DETAILED CLASS DESCRIPTIONS and SCHEDULE
For THURSDAY, MAY 13

MAIN HALL
10:00-Noon
Teacher: Colleena of India
Class Title and Description: Integration of Forms: Creating
Authentic Fusion Dance
What is authentic? Why should we care to be authentic in
our dance? What is the outcome of good Fusion? What is the outcome
of bad Fusion?Growing from the seeds we planted in last year’s workshop
(Subtlety in Motion), this workshop will answer these questions
that are very important for dancers to be asking themselves.
We have all seen the outcome of bad fusion, which can be
summed up in one word: Confusion. (Con: against
or opposite from. Fusion: merging of different elements resulting
in perfect union.)
(Note from Kajira: I firmly believe that this type
of class can help any style of Fusion belly/dancer and
am excited that Colleena will present these important concepts
at Tribal Fest 10!)
Striving for the goal of perfect union, perfect fusion, Colleena
has developed concepts to guide the student in finding their
own authentic place from which to approach their dance.
Those of you who have taken Colleena’s workshops know that
she takes equal time to develop a theoretical base before introducing
movement vocabulary. This is for the sake of people learning
something that they can believe in and feel authentic doing.
After introducing the theoretical base, students will learn
techniques for refinement in movement at an acute stage (like
mudra, facial expression, etc.) and slowly progress to complete
dance steps. In conclusion, a short piece of Indian Fusion choreography
will be learned and drilled. Students will learn much more than
just dance steps to repeat, they will walk away with a connection
to the aesthetics which are fused in the choreography.
Some spinning techniques will be drilled in this class, so
please don’t come with a full belly. Handouts will be given
and it is also encouraged to bring a journal and pen to take
notes. I might suggest that you wear a skirt to this class,
but it is not required.
Please contact Colleena if you have further questions about
this workshop or previous workshops. colleenashakti@yahoo.com
WWW.COLLEENASHAKTI.COM
Colleena’s Bio:
Colleena Shakti dedicated her life to dance when she moved
to India in 2001 to undergo classical dance training in the
Odissi style, under Guru Padma Cheran Dehury. She continues
rigorously training under her dance Guru, and run a dance school
where they co-teach in Rajasthan, India. Odissi dance is one
of India’s classical dances most noted for its feminine postures
and devotional sentiment. It has been practiced for over 2,000
years as a devotional temple dance. Colleena continues to study
classical Indian dance (both Odissi and now also Kathak) to
integrate the depth of control and refinement in the body and
spirit. As dance was considered merely a branch of Yoga in ancient
times (Bhakti Yoga), she acknowledges the need for intellectual
and spiritual inquiry to deepen the dance experience and create
a well-rounded dancer.
Colleena settled in 2002 in the North Indian desert town
of Pushkar, Rajasthan to focus on her study and investigations
of the traditional music and dance castes. Here she befriended
a tribe of Khalbelia ‘Gypsies’,* whom she now considers her
family in India. Living close with these nomadic snake charmer/entertainers,
she has learned not only the riveting dance style done by young
Khalbelia girls, but what it means to live in a real tribal
society. She currently travels throughout India performing
with her musicians and dancers and has even been honored by
Pratiba Patil (President of India) for her extraordinary performance
of Rajasthani traditional dance.
* (Note from Kajira: The Khalbelia “Gypsies’ are a.k.a.
Dom, Domari or Domani, whether or not these names are known
by all of the Tribal members, and is the ancestry/bloodline
that makes them ‘Gypsies’; as do the terms Lom, Lomani or Lomari
do in North Africa and, of course, their close Tribal cousins,
the Rom or Romani people now of the majority of the world’s
continents. All ‘Gypsies’, no matter which original tribe, came
from India, predominantly North India where Colleena is based.)
Inspired by the improvisational and aesthetic design of American
Tribal Belly Dance and traditional Middle Eastern dances, Colleena
utilizes the techniques and aesthetics of Indian Classical Dance
and adds just a whirl of Rajasthani dance to create an entirely
new kind of Fusion Belly Dance, totally authentic to her core
beliefs.
Her Indian Fusion Belly Dance is a full expression of feminine
grace and the complexity of classic beauty. She often performs
this fusion for private events for Royal Families in the many
palaces of Rajasthan and travels the world in the summer season
teaching and performing.
Colleena founded the Shakti School of Dance in Pushkar, Rajasthan
(India). It is located in the historical Old Rangnath Temple
and is dedicated to teaching students from around the world
the intricate cultural, spiritual and aesthetic nuances of Indian
dance. Shakti School of Dance offers Intensive studies in Odissi
classical dance and Rajasthani dance, as well as drop-in classes
and workshops in Fusion Belly Dance, Yoga, Odissi and Rajasthani
‘Gypsy’ dance. colleenashakti@yahoo.com
Skill Level: Open
What to Bring: notebook and pen
What to Wear: a skirt (optional)
MAIN
12:15-2:15
Teacher:
John Compton
Class Title and Description: The Classic Cymbal Dance!
