating to the 8th century at the former location of the Heijokyo palace.

The Barony of Storvik, jewel of Atlantia, invites you to join them for a day of Eastern Arts, fun, and frivolity at their Post Pennsic Dessert Revel, or, One More Night at the Casbah.