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American Tribal Style (ATS) was born out of the need to co-ordinate the droves of bellydancers that “invaded the Renaissance fayres in the 60s and 70s). Jamila Salimpour did just that and the result was an improvised and ethnic dance style that blends regional dances from all over the Middle East as well as components from Flamenco and Romany dance. For information on Jamila and the initial tribal style www.souhaila.com and www.hahbiru.com.
The pioneer of the ATS as known today, was born in the 80s in San Francisco and pioneered by Carolena Nericcio of FatChanceBellyDance. The main features that distinguish American Tribal Style from other forms of bellydance is that the movements are categorized into slow, medium and fast and performances are IMPROVISATIONAL; dancers employ pre-determined cues to create a unique performance, based on the music, the chemistry between dancers, the audience and the general atmosphere. Duets, Trios and Quartets emerge from a half moon chorus as the featured dancers for a short set (2 to 3 minutes) and as one lot of featured dancers slots back into the chorus, the next group will take the centre stage.
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Tribal Fusion explores mixing “traditional” bellydance moves with other dance styles such as Flamenco, Kathak, Romany etc. As a result, the music used for Tribal Fusion, more often than not, is an edgier version of traditional arrangements; as Maduro put it “Dum Tak Bleep”.
Tribal Fusion was really introduced to audiences all over the world by the Bellydance Superstars; Rachel Brice, Sharon Kihara, Mardi Love, Samantha Emanuel, Zoe Jakes and Jill Parker (Ultra Gypsy) have inspired dancers around the globe to experiment and “push the envelope”.
Tribal Fusion requires physical strength and stamina and many, if not all of the professional fusion dancers, regularly practice Yoga, Pilates and other core strengthening activities and have completed some of Suhaila Salimpour’s certification program.
The darker side of fusion was made more accessible by Laura “Tempest” Schmidt. Amongst other things, she defines Gothic bellydance and the site is an excellent resource, if you are not familiar with the Gothic Subculture, too.
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