Tina Dreisbach, Regional Mycologist for the US Forest Service Survey and Manage Program, works in conservation of rare forest fungi. She serves as scientific consultant on all aspects of fungal taxonomy, identification, and habitat management. In her spare time Tina is a percussionist, composer and music teacher. She performs lively Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dance music with ALA NAR (arabic for "on fire") on the West Coast from Washington to California.

During the Yachats Mushroom Festival, Ala Nar will be performing at the Drift Inn (541-547-4477) on Saturday, October 18th, 9:00 pm.

Ala Nar takes the audience on a journey through the Middle East with stunning music and dance. Their show consists of two to three bellydance performance sets, plus plenty of tunes for you as an audience member to freestyle dance! They specialize in music of the Arabic and Turkic regions, merging sweet melodies with dynamic rhythms -- drawing on some of the finest dance and classical compositions of the Middle East.

The fabulous ensemble features Matthew Beasely on oud and baglama (lutes), Mia Baki on flute and ney (Arabic flute), Anthony Dyer on violin, Michael Schaller on acoustic bass, Christopher Pfeffer on Arabic tabla (doumbec), Tina Dreisbach on daff (frame drum) and riqq (tambourine) and Astryd deMichele, principle dancer as well as artistic director.