TRIBAL FEST™ 12: “The Year of the Unicorn”

CLASS SCHEDULE for FRIDAY, MAY 18, 2012

* FAIRFIELD INN! NEW this year! Classes at your hotel! (1101 Gravenstein Hwy. South, Sebastopol 95472) This is a new idea and the classes held here are very special. We’ve worked with the teachers closely on this to find offerings that will benefit you the most in this very intimate, one-on-one teaching and learning experience. Only 14 lucky dancers will get to take these classes, so don’t wait to sign up. Do double-check your Tribal Fest™ site classes to make sure you allow time to get to and from The Inn and back to Tribal Fest™, and that none of your classes overlap. There are no mirrors and the floor is carpeted. Here are today’s Fairfield Inn offerings:

10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Teacher: Ariellah

Class Title: Belly Dance Evolution: Thoughts on Being a Dancer 

Description: What does it take to be a well-rounded, modern day belly dancer? How has the dance form evolved and what can we do, as dancers, to uplift belly dance into the performing arts realms… Ariellah will explore and share her thoughts on this vast subject matter at Tribal Fest 12. There will be a discussion, question and answers and a possible written exercise...

Instructor Bio:  Ariellah is an international modern belly dance performer and instructor. She has an extensive dance background that includes a 12-year strict classical ballet training with the Royal Academy of Dance from London. She has studied and performed belly dance since 2001, commencing her training with Janine Ryle of Danse Mahgreb and as a founding member of The Indigo with Rachel Brice.     Most recently, Ariellah began training in classical Indian Odissi dance, studying in India at the Shakti School of Dance. Her style infuses many genres of dance, all with a modern dark flavour that is uniquely her own. She is featured on the first of its kind "Gothic BellyDance" DVD and also released her first instructional DVD, with plans for volume two up and coming. www.ariellah.com

Skill Level: Open to All

What to Bring: Notebook and pen

What to Wear: Comfortable clothing; this is a discussion

1:00-3:00 p.m.

Teacher: Aubre Hill

Class Title: Historical Roots of Tribal & Bellydance Fusion Lecture

 
Description: Understanding the history of our art is invaluable knowledge for any dancer or enthusiast. Within this 2 hour lecture, Aubre will walk through hundreds of years of history with a specific focus on the past few decades that brought us Tribal Fusion and Bellydance Fusion. Handouts will be available.

Instructor Bio: Aubre Hill is an international star and a sought after master teacher and choreographer. Her training includes extensive years in Raks Sharqi, Fusion, Ballet, Jazz, Hip hop, Musical Theatre, Pilates, and Folk dance. She has toured with the Bellydance Superstars, won international awards, hosted her own bellydance fitness show on fitTV, and can be seen in numerous films. She is the artistic director of the Lumina Bellydance Co (an innovative artistic group known for their Fosse fusion work as well as other diverse stylings) and the new group: Qabila Folkdance Company (focusing on folk dances of the Arab world). Her technical finesse and emotive soul bring together the elements to move and inspire audiences around the world.   www.aubrehill.com

Skill Level: Open to All

What to Bring: Notebook highly recommended

What to Wear: Anything you like; this is a lecture class

3:30-5:30 p.m.

Teacher: Caro Dumanni

Class Title: Facial & Body Expression during Performance & Photo Shoots

Description: During this class you’ll learn lots of tips and technique that can lead you to having better videos and photos. Get to know yourself and discover what works the most for you and have fun with it!

Instructor Bio: Caro is a mom and a dance addict from Costa Rica who got into dancing since she was 3 years old. As a Latina, she was first introduced to rhythms like salsa, merengue, cumbia and reggae. Also, Caro took gymnastics, yoga, ballet, modern dance, hip-hop and breakdance while growing up. And then, a little Turkish belly dance which lead her into Tribal Fusion Belly Dance.

Since then, she's been growing up as a fusion dancer, choreographer, teacher and performer. She feels truly inspired by her teachers: Rachel Brice, Mardi Love, Amy Sigil, Heather Stants, Anasma, Zoe Jakes and many more. It's always an honor to be in their class learning about dance and how to teach it. Her true passion is to teach dance and she's been doing it for the last 8 years. She feels the biggest reward is watching your students grow and enjoy dance in every level.

        Caro is the director of Dumanni's Troupe and produces dance intensives in Costa Rica and Colombia. Also as a hobby, she works as a Creative Director & Make Up Artist on Jorge Dengo's Photo Shoots. Caro believes in living on the positive side of things and enjoys every moment as if it was the last.

Skill Level: Open to All

What to Bring: Notebook optional

What to Wear: Comfortable clothing

Now, back to the Tribal Fest™ site, 390 Morris Street!

