2008 Instructors:

Zafira Dance Company
Pittsburg, Pennsylvania
Triboriginal Instructors: Liquid Layers; Fluid Floor-work; "Gettin' Supah Saucy" Master Class

Troupe of the Year 2007
Zafira Dance Company is arguably one of the most influential groups of the past ten years in bellydance, influencing dancers the nation over. Tribo is honored to have them here as Master Teachers. They fuse bellydance with ethnic and modern dances from around the world. With a basis in Egyptian and Turkish style bellydance, Zafira drawsmovements from North African, Central Asian, Middle Eastern and modern pop culture to create a unique and dynamic dance form.

In the spring of 2001- Christine Hamer, Olivia Kissel, Maria Hamer and Tamara Nelson formed Zafira Dance Company, later adding Jennifer Imashev. These five dancers have been performing together professionally since 1996 in venues ranging from intimate settings to full scale theater productions.

Zafira's strong stage presence combined with complex choreographies and layered improvisations continue to entrance and astound audiences from all over the nation.

http://www.zafiradance.com/

Samantha Riggs of Boom Boom Bollywood
Arizona
Triboriginal Instructor: Pirate Bellydance: Why Is The Rum Always Gone?

A member of Domba for 8 years, Samantha is the Founder and Director of Boom Boom Bollywood and the Sexy Scallywags. She was surprised and grateful when there were so many dancers who wanted to walk with her down this rather odd path! She was even more surprised and grateful when Boom Boom Bollywood's premier performance for the Arizona Indo-American Community (Diwali, 2004) was greeted with cheers and support from the community...and even tears from an Indian gentleman who had recently moved to the US. He said that he as feeling homesick and worried about living in a new country, but to see a team of American girls doing the dances of his country with such joy and skill gave him hope about making his home here. Then he started to cry, thanking her and hugging her... and something changed in Samantha in that moment (as she began to cry as well... wouldn't you?). She realized why what they were doing was important... Fun, yes. Cheesy, yes. Overly-dramatic, yes. But just like the Bollywood movies she loved, the dance team was spreading hope! If just one person walks away from a Boom Boom Bollywood performance a little happier than they were when they arrived, that makes it all worthwhile for Samantha. She is a sap.

www.boomboombollywood.com

Zi'ah Ali of award-winning TribalCon & Awalim Dance Company
Atlanta, Georgia
Triboriginal Instructor: Come to Zi'ah Smackdown

Ziah Ali McKinney-Taylor began studying dance in 1991 with Shakira-Masood Ali at the Sirrom School of Dance in Houston, Texas. From 1992 to 1997 she took the opportunity to study in many cities across the country while she traveled the Renaissance Festival circuit with her husband as a manager for Ballena Bay Pewter.

She settled in Atlanta in December 1997 to begin teaching classes full time and formed the Awalim Dance Company in September 1999. In addition to directing Awalim and teaching five belly dance classes a week, Ziah directs a student troupe called Banat Ziah, teaches workshops throughout the East Coast and produces the Red Light Cafe Middle Eastern Extravaganza Shows which showcase all the top talent in Atlanta and the Southeast. She also produced the critically acclaimed video of Awalim's show at the Georgia Renaissance Festival titled "Yalla! Yalla!".

Ziah's new venture is a sci fi con type bellydance festival called TribalCon! Ziah is also the new mom to Ava Alexandra, born 11/04.

Her extensive background in bellydance includes Egyptian, Tribal and Turkish. She has a broad base of folkloric dance study including Kurdish, Persian, Rajisthani, North African, Israeli, Turkish Rom, and Egyptian.

