Style Inspiration

5 inch and up

Fashion blogger Sandra from the UK often has her eye on tribal inspired items.  Click on the link above for more of her incredible style and great photography.

(These aren't very tribal but I thought they'd be a cute alternative to pantaloons!)

ATS: The Folkloric Moves

American Tribal Style is made up from many styles of dancing, from many cultures and eras. These are some of the more folkloric looking moves. That does not mean they are historically accurate necessarily, it just means their inspiration is from a folkloric dance, such as cane dancing or indian/egyptian folklore. These moves feel more earthy and are often simpler than the more modern moves.

Arabic
Arabic Shimmy (not ASWAAT)
Chico Four Corners
Circle Step
Double Bump/Single Bump
Egyptian Basic
Ghawazee Combo
Head Slide
Pivot Bump
Reach & Sit
ReShamka
Ribcage Rotation
Shimmy
Shoulder Shimmy/ Hip Drop
Turkish Shimmy (not TSWAAT)
Up2Down3
Wet Dog

Source: Wendy from FCBD - http://ats.tribe.net/thread/54d3d3ce-5e87-4252-8581-49dceeb0e6f3

Rainbow Eye Make-Up

This look is beautiful. To look more tribal I would add an elongated and thicker wing, and some dots.

Here is the blog post for more information:

http://www.shesaid.com.au/article.aspx?n=13140570

Some tips for an intense look like this:

• Use a primer (like Urban Decay's Primer Potion)
• For more vibrant colours, use pigments instead of shadows. (MAC has a huge selection) The formula is much more concentrated.
• Use a piece of scotch tape to help create crisp lines. Make sure to de-stickify it first by putting it on your hand and pulling it off a few times. You want it to hold, but not irritate your sensitive eye area. When you're done, pull it off and you'll have a perfect line! Check out this blog post for more of an explanation.
• Keep Q-tips and eye make-up remover handy to fix any little mistakes along the way.

Have fun :)

The Tribal Code

COMMITMENT

Be there for your dance sisters. Whether it’s making sure your cues are strong or getting to a gig on time, we all need to depend on one another.

COMMUNICATION

Ask questions and learn from the more experienced dancers and teachers. Also, don’t let things fester. Express yourself in a constructive, respectful way.

AWARENESS

Be aware of how your words or actions can affect others. What makes sense to you may be understood differently by someone else. Take considerations to think before you speak or act.

TEFLON

Don’t take things personally! There are too many unique individuals in this group to avoid minor misunderstandings. Let things slide off your ego – don’t let things stick!

HUMILITY

We all can benefit from going to Level 1 and Level 2 classes and working on technique. We can also benefit from allowing room for all our personalities to exist.

TRUST

This dance form is founded on trust, on and off the dance floor. Earn people’s trust and give yours as well.

RESPECT

Treat your fellow dancers (and human beings) with compassionate respect and be mindful of others’ talents and limitations. Respect the dance form for what it is rather than how you would change it.

SUPPORT

Come to the shows of FatChanceBellyDance and of your fellow dancers. Not only does it support the dancers, it is a great way to learn about performance! 

JOY

Dance for the love of it! Enjoy yourself and the company of others.

* Written/Created by the lovely and talented ladies of FatChanceBellyDance

Tribal Moon Video

Long video but worth the watch. Beautiful dancing and costumes and incredible drops. Such an inspiration!

Shine

Our deepest fear is NOT that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are POWERFUL beyond MEASURE.

It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?

Actually, who are you NOT to be? 

Your playing small does not serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to SHINE.

...and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are LIBERATED from our own fear,

our presence automatically liberates others.

~ Marianne Williamson

Aren't we thankful Carolena didn't let fear stop her?  Go on, make like Nericcio and go SHINE.

Tribal Makeup Inspiration

Simple, but adds some mystery. Love the feathers...

This look could be great with a bit more colour, dark lips, and maybe some dots added below the eye or on the cheek for a more tribal than 'model' make-up look.

Rachel and Zoe, both sporting classic smoky eye looks.

This is an easy, dark smudgy look that adds lots of drama.

I know this look is completely different, but isn't it beautiful?

The colours are vibrant and the black markings are very dynamic and intriguing.

This cat-eye, double winged eyeliner look is beautiful. Substitute any colours.



This is much more subtle, and seems more whimsical and serene than many other tribal make up styles. 

