Ancien's World Fusion ( formerly Mean Dark Gypsies )blends Arabic,Spanish,Gypsy,Aboriginal,Medieval and Asian Indian musical traditions that is mystical ,magical and enchanting . Playing traditional song as well as original compositions with room for improvisations and lively drum solos. Ancien has performed at street venues, restaurants, Renaissance festivals, colleges, clubs and private parties. Recent Festivals Starwood mainstage and WhamBamThankUjam Art All Night , Ancien opened for Liron Peled from Raquy and the Cavemen ,internationally known Middle Eastern Fusion band , on his solo tour . Band members consist of Karen Richards and Billy Crocker with guest musicians Josh Sherman (tabla), Barbara Thorne Cale (dumbek, recorder, violin and vocals ), Eric Rieth ( percussion ), (Darbuka) .Karen and Billy have been playing music together for 3 years now. Both artists have a strong interest in Arabic and Gypsy styles of music. They have performed for bellydancers in a variety of venues, from restaurants to street fairs and festivals.Karen has a strong background in classical violin studies and attended Ohio University for violin performance and foreign languange education. More recently, she has taken up the dumbek and the kemenche (Persian violin) and studies with Raquy Danziger, an internationally renown musician whose main focus is Middle Eastern percussion. Karen has performed on stage with Raquy and her fellow students as the"Cavegirls". Thanks to her, Karen has gone as far as Turkey and Egypt to study Arabic music.Billy has formal training in both classical guitar and piano, which he began when he was ten years of age. His interests have led him to blues slide guitar, Spanish and finger style guitar. His love for the dumbek was influenced by renown percussionist Billy Woods, and Daveed Korup of Turku. He currently studies with Raquy Danziger as well. Billy is a talented improv musician who also composes original pieces for piano, guitar, and violin. He also has a healthy lust for world music, classical, medieval music and the blues, which can be recognized in his recent compositions.