HOW DO I SIGN UP TO PERFORM?

Just like with our vendors, the performers must stick with the Tribal theme or we will lose the uniqueness of our Fest. The Fest is not your "normal belly dance festival" and I wanna keep it that way!

*If you would like to sign up to perform, please read the following guidelines BEFORE you send in your "application" and "class registrations":

**Tribal Fest 7: "The 7-Year Twitch n' Bitch" Performance Guidelines**

*Length of time for performers are as follows and this does NOT count any band members (so if you have a band and are a soloist, for example, you and your band will still have only 7 minutes in which to include set-up and take-down, making your solo about 2 or 3 minutes long, and likewise for each category below.) :

solo dancers - 7 minutes
duos, trios, or quartets of dancers - 9 minutes
groups with 5 - 10 dancers, 13 minutes
groups with more than 10 dancers, 16 minutes.

Please plan your set to be this time exactly or shorter, thanks.

*There are new policies this year for performing. I have been wrestling with the fact that for the first time, I will not be able to fit everyone onstage who applies this year. So, I'm making the guidelines a bit more strict. Here they are:

1.) If you are a soloist, you must take at least one class during The Fest. Everyone else, please take one class for every two dancers. So, this means: If you have 4 dancers, sign up for 2 classs, each dancer take one class, or one dancer take 2 however you want to work it out. Odd numbers , 5 for example, 2 classes would be required.

2.) This year, you will be required to register for at least the minimum number of classes
above, and actually write out a sort of "Performance Application" which you will see an example of below. All four things: "Performance Ap.", "Class List" (will not have to be an "official registration form" in fact, there are none available), SASE and payment for all classes must be submitted all at one time and in one envelope.

3.) Please list second choice classes for everyone in case your first choices are gone by the
time you get 'round to collecting everyone's $ and writing down all the info I need.

This envelope MUST contain a STANDARD SIZE SASE envelope (or pre-paid priority mail letter size envelope or larger) for your class's receipt, performance liability release, info and contract. SASE envelopes smaller than 9 and ½" by 4 and 1/8" (regular, standard size) will contain only your returned check/s as I cannot fit all that stuff above into anything smaller! The SASE must have postage of 63 cents if within the U.S..

Out of the country? Please be sure you have enough postage on your SASE (Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope) and that it is on a big envelope so all your info will fit when I send it back to you, thanks! This is postage for up to 2 ounces of mail in the U.S., so make sure you put enough on your SASE for that weight to return to you.

I HIGHLY suggest to be safe and if you are a U.S. resident, that you send all that required stuff to me via Priority Mail, with Delivery Confirmation (total cost: $4.85) or by Certified Mail (costs more). In fact, since you MUST have your receipts this year to get into class (NO EXCEPTIONS) if I were you, I'd send a pre-paid Priority Mail SASE with delivery confirmation already attached and paid for (I think they'll do that, if not, just send the extra buck for the delivery confirmation with a note and I'll add it for you, as long as you use Priority Mail you can get delivery confirmation). I might even add insurance to my SASE of a value of $100 (it's cheap, about $3) so you have insurance that you'll receive your receipts and performance info. Insurance may be available for non-priority letters in the U.S. but I only use priority so can't tell ya for sure. I'm certain many countries offer some sort of insured mail option as well, but I also know some do not. If yours does, use it for both your original letter and your SASE.

*Live music is possible but discouraged now that we have more performers than time. This year the live band policy has changed due to lack of time to fit everyone in who desires to perform now. If you have your own band, and simply cannot live without dancing with them, you'll need to cram your band's set-up and take-down time into your performance time periods noted above. Please also note that the band members do not count as "dancers" so you will not get extra time just because you have a band. NO extra set-up or take-down time can be allowed for bands anymore. Everything must fit into the time allotments for dancers noted above, including set-up and take-down time. Sorry, but "The Baby" has grown and the venue has not. I suggest you all practice with them getting their equipment on and off stage as quickly as possible so you can have some idea how long you will actually have to dance left over. Bands are, unfortunately, no longer encouraged for this reason. Let me know in your application if you must bring your band.

*Please don't apply to do "thinly veiled cabaret in a different costume." We can tell. Learn some tribal first. Thanks.

*Actual American Tribal Style (ATS) structured group improvisation is encouraged the most. This is the style that inspired The Fest and it's being done less and less every year (though I was happy to see a VERY healthy resurgence of ATS in 2006). Consider this a shout out to those of you who know what I mean!

*Tribal or Other World Fusion, especially those that are well-crafted from experience in the separate forms you're fusing before presenting them.