http://www.awalim.com

Blue Lotus Tribe
Triboriginal Instructors: ATS, BLT Style; Swords

Chicago's Blue Lotus Tribe is one of the up-and-coming forces in the tribal bellydance world. Heralded for their tight improvistaional skills, original choreographies, impeccable technique, and party-like stage presence, Blue Lotus Tribe is working hard to bring the Midwestern tribal scene to the forefront. Each member of Blue Lotus Tribe has an extensive background in tribal and tribal fusion dance, but they are also all accomplished in the art of Egyptian style bellydance. Most of the dancers of Blue Lotus Tribe have studied for several years with internationally recognized Egyptian style dancer, Jasmin Jahal, among others, and they have all become professional solo artists of Egyptian style bellydance. Blending Egyptian technique, composition, and musicality with the tribal movements, music, and aesthetic, Blue Lotus Tribe has successfully created a new twist on tribal, taking it to the next level and calling themselves "Egypto-Tribal Fusion Bellydance." Blue Lotus Tribe continues in their quest for new inspiration and ideas by traveling across the country and taking classes with the masters of both Oriental and Tribal bellydance, creating a bridge between the two that honors the ancient art of Middle-Eastern bellydance while still moving forward with today's modern tribal fusion movement. Apart from their popular local performances and workshops, Blue Lotus Tribe has had the honor of teaching and performing around the country to enthusiastic students and appreciative audiences. In addition to this, they are the hostesses of the Midwest's only tribal bellydance festival-style event, Tribal Revolution, now in its fourth year.

www.bluelotustribe.org

Politti Ashcroft of Blue Damsel Dance Company
Triboriginal Instructor: Disco Tribal

Politti Ashcraft has studied bellydance for over 14 years, with a strong focus on the beautiful and varied styles of Tribal Bellydance. Inspired by the diverse cultures of the world, her progressive dance style is an engaging blend of the sacred and contemporary, by way of fluid movement and grace.

In her eternal quest for bellydance knowledge, Politti has studied with some of the most talented and gracious dancers in the industry. She continues to learn and grow in her dance by frequently promoting and attending bellydance workshops and festivals in and around the So. Cal area. Politti also travels around the U.S. (whenever she can!) performing and teaching specialty Tribal Bellydance workshops, bringing her own brand of Tribal to the Bellydance Community.

In February 2008, Politti became the proud owner of Art Through Movement at The Oasis Dance Studio in Highland, So. Cal, where: “We are ever evolving, following our commitment to excellence in dance and training.” She strives to honor the community aspect of the dance in her classes along with an emphasis on studying this art form as a discipline. She enjoys instilling her students with a passion for the dance, just as her teachers before her did.

Those who have deeply touched Politti’s life and encourage her art include:
Rachel Lazarus Soto: Creative partner and friend
Mira Betz: Amazing (Politti would like to be her when she grows up)
Frederique David: A constant inspiration
Mihoko Powers: Beloved Japanese Dance instructor
Carolena Nericcio: The source
Krisha Kazimira: First bellydance “Mama”
Carl Martz (Politti’s dad): Always there to support his “crazy artistic daughter”
Diana Glance: The most supportive friend one could ever ask for

Politti dedicates her dance to the memory of her mother.

Contact Politti: Tribalstuff@earthlink.net

On-line: www.oasisdancestudio.net or www.bluedamsel.org

Jen Goulart Amero
Triboriginal Instructor: Zumba for Fitness

Jennifer is an AFAA ceritified personal fitness trainer, personal chef, author of Eat Well, Volume one - the cookbook, and the proprietor of Facile Belle Total Well-Being, LLC . Jennifer teaches kickboxing, cardio salsa, cardio rhythm and circuit. She is ecstatic to be invited back to Triboriginal 2008 and to be included amongst Onca's most impressive collage of accomplished artists!

Bash & EuropaMoon of Creative Flame FireTalent
Wilmington, North Carolina
Triboriginal Instructors - Intro to Juggling, Fire Performance & Safety

Back by popular demand!

Originally based in Los Angeles, Creative Flame Company now operates on both US Coasts, with Headquarters in Los Angeles, and On the Cape Fear Coast. Created and operated by its two core members, there are 14 performers in our company, performing in various arrangements to accommodate shows of varying sizes and scales. Sebastian Gomez and Marcy Whipkins as the creative minds behind the acts, maintain a long list of satisfied high-profile corporate and private clients.
Often performing simultaneously in different cities, they bring in satellite members of our top-caliber roster when performing larger shows, or for specialty acts requested by clients. Our "family" provides infinitely changeable and high-level distinct abilities and specialties, venturing far beyond fire, allowing us to create dynamic and truly unique shows for each client.

