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

FULL CLASS DESCRIPTIONS with TEACHER BIOS

May 16-20, 2012 at the Sebastopol Community & Cultural Center,

390 Morris Street, Sebastopol, California, 95473

PRE-TRIBAL FEST™ TEACHER TRAININGS

        Come early to Tribal Fest™ and take the BlackSheep BellyDance Format Teacher Training for Levels One and Two, offered by Kajira Djoumahna, held the weekend prior to TF in the Youth Annex Small Room, at the same Tribal Fest™ location!

        Level One is on Friday, May 11, 2012 and Level Two is on Saturday and Sunday, May 12 & 13, 2012. Class is from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on all 3 days. Please bring a lunch and beverage, finger cymbals, notebooks optional. Dress in comfy dance workout attire.

        Upon registration, Kajira’s DVDs will be sent to you ahead of time so you can become familiar with the moves before we meet. This is especially important for Level 2. Level 1 people will get a Level 1 DVD and Level 2 people will get the other 4 DVDs.

        As a prospective BSBD Format Teacher, you also qualify for a Tribal Bible. This amazing book has been out of print now for a few years, but a box of ten was found in storage recently. The Tribal Bible can be yours for only $100 – if you’re interested, please contact me (tribalfest@aol.com) after you’ve signed up for the Teacher Training. Because there are so few left, these books can only go to new Teachers of the format. Ask for more info if interested as well.

        Please read about the trainings in detail on this site, and sign up using the Shopping Cart just like for any other class or mini-intensive. Detailed Description here

And for Kajira’s qualifications, please see her Bio.

TRIBAL FEST™ 12 CLASS SCHEDULE

        This class list contains all 66 classes, mini-intensives and offerings available at TF12. It’s written by day, by classroom, and by time. Please read this thoroughly before signing up for your classes. Make sure you don’t sign up for any classes that are on simultaneously or that overlap! Please be aware that there are 5 different classrooms with classes held simultaneously on Wednesday and Thursday, 4 classrooms on Friday, and 2 classrooms on Saturday and Sunday. Mini-Intensives are either four hours or three days of two hours each day. They are listed below only on their first day.

        Please also note that there are NO REFUNDS for any classes for any reason, so be sure before you sign up. Thank you!

WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

* MAIN AUDITORIUM - maximum capacity 86 dancers. Teacher is on stage with a headset mic, so you can see and hear her. No mirrors.

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

Teacher: Jill Parker

Class Title: Slinky Folk Choreography

Description: In this workshop Jill shares a slinky and fun folk choreography. She breaks down earthy folk movements & sensual combinations in easy to understand layers. Her teaching places emphasis on the importance of embodying movements fully, making clean transitions and having a slinky, yet clean, approach to timing. This experience will surely bring a new repertoire of movement to your belly dance!  

Instructor Bio: Jill Parker is an award winning dancer and founder of the modern tribal fusion belly dance movement.
        She's an exceptional belly dance teacher with a gift for demystifying this sensuous form, making its technique accessible to new dancers, while offering tremendous insight for refinement to advanced dancers. With over two decades of experience, she has trained many of the top dancers in the genre.
        Her deep love of this form shines through in her intoxicating performances.
        Jill is an original member of FatChanceBellyDance, founder of Ultra Gypsy, and director of the Foxglove Sweethearts. She teaches weekly classes in the San Francisco Bay Area and can be seen at festivals, workshops, lectures, performances worldwide.

www.facebook.com/jillparkerbellydance
www.jillparkerbellydance.com

http://blogs.sfweekly.com/exhibitionist/2011/08/five_reasons_to_love_jill_park.php

Skill Level: Open to All

What to Wear: Comfy dance workout wear

What to Bring: Water, perhaps a small towel, notebook optional

12:15-2:15 p.m. 

Teacher: Kami Liddle

Class Title: Pop and Lock with Speed and Agility

Description: You've already mastered basic pop and lock skill, now it's time to take it to the next level. Fast and challenging combinations will be taught and drilled with a touch of hip hop stylization.

Instructor 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.

        After earning her degree in Art with a Minor in Dance from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2005, she decided to pursue her passion full time and since then has performed and taught in over 20 countries. Kami toured with the Bellydance Superstars for nearly 6 years and was a contributing choreographer as well as the director of the Tribal Superstars.  

        She is based out of San Francisco, CA and currently tours the world as a solo artist and occasionally tours with Beats Antique.

