What is Neo-Tribal Belly Dance? Neo-Tribal Belly dance is a stylized fusion with an innovative twist. Its basis is American Tribal Style, honoring women, community and our earth. The moves, costumes, & music are inspired by, and borrowed from many different cultures, but the expression is uniquely our own. Being American, we strive to honor these cultures, not by performing the traditional dances, but by combining our modern expression with moves rooted in ancient tradition. From the basis of Tribal, Neo-Tribal adds some accents as in oriental; there is more action, more changes, and less repetition of moves. There is still the inspiration from other cultures, and the background support of the group. A performance contains a nice variety of duos and group dances, but the solos are the shining points. They are much more experimental, and in touch with the musicians, such as in oriental dance. As an American Neo-Tribal dancer, we have lots of freedom to use our own creativity, and to mix music from different countries. Neo-Tribal belly dance is a new, diverse style. It began in the US in the 1960's. Neo-Tribal style is influenced by, but different than the dances of tribal people, which can be thousands of years old. The combination of influences can be from Turkey, Egypt, North Africa, India, Spain & lots of other places. Its Middle Eastern flavor gives the appearance of being ethnic, without needing to be authentic. The costumes are inspired by Middle Eastern ethnic costumes, without being 100% accurate. In tribal style, you dance for and with each other, and the audience gets to feel like part of the tribe. Many times, a story is told with our dance, like women meeting at the well to collect water, or a harvest dance with a basket. In essence, we carry on what the Rom (Gypsies) have been doing for centuries. Instead of a written history, the Rom tell their stories from generation to generation by way of music, song and dance. Following is an article written by Jennifer Sparano-Caruso, principal dancer with The Circle Dance Company, and instructor for Euphoria Studios. This article appeared in Zaghareet Magazine, March/April 2003, which describes The Circle Dance Company, and Neo-Tribal Bellydance. Enjoy... “Between Worlds - Neo-Tribal Bellydance” By Jennifer Sparano-Caruso In the world there is always change, but there is also the constant; the solid and the unwavering. Middle Eastern dance, often bound by the rules of tradition, remains ever close to it’s origins and is never without beauty and meaning. American derived belly dances, although beautiful and heartfelt, are ever morphing as the torch passes from one tribal teacher to another. These styles have often struggled with other dancer’s perceptions of authenticity. American Tribal, of course, it is not authentic Middle Eastern dance and has never claimed to be, but it is genuine in it’s own right. It’s a genuine new tradition based on, but not limited to, the old folkloric ways. One such American style has begun to emerge onto the cultural dance scene. It’s called Neo-Tribal and it is a new and exciting group dance full of fun and fire. The emergence of Neo-Tribal has brought to the world a different approach to American Style belly dance and inspires us to take a fresh look at old traditions. This is a style packed with improvisation, choreographies, and variations of basic moves, but it’s most important goal is to gather the dance community in a celebration of individuality and creative thinking. The Birth Of A Style Neo-Tribal Belly Dance began to be crafted by Jane Archer in 1996. With over twenty years of dance experience in several different disciplines (ballet, ball room, jazz, swing, oriental, and American tribal belly dance) Archer set out to create something different; a style in which to apply her skills and strengths as a dancer and a teacher. She came to the conclusion that by blending the two major camps of belly dance (Tribal and Oriental) and by spicing up the sauce with elements of other ethnic dances like Flamenco and Rom she’d have something fresh and unusual. To give it fluidity and grace she added a healthy measure of ballet and ball room, and to give it spirit she kept her heart rooted in the intention that belly dance is of the divine and sacred. Giving credit where credit is due, Neo-Tribal was born out of Archer’s need and desire for originality. Not that either of the two camps are unoriginal, mind you (nor are fusion styles new) but upon her exit from a rather large community pool of tribal dancers and not feeling particularly drawn to the strict authenticity of Oriental she was compelled into a metamorphosis. She began to envision herself bringing something totally new to the table. A style that would finally bridge the seemingly impassable precipice between the two belly dance worlds while at the same time fashioning herself into a light that shone with it’s own unique vibrancy. It was a daunting task, to say the least, but by 1998 Archer had climbed to the top of the insurmountable within her own backyard. Her Neo-Tribal style had brought flocking to her classes dancers from both disciplines. They came, and still come, to learn and experience strength through unity, creativity through individual expression, and the joys of really dancing with the music. Archer teaches passionately that hearing and responding to the music is just as important as the moves themselves; that listening to the rhythms and melodies and tuning in to the accents can make all the difference in a dancer’s performance. This Oriental foundation paired with the pride and sturdiness of American Tribal is in large part what it’s all about. Let’s Talk Shop Now that you have the feeling of what Neo-Tribal is you might be wondering how oriental and tribal fit together without any obvious seams. The fact