* OUTDOORS - behind Bolshoi Room & Main Hall - maximum capacity 25 dancers. This is on pavement and in the sun, so wear shoes you can dance in or thick socks. Bring water, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat if you wish.

10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Teacher: Alaska

Class Title: Hoop it Up! Hula HoOp Fusion with a Sassy Kick!

 
Description: Get ready for an up close and personal introduction to Hooping Improvisational Tribal Style (HITS)! Shake, shimmy, and slither all with the added spiral grace of a Hoop. Alaska, pioneer of HITS and director of The Ritzy Rouge Hoop Troupe, will teach special hoop technique as it relates to Belly Dance, and break down some signature HITS moves and combinations.

        Class will include a stretch and warm-up routine incorporating the hoop, and good, bass-y, wobble tunes are guaranteed! Add dimension and excitement to your dance, and fill that round void in your heart with a Hula Hoop.

        This class is designed for someone with a tiny bit of Hooping experience, but is open to anyone who would like a challenge to take their dance to the next level. This class will complement and expand upon the other outdoor beginning hooping class held on Thursday, and a deeper focus on HITS dance moves and combinations. If you can sustain a hoop on your waist, then you're ready to explore this workshop and add some sassy spice to your hooping life!

        Hooping Improvisational Tribal Style (HITS) is an emerging arena of dance that fuses and incorporates aspects of Improvisational Tribal Style Belly Dance and Hula Hooping to create a fresh, fun, and energizing menagerie of group performance art!  With the love and drive of Tribal Style Belly Dance, HITS is an inspirational and fun activity that anyone can learn! Like ITS and its sister sprouts,  HITS utilizes group formations, flowing transitions, and cues from a  leader to create a new  blooming dance in the ever growing garden of the Hooping world. Adding the Hoop as a prop and tool to work with and grow upon, new moves and combinations are born all the time, as this dance develops and expands upon itself.

Instructor Bio: Since childhood, Alaska has been fascinated with Dance, Circus life, and the vast array of Performance Art.  “Every day is a new learning experience, and we are eternal students”, admits Alaska, a busy dancer and emerging Movement Artist, who loves to learn. Her fluid moves and innovative ideas paint the stage wherever she goes, often including eclectic inspiration—from Vaudevillian show-stoppers to Classical Ballet technique—into her unique performance. 

She is the pioneer of a new arena of Hoop Dance—Hooping Improvisational Tribal Style (HITS), which fuses and incorporates aspects of Improvisational Tribal Style (ITS) Belly Dance and Hula Hooping to create a fresh, fun, and energizing menagerie of live group performance art!

        Alaska has since has since collaborated with many hoopers and dancers to perfect, fine-tune, modify, and build movements. Bonnie Claire, Rachel Hessheimer, Flo (Flozilla) Bargar, and Alaska make up the Ritzy Rouge Hoop Troupe, who specialize in the fine art of HITS. The Ritzy Rouge can be spotted dancing to live music and DJs, practicing intensely on a hot summer's day, or twirling and clowning about at a community event near you!

Alaska is a very active member of the Performance and Art community in Albuquerque, New Mexico where she lives full time! She assists with a weekly Hoop-Down (www.DukeCityFix.com/groupsAlbuquerque Hoopers) and assorted community outreach programs. When she is not learning new performance techniques, Alaska keeps outrageously busy teaching college science courses, working on late-night sewing and costuming missions, constructing  hoops for community programs, crafting for her at-home-business, and working her other ten-million jobs!

In 2008, Alaska founded the Roustabout Circus Collective. It has been Alaska’s longtime mission to push "Movement Arts" into a respected Performance Art arena that is appreciated by all. “Every movement we do has meaning and intention.” says Alaska, “Through movement and dance we can create a fascinating, non-permanent, fluid Art that words cannot describe and even the craftiest photographer cannot fully capture! You can’t take our ‘Art’ home and hang it on a wall; you carry its fleeting fire, whirling spirals, shimmering sparkles, and galloping feet in your heart with you always.”

Links:

http://www.roustabouttime.com/meet-ritzy-rouge.php

www.RoustaboutTime.com

http://www.youtube.com/user/AlaskaJPiper

Skill Level: Basic waist Hooping experience is preferred, but anyone who would like a challenge is welcome! If new, take the first workshop offered by Alaska on Thursday to prepare for this one.

What to Bring: Water, yoga mat, sunscreen, a Hoop—there will be some hoops to borrow and for sale.

What to Wear: Form-fitting, comfortable clothing, with no tassels or dangly things.