This is classic John! Besides being the master of finger
cymbals and Director of the famous Hahbi ‘Ru, John was Jamila
Salimpour’s first ever male student. He was quickly promoted
to Bal Anat and the rest is history. You can read an in-depth
interview with John on this site under “Writings”.
In this class you will: Learn fascinating bits of history
that directly influenced ATS (and therefore, anything ‘tribal’)
via the Jamila Format; Steps and combinations for this classic
dance; Intricate and simple cymbal variations for use in The
Classic Cymbal Dance; and The Dance itself.
John’s Bio:The eyes - brilliant and blue. The gaze - captivating and
mysterious. Poise, grace, hypnotic movement and many years of
discipline create the mystique, the magic that is John. John
Compton is America's first dancer in the "Khawal"
genre since the Chicago World's Fair of 1893.
John's years of dance experience, a dynamic style and genuinely
warm personality make him a superb instructor as well as a truly
exciting performer. His amazing track record of major shows,
night clubs, media appearances and workshops extends through
the U.S. and Canada. He initially studied under the legendary
Jamila Salimpour and received additional training in the folkloric
style from Patti Farber.
He first performed as a featured soloist in Jamila Salimpour's
Bal Anat in the early 1970's, then in Patti Farber's folk dance
ensemble, Baba Ganooj. In 1976 he formed his own show, Kos-Kadas,
the opening extravaganza for the King Tut exhibit at the De
Young Museum in San Francisco. He is the Co-Founder and Co-Director
of The Hahbi'Ru Middle Eastern Dance Ensemble.
"John brings a solid, aggressive presence to the dance
as he overwhelms crowds with his crisp spins and dramatic tray
routines" - Middle
Eastern Dance Association, Vancouver British Columbia
"Dressed in the manner of the ancient caliph, he swirls
his way into dreams, it's as if Valentino has come back to life."-
San
Francisco Examiner
Skill Level: some bellydance experience helpful
What to Bring: cymbals, water, notebook (optional) and questions:
about “the good ol’ days” and anything else that’s on your mind
What to Wear: Comfortable dance attire with hip belt or scarf
MAIN
2:30-4:30
Teacher: E. Artemis Mourat of Maryland
Class Title and Subject: Romany (“Gypsy”) Fusion Skirt
Dance!
What it is and what it ain’t….. This is an A to Z class that
includes detailed handouts and a well organized list to accompany
a huge dance vocabulary of skirt moves. This exciting workshop
includes some historic perspective and lots of helpful hints.
Bring the biggest skirts you have and Artemis will teach you
everything she knows about this dynamic and popular dance. Great
for solo or group work. All levels are welcome!
Artemis’s Bio:
Artemis is a master teacher and has been dancing, teaching
and researching dance history in the United States and abroad
for her entire adult life. Artemis is of Greek and Turkish descent.
She fuses her love of these cultures with strong academic knowledge
and excellent dance technique.
She brings her spirited and articulate technique to workshops
which include information on the history and cultures that generate
the dances she teaches.
She believes that we can all use art to build bridges across
cultures. Artemis is well published and has taught in 13 countries
and at least 33 states. She has done field research in ancient
dance, Middle Eastern dance and Rromany (‘Gypsy’) dance in Turkey,
Romania, Czech Republic, Spain, France, England, Morocco, Tunisia,
Germany, Slovenia, Italy, Egypt and Greece. She has attended
traditional Rromany Festivals in France, Turkey and Romania.
Artemis is listed in the International Dance Council (CID)
Who's Who of Dance. Her photograph can be found in the
International Encyclopedia of Dance under the listing
for "danse du ventre" (translates to "belly dance")
which is produced by the Oxford University Press.
She has won the "Ethnic Dancer of the Year Award"
presented by the International Academy of Middle Eastern Dance
(IAMED) and has won the "Most Popular Ethnic Dancer Award"
from Zaghareet! Magazine twice. Artemis has also won
their "Lifetime Achievement Award."
Skill Level: All levels are welcome!
What to Bring: Water, maybe a notebook
What to Wear: Your biggest, fullest skirt/s
MAIN
4:45-6:45
Teacher: Kami
Class Title and Description: Layering Drill Challenge
This class is intended to make you step out of your comfort
zone and challenge your mind and body. We will begin with simple
layering exercises and move onto complex drills playing with
timing, direction and quality of movement. Dare to have a sense of humor... we'll all be laughing, challenged
and having fun together!
Kami’s Bio:
Kami has studied various dance styles throughout her life,
but found her true passion, Belly Dance, when she was 18 years
old. She began to study cabaret style belly dance until she
found FatChanceBellyDance and began to study their videos religiously.
