The 2013 Tribal Revolution workshop descriptions, listed by instructor:

Click here to see the full weekend schedule.

Thursday 6/20 2:30-5:30 SOLD OUT	Smoke & Mirrors: Spellbinding Slow Phrases & Fluid Footwork
	Learn new smoky and serpentine phrases and pair them with foot patterns that give the illusion of gliding or floating. We'll begin class with a rigorous conditioning sequence to prepare you for the slow and narcotic phrases, so bring your yoga mat.
Friday 6/21 2:30-5:30	Datura Vocabulary for Group and Solo Improvisation
	Learn a few movements from Datura's emerging ITS vocabulary that can be used for solo or group work. Bring your finger cymbals, yoga mat, and love of improvisation with a shared vocabulary.
Saturday 6/22 2:30-5:30 SOLD OUT	Thick and Juicy: Sinking Your Teeth Into Meaty Mid-Tempo
	Medium tempo is a place where some of the gooiest, juiciest belly dance movement can be showcased. We'll play with two combinations that really drop deep in, resulting in a relaxed, powerful, and mouth-watering performance.
Sunday 6/23 1:00-4:00	Bohemian Rhapsody: Vintage Stylization w/spins, levels, & zils!
	In this workshop we'll dip into our american belly dance history with a few vintage style combos, heavily inspired by the late 60's and early 70's. Prepare for fun and challenging finger cymbal patterns with floorwork, level changes, and of course, shimmies.

Kami Liddle: (back to top)

Thursday 6/20 2:30-5:30	Drum Solo Choreography
	Learn a short and sweet yet challenging drum solo choreography. This drum solo isn't your average drum solo... this dance has lots of surprising twists & turns, pops & locks, sharp & soft qualities.
Friday 6/21 2:30-5:30	Putting It All Together
	This workshop will introduce how to begin to put essential elements of the dance together; hip work, foot work, arm/hand work as well as various embellishments will be integrated to create a complete and full look to your dance. Each element will be introduced and drilled and we will end with putting these movements into combinations that can be utilized in any belly dance routine.
Saturday 6/22 9:00-11:00 SOLD OUT	Layering Tribal Fusion Movements with Control and Precision
	This class will begin with posture and technique drills, focusing on executing movements correctly and gaining muscle memory which is crucial in layering. We will continue by layering these movements on top of each other and eventually working towards layering 3 movements at a time. These moves will then be put into combinations and a short choreography will be introduced. All levels are welcome, beginning and advanced variations will be offered.
Sunday 6/23 10:00-12:00	3/4 Shimmy Through and Through
	3/4 Shimmy drills are the name of the game! All sorts of classic 3/4 shimmies and some new variations will be drilled adding on arm work and foot patterns and intricate isolations. Last part of class will utilize these movements in a short fun choreography.

Donna Mejia: (back to top)

Thursday 6/20 3:30-5:30	Cross Training For Fusion Dancers: Silvestre Technique
	Silvestre Technique is a contemporary modern dance training system rooted in the symbology and gestures of Brazilian dance and movement culture. It is astonishing to watch, and a revelation for dancers who’ve studied it. It is a strongly technical system, whereby dancers grow to possess strength, versatility, speed, elasticity, precision and elegant expression in their bodies. The Silvestre Technique is not only a system for training of the physical form, it also provides a paradigm for how humans relate to, receive and manage subtle energies/life force from the universe as they are embodied through the elements of nature: Earth, air, water and fire. It is an esoteric approach to training the body in which dancers deepen and refine their subtle senses to new dimensions. The system originated with Rosangela Silvestre, a powerful and exquisite choreographer from Salvador, Bahia (Brazil) responsible for developing an entirely new language in contemporary dance.
Friday 6/21 9:00-11:00	Lecture: Fact verses Fiction: Dance, Drums, and Women in the Pre-Islamic and Pre-Christian World
	The dance community has long asserted that ‘bellydance’ has historical associations with birth rituals, goddess traditions and sexual rites. In 2010/2011 Donna Mejia researched these connections at Smith College under the guidance of a prominent ethnomusicologist to confirm what is known versus unknown about our Eastern dance and music history. Donna will summarize her findings after reaching back into the Neolithic period (4,000-8,000 B.C.E.) to review evidence found in historical texts, architectural reliefs, epigraphs, sixth-century poetry, and archaeological findings. Donna approaches the topic, and its controversies, through the lenses of cultural-sociological, post-colonial and feminist theories. She presents a full analysis of present factors inhibiting study, and elucidates the ways in which women, power, and dance have been suppressed, exploited, mythologized, and enshrined in dance history.
Saturday 6/22 2:30-5:30	Attending to Details: Warming Up Wisely
	Warm up should do more than increase circulation and soften muscles. An effective warm-up has the power to prime the nervous system for quantum leaps forward in training, attune muscular intelligence, reveal unconscious default movement habits and expand the range of motion in joints. Donna Mejia’s workshop details the logic and unfolding of an effective warm up well beyond the basics of token stretches and mild cardio training. Donna will address optimal alignment, joint pliability, breathing techniques, categories of muscular engagement, and safety zones for working sensibly. The information presented can be customized for many levels of ability and experience, including rehabilitation and recovery phases. Participants will benefit most if they can bring the following supplies: a yoga mat, a tennis ball, an old belt, and a notebook.
Sunday 6/23 10:00-12:00	Dancing Lushly: Building Sophistication at the Micro Level
	Donna will provide a series of dance explorations in concentric and eccentric contraction, and how lines of energetic force travel through the body; movement principles that broaden the dimensionality of dance expression beyond melodramatic and cliché tropes. Designed for movers of all experience levels, the class begins by detailing the foundation principles upon which these extraordinary opportunities are built. Class then progresses to a variety of experiments for participants to apply the principles in both stationary and traveling dancing. This is an opportunity to think of transitional movements in a new way, and begin exploring how to charge each movement you produce with more might, potency and symbolic poetry.