Skill Level: Open to those who can do basic pop and lock technique

What to Bring: Water

What to Wear: Comfy dance workout attire

2:30-4:30 p.m. 

Teacher: Mardi Love

Class Title: Take ‘Er Easy, Lay It On Thick

Description: Leaving some room open in your combinations gives opportunity to connect with your audience, making for a more entertaining and enjoyable performance for all parties involved. We'll work up a few combinations that allow you the chance to lay on the charm.

Instructor Bio: Mardi Love has been around for some years now, influential in shaping the aesthetic of Tribal Fusion as it is known today. Mardi began dancing with The One and Only Heather Stants, director of the innovative Urban Tribal Dance Company, then partnered up with the illustrious Rachel Brice and later the notorious Zoe Jakes to enjoy a good run with The Indigo, touring extensively and producing their own damn show. Way to do it right.
        These days, Mardi continues to pal around with painfully charming and talented musicians and performers, and a new show is in the works. Hot dog and get ready.

Skill Level: Open to All

What to Bring: Water, small towel and notebook optional

What to Wear: Comfy dance workout attire

4:45-6:45 p.m. 

Teacher: Amy Sigil

Class Title: How to Make Friends at Tribal Fest™! A Social Dance Experience... Experiment...

Description: Join UNMATA for a social dance experiment. Make new friends, re-connect with old, and sharpen those Kindergarten skills on how to make friends using dance and movement. Come prepared to party while dancing with Amy & UNMATA!

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 and notebook or phone to take down all your new friends’ numbers!

What to Wear: Comfy dance workout wear

* YOUTH ANNEX BUILDING, LARGE ROOM - next door to Main Hall - maximum capacity 36 dancers. This room has a sprung bamboo floor with mirrors, so bare feet or non-marking dance shoes ONLY. Thanks!

10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. 

Teacher: Frank Farinaro

Class Title: Ultimate World Fusion Drum Solo Choreography

Description: In this workshop, we will learn an exciting choreography to a drum solo that incorporates elements of Oriental and Tribal bellydance, Polynesian Hula, Afro-Brazilian Samba, Bhangra, Odissi, Hip Hop, Salsa, and other dances from across the globe.

Instructor Bio: Frank Farinaro is an internationally touring male bellydancer from Colorado. His passion for dance has taken him across the globe to teach, perform, and train. Over the past few years, his unique approach to dance fusion has led to the creation of his signature Hammerhead Sharqi Dance Technique. A style of dance that is rooted in tradition, respectfully pulls from knowledgeable fusion, celebrates emotional expression, and executes with strong athleticism. His approach to teaching is sensitive and personal, with a touch of tough love. He is a strong believer in strong posture, injury prevention, and creating individual artistry.

Skill Level: Some dance background will be helpful

What to Bring: water, a small towel

What to Wear: comfy dance workout attire

12:15-2:15 p.m. 

Teacher: Tribal Sooz

Class Title: Dynamic Duos!!!

Description: So… it’s just the two of you…. now what!?!? Never fear! Sooz is here!  

  Using the energy, elegance, and focus of the FCBD ATS language, learn how to effortlessly give and receive cues to and from your dance partner while dancing in duet formation. 

        This workshop will focus on developing strong and elegant body movements through drill combinations and transitions and will use current and upcoming FCBD-approved moves.

No partner needed! Just bring a sense of fun, a smile and let’s boldly go where no dancer has gone before! 

Instructor Bio: Known for her exuberant and vivacious personality, Tribal Sooz has been making her living as a teacher and performer since the 80's. Having been on stages all over the United States & Canada, her belly dance career began as a founding member of the world fusion troupe, Devadasi and later Blue Damsel. She currently directs Azuluna and Bella Luna dance troupes.
        She also performed with the innovative fire performance troupe, Atash Maya. She is now a devout student and teacher of American Tribal Style. Teacher trained and a proud Sister Studio with FatChanceBellyDance, as well as having the distinct pleasure of guest performing with them on several occasions!

        Tribal Sooz is a FatChanceBellyDance Sister Studio. Visit www.tribalsooz.com for more info on ATS classes in Orange County

Skill Level: This class is suitable for all levels of ATS dancers, from novices to experienced performers. Knowledge of basic ATS steps is recommended. 

What to Bring: Bring zills if you have them

What to Wear: Wear comfortable dancewear or ATS attire

2:30-4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday & Friday. This is a 3-day-long mini-intensive!  