Today Kami refers to her style as a modern fusion of an ancient
dance. As she began to perform as a soloist she began to
incorporate other styles into her ATS repertoire such as modern,
hip hop, jazz and bhangra dance.
She joined Bellydance Superstars
in 2005 and is a contributing choreographer as well as the Director
of the Tribal Superstars. Kami has taught and performed in over
a dozen countries. www.kamiliddle.com
Skill Level: Advanced Beginners and up from there!
What to Bring: Water, face towel optional
What to Wear: Dance workout clothes
BOLSHOI ROOM
10:00-Noon
Rachel Brice – Day 2 of 3-Day Intensive! See Wednesday’s
detailed descriptions for this class.
BOLSHOI
12:15-2:15
Teacher: Kami
Class Title and Description: Powerful and Graceful
This
workshop will introduce several combinations utilizing smooth
and graceful isolations combined with dynamic arm movements.
We will discuss how to create strong posture and visually interesting
lines with the body which reads beautifully on a small or large
stage.
Kami’s Bio can be read above the announcement for Rachel’s Class, directly
above.
Skill Level: Open
What to Bring: Notebook (optional)
What to Wear: Dance workout clothes
BOLSHOI
2:30-4:30 
Teachers: TerriAnne and Susu
Class Title and Descriptions: Drums & Zills… and Dance
Combos Therein!
Curious about how to take your tribal group to the next level?
Want to make your drum solo choreography pop a bit more? Let
TerriAnne and Susu help you on your path!
Drumming phenom Susu Pampanin and belly dance superstar in
her own right, TerriAnne (also known as Zaina Zahesha) will
work with you to realize your potential with dumbek, finger
cymbals, and movement.
They will teach which zill patterns work with specific rhythms,
and a corresponding movement combination. Both musical and visual
cues will be taught for use with each of the combos.
Drummers and dancers welcome. Drummers will learn the drum riffs
while dancers will learn the Zill and movement parts.
Some drums and Zills will be available for use.
TerriAnne’s Bio:
TerriAnne Gutierrez, a lifelong student of dance, has been
studying and performing Middle Eastern Dance for over thirty
years. TerriAnne performs and teaches internationally and is
one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s most well-known and sought
after performers and teachers. She specializes in Modern
Egyptian and American Cabaret, with stylistic influences from
some of the forerunners of Egyptian Dance, including the great
classic performers Samia Gamal and Tahia Karioca.
TerriAnne has been playing music since a young age and is accomplished
on a number of instruments. She enjoys playing Deff and Riq
with Susu Pampanin and has become well known for her Zill playing.
She has created a book and DVD on the subject and enjoys teaching
workshops on Zill playing to dancers and musicians.
TerriAnne has been the featured performer at many prestigious
San Francisco Clubs and restaurants such as: Pasha, Marrakech,
Byblos, Amira, Kasbah and many others. Her television appearances
include, "Bay Area Back Roads". Among her solo
dance achievements was being asked by the San Francisco Egyptian
community to dance for the Egyptian Consulate to the United
States on his visit to San Francisco.
With a B.A in Activism and Social Change, she uses her performances
as a form of expression and as a soft voice that encourages
the audience to increase their consciousness in areas that may
otherwise may be left dormant.
She is also the director of the dance company, Joweh!
Note from Kajira: TerriAnne was my first huge influence in my dance career
and I studied with her for several years. Part of that time
I danced with her in our collective troupe, the original Gypsy
Caravan; later to become The Cultural Dance Company. I have
always admired TerriAnne’s dancing and teaching skills! And
as for Susu, I “grew up” dancing to her album ‘Cairo Cats,’
and choreographed one of my very first performances to one of
the songs from that album!
Susu Pampanin’s Bio:
Well known for her virtuosity in Arabic drumming, Susu began
her training at the age of 12. She is a virtual prodigy, and
by age 13 she was already sitting in with Arabic orchestras!
Commanding a range and variety which is probably unequalled
by any other Middle Eastern drummer, Susu Pampanin is
as remarkable for the vigor and fire of her drumming as for
her delicateness and disciplined skill and technique.
One of the few female dumbek/Arabic tabla players to be highly
respected by the Arabic professional music community, she has
performed with some of the world’s top Arabic artists and has
even been sought after by Mickey Hart for his “Planet Drum”
tour.
Her incredible talent has not only focused on Arabic drumming,
but includes years of training in the complex rhythms of the
Afro-Cuba style, Brazil, North Africa and traditional Western
percussion techniques, her notoriety affording her opportunities
to study and travel around the world.
Skill Level: Basic bellydance and cymbal playing is helpful
What to Bring: Your drum and/or zills, and maybe a notebook
What to Wear: Simple dance attire
BOLSHOI
4:45-6:45
Teacher: Kalae Kaina of Hawai’i
Class Title and Description: Shake-Break-Bounce with Break,
Dub & Glitch
Get your Break, Dub, & Glitch on in this fun high energy
workshop. Learn “Shakti”-stylized 8-count combos inspired by
breakbeat, Dubstep, and Glitch, which will be drilled and put
together to create a short choreography.
