February 2009 Dear Friends, Welcome to the 13th year of the Tucson Casbah Teahouse. In June of 1991 I met Wild Bill at the Harmony festival in California. We hooked his wagon to my truck and the Traveling Teahouse was formed. Bill had created a huge canvas Bedouin-style tent from drawings of a Moroccan tent in The Shelter Book. Together we began to travel and set up the tent at gatherings and festivals. Our first tent setup was in the Santa Cruz mountains, up Logan Creek Road. We went to the Southern Oregon Barter Fair, we traveled to the Okanogan in Washington state. We went to the String Cheese shows at Horning’s Hideout, to the camp ground outside the Country Fair, Sierra Nevada World Music Festival, High Sierra Music Fest, Hog Farm Pignic, Reggae On The River, Trinity Tribal Stomp, the Gathering of the Tribes, Earth Dance, Health & Harmony Festival, Seattle Hemp Fest, Conde’s Hi-5 Hemp Festival, Flow Motion Summer Meltdown, Northwest String Summit, Beloved Sacred Art & Music Fest, Family Affaire, Redwood Mountain, Vashon Island Festival, Love Family Garlic Festival, Good Medicine, Monterey Bay Reggae, Christmas Star Gathering, Fairie Worlds Festival, Michael Franti’s Power To The Peaceful event, Trillium Gathering, Ashland Summer Music, Mystic Garden Party, many Rainbow Gatherings. And we catered many special events and parties too. Wherever the “family” would gather, we would come and set up the tents, fill them with carpets, pillows, brass trays, set up a stage and create an ambient comfort zone of shade and shelter--Where the sweetest music and beautiful dancing would emerge, coalesce, converge, and spontaneously combust into the most ecstatic memorable moments. The smells of Chai and curry coming from the kitchen, which kept everyone supplied with good healthy food and drink. We had a booth at the Shoreline Grateful Dead Shows for 7 years, 14 shows in a row. At intermission, Bill would play his Dumbek, magical rhythms from his fingertips evoking the Goddess, all the lovely ladies dancing, unfolding all their glory. The energy would collect on that corner like nectar—Absolute Fullness of Being. After Jerry died, I could see the change in the traveling scene, so I rented the building on 4th Ave in Tucson in December of 1995 and set up shop with the Creative Spirit Gallery up front and the Tea House in the back. For 13 years we have continued the cycle of running the 4th Ave teahouse and traveling north in the summers. In 1999 Wild Bill road off into the sunset on his Harley with a bellydancer, leaving me holding the tent. I gave him back his old tent, made a new one from 100% Hemp canvas with Hemp ropes, and kept moving forward. In 2002, I met Salik David, who has been my most helpful partner—much respect for helping carry the weight! We built a Gypsy Wagon Kitchen, assembled a crew and went on this long journey bringing the Casbah experience to thousand and thousands of people; slipping them some plant proteins they may have never eaten, like Tempeh (soy protein) or Seitan (wheat protein). We also made many thousands of gallons of Chai and Gypsy Stew over the years. Every fall we would return from the caravan back to Tucson, gather a crew and run the 4th Ave teahouse. The peak moments being the Street Fairs and the Gem Shows, where people from around the world have come and enjoyed the Casbah vibe. I have accomplished what world leaders should—having Christians, Hindus, Muslims, Native Americans, Buddhists, Jews, pagans—the full spectrum of humanity—all sitting together under one tent drinking tea and being at peace. Now in these tough economic times, it has become impossible for me to keep it all going. The Teahouse is struggling to pay its bills, needs to be revamped to be in accordance with the times, and 4th Ave construction has hurt business for everyone downtown. Here is what I think I need: For a business to survive and thrive economically, you have to have what people want. In this capitalistic system we are in (consumerism), what is wanted by the people succeeds and what isn’t falls away. My conclusion is that 97% of people in Tucson want meat and alcohol. Trying to run a purely vegetarian restaurant with no alcohol has been a huge financial struggle. Something needs to change. I am out of resources; so, we need a serious investor/partner to help purchase the building, gut it and rebuild it into an ultimate “green” Casbah. This would be 5 stories high (each level stepped back a bit more from the street), with apartments , office, rooftop garden, solar panels, street-side dining, etc—what you would imagine to be the ultimate Casbah design. This all needs to be done now, so the Casbah reconstruction takes place at the same time that the downtown Tucson street re-construction is happening. The