There are NO MORE CLASSES in the Main Hall due to The Show.

The only class in the Bolshoi Room is Rachel’s last day of her mini-intensive (see Wednesday for details) and in the Russian Room the only class is Cera Byer’s last day of her mini-intensive (see Thursday for details). Classes are held in the Youth Annex Large and Small Rooms only during The Show (Friday, Saturday & Sunday).

* YOUTH ANNEX, LARGE CLASSROOM – next to Main Hall -  maximum capacity 36 dancers. Mirrors, sprung bamboo dance floor. Only bare feet or non-marking dance shoes allowed. Thank you!

10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Teacher: Tjarda van Straten

Class Title: Space Invaders

Description: A workshop to enhance your use of space within yourself and on the floor! You will learn a dynamic and refreshing travelling sequence that we will later analyze to get a deeper understanding about our movement. This workshop will include exercises to improve your awareness on using space and will add a new dimension to your dance. We will focus on transitions, shifting, clean placement and technique.

Instructor Bio: Tjarda is a genuine dancer from The Netherlands with a broad-minded curiosity towards fusing bellydance and well-known for her innovative choreographies. She is the inventive force behind award-winning troupe The Uzumé Dance Company and has received several grants to expand her knowledge or to develop new projects.      Tjarda holds certifications for teaching and dance therapy and still studies continuously to broaden her education. She has a background in many genres of dance, ranging from modern, flamenco and tango to improvised movement.

        In 2009 she was featured on Tales of Desire 2, a performance DVD produced by Hollywood Music Center. She is well known for her powerful performances and broad-minded instructional approach towards belly dance. Her work inspires many in finding their own path. She regularly collaborates as an honorary member of USA-based dance company UNMATA.

        Tjarda is a widely recognized instructor and performer and sought after throughout Europe and the USA. Blurring lines and drawing inspiration from even the most unlikely sources is the opening stance of all her choreographies and classes. Her work inspires many in finding their own path. Find her at www.tjarda.nu and www.facebook.com/tjarda.nu

Skill Level: Open to All

What to Bring: Water and notebooks optional

What to Wear: Comfy dance attire

12:15-2:15 p.m.

Teacher: Ela Rogers

Class Title: Hit the Break – Accelerate! 

 
Description: The complexity of both, slow and strong...fast and fluid, often create the "wow factor" in a performance. Learn to strongly root your stationary isolations, then accelerate and create dynamic peaks of energy while taking your audience on an incredible ride with your dance. 

        This Tribal Fusion Bellydance workshop will feature Ela's original choreography, incorporated with a good dose of modern dance, and use of stage. We will go over the importance of listening to the music, making things subtle, then making things BIG by letting go and surrendering to the body's momentum, all while generating the unexpected, the interesting, and opening the door to your personality.          This class is intended to help dancers deepen their connection with musicality and their audience, through a powerful presentation of dance.

Instructor Bio: A lifelong and devoted participant of theater, dance, and the performing arts, Tribal Bellydance artist, choreographer, and instructor, Ela Rogers, has become internationally known for her unique and dramatic musical interpretations, experimental fusion, and her graceful and powerful technique.

        Dipping into her many palettes of dance, Ela creates her unique style of Tribal Fusion Bellydance by painting with her experience in theater, classical ballet, jazz, modern dance, and hip hop, all while honoring her influential Egyptian style roots to create a unique collage of movements and eclectic interpretations, fused with a dance that is ancient and treasured.  She currently teaches and performs across the United States.  For her upcoming schedule of events and more info, visit WWW.ELAROGERS.COM

Skill Level: Some bellydance experience helpful

What to Bring: Water, yoga mat, notebooks optional

What to Wear: Stretchy, layered dance attire for warm up and cool down

2:30-4:30 p.m. – Last day of Carolena’s Mini-Intensive! See Wednesday for Details.

4:45-6:45 p.m.

Teacher: Donna Mejia

Class Title: Advancing Technique in Transnational Dancers: Exploring Beyond the Boundaries of What We Think We Know

 
Description: Some argue that cross-training outside of a tradition erodes one's abilities, but this is a myth intended to reinforce out-dated hierarchies and rivalries between nations and cultures. For those unafraid of new possibilities in human expression, this workshop celebrates our privilege to zoom in or zoom out of various dance genres to excavate and detail the most efficient tools for unleashing the intelligence of the body in dance.   

        Fascinated by her own multi-heritage background, Donna studied the classical traditions of many cultures before finding a “home” in Silvestre Technique and Tribal fusion. The atmosphere of a Silvestre class is typically intense, electrically charged and evocative. Personal examination is a key value and participants are discouraged from side-stepping their weaknesses.