Each combination will focus on the unique quality each genre
of music has to offer: the non-straightened 4/4 of the breakbeat,
the 2-step rhythm and womping bass lines of Dubstep, & the
cuts, glitches, clicks, and scratches that make up the beats
of Glitch.
Understanding the musical differences between Breakbeat,
Dubstep, & Glitch and increasing musicality as a tool to
better your interpretation of music through belly dance is the
goal of this workshop. Be prepared for crisp locks, hits, stalls,
and a little wobble. Class notes will be provided.
Kalae’s Bio:
Artistic Director and primary Choreographer
of Shakti Dance Movement, Kalae was born and raised
in Hawaii on the island of Oahu. Studying Belly Dance for over
14 years and teaching for 6 years now, Kalae has developed a
strong love and connection to the dance.
Shakti Dance Movement, Honolulu’s
first Tribal Fusion dance company, has emerged from the
underground club scene in Honolulu to the mainstream; performing
regularly at night clubs, community events, dance concerts,
and private parties.
Shakti Dance Movement is also proud
to be sponsoring workshops and producing shows in Honolulu,
celebrating dance and creating culture within their community.
Kalae’s approach to belly dance is
rooted in strong technique, drills, and proper execution of
movement. She firmly believes in dance as a vehicle for mind-body
connection and feels the dance is her one true love. For more
information on Kalae and Shakti Dance Movement visit: www.shakti808.com.
Note from the Producers: Chuck says to
read Zoe Jakes’s glowing statements on our Tribe and/or Facebook
pages – in fact, Zoe is taking Kalae’s class! If Kalae weren’t
on a separate island from Kajira, Kajira would take Kalae’s
regular classes on Oahu to broaden her horizons. Kajira feels
proud to offer Tribal Fest 10 attendees this opportunity to
study with this lovely firecracker, who is not only skilled
and talented, but sweet to boot! This is her first big workshop!
Yay, Kalae!
Skill Level: Open
What to Bring: Maybe some water and a notebook
What to Wear: Dance workout clothes

RUSSIAN ROOM
12:15-2:15
Teacher: Sashi
Class Title & Description: Mind II: Frontal Lobing:
Exploring the Format w/Ascend Signature Combos
In this workshop you will learn combinations which will include
insanely slow movements, mind blowingly sharp, strong movements
and all that lie between. You will then apply these combinations
into a short choreography which transcends linear expectations
and showcases the marriage of Tribal Fusion Belly Dance with
the Ascend Tribal Format.
You will also learn how to develop skills for infusing the
subtle nuances specific to the Ascend Tribal Format that create
a sense of allurement, enticement and envelopment for the audience.
Knowledge of basic Tribal Fusion and The Ascend Tribal Format
is helpful but not required. All levels are welcome. Bring athletic
shoes, a yoga mat and water and wear supportive clothing. This
class involves 10-15 minutes of cardiovascular movement. www.ascendtribaldance.com
Sashi’s Bio:
Sashi is an internationally recognized performer, instructor
and choreographer based in Orange County, California. Sashi
has been a student of dance for over twenty years and began
studying African-Haitian and West African dance while a student
at San Francisco State University.
In the years following, Sashi found Middle Eastern dance
to be the style she was most drawn to as it spoke to her Semitic
roots and aesthetic interests. She has studied many forms of
Middle Eastern dance including American Tribal Style Bellydance,
Tribal Fusion Bellydance, Gothic Bellydance, Egyptian and Lebanese
Cabaret Bellydance, Israeli and Turkish Debke, Saidi, and Nubian
Folkloric dances.
She is most recognized for her alluring and dynamic performances
of Gothic Tribal Fusion Bellydance and Improvisational Tribal
Fusion Bellydance. Inspired by the “Spirit of the Dance”, Sashi
views bellydance as the honoring of the divine feminine by creating
spiritual and physical union through movement.
This is evident as her ability to cultivate the energy that
the dance evokes is translated to each audience member with
a look, a gesture, a presence that is unmistakably unique to
Sashi. You can see her perform solo or in collaboration with
internationally acclaimed performance troupes in many venues,
settings and shows. Information on her upcoming performances,
workshops, tour dates and collaborations can be found at www.ascendtribaldance.com
Skill Level: Knowledge of basic Tribal Fusion and The Ascend
Tribal Format is helpful but not required. All levels are welcome.