underpass and the new tracks are being laid, so if the Casbah were to be rebuilt at the same time, then the Casbah would be ready to reopen just as the new electric street-cars begin to run. This would create a successful, viable business and community center for many years to come. Without this sort of investment, we cannot continue to struggle in the inadequate situation we are in. If I cannot find an investor/partner soon, I have decided to close the doors February 28th 2009 and dissolve this 4th Ave location. I will maintain the caravan, catering, and tent rental aspects of the Casbah; and you will see us somewhere on the road at the festivals or at our own upcoming festivals, productions, and events. I would like to rent a field for the next year’s Gem Show, where we could set up the tents and kitchen and create a vendor village—where the gem Show crowd could still find a bit of the Casbah experience every year. So I put this out to the Universe. if you are able to help take the Casbah to the next level—rebuild, get the liquor license, make this a viable business as well as a community center, a cross-roads of the nations—if you can share this vision and have some money, time, energy, and restaurant skills—then please step up now. I believe Tucson would miss its Casbah and I don’t really want to see it disappear. I need help to continue providing this space—or someone else to buy the place and run it their way. It’s been many great memories, bunches of hard work, hard challenges, much growth, an amazing education, AND A REALLY GOOD TIME! love & peace,
2009 Gen Show Newsletter GEM SHOW Casbah Newsletter 2009 Casbah Barter Bucks can still be used at all the festivals the Casbah participates in for many years to come. So, hold on to them as souvenirs, take them with you to the fairs, or trade them for something--our economy needs more alternatives, and Casbah Barter Bucks have been that for years. Time for transition at the Casbah. If The Casbah is to remain in Tucson town it would take a buyer. Or a partner/investor with $ for liquor license and with restaurant/kitchen business management experience. Otherwise, Casbah needs people to buy what we can sell when we disperse in March. If you can be one of these people, then please contact Carol Ann as soon as possible--this is your last chance--pass the word around to whomever might be interested. Due to health issues and desire for retirement, Carol Ann is ready to leave the Casbah in Tucson and inspired to focus on the Festival caravaning she loves so much. We still need some dates filled on the schedule, know of a good large festival we should check out? Casbah is also accepting applications for caravan crew. We are looking for long-term and possible profit-sharing with experienced mellow people who can grasp the real vision. This is part of the changes in Carol Ann's life; she is ready to manifest caravan events and festivals of her own now. If this idea inspires you, then give her a call. Carol Ann is organizing a festival at Eden Hot Springs for the first weekend in April. The Full Heart Family Reunion will feature entertainment, vegetarian and vegan food, as well as some workshops. If you want to help, coordinate, volunteer, or participate please call soon. So far the caravan schedule tentatively is: Harmony Festival June 12-14th Sierra Nevada World Music Festival June 19th-21st NW String Summit July 17th-19th Mystic Garden Party July 24th-27th Faerie World Festival July 31st-August 2 Flowmotion Summer Meltdown August 7th-9th Beloved Festival August 13th-17th Casbah Retreat at Wellsprings August 21st -23rd Power to the Peaceful September 12th
...and don't forget, the Casbah rents tents and party ambiance, including stage and P.A. For those special parties call us about the tents or the vegetarian catering--we can make it a beautiful party. And our favorite hip-hopper, Michael Franti, is back on our website. The video and rap on the Casbah by Michael is priceless and a great testimonial of how the Casbah inspired so many over the years. Check it out on our website--the left sidebar at the bottom where his name is, click on it. Many of you are watching the Youtube videos we have up and commenting on them. My favorites are the ones who share that magical memory that was sparked by the videos. Feel free to add your own. Besides on our website, you can access our videos at: http://www.youtube.com/user/casbahteahouse
During the Gem Show this year, the Casbah Teahouse is producing a special live dance concert at People's Imports in the Lost Barrio. Psychedelic Light show, refreshments, and munchies will be available. Top Dead Center begins at 8 p.m. and Jah Levi will start at 11 p.m. and plays till 2 a.m. Be there for all the special memories we will be creating!
