Last May more than 900 dancers from 19 different countries took
to the stage in Sebastopol; they and another 500 or so either
taught or attended dance classes. They plan to do it all again next
month, for the tenth time, at this year’s Tribal Fest. Run by
Kajira Djoumahna and her husband Chuck, Tribal Fest now runs for
five days, and performances run for three: May 14, 15, and 16, at
the Sebastopol Community Theater.
Tribal Fest 10, billed as “A Decade of DecaDance” celebrates
American tribal belly dance, a belly dance variant that
incorporates steps and movements that allow synchronized group
movements. The dances merge folkloric, Indian, ethnic, Gothic
burlesque, fusion influences. Even the costuming melds those
influences. The style was developed by San Francisco’s Carolena
Nericcio, of FatChanceBellyDance. Kajira, who founded not only
Tribal Fest but also Black Sheep Belly Dance, modified that style
to further allow what she calls “art created on the spot.”
Since my knowledge of belly dancing is pretty limited to what
I’ve seen at theme restaurants and in movies, I went to YouTube.com to look up what this whole
“tribal” thing is. I found video clips of many of this year’s
scheduled performers, include plenty from last year’s Tribal
Fest.
And now that I’ve seen it, I’m not sure how to describe it,
since it only vaguely aligns with my expectations. A trio
reimagined Little Red Riding Hood; a pair of dancers portrayed
wind-up dolls; a septet in derbies danced to Beatles music; another
troupe swayed to something klezmer-ish. Zafira Dance Company, out
of Pennsylvania, tackled Russian burlesque, and Michelle Manx, of
Texas, portrayed a 1940’s-era pinup girl while dancing to a
seductive big-band jazzy tune.
Moves are often so slow and smooth you’d think time itself is
becoming dormant. Stomachs, heads, wrists, hips all move with
complete autonomy and isolation – the body isn’t supposed to be
able to do that, is it?
Many of the folks at the all-day performances are dancers
enrolled in classes at the festival, but the public is welcome to
enjoy the spectacle too. While the dance style itself is unusual,
so are the guidelines for the audience. For example, consider this
rule: “No empty seats allowed.” The shows are frequently packed,
and buying a ticket doesn’t guarantee you a seat. If you are lucky
enough to snag a seat but need to make a potty run, you’ve got to
offer your space temporarily to someone who’s been standing. If you
don’t return quickly, that person gets to keep your seat, and
you’ll be left standing. You can’t “hold” a seat for someone,
either; it’s deemed unkind to the standees. As co-producer Chuck
puts it, “If you see an empty seat, even if it has stuff on it, you
have advance permission from The Producer to remove said stuff and
sit.
While all ages are welcome, some of the dances aren’t
necessarily what you want your little ones to see. Some of the acts
have a strong burlesque influence, and suggestive movements and
G-string costumes aren’t exactly unexpected. The producers also
warn that the music is LOUD, and you may want to bring
earplugs.
Friday’s show starts at 3 p.m. (doors open 2:30) and runs until
9. Saturday performances run 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.; catch acts on Sunday
11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Get your ticket at the door: $15 Friday and
Sunday; $20 on Saturday. Exact change only! Outside the theater,
food vendors will offer up treats, and more than 50 vendors will
sell you dance and unusual
Carol (Kiki) Noack, marketing, Raven Performing Arts
Theater.