Amel Tafsout: (back to top)

Thursday 6/20 3:30-5:30	Amazigh Berber Shimmies
	This fertility dance comes from the North-Eastern Algerian Mountains of the ‘Kabylie’ and is performed with a long scarf while the dancer is doing very small and fast hip movements. The shimmy and the trembling movements are related to pregnancy and fertility, because they help the woman to give birth without too much pain. It is a very lively and proud dance. Traditional Berber dances are mostly ritual in nature. The dance is both a public and personal expression, rich in symbolic dimensions that deal with subjects such as the fertility of Mother Earth, the rites of marriage and birth, and the communication between the earthly and the Divine. The Kabyle Berber dances are drawn from this rich colorful dance tradition that has been sustained by the unveiled, earthy, powerful and proud women of the Kabylia.
Friday 6/21 9:00-11:00	Dancing to Rai Music
	Rai music is a popular genre of world music from the Northern African country of Algeria. Rai is pronounced “rye” or “rah-AY” and translates as “opinion”. Rai music began in the late 1980s as a combination of popular music and traditional Bedouin desert music. Rai in the 1980s: when artists such as Ahmad Baba Rachid blended traditional Rai with modern pop sounds. Amel TAFSOUT will teach choreography and invite the students to improvise to the music. She also will give a background about the different Rai styles.
Saturday 6/22 9:00-11:00	Lecture: Arabic Symbols, Khamsa, and Berber Tribal Marks
	The Middle East and North Africa have a culture rich in symbols . There are many ancient symbols that evoke images of the Middle East in people's minds. Often, people recognize the symbol, but no longer know anything about its original significance. Amel's lecture provides an overview of selected symbols, their meaning, and their history.
Sunday 6/23 1:00-4:00	Sound Healing and Whirling
	Zar ( in Egypt,Sudan and the Middle East) and Hadra (In North Africa) are one of the few still existing ancient healing ceremony performed by women for women, originating from Africa; it is still common that women get together in order to release sadness, pain, frustration and diseases through music and dance. Amel Tafsout grew up with this dance form and also studied healing She has been leading this workshops in many European countries and the U.S. and helped many people to to release the fear of changing , to embrace their rebirth and surrender to the New Life! The workshop will start with some warm up , breathing, body work, sound healing before it will lead to the whirling/spinning and end with the Zar/Hadra Trance. It is crucial that if we want to “let go” we need to feel “safe” in the community ; as only a “safe” environment can enable us to release. Please bring a small blanket and a long shawl as well some chocolate or candies.

Jeremiah Soto: (back to top)