What to Bring: Bring athletic shoes, a yoga mat and water
What to Wear: Wear supportive clothing
RUSSIAN
2:30-5:30 (3 hours total) 
Teacher: Tempest of Rhode Island
Class title & Description: The Body Of Dance
At
the bare essence of dance, the dancer uses their body to express
the music, to create lines and carve shapes in space. The best
dancers not only know a lot of moves and how to put them together,
but how to choose and utlize moves that look best on their frames
and express their intent and personality. So that they OWN the
moves, the moves don't own them - and every angle is appealing
to the eye, regardless of their size or figure. And far too
often, teachers pass moves on to their students without taking
into consideration how differences in frame and body structure
can affect those moves. Are you dancing to your best advantage?
This
workshop intensive
is designed to help you use what you have to the best of your
body - to create more effective and powerful dance using your
existing vocabulary (as well as new combinations and accents)
for understanding YOUR body lines for the most flattering look
and finish - and this workshop is for ALL body types and styles.
Learn to use what nature has given you NOW (not where you hope
to be), and RAK it!
In
addition to addressing to tailoring moves for your body type,
we will also focus on costuming for professionalism - aka
Tempest's Guide To Style - tailoring costuming to your
personality and the level of dance you're presenting, while
discovering what works best in terms of lines, color, and pattern
for your figure and presentation. Learn how to integrate your
favorite elements without looking like a curbside alert or a
copycat.
This is a mini-intensive open to all levels and styles of
dancers, but especially for those who at a performance level.
What to Bring: You are encouraged to bring costuming pieces
and inspiration pictures - and be ready to take notes for your
personal shape!
Tempest's Bio: Based now in Rhode Island, Tempest pulls
from her visual arts background (BFA from RISD), literary tendencies,
and global inspirations to create dance that crosses the boundaries
of time and culture. Tempest began her journey into dance in
2000, and has traveled the country to study traditional, folkloric,
and fusion forms of bellydance.
She is the premiere instructor of Gothic Bellydance in North
America, and her extensive work in the genre has helped to define
and develop the movement across the world. Her dance style is
uniquely hers -creative, theatrical, full of expression - reaching
forward to define the future of the dance, while being firmly
rooted in traditional forms of bellydance.
She brings her dynamic interpretation of the dance to her workshops
with a sense of fun, a strong foundation in traditional technique,
and a deep-hearted goal to aid students in developing their
own sense of self within the dance.
Her costume designs have continually revolutionized the look
of modern bellydance for the last decade, and continue to inspire
new and old generations of dancers alike. She is also a trend
designer for the top fashion jewerly company in the United States.
Websites:
www.darklydramatic.com
| www.gothicbellydance.com
| www.meddevi.com
| www.owlkeyme.com
Youth Annex
Large (YA LG) 9:45-1:45
Sharon Kihara - Day 2 of 2-Day Intensive! See Wednesday’s
detailed descriptions for this class.

YA LG
2:15-4:15
Teacher: Lori Tawasha
Class Title and Description: Perpetuating the Art of Synchronized
Group Improvisational (SGI) Tribal Style Belly Dance
In this two hour workshop, you will be mixing a cocktail
of pure improv infused with finesse, fun and a splash of evil...
eye, that is. You can have it blended or on the raqs, but no
one will leave without a buzz.
Share our passion for Synchronized Group Improvisation (SGI)
and get a sense of our approach to adapting bellydance movements
for use in group improvisational applications. Inject your dance
with powerful and engaging combinations and accompanying finger
cymbal patterns that will excite you and your audiences. Reboot
your improv repertoire with a couple of unexpected and dynamic
steps that are not only fun, but crowd-pleasing.
There will be ample time to work in small formations, giving
participants the opportunity to lead and follow the presented
material with both left and right hip leads. Participants should
be comfortable with the following steps: Basic Egyptian, Arabic
and 3/4 Shimmy (full speed). These steps will not be taught
in class, but will be our common ground and used transitionally.
We will be checking for finger cymbals at the door. lori_tawasha@yahoo.com
Lori’s Bio:
Lori Tawasha has been in love with ATS since she first laid
eyes on it. She studied and performed with Kajira Djoumahna
and BlackSheep BellyDance (BSBD) for several years before founding
EvilEye BellyDance in 2006. EEBD was founded with the desire
to test and expand the boundaries of ATS, but keeping within
the tradition of synchronized group improvisation.
Since the advent of all this testing and expanding, and after
conferring with Kajira (her friend, peer, one-time teacher and
mentor) in Nov. 2009, both Kajira and BSBD as well as Lori and
EvilEye BellyDance have decided to change the name of their
styles to Synchronized Group Improvisational Tribal Style
Belly Dance (SGI).
Lori's goal is to fuse more hipwork, footwork and varied
cymbal work into the improvisational framework. Their format
is based on Kajira's BlackSheep BellyDance format, the most
important common feature being that both right and left hip
leading is used to create a more balanced and dynamic show.
Lori continues to study belly dance at the Suhaila Salimpour
School of Dance and holds both Level 1 and Level 2 Certifications
in the SSBD format.
