tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8045076187971015009.post1692455155686484822..comments2023-06-28T08:51:13.395-07:00Comments on FatChanceBellyDance: Director's Cut: ATS Old School, ATS New StyleCarolena Nericcio-Bohlmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17332153601619055688noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8045076187971015009.post-22828760817231298052011-02-20T19:17:30.788-08:002011-02-20T19:17:30.788-08:00I feally enjoyed this info.I am currently taking e...I feally enjoyed this info.I am currently taking egyptian and gypsy type class, from instructor, who taught in Egypt. I am drawn to ATS, and glad to hear that it is good to make my mistakes work for me. I have an anatomy with straighter back and when imitating dancers online, found your style more comfy for me. being tattoed, before it was a style,I feel a bit of distaste from some, and find some egyptian moves a bit more difficult, I have progresses rapidly, however, considering I never had formal dance classes. I plan on checking out another class when I get more knowledge of current style. Now, with help of your enlightening article, I will know what to look for in jargon of other styles,I really want to buy dvd in april. I have a question,what style is Rachel Brice considered and ansuya. I want to give you utmost respect and being a perfectionist, I wanna do things correctly and uphold your contribution to dance and give proper credit to your style,etc.thanks for sharing. iharleygypsy2003https://www.blogger.com/profile/18327143484119853359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8045076187971015009.post-16855935141352195452010-09-28T15:37:54.548-07:002010-09-28T15:37:54.548-07:00Nancy - thank you for expressing so well what othe...Nancy - thank you for expressing so well what others have been thinking but didn't know how to express it INCLUDING me. <br />I have had my emotional hands full lately, so I could hardly intellectually proceed without sounding like a "nimrod."<br />Thank you Carolena, and thank you the "other" Nancy from this "other" Nancy. :)icyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10291974417976456167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8045076187971015009.post-51501721802668340382010-09-28T10:46:30.365-07:002010-09-28T10:46:30.365-07:00Nancy,
Great post, very articulate, thank you.
I t...Nancy,<br />Great post, very articulate, thank you.<br />I think there is a gross misconception that I am encouraging the whole world to go wild with ATS.<br />All I'm saying is that if you are doing a form of Tribal and you consider it ATS, please call it that.<br />And, if you are creative, but sticking to the "filter", please go ahead and create but know that I probably won't be adding any more "official" moves to GS.<br />I'd love to see them though, and will offer advice and guidance.<br />Finally, a Sister Studio that doesn't want to create anything new (I feel the same way!) isn't "less than" a Studio that wants to create.<br />I'll be posting Part Three very soon along with a contest to name the old/new styles.Carolena Nericcio-Bohlmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17332153601619055688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8045076187971015009.post-22154718107619353792010-09-28T10:17:22.466-07:002010-09-28T10:17:22.466-07:00I’ve been mulling the manifesto and all the commen...I’ve been mulling the manifesto and all the comments, trying to collect my wits. <br /><br />First of all: thank you, Carolena, for ATS, for your professionalism and your ethics, for your guidance, and for caring so deeply about the ATS community. <br /><br />Before sharing my thoughts, I need to set out some terminology, building on Carolena's terms. <br /><br />Terminology for ATS steps: <br /><br />* Old School = Tribal Basics vols. 1 and 4, and the principles Carolena set out in the “formula” in the manifesto;<br /><br />* FatChance New Style = Tribal Basics vol. 7 and any steps that Carolena officially adopts into the vocabulary in the future;<br /><br />* Other New Style = steps that people other than FC have created in accord with Old School, but that Carolena has not yet officially adopted. <br /><br />Terminology for versions of ATS:<br /><br />* ATS Neat = uses Old School and FatChance New Style steps only.<br /><br />* ATS Plus = uses Old School, FatChance New Style, and Other New Style steps. <br /><br />Now some thoughts. As for the manifesto, I get why ATS Neat freaks may feel a bit shaken, since I’m one of them. Even before the manifesto, ATS purity was hard to achieve, since we inevitably interpret things differently, we get things wrong, we bring our differing abilities and body types and personalities to our “pure” dance. And now Carolena has invited people to deliberately create new stuff and call it ATS. Eek. <br /><br />But really, if Carolena is OK with it, why shouldn't we be? We can stick to ATS Neat till the cows come home and not fret about our ATS Plus sisters who like to create. Less tension, more joy. (You go, Foodycat!)