Thread: Tribal Fest 8

Workshop registration and performer application info is now up for Tribal Fest 8 - taking place May 14th-18th, 2008 in Sebastopol, CA :)

Tribal Fest 8 - Sebastopol, CA

Who's going? :)

Ok, I need opinions from those of you who have gone before...

I am BRAND SPANKING NEW to tribal. I've been studying Egyptian style for a little over 5 years.

How difficult to you think it would be for me to participate in these workshops? I really want to go this year....

I tend to pick up on most things fairly quickly...

I'm sure Sharon would be best on answering this one - though I would say a fair share of the workshops, you don't need any foundation in ATS for...but the classes that do focus on ATS and related combinations/team classes, I'd recommend getting some ATS DVDs (Kajira's, FCBD's, or Gypsy Caravan's) to get familiar with the terminology. Especially coming from an Egyptian background, it can be mindboggling for someone to say "we're going to do a Taxim" and mean something totally different then what it means in Cabaret Land (or an Arabesque, an Egyptian, etc...for that matter...I know it shortwires me a bit!).

Originally Posted by yasmindiab

Ok, I need opinions from those of you who have gone before...

I am BRAND SPANKING NEW to tribal. I've been studying Egyptian style for a little over 5 years.

How difficult to you think it would be for me to participate in these workshops? I really want to go this year....

I tend to pick up on most things fairly quickly...

Originally Posted by rosehips

I'm sure Sharon would be best on answering this one - though I would say a fair share of the workshops, you don't need any foundation in ATS for...but the classes that do focus on ATS and related combinations/team classes, I'd recommend getting some ATS DVDs (Kajira's, FCBD's, or Gypsy Caravan's) to get familiar with the terminology. Especially coming from an Egyptian background, it can be mindboggling for someone to say "we're going to do a Taxim" and mean something totally different then what it means in Cabaret Land (or an Arabesque, an Egyptian, etc...for that matter...I know it shortwires me a bit!).

Thanks Tempest!
A friend of mine is going to start teaching me ATS anyway, so that should help. :)

There are so many wonderful classes to choose from!!! :)

i'm egyptian & recently have tried tribal & i would say arms & terminology were the biggest brain twister. tina

No problem :)

Yes, it's definitely hard to choose with so many! I'm definitely doing Lee Ali's, and I'm going to see what else I can fit into my schedule between my own classes and vending. And when I can escape to get out there!

Originally Posted by yasmindiab

Thanks Tempest!
A friend of mine is going to start teaching me ATS anyway, so that should help. :)

There are so many wonderful classes to choose from!!! :)

I'll be there teaching, performing, and taking as many workshops as I can afford! Very excited about the whole thing!!

Hello darlings!

Tempest's suggestion is right on. Study some ATS before you go, watch the FC videos for the terminology you are likely to run into.

The workshops really really run the gamut from tribal to...whatever! Tribal Fest doesn't just mean tribal any more. It is just "whatever isn't being put into the cabaret category these days", from folkloric to fire spinning to burlesque etc.

If you have any specific questions about a particular style or class you are wanting to attend, go ahead and PM me and I can let you know what might be the best foundations to have before trying that class, if any. Most I would think you could "muddle through" at any skill level, but there are a few that aren't really good for beginners or people who are coming expecting to try "tribal".

See you there! I will be performing Friday night and vending all weekend to the left of the stage, sharing a booth with Gypsy Caravan. ;)

i'm going on sat for sure.
hope i can stay for sun. too, but don't know yet due to work on mon.

hopefully they can squeeze me in for a performance. if they do, i'll be doing a piece that razia would call "robots farting". lol i love her description :)

darn, i don't want to miss the bhuzers' shows!

i'm so excited about this event.

I had planned to go, but decided not to. I don't want to drive all that distance just for one day to take a workshop. The teacher I wanted to take workshops from is only teaching on Saturday, so I'll have to catch her somewhere else for an entire weekend.

I am going with some friends who are also newbie dancers. It will be our first conference and we are excited to see all the performers, take the workshops and shop! :)

I have a question for those who have been to these things before, is it worth it to take a class that has up to 86 participants just so that you can say you took a class from "so-and-so?" Can you really learn anything in a class that large? I was considering taking one of the larger classes, but got turned off wondering if I would have to stand in line to even get a spot where I could see the instructor. lol... What do you guys think?

The teacher stands on a stage, so you can see them.

I personally am not a fan of workshops that big, regardless of how great the instructor is. But if it is the only chance you may get to take from them, and their style really appeals to you, then go for it. I am sure you will find some info to take away no matter how crowded.

Originally Posted by TribalDancer

Hello darlings!

Tempest's suggestion is right on. Study some ATS before you go, watch the FC videos for the terminology you are likely to run into.

