TRIBAL VIBE 2009
16 – 18 October 2009
Barefoot Bellydance Aylesbury

TRIBAL DRUMS - Rick & Chris of Barefoot Bellydance
An introduction to middle eastern drum rhythms – I did this workshop last year so it proves how enjoyable it was cos I did it again! Still can’t remember which rhythm is which though. Might have to do it again next year!
AFRICAN DANCE Louisa Thomsen
Fantastic – really earthy back to your roots stuff. I really connected with this dance – fabulous teacher and got me in the mood for our performance that same evening.
DYNAMIC DUOS – Moirai
A really really useful workshop which helped explain so much about how to transition between moves and change leads in really interesting ways to ensure your duet is dynamic!!!
ATS FORMATIONS TURNS & SPINS – Sarah Jefferies-Emrys
Having done a spins workshop with Sarah in the past it was sooooo good to re-inforce and remind myself of all the useful hints and tips Sarah gives for performing those fast spins and turns which usually knock you completely off balance. As Sarah says – it’s all in the shoulders!
ART OF POI – Philippa of Moirai
Well, I signed up for this one as a bit of relaxation and fun at the end of a busy busy weekend of workshops and performance. Forget the relaxation, Philippa worked us hard and fast. However hard it was definitely fun – I’ve just got to practise, practise, practise – watch out Josh (that's my son) I’ll be nicking your poi!!!!!!!

OZGEN - Turkish Cabaret - Uplowman, Devon
3 October 2009
Just what I needed to give me some attitude. If only I could lose all inhibitions like Ozgen – had us all purring like pussycats by the end! Great fun and a slinky street choreo.

MAJMA - Glastonbury
6-9 March 2009

Feeling really spoiled as it's only a few weeks ago that I completed GS with Carolena in San Francisco. Booked all of the workshops with Carolena and Megha plus a stage make-up workshop.

True Tribal Basics and Tribal Combinations
Floorwork (Carolena was right - the pain hits 3 days later)
Powerful Presence
Drills for Leading and Following
Improvised Choreography

GENERAL SKILLS SAN FRANCISCO
17 – 24 February 2009
Carolena Nericcio, FatChanceBellyDance Studio SF
In addition to the 3 day intensive General Skills course there was the added bonus of classes with each of Marsha, Anita, Sandi, Wendy & Kristine. Attended as many as I could squeeze in to my visit – just fantastic to see every one in the flesh rather than 2 dimensional camera shots. Picked up loads of hints and tips – must now start practising them.

TRIBALONDON
23 - 25 January 2009
SARAH & DEANA of KISMET- Fun with Formations
I always enjoy workshops with these two - working in small groups we had lots of help on fading and different ways to change lead using basic steps in fast combinations which meant fairly rapid lead changes. Led into chorus work.

DONNA of PEDRALTA - Flamenco Passion
I'm forever trying to make my arms and hands look stronger and more graceful and Donna’s workshop really concentrated on beautiful hands and arms and the use of floreos in simple but dramatic flamenco style combos which I shall definitely use as exercises to help with my ATS arms!

WENDY MARLATT - Melancholy Combos
I just love this lady’s quirkiness and passion. This workshop played with gravity using turns, lunges, spins and flourishes in delightful combos which we had to perform with feeling and then do again with even more feeling!!

KI SMITH of NEOHIPS - “Live the Drama”
The workshop was based on combos used in the NeoHips choreography during their guest performance in the Saturday night show. After an enormous exhalation of lion’s breath we launched into dancing outside the box with larger than life theatrical combos. Good fun.

TRIBAL VIBE (Barefoot Bellydance), Aylesbury
November 2008
ATS Basics with Awalim - their own take on Fat Chance format
Tribal Basics - 1 Steffi- an introduction to some basic core tribal moves as used by Gypsy Caravan and Barefoot Bellydance
Zill Drill - Awalim
Middle Eastern Drum Rhythms, Basics 1 - Rick & Chris, Barefoot - an introduction to some of the basic techniques of some of the common drums used in middle eastern music. Core traditional rhythms used to accompany bellydancing with particular emphasis on Tribal Style
Middle Eastern Drum Rhythms, Basics 2 - Rick & Chris, Barefoot - a continuation from the previous workshop. Both these workshops were excellent, giving a better understanding of the music as well as inspiring several of us to try to start our own accompaniments or even a small band
FatChance style - slow basics and combinations. You can never go over the basics often enough, Deana introduced walking and turning a body wave - not easy... must practise

TRIBAL PURA (Carolena Nericcio and Megha Gavin) hosted by Kismet, Glastonbury
25 - 26 October 2008
So good to see the ladies in the flesh rather than from a fixed camera angle and in two dimension. Loads more lightbulb moments.

True Tribal Basics and Tribal Combinations
Powerful Presence - excellent advice which stood us in good stead for our very first performance that evening
Spins and Turns - a great lightbulb moment on this one for pointing, really helped with reducing the dizziness
Temple Dance Stretch - I love these poses they’re so graceful
Improvisational Choreography
Your Muscles, Your Body, Your Dance
Drills for Leading and Following

MOIRAI (Philippa and Jesse) Bampton, Devon
October 2008
If only I could look like them!! Yet another fantastic workshop with these beautiful dancers. Everything is explained and demonstrated with such poise and grace that everyone attending one of their workshops must come away feeling truly inspired. Checked over basic tribal fundamentals before going on to combos, zilling patterns, transitions and introduction to fades. Absolutely brilliant. Quite a few lightbulbs lit!!!