<br /><br />In fact, I feel a lot more joy than worry about the manifesto. For one thing, like Hollie, I see it as Carolena taking care of herself, and that makes me glad. Carolena, for a long time I’ve worried that you will burn yourself out with all your globe trotting piled on top of directing a world-class troupe, running a studio, managing a retail business, producing videos, and dealing with all of us. Now you’ve resigned as the ATS police, and that’s got to be a load off your back. I hope you feel relieved and invigorated! Further, I’m glad that you feel acknowledged by us, the “next generation of students” who “started to recognize the true ATS, and me.” And I’m glad that you feel safe with us — safe enough even to trust us with the gift of principled creative freedom, even if that's a spooky idea for ATS Neat dancers. <br /><br />By giving this gift, you have, it seems to me, officially acknowledged ATS, your baby, as a mature art form with a life of its own and sent it off with your blessing. For me—and maybe this is just me—the gift also feels like your official acknowledgment of us, the ATS community, not just as acolytes practicing your dance but as artists inspired by your vision. This is so whether we choose ATS Plus or ATS Neat. As a Neat dancer, I have sometimes struggled with a sense of myself as a clone or wannabe—I haven’t known quite how else to label what I do. Your gift of principled creative freedom is helping me get beyond that. I won’t be creating any new moves, but now my Neatness is strictly my own choice as an artist in my own right. Of course it always was. But now my choice has no shadow of police; no “should” or “ought” or “must.” Further, as Amy noted, the importance of ATS Neat studios in helping to keep the core dance alive and flourishing is now perhaps even greater than it was before. What an honor!<br /><br />Finally, Carolena, a plea for a bit more guidance. Like Melanie, I’d much appreciate clarification of what the Manifesto means for Sister Studios. Are we to teach only ATS Neat in our Level 1-3 classes, and do ATS Plus (if we do it at all) only in troupe practice and performance? At what point should we introduce the concept of ATS Plus to our students? Maybe these would be good questions to discuss in Teacher Training 2.Nancy Younghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11593596555393714015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8045076187971015009.post-20663003342909062832010-09-28T10:15:37.743-07:002010-09-28T10:15:37.743-07:00I’ve been mulling the manifesto and all the commen...I’ve been mulling the manifesto and all the comments, trying to collect my wits. <br /><br />First of all: thank you, Carolena, for ATS, for your professionalism and your ethics, for your guidance, and for caring so deeply about the ATS community. <br /><br />Before sharing my thoughts, I need to set out some terminology, building on Carolena's terms. <br /><br />Terminology for ATS steps: <br /><br />* Old School = Tribal Basics vols. 1 and 4, and the principles Carolena set out in the “formula” in the manifesto;<br /><br />* FatChance New Style = Tribal Basics vol. 7 and any steps that Carolena officially adopts into the vocabulary in the future;<br /><br />* Other New Style = steps that people other than FC have created in accord with Old School, but that Carolena has not yet officially adopted. <br /><br />Terminology for versions of ATS:<br /><br />* ATS Neat = uses Old School and FatChance New Style steps only.<br /><br />* ATS Plus = uses Old School, FatChance New Style, and Other New Style steps. <br /><br />Now some thoughts. As for the manifesto, I get why ATS Neat freaks may feel a bit shaken, since I’m one of them. Even before the manifesto, ATS purity was hard to achieve, since we inevitably interpret things differently, we get things wrong, we bring our differing abilities and body types and personalities to our “pure” dance. And now Carolena has invited people to deliberately create new stuff and call it ATS. Eek. <br /><br />But really, if Carolena is OK with it, why shouldn't we be? We can stick to ATS Neat till the cows come home and not fret about our ATS Plus sisters who like to create. Less tension, more joy. (You go, Foodycat!)<br /><br />In fact, I feel a lot more joy than worry about the manifesto. For one thing, like Hollie, I see it as Carolena taking care of herself, and that makes me glad. Carolena, for a long time I’ve worried that you will burn yourself out with all your globe trotting piled on top of directing a world-class troupe, running a studio, managing a retail business, producing videos, and dealing with all of us. Now you’ve resigned as the ATS police, and that’s got to be a load off your back. I hope you feel relieved and invigorated! Further, I’m glad that you feel acknowledged by us, the “next generation of students” who “started to recognize the true ATS, and me.” And I’m glad that you feel safe with us — safe enough even to trust us with the gift of principled creative freedom, even if that's a spooky idea for ATS Neat dancers. <br /><br />By giving this gift, you have, it seems to me, officially acknowledged ATS, your baby, as a mature art form with a life of its own and sent it off with your blessing. For me—and maybe this is just me—the gift also feels like your official acknowledgment of us, the ATS community, not just as acolytes practicing your dance but as artists inspired by your vision. This is so whether we choose ATS Plus or ATS Neat. As a Neat dancer, I have sometimes struggled with a sense of myself as a clone or wannabe—I haven’t known quite how else to label what I do. Your gift of principled creative freedom is helping me get beyond that. I won’t be creating any new moves, but now my Neatness is strictly my own choice as an artist in my own right. Of course it always was. But now my choice has no shadow of police; no “should” or “ought” or “must.” Further, as Amy noted, the importance of ATS Neat studios in helping to keep the core dance alive and flourishing is now perhaps even greater than it was before. What an honor!