Teacher: Carolena Nericcio

Class Title: Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something ATS

Description: Join Carolena and members of FatChanceBellyDance as we explore new steps contributed by our Sister Studios, and a few by FCBD, including Dueling Duets. We'll look at the steps and combos through the "ATS filter" and you'll understand the artistry and logic of creating a new step.

Instructor Bio: Carolena is the originator of American Tribal Style Belly Dance (ATS) from which all Tribal Fusion is born. ATS is 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.

        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, 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.”

Find out More at www.fcbd.com

Carolena Nericcio, director FatChanceBellyDance, Inc.,

Director's Cut Blog: http://fcbdblog.blogspot.com/

Sign up for TribalStar Galactica: 

http://www.fcbd.com/tribal/tribalStarGalactica.php

Skill Level: Dancers should know the basics of Taxeem, Bodywave, Hand Floreo and Arm Undulations, Shimmy, Arabic Basic, Egyptian Basic, Pivot Bumps and Choo-choos.

What to Bring: Finger cymbals

What to Wear: Choli, full skirt and pantaloons or basic dance wear

4:45-6:45 p.m. 

Teacher: Aubre Hill

Class Title: Folkloric Roots for Bellydancers

Description: Learn these essential folk dances of the Egyptian world used and referenced within bellydance. Explore the music and gain a greater cultural understanding of these dances. Including Awalim, Saidi and Ghawazee.

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: Notebooks are optional, water.

What to Wear: Comfy dance attire

* BOLSHOI ROOM – on the side of the Main Hall - maximum capacity 24 dancers. Mirrors, plastic tile dance flooring.

9:45 a.m.-11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, Thursday & Friday. This is a 3-day Mini-Intensive!

Teacher: Rachel Brice

Class Title: 3-Day Mini-Intensive!

Description: This three-day mini-intensive will focus on simple, clean and relaxed technique, and personal artistic development. Each class will include:
1. Short Viniyoga sequences (usually gentle) at the beginning and end of class to both prepare and compensate for the particular topic for that day.
2. Simple and high energy drills that focus on a particular type of movement or anatomical focus such as obliques, basic shapes, footwork, etc. 
3. A daily focus based on the needs of the class. The goal is a classroom environment that meets the needs of each student, and maximizes students' understanding of technique, developing their own choreographic and improvisational Belly Dance work, and confidence in their own ability to assess their own work and create an efficient practice.

Instructor Bio: Rachel Brice first fell in love with Belly Dance while watching John Compton's famous Hahbi 'Ru at the Northern California Renaissance Pleasure Faire. She began classes immediately.

        Ten years later she relocated to acquire a Bachelor's Degree in Dance Ethnology from San Francisco State. While in the Bay Area she studied with Jill Parker, the creator of Tribal Fusion, Carolena Nericcio, the creator of American Tribal Style, and Suhaila Salimpour, daughter of the legendary Jamila Salimpour and creator of the equally legendary Salimpour Format.

        In addition to performing and teaching internationally, Rachel studies Viniyoga with Gary Kraftsow, and co-directs The Indigo Belly Dance Company with Miss Mardi Love and Zoe Jakes. 2007 marked The Indigo's first self-produced, full-length show Le Serpent Rouge, which sparked an old-timey revolution. Rachel lives in the Pacific Northwest.

Skill Level: BellyDance experience helpful

What to Bring: Please bring comfortable stretchy layers for warming up and cooling down and a notebook for class (and there may be homework). If you wish, bring a hip scarf and skirt for the dance portion of class. Also bring a yoga mat, water, a small towel, and a warm tee shirt or sweatshirt.

What to Wear: Comfortable stretchy pants, a form-fitting tank top or sports bra.

12:00-4:15 p.m. – a 4-hour Mini-Intensive!

Teachers: Samantha Emanuel (formerly Hasthrope) of the UK & Tjarda van Straten of the Netherlands

Class Title: The Special Brew Session

Description: At TF 2011 they premiered their first duet. Building on the successful brewing of their individual styles, Sam and Tjarda bring you: “The Special Brew Session”. Using their different backgrounds in movement and dance fusion they blend various ingredients to stimulate your creative appetites. Discover your own personal flavor to bottle up and take away. A new class designed For TF 2012, they have selected exercises and games which will challenge and amuse with emphasis on space, movement quality and timing through practical application and demonstration. In joining Tjarda and Sam for this fun 4-hour intensive you will come away with fresh, inspired custom made combos, uniquely your own.