www.firetalent.com

August Hoerr
Soora Gameela, Asheville, North Carolina
Triboriginal Instructor - Middle Eastern & Balkan Melody; Group Improvisation De-mystified

August has been playing accordion for over twelve years. Inspired by recordings of Egyptian accordionists, he began studying Middle Eastern music with Birmingham-based Tribal Fusion group Gypsy Red Tribe. Since relocating to North Carolina, he has collaborated with many area bands seminal to the vibrant dance scene in WNC, including Baraka Mundi, and Atlanta's Greek fusion band, Makari. He has collaborated with numerous dancers, including Diana Mahat Shahein, Audrey Elizabeth of Dances Without Borders, and dance companies Legacy Butoh and Cabaret Moderne.
In addition to piano accordion, August plays the concertina and bandoneon, as well as spiked fiddles, such as the Egyptian rebaba and Spanish rabel.

He also represents the better half of The Mezmer Society: Luscious Caberet & Balkan Ruckus, touring through 2008 with Onça.

River Guerguerian
Triboriginal Instructor: World Percussion

Back by popular demand!

River (Paul) Guerguerian was born in 1967 (“the summer of love”) in Montreal, Canada to Armenian/Egyptian/Syrian parents. He began playing music at the age of 8, and at 11, moved to the New York City area, studied with world-renowned masters, and began playing professionally soon after. As a multipercussionist, composer, and educator, he is devoted to the subtle and transformative power of the arts.

In 1989, he received his Bachelor of Music from the Manhattan School of Music Conservatory and graduated with the school’s award for Most Outstanding Percussionist. Guerguerian has performed at International Music Festivals in Berlin, New York, Moscow, Rome, San Francisco, Edinburgh, Hong Kong, Barcelona, Greece, Istanbul, and has recorded on over 70 albums and film soundtracks, including the John Cage documentary film, “I Have Nothing to Say and I Am Saying It”. His compositions have been commissioned and performed by chamber ensembles, universities, modern dance companies, and new music festivals throughout the country.

In 1994, River sold all possessions, left civilization, and lived in the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary in the Himalayas where he delivered his daughter, Amba. For five years, he did not play professionally and gathered new information from being immersed in Nature.

His music has evolved using knowledge and indigenous instruments gathered from research and from travels around the planet. He conducts rhythm and sound exploration workshops throughout the country. Guerguerian enjoys sharing the deep, creative, and rhythmic space from which sound originates. He performs regularly the world over with Omar Faruk TekBilek.

“Guerguerian’s composition, sensationally performed, devoted itself even more religiously to the possibilities of pure sound.”
—The New York Times

www.guerguerian.com

Daveed Korup
Triboriginal Instructor

Daveed is an educator, percussionist and civic force. In addition to playing darabuka and djembe with Turku, he has also performed on "Eyes Behind the Veil" and "Seeds of Time". Creator of the author of the Tao de Drum hand drumming course, Daveed also offers "Drumfest!", a hands-on, interactive, multi-cultural drumming experience for people of all ages. Since it's inception, Drumfest! has reached more than 45,000 people from San Diego, CA to Wilmington, NC. Recently installing his WORLD Rhythm DRUM Circus at Port Discovery Children's Museum, in Baltimore's Inner Harbor, he is able to offer the power of percussion to tremendous quantities of people. He is also the man behind the BIRDS ‘Peace Through Music’ Festival. He may also be reached at daveed@drumfest.com. Daveed is a native of Kankakee, Illinois and a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Jaia Ananda
Triboriginal Instructor: YogaFusion

Jaia has been a student of Yoga for over 10 years, and an instructor for 9. Taking her first Bellydance class in 2000, she saw the natural fusion between the two passions. Believing that Yoga takes her deeper within, and Bellydance fosters her creative expression, she has found the perfect balance. She is half of bellydance duo Ananda of Knoxville, TN.

Gypsy Hands
Triboriginal Instructors: Poi, Pro Hair & Make-up; Energywork

Gypsy Hands Tribal Belly Dance, created by its featured performer, Sara Griscom, has appeared around the country since 2001. Other current performing members are Katherine Metz, DeLacey Santini, Anna Nicely, Jackie Cole Contreras and Lindsay Rogers.