<br /><br />Finally, Carolena, a plea for a bit more guidance. Like Melanie, I’d much appreciate clarification of what the Manifesto means for Sister Studios. Are we to teach only ATS Neat in our Level 1-3 classes, and do ATS Plus (if we do it at all) only in troupe practice and performance? At what point should we introduce the concept of ATS Plus to our students? Maybe these would be good questions to discuss in Teacher Training 2.Nancy Younghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11593596555393714015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8045076187971015009.post-45960418258425894982010-09-27T06:49:03.815-07:002010-09-27T06:49:03.815-07:00Nancy Young can you repost your not? I get an erro...Nancy Young can you repost your not? I get an error code when I try to post it. Thanks.Carolena Nericcio-Bohlmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17332153601619055688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8045076187971015009.post-4499024796310281652010-09-26T13:38:17.328-07:002010-09-26T13:38:17.328-07:00Hi Carolena! I wrote my response on my blog here:...Hi Carolena! I wrote my response on my blog here: http://jadedancer.com/2010/09/26/my-reaction-to-carolenas-ats-old-school-ats-new-style/<br /><br />It is a little long to copy and paste all of it here, but most importantly:<br /><br />"I am very grateful for Carolena's recent decision. I can stop doubting myself. I can stop scrutinizing. I can stop worrying about whether or not I am teaching ATS, or ATS based on Fat Chance ATS, or ITS, or ITS with some ATS, or ATS with a little ITS. I think Carolena has done a wonderful job of clarifying the standards and boundaries for the category of ATS. We know what our fundamental moves, cues and transitions are. They are everything the dance is built on. They are the foundation and we should stay consistent with the style and format, but are now free to create.<br /><br />Thank you Carolena, for setting us free and allowing us to grow. I will do my best to represent the dance form with integrity and beauty."<br /><br /><3 JadeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8045076187971015009.post-59152364996342813902010-09-22T17:33:51.220-07:002010-09-22T17:33:51.220-07:00Wow Shay, I couldn't have said it better mysel...Wow Shay, I couldn't have said it better myself! <br /><br />But I'll try to :)<br /><br />I'll be posting Part Three in a day or so, hoping to quell everyone's fears and clarify all the (thoughtful) questions and concerns.<br /><br />I'm on my way to Boston, so stay tuned!Carolena Nericcio-Bohlmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17332153601619055688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8045076187971015009.post-77605675549614856882010-09-22T16:55:09.652-07:002010-09-22T16:55:09.652-07:00I see this announcement as really just an acknowle...I see this announcement as really just an acknowledgment of, and frankly a welcome validation of, what has already been happening in the tribal world. We focus so much on those tribal branches of the tree who innovate so relentlessly that they barely even do bellydance anymore, that we forget about the dancers and troupes who have respectfully maintained standards of ATS while innovating thoughtfully and enthusiastically (the Middle Child of Tribal, if you will). And, to be honest, all the while feeling somewhat relegated to "outsider" status when it comes to that which they feel so passionate about and advocate for in their classrooms and beyond: an understanding of and preserving of ATS format, aesthetics, and philosophies. Whether you aspire to be a Sister Studio or plan to forge your own path, this goal is something we agree on. Just because these dancers didn't choose to stay strict-ATS in their artistic expression doesn't mean they weren't working just as hard to preserve and protect ATS as an ideal of bellydance 'standards and practices', if you will.<br /><br /><br />Those who choose to closely follow in FatChance's footsteps will still have that joy and freedom to do so. The body of work endorsed by FatChance, through their workshops and videos, will continue to be a yard stick for technique and presentation. Sister Studios will continue to be part of that standard by which ATS will be measured. Acknowledging and empowering this not-at-all-new branch of the ATS tree isn't taking anything away from anyone. I know that it feels like that to many, but I hope that they will see that you have been surrounded by these dancers all along--you have supported them, admired them, connected with them, shared with them, inspired them and been inspired in return. They're strong and respectful dancers who are valuable contributors to the ATS community already. Carolena is now putting her arm around those dancers and saying, "Welcome to the family, we're glad you're here." And I think that is a benefit to everyone, don't you? I hope so...<br /><br />I think it may feel uncertain on the face of it, and I completely understand that change is difficult no matter what form it takes, but I feel it's a very exciting time to be part of the ATS community, and I look forward to seeing what we all create together.Shay Moore The TribalDancerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12663820650830617476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8045076187971015009.post-89586039662513206412010-09-22T16:54:42.310-07:002010-09-22T16:54:42.310-07:00I haven't said to much on this topic, because ...I haven't said to much on this topic, because I can see there has been a lot of confusion and fear surrounding it, and I don't want anyone to feel shut down or further flustered by anything I might say. But since the dust is settling a little bit, I thought I would share some thoughts I have been mulling over this last week since the announcement. Let me start with a little story...