Instructor Bios

Samantha Emanuel: True to the original spirit of American Tribal Style, Samantha’s improvised Tribal Fusion routines combine skills gleaned from her studies with the creators of the genre in the USA with that of her own self taught background in the UK.  Elegant and classic, strong in carriage: Fusing Victorian costume aesthetics, hip hop/modern dance movement strangeness, a respectful take on World Folk dances and a professional versatility. 

        Starting her dance journey in 2005 thanks to Carolena Nericcio and Rachel Brice, she joined The Bellydance Superstars two years later, the first European to do so. She has toured internationally full-time since 2007 also featuring on several BDSS DVDs. 

        She continues to travel globally, instructing intensive workshops and performs both solo and collaboratively with artists such as Zoe Jakes, Sharon Kihara and Elizabeth Strong. Samantha is a committed teacher as well as performer and known for her accessible teaching methods. She is fast becoming known for her fun, engaging performance style, making audiences the world over smile. She is based in the UK with husband Oscar and hound Spindle. www.vagabondprincess.com

Tjarda van Straten: Tjarda is a genuine dancer from The Netherlands with a broad-minded curiosity towards fusing bellydance and well-known for her award-winning and innovative choreographies. She is the inventive force behind award-winning troupe The Uzumé Dance Company (founded in 2005) and has received several grants to expand her knowledge or to develop new projects. In 2009 she was featured on “Tales of Desire 2”, a performance DVD produced by Hollywood Music Center.

        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.

        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. 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.

Find her at www.tjarda.nu and www.facebook.com/tjarda.nu

Skill Level: BellyDance experience helpful

What to Bring: Notebook, water, small towel, small snack for break

What to Wear: Comfy dance attire

4:30-6:30 p.m. 
Teacher: Molly & Julia of TribalTique

Class Title: Waltz of the Dolls - A Tribal Fest exclusive workshop!

Description: Reminiscent of eerily beautiful dancing figurines in vintage music boxes, this doll-like style is 80% pure loveliness and 20% unexpectedly strange. In this workshop, Molly and Julia of TribalTique bring you smooth combinations and seamless transitions including controlled locks and isolations, graceful twirls and spins, as well as delicate hands and subtle glances. All combos are set to a 3/4 or 6/8 time signature, the classic waltz and a common North African rhythm. Technique and style provided, you bring the drama.

Instructor 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 a 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 at Cues and Tattoos in 2010 and 2011, and workshops at Tribal Fest in 2007, 2008, and 2010 (with sold out workshops in 2007 and 2008!).

        With over 20 years combined belly dance experience as performers and instructors, the partnership has flourished and firmly established TribalTique on the tribal belly dance circuit.

TribalTique currently teaches and performs *both* Tribal Improvisational and Tribal Fusion styles.

Skill Level: To get the most out of this workshop, some belly dance experience is helpful
What to Bring: Notebook (if desired) and water bottle

What to Wear: Comfy dance attire

* RUSSIAN ROOM – beside Main Hall – maximum capacity 24 dancers. Mirrors and plastic tile dance floor.

10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. 

Teacher: Crystal Silmi of Spain

Class Title: ¡Ay Caliente! Hot Fusion Technique & Combos

Description: Turn up the heat with some caliente combos straight from Madrid. Technical precision partners with funk - this high energy workshop will get your pulse beat in line your body heat. Combining elements of Hip Hop, Jazz and various World Dances, students will break through the walls of the traditional belly dance repertoire and embrace modern movement while staying grounded in the foundation of Middle Eastern dance.

Instructor Bio: Crystal Silmi is a belly dance fusion performer, instructor and choreographer from San Francisco, California USA. She has become known for her unique style of hip hop infused movements and has performed for audiences around the world.

        Skilled in both the art of classical Middle Eastern dance and modern fusion, Crystal puts her Arab American roots to the stage with a deep sense of rhythm and powerful athleticism. As a long time student of master instructor Suhaila Salimpour, Crystal has been a member of both the Suhaila Dance Company and Bal Anat.

        In 2006 she founded the belly dance fusion troupe RaksArabi based out of Santa Cruz, California USA. RaksArabi dazzled audiences at festivals, charity events and a variety of venues drawing upon hip hop, jazz, North African and other dance styles enhancing the art of belly dance with a vivid and contemporary feel.