is, the two styles merge together beautifully. Take the tribal move arabic (aka camel walk), for example. Arabic, which a downward undulation of the torso (like a giant belly roll using the ribs, spine and pelvis) can be executed with several repetitions usually about four to eight times. This would be a perfect example of tribal; one move repeated solidly for a time before switching into something else. An oriental dancer might do a similar move but without the repetition perhaps only doing it once and accenting it with a variation like a hip drop or rib lift. In Neo-Tribal both ways are relevant. In a lead and follow situation (where one dancer leads several others) the leader can be expected to repeat a move without variation at least three times with the fourth one being paired with a hip drop, twist, circle, etc... This variation will almost always be repeated on both sides of the body, but this is not a hard and fast rule. Sometimes the music might change unexpectedly (as it does with live musicians) and the leader may make the creative decision to move on to something else. She would do this keeping in mind that the group of dancers behind her will need to change with her, therefore smooth and clear transitions are important. Neo-Tribal dancers may also combine any series of moves, or variations of moves into mini choreographies called combinations (combos for short). Combos can be planned ahead or invented on the spot and, like the phrasing of a drum rhythm, it should be repeated at least twice (four times is standard) to be denoted as a true combo. To be impeccable followers, dancers are trained to stay on their toes (figuratively speaking) and to be ready for whatever their leader throws at them. They are taught how to use their peripheral vision so that they can stay tuned to what the leader is doing without turning their faces away from the audience. As leaders (and as soloists) Neo-Tribal dancers are taught to understand when and where it is appropriate to place accents, variations or combinations and how to execute them so that it makes sense with the timing of the music. The soloing Neo-Tribal dancer, like the oriental performer, has the freedom to do moves or combos without repetition. Archer teaches, however, that revisiting certain moves within a single piece can add to the texture of a Neo-Tribal performance. Who’s Performing It? The Circle Dance Company, Jane Archer’s professional performing troupe, was established in 1999 and currently consists of seven members (Archer included). The troupe performs locally and, when possible, nationally. They have had the opportunity to perform at Tribal Fest 2001 and 2002 in Sabastopol, Ca., and at Tribal Quest 2002 in their home town of Portland, Oregon. The Circle will be performing this coming spring at Tribal Fest 2003 in California and Archer will be teaching a Neo-Tribal workshop “Sacred Can Be Celebratory” at the same event. The Circle will also be featured on Oregon Public Broadcasting’s “Art Beat” with musical ensemble Children Of Paradise on April 10th, 2003. The Circle’s performances are high energy. Choreographies are often complex (and visually stunning) with dynamic formations and varied rhythms. One of their newest choreographies, which debuted at Tribal Fest 02, is a beautiful folkloric feeling number set to a 10/8 rhythm. Every movement, down to the flick of the hand or the nod of the head, are presented with deliberate contradiction of hard and soft, flowing and abrupt. It has a lighthearted, almost medieval ambiance encompassing solidarity with airiness. The troupe also performs equally impressive improvisation in the true Tribal sense. This is the time when the women really work on connecting with one another in more than just a show of unity. They do standard choruses (a crescent shaped group formation with the leader on the left) as well as those with diversified formations. Duets and triplets are yet another familiarity from the Tribal camp which they address with a fresh approach. The dancers are playfully engaging and sometimes dramatic, and these smaller group pieces are often textured with themes. Sometimes their dance might tell a story about two dueling tribes-women anxious to be the center of attention, and another might be about three sirens emerging from the underworld to hypnotize their audiences with their snaky sinuous arm movements. Aside from the group pieces, dancers also get to shine during improvisational solos where they express the beauty of their own individualities. In order to create a performance avenue for her advanced students, Archer established a student troupe this past year called MANDALA. The student troupe currently consists of nine members who rehearse under the guidance of Circle Dance Company members Kim Palmer and Sera Richardson. The Circle-A Network For Bellydance To further her goal of bringing people together, Jane Archer established The Circle-A Network For Bellydance. This network, established in 1996, includes a web site and hot line to keep dancers abreast of performances, classes and workshops in and beyond the Portland area. She also offers a rental library of books and videos of various dance artists for the education and inspiration of her students. So You Want To Take A Class? If you live in the Portland, Oregon area, or happen to be passing through, feel free to drop into a class anytime. See the Circle Network web site (www.thecirclenetwork.com) for a complete listing of classes and performances. You can also call the Circle hot line at 503-240-1997 for information. If you’re not from the Portland area, but you are going to Tribal Fest 2003 in Sabastopol Ca. you can take a Neo-Tribal workshop with Jane Archer herself! She’ll be there along with many other wonderful instructors so stay tuned to Tribal Fest listings. See you there!