In between all this, Lori found time to appear in Kajira’s
3 latest DVDs and performs occasionally with BSBD as an honored
Alumnus.
Visit www.evileyebellydance for more info. Contact Lori
at lori_tawasha@yahoo.com
Note from Kajira: I can personally vouch for everything Lori and her troupe,
EEBD, has created since she left BSBD (after trying Maui for
a year partly ‘cause o’ me, one year after Chuck and I had moved
here). When she returned to California, the BSBD there then
was not the BSBD she/we had left. By that time, all of the original
members had jumped ship (I now understand why), so she and they
became EvilEye BellyDance. Seeing my oldest and most beloved
students rocking any show they did with their very unique, yet
still BSBD-based, style has made me literally cry from my seat
on more than one occasion. I especially LOVE her finger cymbal
adaptations and am honored by what Lori has done and become.
I am also grateful and joyous that she and EEBD troupe members
have appeared on stage with “the new (old?) BSBD” as Alumni.
Skill Level: At least knowledge of the basic ATS and SGI
steps mentioned above
What to Bring: Your cymbals!
What to Wear: Simple dance attire
YA LG
4:30-6:30
Teacher: Carolena Nericcio
Class Title and Description: Energetic Body, Quiet Mind
PLEASE NOTE: This is a 3 Day Intensive, 2 hours each day, for
a total of 6 hours! The classes are all in the same
room and at the same time (just 15 minutes later on the last
class) and are on Thursday, Friday & Saturday.
Stop thinking and start dancing!
Through a series of engaging exercises you will turn your
mind off and switch your body on.
Steps and gestures will translate from consciousness to muscle
memory and ultimately to alpha waves. By virtue of internalizing
the movements and releasing your thought process, you will be
able to share a "thought bubble" with your partners
and allow the music to move you.
Trust me on this; it's going to blow your mind. I am excited
to share this with you! Please join me.
Please be versed in the basics: Taxeem, Bodywave, Hand Floreos
and Arm Undulations, Shimmy, basic Arabic, basic Eygptian, Pivot
Bump and Choo-choo.
Bring: zills, a full skirt is recommended but not mandatory
Carolena’s Bio:
Carolena Nericcio, director and founder of FatChanceBellyDance,
has been dancing for over 30 years. In 1987 she created the
concept of American Tribal Style Bellydance (ATS), a performance
art form using a foundation of Middle Eastern “bellydance” yet
stylized and adapted for a contemporary American audience. It
is a blend of cultural dance influences from India, Spain, North
Africa and beyond.
Her troupe, FatChanceBellyDance, is a Bay Area phenomenon
that has become known around the world. Audiences delight at
the exuberance, vitality, beauty and power expressed by the
strong and agile dancers. The majestic costuming, (often) including
full headdresses and layers of ethnic jewelry, celebrate the
folk art of the old world. The music, a carefully chosen collection
of both traditional sounds and modern fusion adds to the effect...Tribal
Style looks “old” but it is actually “new.”
Carolena has developed a method of improvisational
choreography, using a vocabulary of natural movements and cues
allowing the dancers to communicate via gesture when dancing
together. The effect is a vibrant thread drawing the audience
into the tapestry.
An American Council on Exercise certified
personal trainer, Carolena incorporates the science of anatomy
and fitness into her classes and workshops. Fifteen DVDs (performance,
instruction and documentary) have been produced with the help
of a series of grants from the California Arts Council.
Carolena is the author of “Belly Dance, a Fun and Fabulous Way to Get Fit” for Barnes and Noble publishers. Most recently the
Folkwear pattern company worked together with Carolena to produce
a pattern and make-up booklet based on the Tribal Style costume
made popular by Carolena and FatChanceBellyDance.
Carolena and FCBD perform at major
events such as the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival as well
as many clubs and festivals and have produced four theatrical
stage shows in San Francisco. (The Gypsy Trail, 1995 Theatre Artaud; Diamonds, Shells
& Amber, 1998 Cowell Theatre; San Francisco Beledi, 2002
Victoria Theater; Musette Arabe, 2003 Magic Theater; Devotion,
2007 Climate Theater.)
At the FatChanceBellyDance Studio
in the Mission District of San Francisco one can find weekly
classes in ATS, a store providing instructional DVDs, music,
books, costumes, jewelry, cosmetics and accessories and a Resource
Center complete with archival videos, books and photographs
from the FCBD "experience.”
Skill Level: Please be versed in the basics: Taxeem, Bodywave,
Hand Floreos and Arm Undulations, Shimmy, basic Arabic, basic
Egyptian, Pivot Bump and Choo-choo.
What to Bring: zills
What to Wear: a full skirt is recommended but not mandatory

YOUTH ANNEX,
SMALL ROOM 10:15-12:15
Teachers: TribalTique of Colorado
Class Title and Description: Lovin’ Touchin’ Squeezin’:
More TribalTique Signature Partner Work
Use the power of contact partner work to dazzle and delight
your audiences! We will present new Signature maneuvers and
techniques that will enable you to move effortlessly with your
partner. Stop dancing around your partner, bridge the gap and
make contact!