        Now residing in Madrid, Spain, Crystal is seeking to expand and share her art throughout Europe and inspire students to explore themselves through the expressive art of dance.

www.crystalsilmi.com

Skill Level: Open to all

What to Bring: Agua!

What to Wear: Something comfortable and form fitting. Yoga attire is best.

12:15-2:15 P.M.

Teacher: Kamille Hitz of RockaBelly

Class Title: Floorwork, The Final Frontier

Description: Want to ooze across the floor? Defy gravity on your knees? Kamille can show you the tools to get you there. We will explore level changes, travelling, spins, and drops - including the famous "Turkish Drop".

Kamille will go over the stretches and strengthening exercises needed to perform this challenging form. This dance can be hard on the knees and ankles, please take into account the needs of your body.

Instructor Bio: For her dance is life. Finding movement to physically express music and emotion fascinates her, and passion drives her performances. She uses music of all types to tap in to the audience's own memories to stir their hearts. This has led her to become the fearless leader of RockaBelly, a San Francisco Bay Area rock fusion dance company she started in 2004.  Before that Kamille received a BFA in fashion design from Parsons School of Design. To decompress from fashion school she studied Middle Eastern dance with Anahid Sofian, starting in 1993.  She danced in the Anahid Sofian Dance Company from 1995- 2002 before moving west to San Francisco. 

        Influential teachers include Elena Lentini, Eva Cernik, Suhaila Salimpour, Alitha, Jill Parker, and fire performance with Riz. She has performed at many different venues, from art openings to Town Hall in NYC. 

        Most recently Kamille has been working on her first dance DVD and exploring with her 7 year old son Jackson. She is happy to be here, and happy to have conquered breast cancer. www.rockabellydance.com

Skill Level: All levels of dancers are welcome.

What to Bring: Socks, leg warmers, and/or knee pads are a good idea to bring.

What to Wear: Comfy, athletic dance attire - you will get a work out!

2:30-4:30 p.m. 

Teacher: Elizabeth Strong

Class Title: Burlesque Fusion

Description: Add a little Boom-Boom and a dash of Hot-cha to your step! Intelligent fusion comes from critical choices and well-rounded knowledge – yes – but it also is born out of playfulness!

        From the big, bad world of Burlesque and Cabaret (the old European kind, not the sequined belly dance costume kind) we will explore jazz, cancan, group formations, and more for some saucy, sexy dancing.

        We will work with short combinations and students will also have the chance to explore fusion concepts on their own. Come play with some new moves and discover your inner Roxie. 

Instructor Bio: Elizabeth Strong’s understanding of Middle Eastern dance and Eastern folk music began as a child in the California folk music community. As a teenager she began to study the dance formally and passionately. After receiving a B.A. in History, Elizabeth began dance studies in Bulgaria, Tunisia, Greece, Morocco, Egypt and most notably in Turkey, where she developed a relationship with members of the Rom community.

        A native of San Francisco, Elizabeth maintains the integrity and spirit of traditional dance forms inside of a contemporary framework. Her foray into Fusion began in 2002 when she began to wonder how to make the Old World traditional art she loved relate more to the culture around her. Elizabeth has since worked with other innovative artists including Zoe Jakes, Rachel Brice, Jill Parker, Dan Cantrell, Mira Betz, Mardi Love, Jillina Carlano, Ariellah, Samantha Emanuel, and Sharon Kihara.

        In addition to exploring the outer edges of belly dance fusion, Elizabeth remains rooted in folk tradition in her work with Bay Area Rom, Jewish, and Balkan communities. She performs live with Brass Menazeri and Fishtank Ensemble, and renowned world musicians such as Faisal Zeidan and Rumen Sali Shopov.

        Elizabeth previously toured with Bellydance Superstars and appears on Tribal Fusions 2, and Tribal LA. Other DVD performances can be found on Hollywood Video’s Evolution, and Tales of Desire I & II. Elizabeth currently teaches and performs internationally as a solo artist, with Bellydance Evolution, and with Beats Antique. Her self-produced Turkish Roman instructional DVD is now available.

