Bellydance emphasizes the undulation and rhythmic isolation of the torso, abdomen, and hips, as well as the expressive use of the hands, arms, face, and head. The sinuous movements of belly dance glorify any shape of female body.

In general, knees are slightly bent, the pelvis centered (neither pulled forward nor released backward), the ribs detached and lifted from the hips. From the hips downward the dancer feels and conveys solidity, gravity, earthiness, rhythm. From the ribs upward she is usually lifted, lyrical, elegant. The belly is the center, balanced between these two forces, often alive with a rolling, rippling movement of its own.

Bellydance empowers women of

all ages and body types.

American Tribal Style Bellydance (ATS)

www.fcbd.com

Tribal Style Belly Dance or American Tribal Style Belly Dance (commonly known as ATS) is a modern style of dance created by FatChanceBellyDance director, Carolena Nericcio. In 1974 Carolena began belly dancing with Masha Archer and the San Francisco Dance Troupe. Masha’s style was an eclectic blend of classic Egyptian Cabaret, Folkloric and any other influence that she found enticing. Being a trained painter and sculptor, Masha taught her dancers to create art through dance. In 1987, after the SF Classic Dance Troupe had disbanded, Carolena began teaching in a small studio in the Noe Valley Ministry.

In defining Tribal Style Belly Dance and/or American Tribal Style Belly Dance, it is extremely important to note that Tribal Style is a larger category under which American Tribal Style (ATS) appears. ATS is a specific form of Tribal Style Belly Dance that is clearly defined and documented with the primary characteristic being that of group improvistation. "Tribal Style" can describe many other styles that are not necessarily ATS.

The general category Tribal Style is accredited to Jamila Salimpour who fostered a fusion of folkloric dances styles from the Middle East and North Africa and began teaching what she knew and performing all over California and the West Coast. Utilizing traditional folkloric dance elements and costumes inspired by traditional and ethnographic traditions, she presented on stage through Bal Anat a colorful dance company which included musicians, singers and dancers to create a "souk" or almost circus feel. Taking what she herself had learned from native dancers from Morocco, Algeria, Turkey, Egypt, Syria and Lebanon who were dancing in the United States, she began to catalogue "belly dance movement" and began creating a basic repertoire terminology which is still the basis for Tribal Style and American Tribal Style repertoire.

Tribal Style today represents everything from Folkloric inspired dances to a fusion of ancient dance techniques from North India, the Middle East and Africa. As a general category, Tribal Style covers many flavors of American Belly Dance both the folkloric inspired like Dalia Carella and fusion and cross over styles which explore modern, jazz, dance theatre, and hip hop with belly dance, as well as fusion with traditional classical ethnic dance forms like Bhangra, Bharata Natyam, Flamenco and now even Polynesian and West African Dance.

Tribal Style dancers (like Raqs Sharqi dancers) often use finger cymbals, but the focus is on the group as opposed to emphasizing solo performance. Tribal Style does feature solos within the group as well as call-and-answer performance with another dancer (duets), or as a whole group. Often there is a chorus which provides a "drone" in the background while the featured pod is the focal point. Both the pod and the chorus are improvised in the moment. Staging for the pod and the chorus is also formalized within the ATS form to maximize dancer visibility on behalf of the audience and likewise maximizing group visibility of the leader.

There are several American Tribal Style Belly Dance troupes in the United States. FatChanceBellyDance is one of the largest ATS dance troupe companies, providing lessons, videos, music, costumes and more. The company was formed in 1987 by Carolena Nericcio. Their website provides another perspective on the history of American Tribal Style:

“Bellydance has many different names and many different styles from various regions. Here in the United States, the most popular style performed is the traditional Egyptian cabaret style known as Raks al Sharki or Oriental Dance. However, a new style has emerged, especially on the west coast, American Tribal Style Bellydance. It is an ethnic fusion style, influenced by Middle Eastern dance but inspired by American artistic sensibilities. It has nothing to do with representing a particular tribe, but it combines movement vocabularies and regional costuming to form one cohesive presentation. The "American" part of the label acknowledges that the dancers are continents away from the culture that created the dance form and are taking artistic license with it.” (Rina Orellana Rall)

Costuming

The style is also characterized by costumes derived from many "folkloric" sources and is often composed of large tiered skirts or 10 meter/yard skirts, a short choli often with a plunging neckline, a visible bra decorated with coins and textiles, turbaned head, hip scarf with yarn tassles or fringe, and a heavy layering of oxidized silver jewelry. The jewelry commonly originates from Central Asia, from any number of nomadic tribes or empires (e.g. Kuchi, Turkoman, Rajasthan) and is often large and set with semi-precious stones or, when mass-produced, with glass. Dancers frequently "tattoo" their faces with kohl or kajal. Make-up is usually eye focused with heavy use of kajal.

