Thread: Tribaret?

I would like to learn more about tribaret. Suggestions on resources?

There are several groups on Tribe.net that are dedicated to this, probably worth a look.

thank you

I've always been under the assumption that tribaret referred more to a costuming style than a style of dancing.

Usually, I see the term applied, for instance, to Ansuya's 1970's San Francisco-style fringe-meets-coins look. You very seldom seem to hear a dancer's performance style described as "tribaret," usually it's some manner of cabaret or fusion performed in this type of costume.

I could very well be wrong, but we here on Bhuz do enjoy a lively discussion and debate on stylistic nomenclature...and now, it's my turn to split hairs ..g.:

For costuming, definitely check out pictures of Ansuya, and any gallery of vintage pictures from the nightclub scene of the 1970's. Tribaret, to me, is kind of a modified version of old-school AmCab costuming.

I see. Thanks for the references.

At hips of Fury they have a Triberet category. There is a required percentage of 'tribal' vs 'Cab' movements as well as costuming concerns. Yes, it's fusion. And yes, it looks a lot like old school Vintage Oriental.

{{{HUGS}}}}

Originally Posted by tahiradancer

At hips of Fury they have a Triberet category. There is a required percentage of 'tribal' vs 'Cab' movements as well as costuming concerns. Yes, it's fusion. And yes, it looks a lot like old school Vintage Oriental.

{{{HUGS}}}}

Wow, I'd be really interested to see how they arrived at their scholarly breakdown! I'd imagine it's about 70% Vintage Oryentale style AmCab with tribalesque stylings?

Definitely intrigued now. I had no idea it was an actual recognized dance style in competitions....here I was, thinking the term was mostly just applicable to costuming.

Not sure how they came up with their percentages. All I know is my score sheets said that I had a good balance of Egyptian and tribal elements.

I was just dancin'. . .

{{{HUGS}}}

Oh wow, I didn't realize that. Thanks for the info

Ava Fleming - I attended a workshop in Tribaret with her.

ava fleming - got it - thanks!

I have just begun calling my style tribaret, and for me, it is as much about costuming as it is the movements.

<disclaimer> This is my own opinion. </disclaimer>. :)

I chose it because I look at it as the modern equivalent of AmCab/Vintage Orientale.

Hmm... resources? That's tough. Ansuya, of course. Mira Betz calls her style Mira-style, but I think she can also be a good example.

At TribalCon 2007 I saw Rakadu Gypsy perform a Vintage Orientale/Tribaret choreography that was really lovely, in my opinion (their website is at http://www.meccadance.com/rakadu.html).
It seems to me "tribaret" is not really a formalized style, but a specific type of fusion that incorporates both elements from Tribal and elements from Egyptian or American Cabaret. I think this would translate into a different mix of moves and a different aesthetic for each dancer.
I would really love to see more of it, personally, especially from dancers that have a strong background in both styles.
I'm a little bit confused about people calling Ansuya tribaret. I suppose her costuming has Tribal elements, but I don't see it in her dancing. Not that I don't love Ansuya, I do!! But I think any style, even fusion, should be reflected in both costuming and movement (as ceydahazine said above... Danielle, is that you? :D)...

Oh,also, Mira Betz calls some of what she does Cabaribal.
Mira Mania

thanks for the examples - very helpful!

Just a question here--why did you delete the posts about music?

Triberet is a coined term that is used to describe fusion. Seems to me that it is mostly used when an oriental style dancer adds some elements of ATS costuming, posture, or movement vocubulary. When dancers trained soley in ATS or one of the other tribal styles fuse dance or costuming elements they usually just call it tribal fusion or give it some other name.

We often use the term AmCab to describe the American dance stylization that grew out of Arabic nightclubs in the 60s an 70s. The bands, club owners, customers, and dancers were a hodgepodge or melting pot of nationalities--mostly from Turkey, Greece, Armenia, Lebanon--and dancers who started in that era say that they basically learned on the job since dance teachers and middle eastern dance classes were almost non-existent.

Hi Sara. Yep. it's me. :) How are you?

Ansuya... I guess I see some of her movements having a more modern aesthetic. Like her wide-leg straddle shuffle (I don't know what else to call it!) for example... I just don't see that as AmCab (vintage or otherwise). It could also just be considered an Ansuya move though...

Taking costuming out of the equation... I suppose if you saw Ansuya dancing with Delilah though, their styles would probably look a lot alike which would put Ansuya back in the AmCab family.

