Tribal Bellydance Costuming 101

I teach costuming workshops now and again, specifically for tribal and fusion bellydancers. I used to be a professional costumer, so I have spent quite a lot of time considering all the elements that go into this style--what makes it so rich, without being gaudy? It's also so very personal--there is not real "uniform"--so it is open to wide interpretation. I have addressed the topic in brief in a previous blog post, but for a deeper look into successful costuming I offer this new post. This was developed off of a handout I have given at past workshops, which addresses some key considerations for American Tribal Style, ITS, tribal, and tribal fusion bellydance.

Fabulous Friday - Domba! Old School

Mm Mm Monday - Datura at Tribal Fest

I knew from the moment this piece started, with the costuming, fingers cymbals, and music (not to mention the lineup of dancers I admire) that this was going to be an Mm Mm Monday that had to go up immediately. Datura is made up of the teachers and dancers at Rachel Brice's Datura studio in Portland, OR. Mixing elements of old school tribal, ATS, and what I would consider RB/Indigo style choreography, they bring back to the stage the magic that is tribal bellydance for me. Enjoy!

YIP Podcast - John Compton!

YIP Podcast did a great interview with John Compton of Hahbi 'Ru recently, which I thought y'all might enjoy if you weren't already aware of it.

When asked how he became interested in Bal Anat and studying with Jamila Salimpour:

"I moved to California in 1971...I think. In 1972 was the first time I saw Jamila's group. I didn't know if they were from the moon or what the heck they were. The drum beat just got to me, and I just wanted to be a part of it so bad.


I approached some of her dancers and they said 'Oh no, I can't teach you. Jamila... that lady...she would kill me is he knew I taught you.'"


...


"Finally somebody...a friend of mine... told me where Jamila's secret studio was. And there was a little room you went in before you actually went into the studio and there was a black curtain which separated the two. She said wait until after the class starts, and sneak into that room and you can see


And I pulled the curtains apart just enough to peek into the room with one eyeball, and then try to do the step in this little waiting room, and I did maybe basic Egyptian, Arabic 1, 2, and 3 or something. And all of a sudden the curtain ripped open. Jamila was a step above where I was standing...she looked huge...and she just went 'YOU!' pointed at me, 'IN HERE! SIT!'"

Wanna know what happened then? You have to give it a listen! More about John Compton's first performance with Bal Anat, why he quit and moving out on his own, influences on Hahbi 'Ru's stylizations, and so much more.

http://www.yippodcast.com/2012/01/episode-53-john-compton_29.html

Mm Mm Mondy - Urban Gypsy

We interrupt this regularly scheduled Mm Mm Monday video post to bring you this late-breaking video footage of my beloved friends and sisters in dance, Urban Gypsy.  Just this week they posted video from their performance from 3rd Coast Tribal (incidentally, this is the festival they put on every January in Texas), and it is pure, unadulterated Old School Tribal. You know, that stuff I LOOOOOOOVE.  They incorporated many pieces of inspiration from Hahi 'Ru including a pot dance, and Jamilo, the lively coffee-making harvest dance which increases in speed to an insane fervor by the end. Not to mention a capella finger cymbals, and features sections with live singing, drumming, and even Sahira hopping over to play flute.  Basically, I passed out from pure adoration, and then played it back a few more times. I am pretty sure a lot of you, my dear readers, will do much the same. Enjoy!