TRIBE OF KISMET - Gloucestershire
September 2008
Such a joy to do an ATS workshop with Sarah & Deana. The warmup threw us all in the deep end as they just gave it everything and said 'follow this if you can...' whilst secretly watching what we could/couldn't do. Then came the crunch................ when you've only got the FCBD dvd's to work from and rely on hints and tips from peers and workshops then Sarah and Deana soon sort out where you are going wrong. Just need to practise now!!

RAQS BRITANNIA - Blackpool
June 2008
SUHAILA SALIMPOUR - Raqs Suhaila - three and a half hours of Suhaila intensive - actually considering I'd been told people go into serious training before attempting a Suhaila workshop I think she decided to be very gentle with us cos it wasn't nearly so bad as I expected - thank goodness! Mind you I did have to bunk off early as it clashed with my next workshop.

WENDY MARTLETT - Rashani Combos - only 6 girls at this workshop which perhaps highlights the need for more promotion of ATS workshops across the UK. Although for me it was great as we had a much more personal experience. Revision of basic ATS steps which led in to Wendy's own combinations for easing transitions. Really friendly helpful atmosphere. Thanks Wendy.

SAMANTHA HASTHORPE - Beginner ATS - thorough step by step breakdowns of the basic fast and slow ATS moves. Suddenly realised that my footwork on basic Egyptian was slightly out of synch but by following Sam's method I would be able to turn that bit faster and be more in control at the end of the move. Have now just got to unlearn and relearn to put it into practice and make it work for me.

JILLINA - Shabi Pop - didn't have a clue what this was so thought I'd better take my chances of finding out with the maestro. Haven't ever tried anything near this style of dancing so struggled a bit as all those bright young things shook their booty. Time to get out the zimmer frame methinks!? Never I'll give anything a go!

MORIA - Fine Tuning - yet again a really well structured breakdown of how your body works to create each movement. No matter what style of dance you prefer there is so much to be gained from one of her workshops. Although I could never even hope to achieve even basic T Fusion, Moria just exudes dedication and an inner calm which is a joy to be a part of.

SARAH JEFFERY-EMERYS - Kismet- ATS Formations, Cues and Transitions
Again only 6 girls at this workshop which meant loads of personal attention from Sarah and Deana. Looking forward to Tribal Pura in October - can't wait!

ELLIE ATKINSON - (Warminster, Dorset)
May 2008
Gahwazee workshop - great fun and loads of attitude!

MOIRAI - Phillipa, Jesse & Laura - (Neohips - Newmarket, Cambs.)
April 2008
ATS Beginners
ATS Improvers
First ever ATS workshop I'd been to and it was great. Having 3 such beautiful dancers teaching at the same time was a real plus as it meant you could see how each move should look from front, back and side. When you live in an ATS desert, been struggling along at home with only the FatChance DVD's, a mirror and a few like minded peers it's a real pleasure to have live tuition. So thanks girls we'll definitely host a workshop when I'm back from my travels.

MORIA - (Exeter, Devon)
January 2008
2 day Tribal Belly Dance Bootcamp: Fundamentals, Layering and Floorwork
Discovered muscles I didn't know I had! Tribal technique of stretching, toning, and drilling to gain muscular technique as well as variations on classic tribal combinations, locks and pops ending with a tribal fusion choreography. Moria quickly adapted to our inadequacies!
Costuming and makeup
costuming secrets for the stage
stage make-up theory and practice

Moria is just totally totally awe inspiring - a truly beautiful person in every respect. Her performance at the evening haflah was just awesome. Americans and consequently us Brits have a tendency to use this word rather flippantly to describe just about anything but I only ever use the word as a descriptive in it’s true sense. Moria is awesome!

OZGCHEN - (Exeter, Devon)
October 2007
Turkish gypsy (romani dance) 9/8 rhythm....fun and quick. I've washed my skirts, beaten my breast, shaken my fist, proudly stamped and looked down my nose.....................

SAMANTHA HASTHORPE- (Exeter, Devon)
September 2007
Oh what a wonderful journey I've started out on - first introduction to having a go at Tribal Fusion - wow, makes one realise one's limitations, what?!!!! Boy, do those girls train hard!

Focus on strength training, refining technique through repetition of movements, building muscle memory and cultivating strong stage presence.
Basic Yoga Asanas as well as strengthening exercises based on Sam's martial arts studies.

Tribal make up/costume Fabulous make up and tribal costuming. Picked up some really useful hints and tips. Sam was really down to earth and willing to share.

Really enjoyed Sam's mesmerizing performance at the haflah and spent a lovely evening chatting with Sam's mum - her first workshop with Sam too!

GENEVA B - (Tiverton, Devon)
June 2007
Introduction to Tribal dance - gypsy dance steps, use of cues and combinations. Not long into belly dancing I wasn't sure what I was letting myself in for. Suhaila squats for a start and a very strange language of hand signals and gestures which has so intrigued me to find out more!