Skill Level: Open to All, some bellydance experience helpful

What to Bring: Water, notebooks optional

What to Wear: Comfy dance attire

4:45-6:45 p.m. *(This class will be sold out at 15 people max)*

Teacher: Kendra Hayes (of Hands of Kali)

Class Title: SHARP PROGRESSIONS: Single- and Double-Sword Ass Kickery

Description: Love to bellydance with one and/or two swords? Want to punch up your performance style with some cool new sword moves? If you answered yes to either or both of these questions: Welcome home, cuz you're in the right workshop. In this session, you'll learn techniques for progressing from dancing with one sword to two swords within a single routine, how to gracefully stash and retrieve that devilish second sword, different hand holds, smooth grip changes and special new Hands of Kali combos. Kendra has swords available to loan out for use in class. If you need to borrow a sword (or two), please email kendra@handsofkali.com to make arrangements when you register for class.

Instructor Bio: Kendra Hayes has been a rebel girl since Day One and a bellydancer since the year 2000. Early one morning in 2003, she crawled out of a goth club in Seattle, founded troupe Hands of Kali and took to the streets with the message of sexy girl-power. Keeping the dream alive, she put out her bodacious bellydance book "Stomping Ground" in 2009 and the double-sword DVD "Sharp" in 2011. She's the owner/operator of Tin Can Studio in Seattle and a mean air guitar player. For those about to rock: Kendra is honored to salute you. To see and hear more, "like" Hands of Kali on Facebook and visit the websites handsofkali.com and tincanseattle.com.

Skill Level: BellyDance experience helpful

What to Bring: Your own blade/s if you have ‘em, or see description above to borrow

What to Wear: Comfy dance clothes you can move in

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

10:00 a.m.-2:15 p.m. – This is a 4-Hour Mini-Intensive!

Teacher: Zoe Jakes

Class Title: Skillz to Pay the Billz

Description: Straight belly dance, no hemming and hawing. YOU will drill and sweat and the movement will sink into your body to be taken with you at the end of a very intense 4 hours of dance only Zoe can dish up. Expect new and creative drills that you can take home for your own personal practice. All aspects of movement will be touched on from the inside out, from head to hips, encouraging use of breath, energy, and connection, incorporating syncopation and isolations of the body. My wish is to impart a solid foundation of dance movement with high impact and high energy drills to develop strong, versatile dancers that can intelligently handle any belly dance style.

Instructor Bio: Zoe is a proud member of The Indigo, recently on the road touring their show Le Serpent Rouge. She had been touring with Bellydance Superstars since the fall of 2005 and can be seen performing on their Tribal Fusions DVD. She recently finished filming her debut instructional DVD, to be released in 2011. Combining talents with David Satori and Tommy Cappel to form the band Beats Antique, which released the album Tribal Derivations last spring, Zoe is currently working on its sequel.
        When not with The Indigo, she tours with The Yard Dogs Road Show, a cartoon circus sideshow of wacky dimensions, and has been seen tearing it up with the Extra Action Marching Band.
        Nominated for Zaghareet’s "Best Interpretive Artist 2007", Zoe is an inarguably innovative dancer, whose unique take on Tribal bellydance takes influence from Art Nouveau, tango, Break dance, and Indian classical dance.
        She loves unicorns and has never once doubted their existence.

        Her web site is www.zoebellydance.com

Skill Level: Intermediate and above only, please

What to Bring: Water and a small towel

What to Wear: Comfy dance workout wear

4:45-6:45 p.m.

Teacher: KiKi Kuan of Taiwan

Class Title: Déjà vu Fusion

Description: KiKi Kuan has developed a new style of dance, Déjà vu Fusion. This fusion dance is a mix all kinds of dance; jazz, waltz, ballet, hip hop, Tai Chi, folk dance & universal style into the Fusion Belly Dance format. Déjà vu Fusion is a mix of the old style of Gypsy Jazz music, Chinese Jazz style and others. It is a unique and new expression of Fusion Belly Dance

Déjà vu Fusion dance has been performed in Taiwan and throughout Asia. It is a very artistic and popular new form of Fusion belly dance for all levels. Now, KiKi Kuan will bring this special style of fusion belly dance and teach basic choreography in the USA for the first time. The technique is soft, sexy movement, with attitude and feeling for the music. You need to dance with your soul and let your body express the rhythm. That is Déjà vu Fusion belly dance!

Instructor Bio: Kiki Kuan is the founder of the Tribal Sky Belly Dance troupe and the creator of Chinese Tribal Fusion belly dance. Tribal Sky was the first troupe to perform ATS belly dance in Taiwan.

