Rachel Brice is not the only tribal dancer!

[daisyann]

I hate when people thinks Rachel Brice is the best & the only tribal dancer. There are a lot of talented & even better dancers than Rachel Brice. Rachel is really talented but please stop comparing others dancers with her.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nQ-oFi34mo]YouTube - Lady Blue - Tribal Fusion[/ame] (I love how this girl dance)

[mahsati]

I definitely agree that Rachel Brice is not the only tribal style dancer. In fact, there are some tribal dancers who have told me they don't consider her tribal at all. However, she is a very talented dancer in her style (tribal fusion) and a well-known one. It is not unusual for people to fixate on a person who was seen as a innovator of a particular style and use them as a measure for similar dancers. It is the same in most specific dance styles - a dancer who becomes well-known for a specific style and is widely imitated in her/his style will be compared to those who are continuing in that style.

The dancer you posted is lovely and definitely both dresses and dances in a style similar to RB, so that would be why there may be comparisons made in that specific case.

[mathkitty]

I wouldn't really call Rachel Brice tribal. For me, tribal is Gypsy Caravan or Fat Chance. Not to parse words, but I think she's more a belly dance tribal/ possibly gothic fusion dancer--and I think that's how she describes herself.
I think so many are compared against Rachel since she was instrumental in creating and popularizing this style. As such, lots of dancers have been inspired by her and try to imitate her. While the dancer you posted is very talented, she looks very Rachel-inspired in terms of her movement and costuming and doesn’t look she’s developed a truly individual style yet. So it wouldn’t surprise me that people might compare her to Rachel.
However, I definitely agree that there lots of really unique and talented fusion dancers/ dancers who dabble in fusion out there with styles very different from Rachel who don’t always get all the attention they deserve.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diWbuuYgonA]YouTube - Mira Betz bellydance[/ame]


Darshan | Video Promo

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6DGFUAzjdk]YouTube - Severina[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RXpgYUUP20]YouTube - "Break Me" by Aubre[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cUBOCTUUiI]YouTube - Isidora Bushkovski - Sword Dance[/ame]

[daisyann]

beautiful videos & beautiful dancers!

[ruta21030]

i'm gonna try to find youtube of naimah, from baltimore....her style is pretty distinctive, and she's a commanding presence

[lylagus]

i love the clips......especially Aubre..wow!


i need to pratice now............................................

[sumayasaahir]

wait...she's not?

(sorry, feeling feisty:)

[meissoun]

Well, it's what good marketing does for a dancer!
Being in the Belly Dance Superstars show certainly did a lot of good for her.

Especially in Europe many people had never heard about Tribal Style before - so Rachel is Tribal for them.

MEISSOUN

[lizajuk]

Puzzled?
1.How on earth do we stop comparing dancers?.it's human nature.
2.Didn't the OP do just that by saying there are better dancers?
3.Rachel is not my cup of tea but she was a pioneer in dance (wether you class it as belly dance or not) and is very skilled at what she does.
4.Thank heavens she was chosen for BDSS. She was an impressive part of the show. I assume she was well known in the US to be chosen and thanks to her belly dancers in Europe began to explore her style and beyond.
5. At the risk of comparing a dancer , the video clip showed yet another RB clone..c:: She wouldn't be dressed or dancing that style without RB.
6. I bet RB has herself moved oo and developed as she is a quality dancer unlike many of her wannabees.

[bellydonsah28]

5. At the risk of comparing a dancer , the video clip showed yet another RB clone..c:: She wouldn't be dressed or dancing that style without RB.

I thought the exact same thing!! If you don't want to be compared to RB, fine; don't dance like her. I don't think it's a bad thing to like her style and use some of it in your own dancing. She is a damn good dancer and one of my favorites. But people will compare you, and IMVHO, I haven't yet seen a RB wannabe who was anywhere near as good as her.
What does bother me is people who think waving your arms around to techno music is the be-all and end-all of belly dance and don't bother to take any classes, 'cause regular ol' bellydance doesn't apply to them, right?

And I really, really love what The Indigo has been doing lately, with the Balkan influence, and I've been guilty of using that in my own dancing. The only downside is that Mardi Love is now getting more popular and I'm afraid one day one of her workshops will sell out before I can sign up ..cr.:

[Azhia]

i'm gonna try to find youtube of naimah, from baltimore....her style is pretty distinctive, and she's a commanding presence

YESSSSS. I took a class with Naimah while I was staying in MD. The class was so much fun and she is a sweetheart, not to mention an amazing mover.

She would be awesome to raq da camera... ..g.:

[indigostars]

What is Aubre's background? I never heard of her until BDSS.

Rachel Brice, from what I understand, was greatly influenced by Ultra Gypsy; she danced with them at one point. I don't follow her career closely, but I hear that UG did some of the things well before Rachel did them.

[ejaghana]

What is Aubre's background? I never heard of her until BDSS.

Rachel Brice, from what I understand, was greatly influenced by Ultra Gypsy; she danced with them at one point. I don't follow her career closely, but I hear that UG did some of the things well before Rachel did them.

I think Aubre studied with Suhaila for quite some time. If I remember right she has also studied with Tamra-henna...please correct me if I'm wrong ladies!

I loved the Aubre clip. She is an inspiration to me because even though she's tiny (like me) the range of her hips is just amazing! It makes me want to push myself further!

[nasila]

I think Aubre studied with Suhaila for quite some time. If I remember right she has also studied with Tamra-henna...please correct me if I'm wrong ladies!

I loved the Aubre clip. She is an inspiration to me because even though she's tiny (like me) the range of her hips is just amazing! It makes me want to push myself further!