<br /><br />My last troupe, inFusion Tribal, performed at several high-profile events with another ATS-based troupe from Bend, OR, Gypsy Fire directed by Quinn Fradet. Both of our groups were not strictly ATS troupes, though we were each well versed in ATS terminology (Quinn started many years ago in FC classes in SF, and she and I have completed not only General Skills, but two levels of Teacher Training, and teach ATS-based repertoire in our classes and in our troupes), but we each had robust languages of our own, as well as some minor variations on the ATS vocabulary we had made to suit our tastes. Since we lived so far apart, we directors would discuss music and staging through e-mail, but we only had one rehearsal all-together, 2-3 hours in length, the day before or the day of the performance itself, to prepare a half an hour set using both our troupes separately and together.<br /><br />At these rehearsals, we would hammer out what vocab was universal, which was off-limits, and in many cases would share variations or new moves with each other and decide whether or not to add these "signature" concepts to the mix. For instance, I had a duet with Lexi, one of the members of the Gypsy Fire, and we had a planning discussion during our single rehearsal as a group. She showed me a couple of her favorite moves she often likes to pull out. This included some common vocab, but also some moves that were their own creation. At this time I had the opportunity to veto any I didn't think I could follow without more practice, but in all cases they were moves which were created thoughtfully in the ATS style and structure, and thus was easy to adapt to as a follower if you were aware it might come up. And I did the same for her in return. When we got up there, we improvised completely, not knowing who was going to take the lead when or how, and we even had a little "battle" in a few places where we were switching leads back and forth every few measures as we mischievously played leader tug-o-war, and it was awesome! It looked seamless and playful, and we had a lot of fun. The audience could sense that tribal magic, that connection and communication, but had no idea we were from two different "dialects" of tribal.<br /><br />This is essentially what I see this "Old School/New Style" ATS announcement fostering. Allowing (and encouraging!) people like Quinn and I as directors and teachers, and our troupes as well, to follow our creative bliss, while still staying true to ATS aesthetics and philosophies. This empowers everyone to create moves and ideas which are reflections of our troupe's individual creative visions, but still be part of a larger ATS "family" with whom we can collaborate and support. We don't want to be mini-Fat Chances, but that doesn't mean we don't love the format and use it as our foundation. When creating new moves and ideas, we use an ATS "filter", to ensure that the move follows basic guidelines in presentation and execution that allows it to "flow" within the format. And it sounds like Carolena is quite savvy to Quinn's and my demographic--as creative, thoughtful, respectful ATS-based-yet-not-ATS-strict who seek to stay true to the ATS-core in our work-by developing the "Anatomy of a Step" video, breaking down the elusive components of a successful ATS presentation when creating new concepts. It's brilliant, really, and I can't wait to add it to my library to strengthen my efforts to be inspired and guided by the art form she has honed over decades.<br /><br />(had to split into two posts for length, please read on below)Shay Moore The TribalDancerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12663820650830617476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8045076187971015009.post-53449624625241427052010-09-21T12:09:29.019-07:002010-09-21T12:09:29.019-07:00Thank you, Carolena, for your generosity in teachi...Thank you, Carolena, for your generosity in teaching and sharing this dance form, and also for trusting those of us who love it to nurture and share it, too.<br /><br />I have to say "ditto" to what my troupemate, Amy, says above above.<br /><br />In addition, we've been starting to dance and play with other local ATS dancers. It's a great experiment in "flow," and I do think it makes it easier to limit the movements so that everyone can dance rather than just follow along. I think back to the performance in the Volume 1 DVD, which is still one of my favorites, because the connection between you all and the music is so obvious and pure, even though the movements are basic ones. <br /><br />On the other hand, it is also so much fun to see what other troupes variations are, how they negotiate transitions, and get to play that way as well. I hope that this discussion will encourage us to play together more, and set us all on the path to be divine and creative dancers.<br /><br />This seems like a really exciting time for ATS and I can't wait to continue this discussion at TT in November!Flissyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06382090088672294282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8045076187971015009.post-21170306274118676332010-09-21T08:10:51.408-07:002010-09-21T08:10:51.408-07:00Reposted from FB:
Ottavina/Monica: After reading e...Reposted from FB:<br />Ottavina/Monica: After reading everything that has been posted, discussed, etc., I was going to ask you if my take was correct, which, seems to be..and that is, in a nutshell:<br />"Hey, folks! We've got a bunch of great classic ATS moves and steps. No matter what, learn them, and use them. *If you've done that for a long while and really comprehend the philosophy of this dance's form and function, you are allowed to create new moves and steps on your own.* No submission of the new ideas, no ATS police! Just stick with the spirit and philosophy of ATS and you're golden."<br /><br />After reading this FB post of yours...I think I'm close? Anyway, thank you for the clarification and your patience with us. :)"<br /><br />Carolena: You really hit the nail on the head. Especially [that which is between the *s above].Ottavinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08786963232146683562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8045076187971015009.post-33673773563181951982010-09-21T05:02:06.768-07:002010-09-21T05:02:06.768-07:00It seems fairly clear (to me, at least), that if t...It seems fairly clear (to me, at least), that if the vast majority of your moves are FCBD, and you have created some of your own variations on these moves, added a few unique moves, and modified a few GC and BSBD moves to fit within the ATS format, you are invited back into the club. I have also gathered from previous posting on Tribe, that GS and TT is not a requirement to identify as ATS. As clear as it seems to me, I would appreciate a solid "yes" or "no". Another troupe in our area that is Pure FCBD and has taken GS and TT and plans to request Sister Studio status, is vehemently opposed to us coming back into the fold. Despite what Carolena has written, we are still being told that we are not pure FCBD and have no GS or TT and therefore are not ATS. Labels are not that important to our troupe and we recently, as a courtesy to this other troupe, changed our website from 'ATS Troupe' to Improvisational Belly Dance Troupe'. None of us is rushing to change it back to ATS, but we do take issue with someone else trying to dictate to us how we should describe ourselves, having gone so far as to suggest that we not use the term ATS in any description of ourselves, and that we are not truly 'trained' in ATS as we haven't studied with Carolena. Until some higher authority gives us a definite 'yes' or 'no', I fear this will continue to be a distraction to both our troupes. Any help in getting us back to dancing for the joy of it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! ImigulaImigulahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13125581485061125694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8045076187971015009.post-60551962123427773502010-09-20T21:03:53.527-07:002010-09-20T21:03:53.527-07:00Well hello ATS lovers all over the world! It'...Well hello ATS lovers all over the world! It's nice to meet you all. I am a sister studio in Eugene, OR and like many of you, have been wondering what this means for me; for the way I dance and the way I teach. At moments of reading (and re-reading) Mama C's post, I have felt confused, excited, nervous, and worried. But I keep coming back to something Carolena said in my Teacher Training about being a sister studio...she said "it means you're on our team." <br /><br />I think that's the mantra I'll continue to use. I'm on the ATS team. I'm not a mini FCBD, I don't need to be. But I support the integrity of ATS as a unique dance form with norms, culture and boundaries that make it distinct from fusion, GC, BSBD and other ITS styles. I will uphold that integrity when I dance and teach and when/if I create variations of moves. <br /><br />I think I understand what it means to be on the ATS team, but my concern is that some people may not understand. Which is why I am very much looking forward to "Anatomy of a Move," as I hope it will give us a very clear understanding of what a moves need to encompass in order to be called ATS. <br /><br />My wish, Mama C, is for some very clear criteria in this next DVD. Maybe a numbered list or a fancy flowchart (e.g. "Does the move maintain uplifted arms? If yes, proceed to the next question..."). All kidding aside, I realize very clear criteria may seem like we're spelling out common sense, but I am very concerned that not everyone has the same ATS common sense. If you showed one hundred dancers a new move and asked us if it works as NS ATS, would we all give the same answer...I don't know. I'm worried that we will all have different interpretations of what ATS is.<br /><br />So, though it may be difficult to write "rules" for such a creative, beautiful dance, I think that spelling out the criteria for knowing if something is ATS...very clearly...with no room for misinterpretation...would be very helpful. <br />Thank you, thank you, thank you for everything you do!<br />LindseyLindseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01882541099094211658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8045076187971015009.post-77531853819905099462010-09-20T19:55:31.763-07:002010-09-20T19:55:31.763-07:00Hi Carolena , and thankyou for your very wise word...Hi Carolena , and thankyou for your very wise words...a big bugbear for me, is when people start to teach ATS and they have not yet fully mastered it themselves , thus it gets taught in a watered down version and technique is lost! I have been studying ATS for 5 years and still have so much to learn , particularly to produce strong improve skills and correct technique. Im fortunate to be able to go to classes by the beautiful DEVI Mamak (BLUE MTNS) our Aussie "CAROLENA".I hope to maybe one day start ATS in the area where I live, but I dare not until Im sure the knowledge I pass on is strong in ATS as it should be... Fusion styles will come and go but Strong roots NEVER disappear.. I like to think of ATS as important to Belly dancing as CLASSICAL BALLET is to all forms of modern dance!kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08911663638978293301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8045076187971015009.post-42199605022768850432010-09-20T14:50:47.859-07:002010-09-20T14:50:47.859-07:00In reply to the original post I wrote:
Phoning (w...In reply to the original post I wrote:<br /><br />Phoning (writing) home - from Vienna, Austria.<br /><br />First, a huge THANK YOU for creating ATS and letting it out into the world - if it hasn't found me, I'd miss so much beauty and meaning in my life ... now I can't imagine my life without tribal, and though I love fusion, my base, my home is always improvisational tribal style, its moves, its costumes, the feeling I have when I'm dancing with my tribe-sisters ...<br /><br />I was lucky that I found my troupe just as it was starting. My first contact with tribal style was on youtube , I came across a video of Rachel Brice (surprise!;) and I couldn't stop watching. I found only two tribal teachers in Vienna (it was 2006) and one of them was not teaching anymore, but she wanted to start a troupe and invited me too. So actually through seeing tribal fusion, I found my way to ATS and I am very happy for that!<br /><br />We were all tribal beginners and learnt a lot from your DVDs and from Shaharazad who first brought tribal to german-speaking countries. Our first performance was choreographed using improv moves, but we soon fell in love with the magic of the improvisation :)<br /><br />In 2007 our troupe-mama and me took a trip to Milan to take your and Megha's workshops, and the inspiration from that weekend lasted me the whole next year :)<br />After two years of weekly trainings with the troupe I felt I have a solid enough basics and knowledge of tribal, to go to my first fusion workshop, and there I saw that it was the best preparation for "dancing like all those amazing stars on youtube":)<br /><br />Now there are more tribal classes in Vienna, but mostly fusion, and I believe I can see that the students with no ATS or ITS experience are missing a vital piece of the puzzle to "get" the style.<br />I've been teaching my own small group of tribal beginners, and in discussions with them or with anyone interested in the subject and the dance, I always try to talk about the history, the origin, the source of the tribal style.<br />The more I learned about the dance and the history, the people that formed and influenced it, the more I understood and enjoyed it. I want my students and friends and fellow dancers to know this and feel this too.Lilithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08098976721140625181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8045076187971015009.post-58488588267979934192010-09-20T12:25:45.011-07:002010-09-20T12:25:45.011-07:00"Two years passed. ATS friends (Leslie, step ..."Two years passed. ATS friends (Leslie, step forward...) kept encouraging me to go SS."<br /><br />Guilty as charged :)<br /><br />I spend a lot of time over the border with my Canadian Tribal Family, and I could not see why Rob had not gone SS yet. Often, he and I have to agree to disagree, but still, I know this dance means a great deal to him, and I know he is very passionate about it. So... I encouraged.<br /><br />My time with the dancers over there has really taught me a lot about the "moving language" that ATS really is. When you *do* take ATS and attempt to do it with others whom you do not dance with regularly, learning experiences happen. Or as I prefer to say, magic happens :)<br /><br />I'd like there to not be tension, but I know everyone is going to have the exact same opinions and feelings. Like I said, agreeing to disagree is a good, respectful route. So, I'm just going to repeat what I post in the ATS FB:<br /><br />- Hello everyone. In light of the recent announcement from Miss C, please do everyone and yourself a favor, and be gentle with each other's hearts. Be gentle with your words. Think before you speak/post. Respect and kindness will help give way and break down barriers. <br /><br />And remember...<br /><br />"Flow is dancing in the divine subconscious." <br /><br />-Mama C<br />♥ ♥ ♥Lesliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08383730835186499991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8045076187971015009.post-23601631883186032902010-09-20T12:09:19.790-07:002010-09-20T12:09:19.790-07:00I feel like I need to clarify my former stance on ...I feel like I need to clarify my former stance on opposition to SS innovation. I can absolutely see why the need for flexibility and freedom has been granted. It does make sense.<br />I can only speak for myself and only Re: some Sister Studios here, when I say that we signed up and were given trust to work hard and get as close as possible to ATS. A goal like that takes a very long time. I only started dancing tribal 6 years ago, and sought out training from Carolena only 3 years ago (for GS, I took a Pura 4 1/2 years ago). I had to relearn the majority of the vocabulary when I started taking the GS. The vocabulary of slow and fast is vast. The possibilities within the current structure are endless. And the refinement of moves is an ongoing process.