I can tell you that this is the case for my troupe's workshops. A little ATS knowledge is a helpful thing, but not altogether necessary. I'm teaching "A Taste of Chicago" which is a collection of some of our troupe's favorite original combos for improv (sure, they can be used in a choreography) and "Dancing to a Different Beat--ATS in 6/8 time." That class again has improv in mind but can be useful to fusionistas as well.

Can't wait to finally meet you in person, Miss Sharon!!

Originally Posted by TribalDancer

But if it is the only chance you may get to take from them, and their style really appeals to you, then go for it. I am sure you will find some info to take away no matter how crowded.

I am going to register for just one of the large classes just so I know what the experience is like. Although, with that many people I still feel a little..

Originally Posted by mihri

I can tell you that this is the case for my troupe's workshops. A little ATS knowledge is a helpful thing, but not altogether necessary. I'm teaching "A Taste of Chicago" which is a collection of some of our troupe's favorite original combos for improv (sure, they can be used in a choreography) and "Dancing to a Different Beat--ATS in 6/8 time." That class again has improv in mind but can be useful to fusionistas as well.

Can't wait to finally meet you in person, Miss Sharon!!

I really want to come to your Taste of chicago workshop, Christina! I don't know if I can swing the time off from work though... :(

I'll be there for sure. I won't be teaching this year, but I haven't missed a Tribalfest yet!

There are many workshops that are very accessible to non-tribal dancer (or total tribal novice), including several traditional folkdance and rhythm classes: Raquy's drum workshop, Kerim Nagi's Arabic folkdance intensive, Artemis with Traditional Turkish Rromany dance, Lee Ali with Moroccan Sheikhat, and both Samantha Riggs and Vicki Virk with Bhangra, Vishnu Tattva Daas with Odissi. And you can go just to soak up 3 days of wild performances, amazing vending, and camraderie.

see you there!
~Sabine

I'm going! I missed out on getting spots in Rachel, Mardi's and Michelle (from Texas) seperate classes, though I was able to get a Zoe spot.

If anyone has spots or knows someone who does in those classes and can't make it I have money in my paypal account just waiting for them. Please message me! I'ts my first time out there and would be my first time taking with these ladies so really hope to be able to!

Bumping this, cause TF8 is now less than a month away! Woohoo!

And the online registration (and snail mail!) closed/must be received by May 1st! After that, it's take your chances at the door.

So, update, who's going, when ya going, where are you staying, whatchya doing?

I'm still going! I can't believe it's next week! Looking forward to all the classes I am taking. I still need a spot in Michelle's class on Friday and I'm hoping to get into Princess Farhana's class on Thursday so if anyone needs to sell their spots please let me know!

Here's the list of classes I am in (and hoping to be in):

Wednesday:
10:45 - 12:45 - Princess Farhana Intermediate/Advanced Burlesque
1 - 3 -Jillee Eclectic Fire Fusion Choreography with a Saucy Twist
3:30 - 5:30 Ariellah The Darker Side of Drilling
5:45 - 7:45 Onca O'Leary Creepy Combos

Thursday:
10 - 12 - Rachel Brice Fundamentals of Isolation in the Upper Body
12:15-2:15: Princess Farhana Belly Dance & Fan Dancing Fusion (I don't have a spot in here yet but I'll be standing out front waiting for someone not to show up!)
4:45 - 6:45 - Flow vs. Locking with Daniella

Friday:
10:30 - 12:30 Michelles Burlesque Bellydance (I don't have a spot in here yet but I'll be standing out front waiting for someone not to show up!)

Saturday:
11:15 - 1:15 Sera East Coast Tribal

Sunday:
Hanging out and recovering

what are your dates/times for performances?
i'd like to see the bhuz-ers performances :)

mine is:
May 17, 2008
3:55 pm

WWWWAAAAHHH! I can't go~ but I'm going to creep or crawl if I have to in Jan. for 3rd Coast in Ft. Worth!!!

I'm opening up Friday night's evening of performances with Anaar with a ritual dance piece that honors the theme of TF8 - and performing my solo on Saturday near 3pm.

I'm vending indoors, just to the right as you come in the door (Sat/Sun)

By the way, Lee Ali, Karim Nagi, Tim Rayborn, and myself are putting together a community ritual-dance-music experiment Thursday evening (9-11pm)...there's a few tickets left - details at http://www.meddevi.com/motif.html - site/tix purchasing up only until I get there tomorrow and checked into my hotel :)

Quick! Someone post clips and videos

Wow! This sounds amazing. I'm primarily a Cab girl, but someday I'd like to go visit my Cronies at a Tribal Fest like this.

Going to take a bit to recover here...but I have to declare, I think this was the best Tribal Fest yet! Great to see and meet many of you, and you all need to check out Kim's faboo pants!!!

Just saw posts on tribe raving about the indigo, kami liddle, and blacksheep bellydance. Clips are in this account: YouTube - danomoon's Channel