        After 30 years of study, she has galvanized a personal practice that defies categorization. You are hereby invited to join Donna on her investigations into unfamiliar movements and extraordinary prospects in art-making. Anything can happen, from turns, to floor dives to fast jumps. A fantastic and adventurous sense of humor is required!

Instructor Bio: Donna Mejia is a choreographer, lecturer, teacher, administrator, and performer specializing in contemporary dance, traditions of the African and Arab Diaspora, and emerging fusion traditions in Transnational Electronica.

        She is the first Tribal Fusion dancer to be awarded a full-time collegiate appointment, and developed the first history and theory course in transnational dance. For 10 years she was a faculty member at Colorado College and Director of the Colorado College International Summer Dance Festival. For twelve years she served as managing director of the award-winning Harambee African Dance Ensemble of CU-Boulder. With Harambee she was awarded the prestigious El Pomar Foundation grant, was featured in the March 1996 issue of Dance Magazine, performed for President Bill Clinton and Nobel Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and was hailed as the “Best of Boulder” for 3 years running. 

        Donna is an authorized instructor of Brazilian Silvestre Modern Dance Technique and is a primary person assisting in codifying this esoteric study of dance and the body after 20 years of practice.  Donna was the Guest Artist in Residence for Smith College Dance 2006 through 2009, and has been awarded extended residencies at the Naropa Institute, Mt. Holyoke College, Hampshire College, University of Northern Colorado, Tapei National University of the Arts, Bucknell University, Colorado State University, EarthDance, Jacob’s Pillow International Dance Festival and the Bates International Dance Festival. 

        Donna achieved honors marks in the completion her Master of Fine Arts degree on full fellowship (which she will celebrate by participating at Tribal Fest 2012). She is director of the Sovereign Collective, a social action and performance ensemble. Additionally, she consults for publishers, theatrical productions, community organizations and nonprofits; is writing articles based on her research and teachings in the evolving field of identity/collective memory in the digital diaspora, ethics/integrity in global dance culture; and the deconstruction of the femme fatale caricature in dance. Her choreographic commissions and performances continue to generate outstanding critical reviews from print and digital press.

Skill Level: Experienced, intermediate and advanced dancers only please.  

What to Bring: A yoga mat is essential for warm up, and knee pads may be helpful.

What to Wear: Comfy dance workout attire

* YOUTH ANNEX, SMALL ROOM – next to Main Hall - maximum capacity 19 dancers. This is a very intimate dance space for one-on-one learning! Mirrors, plastic tile dance floor.

10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Teacher: Katrina McCoy

Class Title: Parasols and ATS


Description: Modernize your ATS with Parasols! Enhance your dance by adding the Parasol to Classic & Modern ATS Steps, plus learn steps created by Skin Deep Dance. We will cover the proper technique to hold the Parasol and efficient ways to transition between steps.

        It is helpful (not required) to have an understanding of the following steps prior to this workshop: Reshamka, Egyptian Basic, Arabic Shimmy with Arms & Turn, Box Step, Shimmy, Double Bump, Shoulder Shimmy, Propeller Turn, Body Wave, Taxeem. Practice these steps and more by joining our Virtual Studio. http://skindeepdance.com/virtualstudio A limited supply of “practice parasols” will be available to borrow. Plus we will have Sari Parasols available to purchase, which will be at the Meet-&-Greet and in class.

Instructor Bio: Katrina has been teaching ATS Belly Dance since 2001. She was the first American Tribal Style (ATS) Belly Dance Instructor in Seattle and formed Diatribe (Seattle's first ATS Belly Dance Troupe.) From 2002-2004, she was a member of Troupe Hipnotica. In 2007, she was amongst the first group of Teachers to become a certified Sister Studio ATS Belly Dance Instructors by Carolena Nericcio of FatChanceBellyDance.

        In 2009 she launched www.ATSBellyDance.com a complete directory of ATS Belly Dance teachers, festivals and vendors. In 2010, she launched the first ATS Belly Dance Virtual Studio www.skindeepdance.com/virtualstudio and is currently expanding to include other instructors. Katrina is committed to providing consistent, quality instruction of ATS Belly Dance as originated by FCBD and has been nominated as the Best in Western Washington by King 5 / Evening Magazine.

