Never say that nothing cool ever happens in Columbia. Ever.

Four of the finest Tribal Bellydance acts on the east coast, ranging from old school to new school, gothic to vaudeville, appear together at Art Bar (1211 Park Street in the Vista) on Saturday, January 17th. This is shaping up to be an absolutely killer show, and I'm so excited to be bringing these acts to Columbia, SC. DO NOT MISS THIS ONE!

Performances start at 9 PM. For the mere cost of $5, you will get to see:


Delirium Tribal from Columbia, SC
www.youtube.com/watch
With its solid foundation in American Tribal Style Bellydance (the original tribal bellydance, for those following along at home), Delirium Tribal does it all: ATS improvisation, Tribal and Tribal Fusion, and even fire and circus arts with Columbia Alternacirque. Delirium will open the show with a classic ATS improv set, and later in the evening we'll show you the new stuff we've been working on: new solos, choreographies and an acrobatic, death-defying, six-person sword choreography that we really hope doesn't kill anybody.

Awalim from Atlanta, GA
www.youtube.com/watch
East Coast Tribal represent. Awalim was formed in 1999 under the Direction of Ziah Ali McKinney-Taylor as a group to bring World Fusion Tribal Bellydance to the stages of Atlanta and the Southeast US. Awalim's particular flavor of Tribal is decidedly upbeat and earthy while being sophisticated and urban, bringing what they feel are Atlanta's strongest characteristics to the Tribal genre.

Asharah from Alexandria, VA
www.youtube.com/watch
Asharah is one of the rising star soloists in Tribal Bellydance. Known for her dark fusion and goth sensibilities, as well as immaculate technique fusing ticking and locking with classic tribal, Asharah's dramatic performances will blow you out of your chair and give you a taste of where Modern Tribal fusion is going.

The Mezmer Society from Asheville, NC
www.youtube.com/watch
Onca and August had so much fun playing at Art Bar with Alternacirque last July, they are coming back and (I've been told) bringing more musicians. Founded in 2007, the Society fuses diverse elements such belly dance, cabaret performance, Romany music, foppish occultism, unapologetically pretentious Belle Epoque café living, goodwill, bad behavior, misappropriated pop songs, and the horribly misguided notion that one can try and squeeze an entire Balkan brass band into one accordion. And if all of my previous experience with the Mezmer Society holds, they will play and create mayhem all night long. Crazy kids.