<br /> <br />So, as stated in a previous post on this blog, mentioned on tribe, and fb- I don't currently have the little voice that tells me to come up with the 'new' (side note- Val, those variations were created by my troupe and none of them are SS's. We've tested them out in performance to see if they would work and planned on asking Carolena about them before making them a habit, but now we can put them through the Gypsy Horizon gauntlet test).<br /> <br />I was never a fan of SS's peaking their heads out of the box too much. I always felt like there was so much to work on and discover as is. In the big bad world of belly dance, I'm still (as is my troupe) very new and young and learning and discovering every day. I don't consider 6 years a master at anything except, perhaps commitment. My stance was that only the 'unicorn' or an exceptional student of FatChance would be able to effectively add to the 'language' after only 6 years. In directing a troupe the last 3 years, I always discouraged them from coming up with variations on the existing structure. "give me a perfect torso rotation and then we'll see" I may have said once or twice. ;-)<br /><br />I do realize now that it's better for the box to be more flexible. It will be healthy for my troupe and others to relax into our 'dialect' without compromising the integrity of this dance form. It still may be awhile before I'm presenting anything that may inspire my peers, but I look forward to being inspired by their 'voices'.Carriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03839378494066147236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8045076187971015009.post-64070697087093439232010-09-20T11:24:57.808-07:002010-09-20T11:24:57.808-07:00::Pulls out the marshmellows and sips some Reislin...::Pulls out the marshmellows and sips some Reisling:: <br /><br />Carrie, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound like I was getting up into your face. Far from it. I'm genuinely overjoyed that you have variations that you can use without fearing you're going against the basic tenets of ATS. <br /><br />Amy's post pretty much sums up most of my ATS journey. The 2007 Reaffirmation by Carolena devastated me in many ways. I felt I was dancing in her name, and all of a sudden Mom chucked me out of the house because I was adopted. :)<br /><br />I had been following FCBD ATS, I had made some moves of my own, I had added in a few of the BSBD and GC moves I loved. I saw it all as ATS. And then it wasn't. And I had to stop and think of what I wanted to do as an ATS dancer. <br /><br />The FCBD path was going to be my path, so I followed it. I did a GS, a PURA, went to SF and did private lessons. <br /><br />I still did and taught things that were outside of the ATS vocab. I made sure to tell people it was not ATS. But when the chance to take the teacher training came up, I got serious about what I was doing. <br /><br />At the end of my TT, I asked Carolena, in front of the class, about sister studio statuses and what was and was not allowed. Carolena graciously explained. I perform in troupes other than Shades Of Araby, and do other styles of bellydance as well. <br /><br />Carolena gave clear direction on what she wanted. <br /><br />However, I didn't ask about Sister Studio status. I really didn't want to leave behind my beloved moves that SOA had created as a group.<br /><br />One of my tribemates really didn't want to have to limit her creativity by towing only an ATS line. And I empathized with her. <br /><br />Carolena had said in the past that if we wanted to create variations, we should tell her about them. And I did that at least twice. Both times she graciously gave advice on polishing the move. But there was no fire or brimstone of "YE SHALL NOT ATS!" <br /><br />Two years passed. ATS friends (Leslie, step forward...) kept encouraging me to go SS. Why hadn't I gone SS? <br /><br />I love and respect my troupemates too much to force them to do something they truly didn't want to do. But it made it hard for me. I longed for the final level I had worked towards for so long. I worked on getting my &*%$#@ zilling to be decent. I drilled to slow my slow down. I wanted my Egyptians to be clean. But the final reward for my work... I was keeping myself away from it. And I would do it that way again, because I love my troupemates. <br /><br />Early this year, I talked to the other Shades. I wanted to go SS. I wanted to uphold the ATS standard in my area, since we had another "ATS" teacher start up. And I told them we would have to purge our SOA moves. It was not an easy time. One troupemate said she'd follow my lead. But the other, who is a co-founder balked, as I knew she would. She felt limited. She came around, but I knew she resented it. <br /><br />So, two years after the fact, I was accepted as the first Brother Studio. I wasn't even sure if Carolena would LET me be a Brother studio. I was thrilled.<br /><br />Tribalcon was the swansong for SOA's Non-FCBD moves. My class curriculum shrank slightly to be ONLY FCBD.<br /><br />With this announcement, I feel relief. I don't feel like I've been sneaking into Mommy's liquor cabinet to drink her port while her back is turned. :)<br /><br />Our original moves and variations will go back back into our vocabulary and go back to dancing in Carolena's name. <br /><br />I can understand everyone's fear of everything becoming ATS. I look at the indiscipline of so much of the Tribal Fusion out there, and shudder to think that could happen in ATS.