        Kiki has also established two new troupes “Perfect Dance” & “Déjà vu” since 2009. With the addition of her new troupes, Kiki now has 25 dancers and a stage band working with her.

        Kiki has studied many forms of dance including ballet, jazz, hip hop, Middle Eastern, Tribal Fusion, American Tribal, Chinese Folk dance and traditional Chinese dance. 

        Kiki is a Level One & Two Certified Instructor of the BlackSheep BellyDance form of ATS, a certified fitness instructor of Pilates and AFFA. As a professional dancer, choreographer, musician, artistic designer, and studio owner Kiki Kuan has more than 20 years of experience in the performing arts.

        She has appeared on all of Taiwan’s national television networks, works with many of Taiwan’s celebrities and corporations annually to produce shows and events. Kiki and members of her Tribal Sky troupe have performed and taught Chinese Tribal Fusion international at 3rd Coast and Tribal FestTM & Spirit of the Tribes in USA, and China. She has DVDs to share Chinese Tribal Fusion belly dance with everyone.  The first series of Kiki’s Chinese Tribal Fusion Belly Dance DVDs were released two years ago. 

        Kiki is a regular contributor of her time and money to the Taiwan Fund for Children and Families. She also donated promotional VIP tickets to last year’s Tribal Asia Belly Dance show for several of the TFTC family members and their children. We were so happy to have them join us. And, we hope everyone in Taiwan can give a little to help those wonderful families. Kiki was present an award of appreciation from TFTC for her contributions in 2007-2010. 

        Kiki and her troupe love to perform Chinese Tribal Fusion and her new style, “Déjà vu” Tribal Fusion. And this year at Tribal FestTM, Kiki is pleased to offer a class in her Déjà vu style. This is the newest form of fusion in belly dance in Taiwan. If you are attending Tribal FestTM 2012, make sure to enroll in this class. www.tribalsky.com/

Skill Level: Class open to all Levels

What to Bring: Water

What to Wear: Comfy dance attire

4:45-6:45 p.m

Teacher: Heather Shoopman

Class Title: Sassy Choreography with ShOOp

Description: A special dance created just for Tribal Fest 12!
      In this class we will explore equestrian-inspired combos in honor of the unicorn. Think horses, riders, “Gypsy” bellydance and hip hop stylizations.
        The choreography will be broken down in sections with cues for easy incorporation into group improv, a la ITS. If you're game, ShOOp would like you to perform this dance onstage with her at Tribal Fest!!*

* (After you register, join the Facebook event to talk costuming
and details about performing!)

Instructor Bio: Born and bred in Oklahoma, Heather Shoopman began the movement journey early in cheer, dance team and country/western dancing. Then came the 80‘s, aerobics and her first introduction to hip hop--MTV.
        Add to the mix tai chi, yoga and several bellydance styles, along with an extensive background in acting and theatrics and you get the strong, fluid, zany style that is uniquely ShOOp. 
        Her bellydance path started over a decade ago with Mesmera, who has an amazing, passionate Gypsy flair, followed by the discovery of The Indigo and FatChanceBellyDance. She then saw Unmata, Suhaila, Frederique, Ariellah, Heather Stants (and many more) and began to appreciate the different personalities that come to fusion.     She immediately got to work in the dance lab, came up with some cool stuff, won a few awards,  and created a troupe called Se7eN who put themselves on the map with a body image piece in Unmata’s Blood Moon Regale. This piece helped set in motion Bellyqueen of NYC’s touring show PURE Reflections: Beauty Reimagined, which explores body image and self love in today’s media-driven society. 
        When she’s not immersed in a solo project, she can be seen collaborating with pals Calamity Sam, Sherri Wheatley and Michaella Manning...or playing DJ with her sister. She maintains her ATS chops in Heavy Metal, a troupe formed with Hannah Trimbath.           
        She is a proud co-founder of BFLA-Belly Fusion Los Angeles, a collaborative of LA-based dancers focused on public awareness of Fusion Bellydance as an art form. She now lives in Los Angeles where she teaches and performs regularly, while traveling to cities all over the world to spread the delight and healing power of dance.  Heather is a member of the unicorn family, and is happiest outside.
websites: www.magicalmystery.org and www.bellyfusionla.com

Skill Level: Some bellydance experience helpful

What to Bring: Water, note taking device (notebook or camera), a hankerin' for some fun

What to Wear: Comfortable dance clothes