Dance HIGH

No, the title of this post is not suggesting you participate in mind-altering illegal activity and then dance. I'm talking about that euphoria that comes from dancing. You know what I mean. The smile you can't wipe off your face, the energy, the joy that dancing brings. Apparently there's some science behind it, and it's not just us crazies having a blast. Who'd have thought?

About 30 minutes into physical activity Endorphins start to be produced. These hormones basically inhibit neurotransmitters in the brain, causing our brain to sense less discomfort and pain. Can't go wrong with a natural painkiller right? But there's more! Seratonin and Dopamine also work to give you that dance high. Seratonin increases while excercising and causes feelings of pleasure and happiness. It also boosts self-confidence.We like Seratonin! Then Dopamine connects the brain and muscle memory, and gives you the instinct to know that excercise causes these joyful feelings. It keeps you motivated! Seems to me it's the nicotine! Thankfully addiction to ATS is completely healthy. (Though our wallets may disagree when tempted with jewelry and beautiful skirts...)

There are so many benefits to dance and excercise.
- better circulation of blood, meaning better flow of oxygen and nutrients around the body
- toxins are carried out of the body faster
- improves skin, weight, joints and muscle tone
- reduces chances of disease and depression

So go dance!  Take in some E, S and D and enjoy that natural, free and exhilerating dance high!

http://www.rosehipsdancer.com/rosehips_gallery

For more info:
http://www.bodyproject.com.au/Articles/Exercise-Makes-You-Happy
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/focus/nutrition/facts/lifestylemanagement/exercise.htm
http://www.ehow.com/how_2063616_release-endorphins.html
http://www.webmd.com/depression/recognizing-depression-symptoms/serotonin

Manhattan Tribal Videos

http://www.manhattantribal.com/ 

Shopping Spotlight: Flying Skirts

Flying Skirts is a company started and run by Gwen Heckeroth. She evolved the choli to the 'easy fit' style that is now a staple with ATS dancers. She hand dyes skirts, sews yards upon yards of cotton and silk for her loyal customers and is always coming up with beautiful new ideas. 

Here are a few of her pieces:

Village Mirror Skirt

Mirrored Diamond Choli

Cowrie Shell Coin Bra

Double Spinning Skirt

Gypsy Rose Skirt

 She carries everything from skirts in a variety of fabrics and colours, to pantaloons, coin bras, cholis, veils, cowrie, coin and kuchi belts and more accessories. Go have a look!

~

In the end my greatest delight continues to be to encourage creativity and self expression in dancers using that old familiar childhood tool "playing dress-up" and its deeper aspect of enrobing to invoke the Goddess within. - Gwen Heckeroth

FCBD at Cues and Tattoos 2011 - Videos

Eye Candy

from Stumbleupon, unknown artist

Colour Theory for Costuming: Part Three

So we've talked about colour practically, what is pleasing to the eye. Let's go deeper now and see how colour can affect mood and convey emotion.

First off, there are warm and cool colours, and both give a different mood. Warm colours are in the red/orange/yellow family.  These colours give a feeling of openness, joy, and comfort, also life and energy. Cool colours include blue/green, and purple if it has more blue than red. These colours tend to recede and can convey coldness and distance, but also peace and tranquility.

Secondly, each colour has a certain feel to it. Here is a list to consider:

Red - passion, sexuality, energy, romance, love
Orange - vitality, action, excitement
Yellow - joy, happiness, freshness
Green - growth, nature, fertility, health, healing
Blue - sadness, peace, loyalty, faith, heaven, tranquility
Purple - royalty, power, luxury, magic
White - purity, innocence, perfection
Black - drama, death, evil, mystery, elegance

Third and last of all, there are general themes that come to mind when certain colours are seen. Bright hues of yellow, orange and green would bring feelings of joy, energy, and health. This might be perfect for a summer festival daytime performance. What about a night-time performance where you want to look elegant and mysterious? Black would be a must, along with purple and maybe some red. Some colour combinations actually create a picture in one's mind, suchs as blues, greens and teals looking like the ocean, or red, orange and yellow making you think of fire. So many options and ideas! Be creative!



http://www.fcbd.com/

Here are more resources if you are interested:

http://www.tigercolor.com/color-lab/color-theory/color-theory-intro.htm
http://www.julianarosalia.com/TD102/colorTheory.shtml
http://www.color-wheel-pro.com/color-meaning.html