Once Upon A Time: A Gypsy's Tale

Ethnic folk music and dance will come alive Sunday, March 18, as local performance companies come together to present an enchanting variety of entertainment at Once Upon A Time: A Gypsy's Tale.

The full-scale show, which will begin at 2 p.m., is presented by the Music & Arts Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Long Beach and produced by veteran Shimmy Showcase coordinator Saviya. Performers include Katerina & the Kabuki Dolls, JJ & the Habibis, Saviya with Tribe Roman Morga, as well as live music by Saf Mavi.

Admission is $15 for adults and free for children younger than 10. Tickets may be reserved by emailing Assistant Director of Music Douglas Law at twinkleUmusic@yahoo.com. The church is at 5450 East Atherton St., Long Beach, CA 90815. (562) 597-8445.

Merry's Halloween Hafla on Oct. 24

Mark your calendar: Merry's Fashion with Passion boutique in Long Beach will be hosting a Halloween Hafla on Saturday, Oct. 24.

Coordinated by Katerina, the event will feature live Middle Eastern music by Marc Cornelius and Brett Bowan of Kara Nomadica, along with other special guests.

And, of course there will be some outstanding dancing. Here's the lineup:

*Om Sisters
*Saviya
*Sarah al Nour
*Ra'eesa (who in her other life is the talented writer Leslie Ann Moore, author of the Griffin's Daughter Trilogy)
*Katerina and the Kabuki Dolls

... and (drum roll, please)

* a special guest performance by master performer and instructor Fahtiem.

The event will take place from about 5 to about 8, and you can find Merry's at 2747 E. Broadway, Long Beach. (You can't miss it -- Henry the camel is always out front.)

Yeah, you can't miss this one. I know I won't.