Gah! This style discussion always makes my head spin. I wish we didn't always have to define it, but sometimes there is no way around it.

I Love this topic! Sarakat, I can't believe you mentioned Rakadu Gypsy! They performed last year at the Annual Midwest All-Star Bellydance weekend here in Columbus, Ohio! I loved them so much! My Pakistani husband said they were his favorite group of the night. They did this awesome number with balancing trays, and ended up breaking it out Bhangra-style!

Also, if anyone's interested and is on MySpace, I have a discussion forum for this. It's called "Tribaret-Gypsy Glitz Bellydance." We talk about these topics all the time. I believe the URL is www.myspace.com/groups/tribaretbellydance. I could be wrong. Come check us out and we can discuss this further!

Ok, that link didn't work. Here we go.

MySpace

Originally Posted by Souzan

Just a question here--why did you delete the posts about music?

I used the wrong term "cabaret" and I think I offened some people so I just deleted the post.

Originally Posted by Elianae

Ok, that link didn't work. Here we go.

MySpace

Awesome! Thanks.

I'm doing great! I hope you doing well too, Danielle. It's been such a long time since I've been able to see you dance, I hope I get another chance in the not too distant future!
To me all these style names are just markers on an immense spectrum, like inch markers on a ruler. We all probably fall a little bit in between, unless you have been dedicated to only doing one style for your entire dance career.
It's important to think about what elements constitute what style so that we can talk about the dance intelligently. But when it comes to being an audience member, I just want to see good bellydance, even if I can't tell what the hell type of style it is.

Originally Posted by deadpoet

I used the wrong term "cabaret" and I think I offened some people so I just deleted the post.

Oh gosh, I don't think you offended anyone. We were just trying to tell you that "cabaret" is probably not the best way to refer to raqs sharqi or oriental dance. You'll have noticed that in this thread reference was made to American Cabaret style. That name is because it got its start in nightclubs or cabarets. For the most part that American middle eastern nightclub scene doesn't exist much anymore but the Pan-Arabic dance style that dancers in the US put together still keeps the name.

You'll see a lot of dance styles starting with "raqs" or "raks." That means "dance." Raqs sharqi means oriental dance or eastern dance. Raqs assaya is the stick or cane dance. Raqs baladi refers to social dance or the home style dance as well as its stage versions. And some people also refer to raqs shaabi as the sort of get down with it street variety of raqs baladi.

We stay away from the term "cabaret" not because it is offensive but because it doesn't include all of the above.

Originally Posted by Souzan

Oh gosh, I don't think you offended anyone. We were just trying to tell you that "cabaret" is probably not the best way to refer to raqs sharqi or oriental dance. You'll have noticed that in this thread reference was made to American Cabaret style. That name is because it got its start in nightclubs or cabarets. For the most part that American middle eastern nightclub scene doesn't exist much anymore but the Pan-Arabic dance style that dancers in the US put together still keeps the name.

You'll see a lot of dance styles starting with "raqs" or "raks." That means "dance." Raqs sharqi means oriental dance or eastern dance. Raqs assaya is the stick or cane dance. Raqs baladi refers to social dance or the home style dance as well as its stage versions. And some people also refer to raqs shaabi as the sort of get down with it street variety of raqs baladi.

We stay away from the term "cabaret" not because it is offensive but because it doesn't include all of the above.

I didn't realize that. Thanks for letting me know. I know tribal has lots of "sub groups" but I didn't realize oriental dance did. I appreciate the info. I only took American Cabaret classes for 5 weeks and then went to tribal. But I think I want to learn more American Cabaret, so I'm trying to learn more about it. Thanks.

Yeah, American Cabaret is just one little style of oriental dance. Many American dancers study Egyptian style (raqs sharqi, raqs assaya) or Turkish style oriental dance. Other dancers continue the American Cabaret tradition. And some study several styles. Aradia, who is here on Bhuz, teaches workshops and has a great instructional dvd teaching combinations in Lebanese, Egyptian, and Turkish style.

My idea of Tribaret is blending tribal & cabaret in dance & costume style. Check out my new
Tribaret Bellydance instructional DVD featuring technique & more than 20 dance combinations that can be used with the cues provided for synchronized group improvisation or without the cues & in varied forms for cabaret & fusion solos. You can order it on Award-winning Belly Dance Performance & Instruction with Carrie Konyha