Thursday 6/20 4:00-5:30	Drumming for Dancers
	Learn the three fundamental hits of Arabic drumming, Dum, Tek, Left Handed Tek (or Ka), -Strengthening drills, and call and answer exercises (split into groups) -Learn and recognize basic rhythms such as Beledi, Maqsum, Saidi, Ayyub and Cheftitelli.
Friday 6/21 11:30-1:00	Rhythm and Listening Exercises
	For all levels of drummers. Learn a series of rhythms and compositions. Learn how to play as a group and choose a leader. We’ll spilt the class into groups and perform an effective call and answer exercise used to improve listening, timing and knowledge.
Saturday 6/22 9:00-11:00	How to Communicate with Dancers
	OPEN TO ALL DRUMMERS AND DANCERS Ever felt nervous or frightful playing with a live drummer or musical group? Well don’t! In this class we will discuss experiences and ways to deal with issues in a professional manner. Plus I will give each dancer an opportunity to perform to live drumming; first timers get to move to the front of the line. Here’s what we’ll do: -Open discussion, what dancers expect, what drummers expect, -Break into groups, discuss arrangement and composition, -Execute and accommodate.
Sunday 6/23 11:00-12:00	Intermediate/Advanced Technique
	Learn more hits like, Half-Tek, Snaps and Slaps, and how to utilize them in the intermediate rhythms, -Strengthening drills, and call and answer exercises (split into groups) -Learn intermediate rhythms such as, Masmoudi, Persian 6/8, Samai, Laz.

Mira Betz: (back to top)

Friday 6/21 9:00-11:00	Interactive Costuming Workshop
	As dancers we want our costumes to be two things: durable and fabulous. Mira, recognized internationally for her unique and trendsetting costume designs, has been designing and making her own costumes for 20 years. In this workshop she will help aspiring and professional dancers of any style create stable, lasting designs with basic construction tips including: Choosing the right bra, Covering a bra, making new straps, inventive, sturdy hooks, teinforcement, belts, design tips and tricks, long-term care, and receiving advice and help with your own costumes. Mira will pull from her extensive background in art to discuss design principles that will allow you to tailor your costumes to fit your body type, glamorizing your best features while minimizing less desirable ones; creating a look unique and stunning on stage that will enhance your dance style and artistic voice. Bring 2 costumes (one finished and one in any state of construction from just starting to almost finished), basic costuming supplies and sewing notions, and 1 well fitted bra not yet altered into a dance bra.
Saturday 6/22 2:30-5:30 SOLD OUT	The Passion: The Drama
	What is it to captivate your audience, to hold them in the palm of your hand? This theatrical workshop will address topics as musical and emotional interpretation, expression, connection and what it takes to be a strong performer. Mira will provide you with a toolbox full of information to enhance your stage presence, draw an audience in, and express yourself fully through this emotionally rich dance, no matter what style you prefer.
Sunday 1:00-4:00	Liquid Arms and Sleek Combos
	An articulate workshop designed to enhance the poise and fluidity of the arms and hands, providing the tools essential to learning beautiful arms. Mira will build improvisational combos that will introduce dancers to movement vocabulary beyond the “Tribal Frame” incorporating full body technique and fluid poise.

April Rose: (back to top)

Friday 6/21 2:30-5:30	Basic Tribal Fusion Technique
	Learn the basic posture and unit of movements associated with Tribal and Tribal Fusion bellydance. Perfect for new and trained dancers who are unfamiliar with this articulation of bellydance. However, this class is also useful to more advanced Tribal Fusion dancers who will see a breakdown and catalogue of the most prominent and important elements of the dance.
Saturday 6/22 2:30-5:30	Dancefloor Battle: Belly Dance vs. Hip Hop
	The influence of Hip Hop in Tribal Fusion Bellydance is apparent. These two loosely-defined dance genres work to inform one another, each with a strong sense of body isolations, internal transfers of energy, and freestyle or improv structure. The funky fusion combinations you will learn in this workshop show how hip hop can improve and add groove to your bellydancing. Learn moves like the jackstep, Harlem shake, traveling slides, liquid and locked-out snake arms, and ofcourse pops and locks. There will be funky music, glitchy bass, and a good ol' cipher so bring your crew.
Sunday 6/23 10:00-12:00 SOLD OUT	Indian Fusion Choreography
	In Fusion, the seed of an idea can be planted from the study of one danceform and bloom into a unique entity once transferred through the body of a bellydancer. In this workshop you will learn a choreography that takes inspiration from basic steps in Classical Indian Dances (Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and Odissi) as well as Indian Folk Dances (Bhangra and Kalbelia). After learning these movement selections in the way they were taught to April Rose in her Indian dance training, we will melt them into a Tribal Fusion choreography. You will see how these original steps metamorphose after meeting bellydance technique and Tribal posturing to create a unique sequence of movement.