Together you will truly start to sync up as you learn these
brand new combos created just for duets! A good comprehension
of body awareness, trust and strength is very helpful, but not
required.
TribalTique’s Bio:
TribalTique was formed in the summer of 2004 by co-directors
Julia DiVerdi and Molly McClellan in an effort to further explore
and create a new vision of Tribal Style Belly Dance in Northern
Colorado. Their unique style combines classic American Tribal
Style posture, vocabulary, and improvisational cue dancing with
polished technique and cutting edge Tribal Fusion.
In addition to continued study with teachers across the nation,
TribalTique completed the General Skills Certification in ATS
with Carolena Nericcio in 2007. Molly and Julia
have served as featured instructors and performers at belly
dance festivals across the nation, most notably teaching sold
out workshops at Tribal Fest in 2007 and 2008.
With over 20 years combined belly dance experience as both
performers and instructors, the partnership has flourished and
firmly established TribalTique on the tribal belly dance circuit.
~TribalTique Tribal Belly Dance Company~
an experiment in tribal belly dance.
http://tribaltique.com
tribaltique@gmail.com
http://tribaltique.tribe.net
Skill Level: A good comprehension of body awareness, trust
and strength is very helpful, but not required.
What to Bring: Open minds, hearts and energy! Notebooks optional.
What to Wear: Dance workout attire, please.

YA SM
12:30-2:30
Teacher: Bri Hurley of the Czech Republic
Class Title and Description: If You Can Walk, You Can
Shimmy!
Free you hips from all constraints. Glide, walk, turn while
your hips shimmy and shake. Layer and transition without a hitch.
Explore the elegance, grace and power of your hips.
We will cover 7 kinds of shimmies and variations on them, all
while traveling, turning and posing. Included will be: simple
shimmy, ¾ up, slide, ¾ down, pelvic drop, angel, Tunisian and
variations on these.
We’ll have fun layering ¾ over Arabian, Back walk, Susi-Q,
and short combos. Class will start with 10 -15 minutes of stretches.
Please come warmed up, in comfortable training clothes and bring
water.
Bri’s Bio:
In 1973, Bri Hurley was mesmerized by Jamila Salimpour and
Bal Anat. A year later she began her adventures into the land
of Oriental dance. Learning American Cabaret (of the 1970's),
she studied and performed from 1975 to 1979, when the pressure
of being a teenager and of the change in cultural climate became
too much.
During her hiatus, she did Morris and English country dance,
folkloric dances from the Balkans and Europe, Swing, basic ballroom
and contemporary; became acquainted with salsa, Afro-Haitian,
African, flamenco, Appalachian step and even Irish country...
Returning to Oriental dance in the '90's, she discovered
Carolena Nericcio and American Tribal Style and her interest
caught fire.
She has been privileged to take classes and/or do seminars
with: Amel Tafsoot, Khairyia Mazim, Sharlyn Sawyer (both Cabaret
and Central Asian), John Compton, Jill Parker, Suhaila Salimpour,
Elizabeth Strong, Kajira Djoumahna, Leila Heddad, Rakia Hassan,
Horacio Cifuentes, Mardi Love, Zoe Jakes, Sharon Kihara, Cera
Byer, Amy Sigil, Tempest and on.
Heading into Turkish Romany style in 2005, Bri studied with:
Reyhan Tuszuz, her daughter Meltem, Senem Uzunkaya, Eyup Uzunkaya,
Jessiah Zure and Elizabeth Strong.
She also delved into Central Asian in 2005 with Rosa, Tara
Pandaya, Miriam Peretz, Yusuf and Abdel of Bakhtar.
She has been teaching and performing in the Czech Republic
(where she spends most of her time) since 2000, developing her
own style of dance and of teaching based heavily on American
Tribal Style and pulling from her expansive experience of more
than 30 years. She runs the Ba'thani School where she teaches
and organizes for herself and guests.
Skill Level: Open
What to Bring: Please come warmed up and bring water.
What to Wear: Comfortable training clothes
Note from Kajira: I’ve met Bri twice while I was teaching, performing and
hanging out in the dressing rooms of venues in Austria in 2007
and 2009. Not only did we share a common punk rock background
from its heyday in the late 70s and early 80s (but on separate
coasts), but we shared our love of ATS/SGI and Turkish dance.
I’ve been so impressed with her performances, knowledge and
spunky personality, that when she said she might come to TF
this May, I said, “Let me set you up with a small class! We
need someone like you to share your knowledge!” So I did.
YA SM 2:45-4:45
Teacher: DJ Amar
Class Title and Description: Master
ing
Your Mix - A Music Mixing Workshop for Dancers
Learn how to make an impressive sounding mix for your next
performance using industry standard, state-of-the-art software
that you can download for free.