Tribal Fusion Dance Form

www.bellydancesuperstars.com

Tribal Fusion Belly Dance is a form of modern belly dance generally referring to a combination (fusion) of American Tribal Style Belly Dance and Cabaret or Egyptian style belly dance. It frequently incorporates elements of Popping, Hip Hop, and modern, but often drawing from many traditional forms such as Flamenco, Kathak, Bhangra, Balinese, and other folkloric dance styles. In tribal fusion, dancers expand on the elements previously fused to form ATS, to make their style unique and more relevant to their contemporary experience.

History

The roots of tribal fusion lie in ATS, created in San Francisco by Carolena Nerriccio and her dance company FatChance Bellydance. One of the founding members of FCBD in 1989, Jill Parker, can be regarded as starting tribal fusion. After leaving FCBD, she formed Ultra Gypsy Dance Theatre in 1996. Under Jill Parker's direction, UG expanded on the ATS movement repertoire, using choreography and incorporating elements of burlesque, cabaret, and 1920's. The group also progressively deconstructed the classic ATS costume (choli, coin bra, turban, tassel belt, skirt, harem pants).

Another early pioneer in tribal fusion is Heather Stants, who formed Urban Tribal in San Diego in 1999. Initially, Urban Tribal was heavily influenced by hip hop and street dance styles, though there current style borrows many elements from modern dance. They are also known for their minimalist costuming, in contrast with many other tribal fusion performers. Their costuming effectively complements their sleek lines and smooth style. Mardi Love was an early member of UT, who later joined the Indigo and became one of their major choreographic and costuming influences, together with Rachel Brice.

www.rachelbrice.com

Tribal Fusion was largely popularized by Rachel Brice and the Indigo (formed in 2003), who became internationally renowned as they toured with the Bellydance Superstars. Rachel Brice describes her dancing as a combination of Suhaila Salimpour technique and FCBD style, along with a heavy dose of Mardi Love. She also popularized the use of movements similar to "popping," though she credits Ariellah as the source. Initial members of this group were Rachel Brice, Mardi Love, Michelle Campbell, Sharon Kihara, Shawna Rai, Janice Solimeno, and Ariellah Aflalo. Both Rachel and Sharon were members of Ultra Gypsy and credit Jill Parker as a major inspiration. Currently, the Indigo is comprised of Rachel Brice, Mardi Love, and Zoe Jakes, who toured their own show "Le Serpent Rouge" in 2007.

Tribal Fusion music

Tribal Fusion will utilize a variety of musical genres, depending on the artist. Music can include folkloric Egyptian (such as saidi), Indian (traditional or pop), Middle Eastern pop (such as Rai), which are also used in ATS. However, tribal fusion dancers also perform to contemporary electronic music, hip hop, and rock. The only form of music that a tribal fusion dancer will not perform to is classical Middle Eastern music (as is the same with ATS dancers).

Costuming

www.sharonkihara.com

An important distinguishing feature of the tribal fusion dancer is their costuming. As with the movement, it is a fusion between ATS and Cabaret, infused with elements from streetwear, vintage costumes and jewelry, and other tribal and modern cultures. Many dancers wear elements from ATS costuming, such as harem pants, coin bras, cholis, big fluffy skirts, though rarely all together. As with ATS dancers, tribal fusion dancers often wear extensive collections of jewelry, usually made from antique silver. As with Cabaret, the most important elements of the costume is the bra and belt. In contrast with Cabaret, tribal fusion dancers design, create, and sew most of their own pieces. Major influences in contemporary tribal fusion costuming are Mardi Love and Melodia Designs.

Mardi Love, former member of Urban Tribal, current member of The Indigo, pioneered many of the most popular elements in tribal fusion costuming. Despite being part of the more minimalist Urban Tribal, she helped sculpt the intricate, vibrant, and complicated costumes worn by The Indigo. She is credited with being the first one to make cowrie falls, using colorful, hand dyed yarn to braid cowrie shells together. She also created one of the most popular belt styles by using 2 pieces of an Indian (frequently Kuchi or Banjara) belt bases as the front and back, adding 4 beaded medallions (1 to each end of the belt bases), and adding colourful yarn fringe (such as Colinette Pointe 5). The two sides of the belt are tied together.

Melodia Designs produces pants that are now worn by almost every tribal fusion belly dancer. They are characterized by their large flare that is split up to the knee along the outside seam, and is finished with a lettuce edging. Basic pants come in many colours of cotton lycra with a mini skirt, sash, or fringe attached at the waist. Specialty pants are available infrequently, and can be made from a variety of mesh, slinky, or velvet fabrics. A collaboration with Phoenix Rising Designs has resulted in hand batiked Melo-Phoenix pants that are available a few times a year.

More Styles descriptions coming soon!