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Although tribal/tribal fusion has taken off in some areas of the midwest, St. Louis seems to be behind the curve. Although inroads have been made, tribal has not been embraced by the majority of the BD community as a legitimate art form. Consequently, we as performers are treated like the bastard child that shows up unexpectedly at a family function.
What's your experience within your BD community?
What's your experience within your BD community?
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Re: Emergence of Tribal in the Established Belly Dance Community
Sat, June 14, 2008 - 8:35 AMI took my first lessons 3 years ago. I think first classes establish a lot. Perhaps it made a difference that we danced in the now-defunct ayurvedic temple here in STL. In india and at the temple, dance is very much part of everyday life. My first teacher told us of the divine feminine aspect. It was a very nurturing environment. It wasn't until the temple closed down that I observed the divisions in the community at large. I noticed that the biggest divisions tend to be generational [new to dance versus dancing a long time], in style differences, and in a hierarchical structure that hasn't taken these differences into account. One thing is for sure: bellydance is changing and updating. -
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Re: Emergence of Tribal in the Established Belly Dance Community
Sat, July 5, 2008 - 7:17 AMBut I think bellydance has always been changing and updating.
I'm in Kansas City, and one thing my teacher mentions now and again is that even though Egyptian is "the thing" now, it used to be all Turkish, and the way she describes the influx of Egyptian into a primarily Turkish dance tradition very much smacks of how Tribal is being reacted to in a primarily Egyptain dance community. She on the other hand embraces it, not Tribal itself but the newness, even though it's not her cup of tea. She has no desire to experiment, but has nothing against other people (I.e. me) doing so.
Which is really refreshing.
Because while I acknowledge that the look of tribal isn't new, it's nice to have someone acknowledge that the dancing itself is different, rather than getting the old line that "We did that back in the stone ages, you didn't invent anytihng!"
The best part is that I've done tribal for Persians and Greeks and they loved it. Not always the musc so much, but the blending of sinewy movement with sharp locks and the occasional Turkish flare. Loved the costuming too. Just needed to stick with the more Raks music and leave the Pentapobe and Bassnectar at home. -
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Re: Emergence of Tribal in the Established Belly Dance Community
Sat, July 5, 2008 - 7:47 AMM'Chelle, you just rock in general! : )
>>"We did that back in the stone ages, you didn't invent anytihng!"
HELLO!! Where is the hidden mic? LOL Most people are resistant to change. I'm guilty of this at times.
As with Turkish vs. Egyptian, tribal WILL take hold. It will take time, major attitude adjustments and patience on my part. I find it annoying when I clearly hear, "That's not belly dance!" A shimmy, is a shimmy, is a shimmy. No one said this dance is authentic. Neither is American cabaret.
IMHO, tribal adds variety to the belly dance community. It keeps the dance form fresh and exciting.
KC has a great dance community. I am SO jealous!! St. Louis will get there. I have noticed a small ripple of change. Change does not occur overnight.
Namaste
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Re: Emergence of Tribal in the Established Belly Dance Community
Sat, July 5, 2008 - 8:59 AM"We did that back in the stone ages, you didn't invent anytihng!"
No, it may not have just been invented here now but the story behind the move, the timing and the way the move looks on the individual body are things that are indeed new. One thing I like about tribal and gothic bellydance is that it isn't about copying a move to perfection. It is about being the ONLY one who can execute that move in that particular way to elicit art and beauty. I am a short hourglass. No matter how hard I try, I will never dance, look like, or express myself like Samia Gamal or Rachel Brice. My body isn't made that way. My body has taught me that this is bellydance, not a monopoly.
Nobody does ooey gooey like M'Chelle does ooey gooey. And no one does it to that particular song, or to that story, and no one has that particular body or expression. Yet we all have our own version of "ooey gooey." There's one move we have that no one else has or expresses in that same way. But it isn't about just resting on that move but constantly taking it to an inventive and creative level while elliciting beauty and art the whole journey.
I do see this sort of acceptance of individual creative expression in tribal, But goth bellydance seems to really take it to heart the individual expression through dance and drama. That is actually a bit different from the goth lifestyle that says it is about personal expression but somehow, everyone looks the same :] [Basing this opinion on my days at KCAI during the height of Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles. YMMV;]
"We did that back in the stone ages, you didn't invent anytihng!"
When I hear this, what I really hear stone age fear and possessiveness. I almost want to say back, "Yes, you did invent it but that doesn't mean your way is the end all and be all. The move is on me now and I've made it look good on my body and put it to a new song and dance."
"We did that back in the stone ages, you didn't invent anytihng!"
This seems to be a real monopolistic way of thinking. That is sooo not bellydance.
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Re: Emergence of Tribal in the Established Belly Dance Community
Sat, July 5, 2008 - 10:03 AM"We did that back in the stone ages, you didn't invent anytihng!"
Actually, they didn't invent anything either...unless they're 5,000 yrs old. -
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Re: Emergence of Tribal in the Established Belly Dance Community
Sat, July 5, 2008 - 12:16 PMIt just upsets me that people look at the costume, make an assumption and don't pay attention to the actual movement. Put a traditional Turkish or Egyptian style dancer in tribal get-up and play experimental music and you will not get Tribal Fusion. The arm movements are different. the stylization is different. The emphasis on upbeats and down beats is different.
Quixotic hired me because of the style of my movement. The director liked bellydance, but saw Egyptian dancers as too flirty and flashy. He saw them as entertainment and not high-art. His opinion.
He saw Tribal Fusion and and said "Yes!"
It's all a matter of style, and taste.
New is good.
Not better.
Just good.
And change is nothing to be afraid of.
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