Gypsy Hands brand of tribal belly dance incorporates traditional aspects of the dance from North Africa and the Near East but hybridizes it with touches of American Hip-Hop, Indian Bhangra, Thai and Hatha Yoga and, of course, Sara's signature moves. Add flaming torches, fire eating and sword play and Gypsy Hands becomes a unique, world-conscious interpretation of an ancient art form that absolutely rocks.

Audiences that have seen them perform in previous years will recognize the troupe's brand of fiery sensuality and will be amazed by the otherworldly additions to choreography and costumes.

www.gypsyhands.com

Claire Metz of Gypsy Hands
Triboriginal Instructor:Poi
I began belly dancing with Gypsy Hands in 2002. Through the troupe, I discovered poi in 2004 and have been spinning ever since. I have devoted my life to sharing shiny happy things with the world, and poi has been a natural expression of that desire.

DeLacey Santini of Gypsy Hands
Triboriginal Instructor:Pro Hair & Make-up

DeLacey Santini began her makeup career 11 years ago in retail. She has been a makeup artist at local salons, the Knoxville Opera and MAC. These days she focuses on stage and performance makeup and is the in-house makeup artist for Gypsy Hands of Knoxville, TN.

Sara Griscom of Gypsy Hands
Triboriginal Instructor: Energywork

Sara Griscom, a gifted healer and intuitive, has traveled the globe, from Brazil to India, and researched healing practices of indigenous people in Mexico and Guatemala. With a background in psychology, ethnography, linguistics, and midwivery, she was called into healing by Mayan sacerdotes in the mid 1990's. Soon after, she delved into Reiki. Sara has studied Bellydance with Onca of Baraka Mundi. Also, she received her bodywork training from the Center for Natural Health and Massage in Asheville. Since 2000, she has carried out her vision to own Gypsy Hands Healing Arts Center in Knoxville, TN, an expanding center with 6 practitioners of massage and Reiki, and counseling, a dance troupe, workshop center, and studio space with bellydance classes nightly. There, she practices in Spiritual Counseling/ Soul Reading, Reiki Training, and bodywork. She teaches Bellydance, and runs the Gypsy Hands Tribal Fusion Bellydance Troupe.

Amanda Foster
Triboriginal Instructor: Richer than Cake: This Dance has Layers

Amanda Foster's signature 'Tribaret' stylings combine the best of traditional cabaret with the experimental verve of tribal fusion. Her deep personal practice has allowed her to develop truly unique artistry, and her passion shines in every performance and class. Having started her bellydance training with nationally known artist, Kaya, Amanda also has eleven years of intensive ballet, samba, salsa and more supplement her broad knowledge. Her commitment to challenge herself and others makes her an excellent dancer for audiences and students alike.

Back by popular demand!

Master Draven dos Boa Morte’, (AKA Capt. Andean Carver AKA the Kavorka!) has been Faking it successfully for many years as ‘Sword for hire’ in the SCA, and infamous duelist and co-director of “Temple Valor : Swords at Play” (along w/ Rees Perry AKA Clavos Tornelios), supplying bloody and ribald neo-historical duels for the insatiable masses throughout the land.

Master Draven, a martial artist of 20 years, has been educated and thoroughly trounced by the best swordsmen mentionable on his journey towards the mastery of live steel.

Taken with the arts, Master Draven has performed feats of lunatic daring with the likes of ‘The Accidental Circus', ‘Djinntana fire troupe’, ‘Tranceform Venus’, and is now starring in the soon to be released action sci-fi film saga “Moon Europa” (www.mooneuropa.com).

Claire Dima of Baraka Mundi
Triboriginal Instructor: Palmistry, Shisha Mirror Embroidery; Cowrie Crafting; Gypsy Skincare; Harquus: Tribal Tatoos

"Coming to bellydance after training in ballet, tae kwon do and some weight training, I have enjoyed cultivating the different depth and flow required of the dance. As an intellectually voracious person I find all the many cultures and expressions of bellydance intriguing and fulfilling as both learning opportunities and mediums to communicate through. I love the fact that within the same dance language we can engage in ritualistic mystic dance like the guedras and also tap the vibrancy of the glamourous cabaret scene."