        She is also the Artistic Director of www.TheBollywoodProject.com, a Certified Zumba Instructor, Licensed Massage Practioner and Ayurvedic Lifestyle Specialist. She is currently working towards her Entry Level & Primo Ano Certification in Flamenco through the Spanish Dance Society.
        Off stage, she enjoys empowering and contributing to her student’s growth in the studio while being silly and down to earth. Those “a-ha” moments and the first time a woman has the confidence to reveal her belly are what bring her the most joy. For her, dance is another mode for healing. When she is not dancing, she is enjoying vegan vittles with her family & friends.

www.skindeepdance.com

www.thebollywoodproject.com

www.atsbellydance.com

Photo by Amber Clark

Skill Level: It will be helpful to have an understanding of the steps described above

What to Bring: Water, zills, notebooks optional

What to Wear: Dance wear or ATS attire (choli, pantaloons, skirt)

12:15-2:15 p.m.

Teacher: Heidi Alexander

Class Title: Afrobelly

Description: Want to add some fire to your dance?  Join us for a high-energy Afrobelly workshop - no experience in African dance is necessary. We’ll learn combos straight from the Domba fireside, guaranteed to get your heart rate pumping and your feet moving!  

        Domba-style Afrobelly seamlessly integrates liquid Bellydance with the feisty energy of West African dances - bringing you a hot-n-spicy kabob of world dance!

 
Instructor Bio: Heidi Alexander of Domba! is back after a lovely hiatus with her family and newest daughter. You want some high-energy Tribal with African influences? Here you go!

        Heidi has been teaching and performing her unique style of Tribal Style Bellydance with her troupe Domba! for decades, entertaining audiences with their personality, spirit and especially their unlimited energy.

        Based in the warm sands of Tempe, AZ, Heidi has taught worldwide in Japan, Spain, Ireland and the UK, as well as all over the United States, including Tribal Fest, Rakkasah, Tribal Quest NorthWest, Spirit of the Tribes, Tribal Revolution and too many more to list. 

Skill Level: Open to All

What to Bring: Energy! Also water, a small towel, notebooks optional

What to Wear: Comfy dance workout attire

2:30-4:30 p.m.

Teacher: Amy Sigil

Class Title: Sigil Sport

Description: When a musician meets an athlete, the result is a dancer. This is the debut of Sigil's new Sport format! More stretching, more pushups, lots of cardio and the same great music!

 
Instructor Bio: Amy Sigil was raised on the basketball court and re-inspired on the dance floor. Dancing for 16 years, teaching and performing for over 11 years and bringin' those bad ass banshees UNMATA everywhere she goes. A little Bellydance, a little bit more Street and a whole lot of heart. Check out www.unmata.com for more details and our upcoming scheduled events.

Skill Level: Open to All

What to Bring: Water, small towel

What to Wear: Comfy dance workout wear

4:45-6:45 p.m.

Teacher: Auberon Shull

Class Title: Dramatic & Fierce Fusion

 Description: Discover contemporary urban flamenco technique fused with fluid modern bellydance, creating slow, silky extended combos and drills that you’ve never seen before. They will most definitely move your body in ways that are not only healthy, lengthening and muscular, but also gorgeous.

        These will be followed by a seriously upbeat choreography of spicy, badass hip hop bellydance fusion
    Warning: this workshop is taught entirely outside the box and your creativity may get WHIPLASH!

Instructor Bio: Auberon is a wild spirit with over 25 years of dance experience, 15 of them being on a professional level. She danced before walking and couldn't get enough of it as a young kid, spending 5 hours a day dancing which included ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop and gymnastics.

        After high school, she knew that creative movement was her key to keeping happy, so she dove into circus training and breakdancing, studied flamenco in Spain, and spent her days getting her double major in dance and international studies from UCSD (University of California San Diego) as well as getting Hatha yoga certified.

        She mastered and studied a plethora of dance forms from hip hop, salsa, flamenco, African, bellydance and modern. This led her to form a very eclectic fusion dance style. After dancing professionally with more than 5 dance companies of different styles, which included Urban Tribal Dance Company, Culture Shock and Atash Maya, she decided to dive into the Bay Area to join up with El Circo, a group known for their powerful avant-garde performances and high fashion.

        She is now creative director and resident performer for the Supperclub Los Angeles and San Francisco and core performer and art director for El Circo. She is also seen in guest appearances with Lowriderz and neo-burlesque with Mss Vee. Her newest venture is dancing with the epic band, Beats Antique, as the Bhoomi Dance Company.

        Auberon also owns and runs va-shee metal by auberon which is a unique jewelry line designed by her. She loves life, kids, animals, humans, plants, and loves to do anything to shake it up.

        Teaching her contemporary urban flamenco and hip hop-belly dance fusion class is one of her favorite things to do and will most definitely have you dancing outside the box with a big smile on your face!

Skill Level: Open, though some dance experience is helpful

What to Bring: Water and a small towel are optional

What to Wear: Comfy dance workout wear