Aubre also studied with Zahra Zuhair and was in her troupe for a bit. She's level 2 certified in Suhaila format, and is a pilates instructor also.

[SanaaAmel]

She definately moves like she has had the "Suhaila training"!! She is awesome!

[mathkitty]

What is Aubre's background? I never heard of her until BDSS.

Rachel Brice, from what I understand, was greatly influenced by Ultra Gypsy; she danced with them at one point. I don't follow her career closely, but I hear that UG did some of the things well before Rachel did them.

Both Aubre and Rachel have studied with Suhaila. Rachel was also greatly influenced by Fat Chance Belly Dance.

I know Aubre is also a certified pilates instructor.

[bellydonsah28]

If you like Aubre, she has a DVD called (I think) "Core Fitness" that's pretty good. It's a mix of Suhaila format & pilates, but with her own take on it.

[Elianae]

There's an Ultra Gypsy troupe clip with super-young Rachel Brice in it, sans her famous belly tattoo.

I agree, I think RB is awesome at what she does, but now many dancers imitate her so much, it's almost repetitive. Also, the bra and belt style of some tribal-fusion dancers smacks more of earthy cabaret to me than tribal. I think more of cholis or even full-coverage middle-eastern garments when I think about "authentic" tribal bellydance.

[Elianae]

Hot damn! Those were some killer isolations, Aubre!

[shems]

just because I should be doing something else right now... here is a clip of Naimah:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaNuIzmkRh8&feature=PlayList&p=4A49146B4D8 719FC&index=9]YouTube - Naimah at 1st annual Spring Caravan[/ame]

and while I'm at it a couple of clips of some of my other favorite fusion dancers from my area:

Asharah:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EUKrq1B6XA&feature=PlayList&p=4A49146B4D8 719FC&index=5]YouTube - Asharah at Hybrid, NYC, November 2006[/ame]

Ebony:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WuXV9FrEgw]YouTube - Ebony's Just Begun - hip hop bellydance[/ame]

Ariel:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYpCaR4LGu8&feature=user]YouTube - Ariel dancing to Mevlana[/ame]

Romka:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jo7mT3F0qjU]YouTube - Romka' Sword Dance[/ame]

[ruta21030]

YESSSSS. I took a class with Naimah while I was staying in MD. The class was so much fun and she is a sweetheart, not to mention an amazing mover.

She would be awesome to raq da camera... ..g.:

ya think? ..g.:

[ruta21030]

just because I should be doing something else right now... here is a clip of Naimah:
YouTube - Naimah at 1st annual Spring Caravan

and while I'm at it a couple of clips of some of my other favorite fusion dancers from my area:

Asharah:
YouTube - Asharah at Hybrid, NYC, November 2006

Ebony:
YouTube - Ebony's Just Begun - hip hop bellydance

Ariel:
YouTube - Ariel dancing to Mevlana

Romka:
YouTube - Romka' Sword Dance

thankyouthankyouthankyou..............i suck at youtube posting.........all these ladies rock my world!

[yasmindiab]

I just thought I'd share some Aubre love...

She danced in "A Night In the City of Riches" at the Vegas Intensive this weekend...and she did a BEAUTIFUL interpretation to a violin solo. Yes, solo. As in taxsim. No drums, no other instruments...

I couldn't tear my eyes off of her. She is ASTOUNDING.

*and she's a sweetie too!*

~Yasmin

[Samira_dncr]

I just thought I'd share some Aubre love...

She danced in "A Night In the City of Riches" at the Vegas Intensive this weekend...and she did a BEAUTIFUL interpretation to a violin solo. Yes, solo. As in taxsim. No drums, no other instruments...

I couldn't tear my eyes off of her. She is ASTOUNDING.

*and she's a sweetie too!*

~Yasmin

Good heavens!! She was breathtaking!! Stellar!! Astounding!! Vibrant!! ....I can't come up with enough words. I can't wait to have her back next year.

[yasmindiab]

Good heavens!! She was breathtaking!! Stellar!! Astounding!! Vibrant!! ....I can't come up with enough words. I can't wait to have her back next year.

I have another word.

HOT! ;)

lol


I can't wait till she comes back next year, and I actually get to take her CLASS!!!!!

[vron]

Speaking of fusion....right now I am totally obsessed Unmata!

Check out this youtube, OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!


[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omkcl7Vv3zs]YouTube - Tribal Fest 8 - UNMATA featuring Amy Sigil[/ame]

"where were u in '92" is stuck in my head...

I'm off to start an Unmata fan thread.

[TheGreatKathyLori]

I have to check out this Aubre that everyone is raving about.

I was at a workshop just this past weekend with RB and Mardi Love. They were both fantastic, but I got a lot more out of Mardi Love, all sorts of ideas and combinations. I wish that she'd do a DVD. I got my eye out for more workshops with her.

[vron]

I took a workshop with Mardi a few months ago and I agree she is a wonderful teacher. Aubre is just amazing! I wish I had the money to fly to CA and study with her.

[Bellybabe]

Aubre is coming to our neck of the woods and will be in Vancouver in October. I had never heard of her before but after checking out her clips and her web site I am excited to attend her workshops.

I like that, from what I can see, she is equally stunning at raks sharqi as tribal fusion. I am stoked because I made the auditions to dance in the show on the Saturday night!

[yasmindiab]

I took a workshop with Mardi a few months ago and I agree she is a wonderful teacher. Aubre is just amazing! I wish I had the money to fly to CA and study with her.

**shameless plug**

Aubre is one of the headliners for the 7th Annual Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive. and you have a whole year! ;)
Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive: Belly Dance Classes, Workshops, Convention, Lessons, Party, and more


I'm SO STOKED. She's performed here in Vegas several times, and she is simply stunning...I can't wait to study with her.