Also, we have a great deal on a mobile concession vehicle setup to make hot dogs, popcorn, nachos, and has a soda fountain. The Munchmobile still has only 58,000 miles on the original engine. We are about to put a lower price on it as Carol Ann wants to sell it by end of Gem Show. Call her if interested.
We are seriously continuing our online presence, and will add more Youtube videos soon to our website. Right now you can access over 90 videos of our entertainment highlights over the years.
Also, Carol Ann has started a Facebook page, and you are all invited to be her friends on Facebook. We will connect that to a Casbah Facebook page soon. There we will continue with the latest news on the gypsy-tribe-families as we travel, tell stories of our favorite events, share our future publication of The Casbah Teahouse Cookbook of recipes and historical memories--complete with hundreds of pictures and memorabilia. This is sure to be an instant cult-classic that you will want to share with all your old Casbah compatriots.
Gem Show Schedule of Entertainment at the Casbah
Summer 2008 Volume 2 Issue 1 Here Comes Summer! The Casbah will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Every year, Carol Ann takes a crew on a caravan throughout the Northwest Festivals. Setting up the 40' Bedouin hemp tent and the colorful Egyptian tents for entertainment and serving vegetarian food. Not only is the schedule on the Casbah website, but you can rent the Casbah tents and furnishings, use their catering service, and Gypsy Wagon kitchen too, in between events. Check out the Event Rentals link on the website for detailed information and a short promo video on their services. What is Happening with The Casbah The Casbah carries a mission: It involves peace and a healthy environment. But the question is "Will the Casbah make it in Tucson? Right now, we don't know it it is possible. Between the economic slump of our country, and the low number of local vegetarians and vegans, we're not sure. We need help this summer making the Casbah a place for local community issues, projects, entertainment, meetings and discussions. Any groups who would like to rent our space anytime during the summer, please contact us now. Like the coffee and teahouses of Colonial America, Carol Ann hopes to see more of us use the Casbah as a venue for community forums. Interested? Got ideas? Come talk with us! Casbah is Going Even Greener! Do you want good healthy delicious food, great coffee, espresso, teas and free wireless hi-speed Internet access? How about a beautiful relaxed atmosphere with great music, too, in a private garden terrace. The Casbah is the place to be! Organic & fresh vegetarian cuisine, almost any tea you think of, juices, smoothies, shakes and the best organic Free-trade coffee selection in Tucson - including authentic homemade Chai & Ginger Roots Tea, Ice Cream Shakes with choice of dairy, soy or rice milk. Casbah Baked Goods and Catering Service This summer, please consider our Casbah Services The Casbah can make the Birthday cake you need, that wedding reception buffet you plan, or you can event rent our whole dining room for the late night party you want. Call us for details, and or see our website for menus and prices. FULL CIRCLE - The Casbah's Commitment to Mother Earth Last May, the Arizona Daily Star newspaper featured an article on the Casbah, focusing on our "full circle" attitude, which involves returning the compost to our chickens and garden. We also water many of our terrace plants at the Casbah with the water left by customers in their glasses. Several of us attended Health Department training and became certified food handlers. We have a conscientious application of all health-code considerations in our daily practice. Your health is top priority to us, and we are dedicating ourselves to serve the healthiest food in the healthiest fashion possible. Videos of Casbah Performers are Online Now We have many wonderful performers who visit us that we have recorded. Many of these ar enow available online at our website and on YouTube. To see all we offer, just go to
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Winter 2006 Volume l Issue 1 |
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