*No copycats! Those are the dancers that look like other unique individuals and troupes but who cannot dance like them. Dance like YOURSELF/VES and don't just copy others!

*No armchair dancers. These are the ones who only learn from the occasional DVD and think they know all there is to know. Wait until you do know something and then apply, thanks.

*Please, if you are planning something wild, like under the title of Performance Art, let me know on your performer's application so I can note it. Speak with me about it well ahead of the Fest if unsure if your act is suitable, though I sincerely doubt I'll have a problem with it unless you're doing Oriental style. "Unique" individuals and troupes are more than welcome. I just wanna know if I should put a disclaimer in the program.

*Comedy dances are encouraged. Let me know if you or your group are doing one in advance so I can give you the right spot in the program, thanks! Try to keep them still "tribal-y".

*Improvisational artists are encouraged, whether solo or ATS group style, as long as you are not in bedlah or performing Oriental dance. That's why they have Rakkasah and all those other events.

*Sacred Dance has always been encouraged, but still no cabaret under that guise, thanks!

*Traditional folkloric or "ethnic" dances of any country are encouraged, non-western classical dances included (such as classical Odissi, classical Thai, etc.).

*Use of finger cymbals are encouraged. Even though we're BellyDance's wild childs, let's remember we *are* still "bella donsahs*"! (*TM, Geisha Moth Designs.)

*Dancers and troupes new to performing are welcome. Just let me know so I can find you a time spot that's not too scary for you. This will most likely be on Saturday or Sunday morning.

*Please do not plan anything that includes fire! Remember that flammable $5,000 backdrop!

*Please mark off 18' wide x 8' deep to be ultra-safe in rehearsal. That's about it for useable space. This is a very wide but shallow stage. Be aware that the feet of the backdrop stick out a bit and that is taken into consideration in your usable space dimensions above.

*Please be aware of the backdrop on the stage. It's silk, hand painted, beautiful and very, very expensive. Keep swords, scimitars and other props well away from it while onstage unless you can afford to buy it, thanks. It's about $5,000 or so.

*If you're not sure that a performance idea you have will be appropriate for Tribal Fest, just give me a call. I'm happy to speak with you about it: 808.891.8891. You may leave me thorough messages 24 hours a day. Be sure to leave your call-back number.

*Performance sign-ups are open now. There is no specific call-in day, you can send your applications, SASEs, class registrations and payments at once, anytime. I will make up the roster sometime in Winter. I take performance requests until I have a waiting list of 20 acts, so contact me even if you're reading this in the Springtime. You never know, you may still get in. There are unexpected cancellations every year, so don't be shy!

*When ready to sign up, snail mail me with the following information. Be sure to include ALL of the info requested above and below, thank you! Thanks!

1.) How to Write Your Own Typed or Handwritten Performance Application (hey, I'm supah-high-tech - plus, there are no substitutes for your own words!) This letter MUST include ALL the following info or it will not be processed:

*Name of group or soloist

*Contact person's name

*Contact person's phone number (with area or country code) *Absolutely required!*

*Contact person's email address if out of the U.S. (Not needed for U.S. citizens, we will use the telephone if we must.)

*Where are you coming from? (State and/or Country)

*SASE as described above with proper postage for up to 2 ounces of mail

*Number of dancers in your troupe (band members are counted separately and do not count as dancers, so will not add time to your show).

*I plan on building the most exciting and fun program for Tribal Fest 7 than ever before! In order to do this, I also need to know:

1.) What type of performance are you or your group planning? Please choose from a category closest to what you're gonna do and stick with it. You can use the ideas above to decide which category you and/or your troupe most closely fit into, or elect to describe yourselves in your own words to me. (I like that.) :-D

2.) Will your show include props? If so, what kind?

3.) Will you be including floorwork?

4.) Will you play cymbals, kashiklar, castanets or other hand percussion?

5.) How long have members of your group been performing? (Please be honest. I am looking for performers of all levels, so don't feel a need to "pad" your ap. Performers looking to gain experience are welcome here as always. You won't ever be a "Big Dog" if you can't run with 'em. Certain performance skills are only learned on a stage anyway.)

6.) What "mood/s" are you showcasing? (So I won't put two slow moody swords pieces right after one another, for ex.) If your group is large enough to have time for a two-to-five part routine, let me know if it starts and ends on fast or slow tempos, too. Thanks.