Silvia Salamanca: (back to top)

Friday 6/21 9:00-11:00	Spanish Gypsy Fusion: It's so hot we'll need a fan!
	With more passion than ever before, a brand new routine for all the gypsies at heart that-no kidding- will require a fan as a prop to give us some air! In this workshop you will learn the basics of the spanish gypsy dance, the use of the skirt and the fan in it. We will proceed to build up steps into combinations that will complete a passionate routine…get ready to have fun and shout Ole!
Saturday 6/22 11:30-1:30	Lecture: The History of the "Raza Cale" and the Dance They Developed
	In this lecture we will explore the history of the migrations of the gypsy people that would arrive to Spain and be known as Gitanos nowadays, as well as the dance they created. We will submerge ourselves in the incredibly rich kingdom of Al-Andalus (mostly nowadays Andalucia region in Spain) where moors, jews, catholics and “gitanos” lived peacefully for over 800 years. Controversy, myth, legends, veridical information and many more input resources will be displayed for the student to understand how flamenco got created and why it has such a grasp on human emotions.
Sunday 10:00-12:00	Spanish Gypsy Passion: Zambra Mora!
	In this workshop, suitable for all levels, we will start breaking down the elements of the Zambra Mora (Spanish gypsy dance). Then we will learn a new routine designed to dance in couples like the “gitanas” do (Spanish gypsy women dance with each other…and they have fun!) The routine can also be learned to be a beautiful solo. No need to bring your own partner! Just your fiery spirit and a skirt, and be ready to feel proud, joyful and fiery!! Ole!

Jasmin Jahal: (back to top)

Friday 6/21 11:30-1:30	Lecture: History of Oriental Dance
	Where did belly dance come from? What’s in store for its future? Everyone who studies Middle Eastern dance should value the history of her art form. This lecture-demo will present the roots of what is known today as ‘belly dance’, from ancient Egyptian times dating back to 4000 B.C. to present day. Discussion includes the influence of Islam as well as Western culture on Middle Eastern dance, how ‘belly dance’ got its name, and an introduction to the most important oriental dancers of the last century. Video clips will be presented, part of Jasmin’s personal collection, which are not all readily available on the market today. Bring your questions and curiousity. You may be surprised at what you discover.
Saturday 6/22 11:30-1:30	The Dance of the Ghawazee
	The Ghawazee were one of the most famous dancing tribes in Egypt. They flourished in Egyptian society in the 1700’s until about 1834, when they were banished due to religious pressures. The tribes traveled from city to city, attending fairs and going to troupe camps. They danced and played instruments for a living, and performed in the streets and at festive occasions like marriages and births. Theirs is an earthy dance, with heavy, voluptuous movements. The Ghawazee have a unique style which differs from the Saidi and other folkloric dances. This workshop will introduce the shimmies, bumps, floor work and gestures that are typical Ghawazee.
Sunday 6/23 1:00-4:00	Al Assaya Workshop: Stick and Double Stick
	The traditional dances of the Saidi people in Upper Egypt include dancing with cymbals, dancing with their horses, and sometimes dancing with a stick. The stick is called Al Assaya. Historically the stick was a staff that the men used in every day life and when needed, protected themselves with in battle. As folkloric dance is always based upon real life, the men would reenact their battles in ‘dances’ that showed their agility and strength. Over the centuries, the dance began to incorporate women and their staff was made smaller and lighter. The stick dance is playful yet earthy and the movements are still based upon the weaponry of the past. Learning to dance with a stick provides you with fun variety in your repertoire. In this workshop we will start by mastering a single stick, and then will practice using two sticks, which adds excitement and challenge. Please bring 2 wooden dowel rods, about the length of appx. 35 inches, with a width of ¾ to 1 inch. They are inexpensive and can be found at any local hardward store. For the sake of the class, you do not need to decorate the stick. We can talk about the best way to decorate before you spend the time and money to do so.

Elizabeth Ashner: (back to top)

Friday 6/21 9:00-11:00	Introduction to Sword Dancing for the Tribally Inclined
	The sword has a power of its own. Be mesmerized and fall under its spell. Elizabeth will guide you as you learn to respect and control the sword while creating a new kind of dance. We will begin with sword handling, introduce basic balancing techniques, and then put it all together while dancing! Bring a sword and headscarf or headband. This class is perfect for the BEGINNING sword student. Practice swords may be available with advance notice.
Saturday 6/22 11:30-1:30	Let's Get DOWN!
	Using floor-work in our dance allows us to portray strength, grace and fluidity while utilizing all of the space we have around us. Beautiful and challenging combinations will give you graceful options to get to the floor as well as tasteful moves to keep the dance alive before rising again. Beginning with an introduction to the “Berber” floor-walk, we will quickly gain intensity as we incorporate traveling, levels, and technical dance skills. No experience in floor-work is necessary. This class will also incorporate strength training & flexibility drills to improve your floor-work skills. Please bring kneepads.