<br /><br />But as was said earlier, this isn't going to change anything. There are already crappy dancers who don't know their Core ATS (Old School in CN's terms) but calling themselves ATS. <br /><br />And they will attract people who don't know or care about the difference. But out of those people will come people who <b>WILL</b> want to know FCBD moves. <br /><br />Onward friends...Valizanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04993589482911502957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8045076187971015009.post-79877653997291782002010-09-20T09:59:43.845-07:002010-09-20T09:59:43.845-07:00Good morning all, It appears that the "firesi...Good morning all, It appears that the "fireside chat" turned into a bonfire! But it seems to be just smouldering now. I will respond to the new entries in a bit, all very thoughtful comments. Thank you for posting to the blog.Carolena Nericcio-Bohlmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17332153601619055688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8045076187971015009.post-53863047472270433562010-09-20T06:02:49.396-07:002010-09-20T06:02:49.396-07:00(FB re-post)
Sometimes I feel lonely, in this funn...(FB re-post)<br />Sometimes I feel lonely, in this funny little corner of the world. Then I remember that however far away I am, I am connected to a life full of beauty and grace through this dance, and the people all over the world who share it. Thank you.Temishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18300270414149145448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8045076187971015009.post-39486411954933829202010-09-19T22:22:23.437-07:002010-09-19T22:22:23.437-07:00Val- I appreciate you calling me out on my contrad...Val- I appreciate you calling me out on my contradictory hypocrytical crap. I don't mind being called out. It's a good learning experience for me.<br />I will say that my post was a direct copy paste from a private conversation that I was having with a few other dancers. I would love to have edited it, and made it seem like I'm a better person (or thought first before opening my mouth), but I didn't think that was an honest way to go about it. <br /><br />I do accept, admit, and support without labels the recent annoucement about ATS which will make everyone's lives easier and more awesome with happiness, love, and respect.Carriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03839378494066147236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8045076187971015009.post-85298461329702615802010-09-19T22:08:22.278-07:002010-09-19T22:08:22.278-07:00Re-posted from Tribe with some editing:
I find th...Re-posted from Tribe with some editing:<br /><br />I find this very interesting. I was among the people who thought I was ATS, then found I wasn't once the definition was clarified (and went through a whole gamut of emotions including confusion, sadness, and anger), and have come to peace with my troupe's ATS-esque style. I think that, with this introduction of multiple ATS styles, it is possible we'll see some fantastic innovation. Instead of many mini-FCBD's, I think different troupes or areas of dancers will emerge showing their strengths and bring interesting developments to the dance. At the same time I think dancers and groups that stick tight with how FCBD is doing things will continue to get stronger and keep that core ATS alive.<br /><br />Do I think everything that comes up will be awesome or fit what Carolena has in mind? No. Do I think people will use the term ATS when their dancing has nothing at all to do with what *is* ATS? Yes, but they'd do that no matter what Carolena or anyone else says. Is this transition going to be smooth and effortless, without lots of questions and clarifications and all that mess? Probably not. It might open up some good dialogue within troupes, communities and the wider ATS world about how people are dancing, why they are dancing, how they want to achieve their dance goals, and the zfuture of the style.<br /><br />Carolena, it means a lot that you are willing to trust us, thank you!Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15390837030580881528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8045076187971015009.post-77823540886121851072010-09-19T20:45:33.160-07:002010-09-19T20:45:33.160-07:00Dear Carolena
Thank you for allow me translate fo...Dear Carolena<br /><br />Thank you for allow me translate for portuguese speakers and publish into my blog.<br /><br />Thank you for this divine dance.<br /><br />Love <br />JayaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8045076187971015009.post-48209706679920150342010-09-19T19:20:47.887-07:002010-09-19T19:20:47.887-07:00On the "flow": As we all know, ATS has t...On the "flow": As we all know, ATS has the unmatched power to immediately bond strangers into a tribe of sisters. This dance language transcends spoken word, connecting people of any country or culture. It is unlike anything I have ever experienced. It hit me full on when I found myself in a huge ATS circle, led by Rachel Brice in precise FCBD format. I could never have danced with her if I had not learned a language we both spoke. I knew that night that I wanted to be fluent so I could experience that magic again and again. I believe it is this that we fear losing, but with strong attachment will come preservation by many.<br /><br />On the nomenclature.: Cabaret dancers differentiate "classical" Egyptian style from other interpretations and is highly respected because of its heritage. If that is what happens with ATS, as I believe it will, I will be even more pleased to help represent the "original gangsta".Beledi Boutiquehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11442549791834536212noreply@blogger.com