Tribal Fusion (dance form)

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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.

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[edit] 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.

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.

[edit] 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).

Some musicians commonly utilized by Tribal Fusion dancers are:

[edit] Costuming

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.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links


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