Tempest: (back to top)

Friday 6/21 11:30-1:30	Decopunk: Where Gutter & Glitter Collide
	Continuing in Tempest's signature "Nouveau Noir" style of bellydance fusion, this workshop focuses on movements, arm positions, and combinations that blend the elegance and grace of Art Deco, sassy earthy elements of North African, Romany (Gypsy), and Turkish dances, with an unapologetic punk attitude. A modern mix of classy meets trashy, this workshop will add all new fabulous moves to your dance, as well as strengthen the connection between emotion, persona, and movement. Be prepared to have fun!
Saturday 6/22 11:30-1:30	A Teacher Workshop with Tempest (how to give more & get more out of your students)
	Not only is bellydance itself an art that takes years to develop and refine, but teaching it is also an art that takes skill to really reach your students. Are you giving your students the most out of your own experience, fostering positive habits and really connecting with them? In this workshop, we will cover key concepts and exercises that will help you teach core movements and accents, stage presence, fluidity and grace with more effectiveness to a variety of students. There will also be question/answer discussion time, focusing on professionalism and working with the community.

Richard Harper: (back to top)

Friday 6/21 2:30-5:30	Stage Makeup: Creating Your Face
	Your face is the greatest communication tool you possess when dancing. It is vitally important that your expression be seen no matter where your audience is seated. Your face is a blank canvas as soon as the lights hit you – it is important to define (or to re-create) your facial attributes to make sure they are seen and understood from a distance. This 3-hour class will cover an entire makeup, from concealer to lips. We will discuss product types, application techniques, concealer techniques, products to avoid for specific skin types, glitters, rhinestones and other specialties, lash application and setting makeups for stage work. Please bring your makeup kit, a mirror, tissues, towels, makeup remover, applicators (brushes, sponges, Q-tips), strip eyelashes and adhesive to the class. This class will be completely hands-on with demonstrations and personal attention. Questions about problems with makeup and skin issues highly encouraged.
Saturday 6/22 11:30-1:30 SOLD OUT	Building a Hair Garden
	Most of the concerns dancers have regarding hair ornamentation is not losing it once they start dancing. This 2-hour class will discuss the proper way to prep your hair for the addition of flowers, bangles, scarves, feathers, – whatever you want to wear and being confident in the knowledge that it will stay where you put it. We will discuss techniques for dealing with very short and with very long hair, proper use of hairpieces, wigs and extensions, and how to prepare your hair ornaments so that they are secure. Learn why bobby pins may not be a dancer’s best friend! Please bring a mirror and pins, plus any type of hair ornament you would like to use or about which you have questions as per making it useable. There will be demonstrations on braiding, prepping, proper pinning and discussions on balance in design.

Urban Gypsy: (back to top)

Friday 6/21 2:30-4:30	Lecture: Troupe Biz, Gigs, Harmony, Rehearsals, and Ethical Marketing
	People have asked and this is how we do it!
Saturday 6/22 9:00-11:00	Urban Gypsy Improv Format for Skirt
	Add some Rumba style Flamenco flair to your improv repertoire. Sahira and Zymirrah will teach a vocabulary of improvisational skirt moves with their associated cues. Special attention will be given to Spanish skirt stylings and body attitude. Please bring a full skirt (the 25-yard tiered ones work best) and your most enthusiastic OLE!

Jim Boz: (back to top)

Friday 6/21

11:30-1:30

Mighty Morphin' Traveling Steps

It's more about how you get there...arrive in style! "Morphing" is a signature concept of Jim Boz's teaching style where techniques and combinations are grouped & modulated based on the rhythms & melodic variations inherent in musical passages. In this workshop we will first define a set of typical travelling movements and then proceed to create modulating combinations as they fit to musical passages. For troupes, these skills will offer an added dimension to movement vocabularies and create interest and tension for choreographies and improvisational performances. For soloists, these concepts add a defining technique for achieving organic connections to musical phrasing. We will cover both a conceptual approach, seeking to tie together multiple disciplines of Middle Eastern, Tribal, Fusion & related dances, and practical applications in moderately paced travelling combinations. Original music used for this workshop will be available for download for all workshop participants.

Blue Lotus Tribe: (back to top)

Friday 6/21 11:30-1:30	Partners in Crime 2: The Twin Edition
	Partnering to create interesting shapes with two or more dancers adds interest and originality to your troupe or duet dancing. Blue Lotus Tribe offers up their continuation of this theme in a second partners workshop that runs on home grown wonder twin power!
Saturday 6/22 9:00-11:00	A Taste of Chicago: BLT Original Combinations
	We've amassed a new collection of BLT signature combinations to share with you! From the sassy to the sublime, (just kidding.. we only do sassy), these moves will have you smiling and inspired.