If you find yourself envious of certain dancers who blow
the audience away with their style and music mixes, this workshop
is for you.
With a few simple steps you can adjust bass, midrange and
treble frequencies; cross-fade one track into the next or edit
a track down to just the portions you need; adjust the volume
on one song if it is noticeably lower or higher than another;
add layers using beats and ambient melodies from other songs.
Do you love a song and want to use it, but it is just too
long? Is there a portion of a song you want to use, but don't
know how to edit it smoothly?
Have you performed at a gig and given the "DJ"
(or sound person) your CD with 2 or more tracks on it, and the
wrong track gets played? Or your set gets cut short? Would you
like to control exactly when your next track starts?
Would you like to be able to mix a continuous set with smooth
transitions rather than stop the momentum and wait for the next
song to begin?
With my laptop and a projector, I will give an overview of
key features and shortcuts to get yourself started, show you
how to edit a track, use the fade in and out feature, add a
second track, and then I will make a mix using 3 songs with
one piece of music overlayed onto another.
Software used: AUDACITY
I mix my sets using Audacity, free software which is compatible
with Windows and Mac. I will be teaching using this software.
You can also use Garage Band on your Mac, which works fairly
similarly, with minor differences.
Level: This is an introductory course that will go over the
basics of using the software and important tools relevant to
mixing your set for stage performance. If you are already mixing
your sets like a pro, you don't need to take this workshop.
If you are semi familiar with mixing using software, and could
use pointers on key features and shortcuts that can turn 2 hours
work into 45 minutes, then this workshop could benefit you.
Amar’s Bio:
Amar is amongst a handful of local DJs whose taste cuts a
path through an abundance of musical selections and leads dance
floors into a hypnotic sway like snakes before the charmer.
In this instance the muse is a masala that brews sounds from
the Middle East and Balkans with rhythms of the Asian underground
and electric Brazilian vibes. Whether its breaks, bhangra, house,
drum & bass or downtempo, the global nature of Amar’s sets
bridges a multi-culti span from the world to the Bay Area.
As a DJ and promoter, he has collaborated and shared the stage
with some of the Bay Area's & world's most innovative Musicians,
DJs and dance troupes including DJ Dragonfly, DJ Sep, Dr. Israel,
Freyja, Maneesh the Twister, Giamma, Cheb i Sabbah, Ultra Gypsy,
Soulsalaam, Urban Tribal, Ariellah, SooozhyQ, Dub Gabriel, Dhol
Rhythms, Lorin, Nitin Sawhney, Unmata, Nader, Midival Punditz,
Shabaz, Sila and the Afrofunk Experience, Zoe Jakes, Ansuya,
Lady Ra, Third Eye Tribe, DJ Layla, Karsh Kale, Janaka, State
of Bengal, Dr Das & Ramjac, Jimmy Love, Frederique, Rachel
Brice, Glitch Mob and others.
Producer and resident of the bay area's Global Gypsy night ELECTRIC
VARDO, Amar regularly performs at SF’s hottest venues including
Club Six, DNA Lounge, Nickie's, 1015 Folsom, Temple, 111 Minna,
Roe, 12 Galaxies, Amnesia, Bollyhood, Mighty, El Rio, Underground
SF, Elbo Room and Rickshaw Stop with Dhamaal, Nonstop Bhangra,
Surya Dub, Worldly, Opel, Dance Jam, Triple Power, & the
Groove Garden plus other ongoing and special events & festivals
in CA, Oregon, Hawaii, New York, Washington DC, Canada &
beyond.
Amar has been producing the Cosmik Casbah after-parties for
Tribal Fest over the past 3 years, bringing an added unique
element to the already amazing activities offered at Tribal
Fest, bringing in performers such as Queen Harish, Cheb i Sabbah,
Surya Dub, Maduro, Beats Antique, Lady Ra, DJ Layla, Jef Stott
& many others.
Amar's involvement with Tribal Fest has included running
sound for the outdoor stage experiment in 2007, DJing Open Floor
in 2008, performing his Electric Vardo Live set in 2009 where
he mixed music live for a Tag-team style performance with special
guest Kush Arora of Surya Dub and the One and Only history-making
hula performance by Mr. Kajira himself :).
Amar
www.solunamar.com . www.electricvardo.com
www.suryadub.com . www.nonstopbhangra.com
Skill Level: This is an introductory course that will go
over the basics of using the software and important tools relevant
to mixing your set for stage performance. If you are already
mixing your sets like a pro, you don't need to take this workshop.
If you are semi-familiar with mixing using software, and could
use pointers on key features and shortcuts that can turn 2 hours
work into 45 minutes, then this workshop could benefit you.
What to Bring: Notebook and pen
What to Wear: Comfortable clothes – you will not be dancing