7.) You or your group will have the best chance of performing if you are flexible on day and time. Please make sure you can be flexible. If you are open to any day, PLEASE say so! That will really help everyone involved.
If needed, you may request a certain day but not a special time. Please include a second choice day as well just in case your first choice cannot be done. Not too many worries about class conflicts, since 32 out of 40 are not during The Show anyway.* Dancers applying for our Sunday show will definitely be appreciated! Tell your troupe to plan on staying for the entire 5 days so no one misses out on anything!

8.) Have you performed at Tribal Fest before? If so, what years?

9.) Is there anything else I should know about your performance? I am happy to add "disclaimers" to the program and would rather you tell me so I can rather than be sneaky. You don't have to be sneaky here! I like weird and wild, so just call me if not sure. Program disclaimers are fine and so are you, so tell me: 808.891.8891.

10.) Please take a few moments to write a short introduction for yourself or your troupe. We wanna know what you're doing, where you're from, etc. This is the only festival I know of that accepts introductions at all, and too few of you have been taking advantage of them! The announcer cannot tell people anything if you don't write it down. (And, NO, I don't wanna even see 'em. Just give 'em to our announcer before you go on and keep it brief. DO NOT send it to me!)

*DO send in your class lists and payments so I will not schedule you during your classes in case you're in one of the 8 classes happening during the show.

*When You Send in Your Lists of Classes, Please Do It This Way*:

Class Name and Teacher Name, Name of Person/s Enrolling in that class, Day and Time of the class. Do this for EACH class, thanks! It will help avoid confusion. And of course, just a reminder, at least the minimum number of classes for the people in your group must be paid for and signed up for at the same time you send me this info.

All classes are $30 each and two hours long as usual, EXCEPT for:

* PURE with Darshan of NYC - this is a four-hour class and will count as two classes for performers. The PURE class is $50 for all four hours.

* Any Class with Members of The Indigo: that's Rachel Brice, Mardi Love and Zoe Jakes. They are teaching in the smallest room (19 people max), so you will have a very intimate class with these ladies. Their classes are $50 each and are 2 hours long each class.(Each Indigo member will teach separate subjects, see the Detailed Class Description pages.) I expect these to sell out within the first couple days of receiving mail, so definitely include second choices if you're hoping for one of these, and get that envelope, check/s and info into the mail A.S.A.P.!

*FINALLY, send your Performance Application Answers, if performing, your Class List complete with title, teacher's name, day, time, and classroom name, the names of each person who is enrolling in each class, second choices for both performing and classes, SASE (with a large envelope *only* and with enough postage for up to 2 ounces of mail, REQUIRED If performing. If NOT performing, a 39 cent SASE is fine.) and payment for all classes as soon as possible to:

BlackSheep BellyDance (also make your check or money order out to that name, thanks)
P.O. Box 791000
Paia, HI
96779-1000
USA

*Please note we are NOT accepting PayPal this year to give everyone more fair of a shot. I will collect mail for a couple weeks and then sort by postmark as I know those 19-person Indigo classes will be gone in the first couple days.

EXREMELY IMPORTANT: Do NOT send any mail after March 10, 2007. NO class registrations, nothing to do with Tribal Fest. I MUST have everything in hand no later than April 1, 2007 in order to send you your class receipts (which you MUST have in hand) in time. Mail takes a very long time to reach Maui, so REALLY, *DO NOT SEND* any correspondence past the deadline date this year!

Chuck and I leave early for CA to get The Fest set up and will not be able to pick up any mail after April 1, 2007. It creates many problems at The Fest when we hear things like, "I sent it two weeks ago", so PLEASE DON'T.
If there is any room in any class you'd like to take, please just go to that class early (about 10 minutes) and talk with the registrar. If there is still room, you can pay CASH ONLY at the door. At the door workshop prices are: for the $30 classes, $35 in CASH. For the $50 classes, $55 in CASH. No other method of payment will be accepted at the door.
Thank you for your consideration and compliance with this serious deadline for receiving postal mail, and for remembering to bring your receipts to classes for admittance. No receipt means you must pay for the class again, in cash, and then send verification of a cancelled check AND the receipt you forgot to bring to me after The Fest is over. I will then send reimbursement upon verification. There will be about 1,500 people taking classes this year, so I'm sure you can understand why the rules must apply to everyone and why I need your registrations IN ADVANCE, the sooner the better. Thank you!

DO PERFORMERS GET INTO TRIBAL FEST FREE?

Yes, on the day that you perform. Only the actual performers get in free, though, so if you're under 18 and have a parent or guardian with you, they will have to pay and vice-versa. If your friends or family members would like to get in free, too, have them become Tribal Fest Staff and/or Reviewers! At least then they will be reimbursed for their admissions paid, and all staff positions will be paid above free admission in some agreed-upon compensation.