-Claire Ghusun Dima

Radio Free Planet
Special Performance - Friday Night

'A World Music Super Group'- Mountain Xpress

Radio Free Planet is the vision of three multi-instrumentalists exploring the infinite and seamless relationships between musical cultures through the universal language of sound.

www.freeplanetradio.com

Gaiananda
Triboriginal Instructor

Gaiananda was formed in August of 2001 to bring together drum and dance styles from many cultures to share the richness of ethnic diversity with Gaiananda's performers and audience alike.

Gaiananda is dedicated to expanding the understanding of global cultures and to the acceptance and celebration of all ethnic customs, unique in their rythms, movements, dress, ceremonies and rites of passage. Although we honor diversity, we combine styles of drum and dance and strive to express through our art that we are all descendants of one ancestor and move to her "one heart beat" ... Mother Earth. We hope we will inspire you to join us in opening our eyes and our hearts to all the people of the world.

www.gaiananda.net

Miki Bow of the Naughty Nomads
Triboriginal Instructor: Creating your Dance Wardrobe from the Ground Up

Bellydancing started for Miki Bow when the Karate studio she trained at loaned space to Lisa McFadden to teach a belly dancing class in July 2003. She slipped in on a free Wednesday night class to see what is was all about and she’s been hooked ever since. Miki finds belly dancing a great way to strengthen and tone her body without having to put up with all the testosterone in martial arts classes. So, how do you feel about all the Estrogen, Miki? :)
Since her surprising introduction to bellydance, she has danced with the Beledi Club of Huntsville, Khamsa Qabeela, and most recently as a founding member (with her glorious tribal sisters) in Masmoudi & the Naughty Nomads. She loves going to seminars and has attended workshops with Wiporwil, Jill Parker, Heather Stants, Kamal, Suhaila Salimpour, Kamille, and other wonderful instructors. She hammed it up performing at the Alabama Renaissance Faire 2003-05, Panoply 2004, TribalCon, Spirit of the Tribes 5, several Hurricane Katrina benefit shows, and the Beledi Club’s 2004 Summer Workshop. She also performs for haflas and with her buddies at the drum circle in Big Spring Park on Sunday afternoons.

Torva NiGael
Triboriginal Assistant Producer
Triboriginal Instructor: Tasseomancy

Assistant Producer of Future of Tradition Productions, she is the stick that stirs the drink in Onca's creative mind. With a background in administration, the arts, and the airforce, she is a vital member of the Triboriginal team.

Kelly Bowers
Triboriginal Instructor: Spoons; Zils

Last year’s Queen of Spoons, Kelly is a trained musician and healer. Kelly was a founding member of Onca’s student troupe, World Spirit Bellydance. Now she dances with Seson, a collective of Asheville area dancers with a love of Tribal. She again graces us with her wit and clear communication.

Onça of Baraka Mundi - Triboriginal Director
Triboriginal Instructor - Fusion Cane ; Tarot

Since 1999, Onça (Lauren O'Leary) has been the source for quality bellydance instruction and performance in Western North Carolina. She was honored to be the first dancer ever to recieve a certification in General Skills from the originator of the modern Tribal Dance movement, Carolena Nericcio of FatChanceBellyDance. Other artists that have deepened her personal dance practice include UltraGypsy, Awalim, and Zafira Dance Company of Pittsburgh. With ten years of Brazilian footfighting, as well as flamenco, cabaret, and circus, her style is fluid, powerful and full of sass.

An author and artist, Onça's World Spirit Tarot was hailed as an instant classic upon publication in 2000. It has been translated into Spanish and is sold around the world.

In 2004, Onça's dance company, Baraka Mundi Live Music & Dance Ensemble, was nominated for both Best Dance Company in WNC and Best Kept Secret in the national Golden Belly Awards. Baraka Mundi has an album, World Spirit Melody, and the company's 2004 dance theatre production, Secret of Ashes, is available on dvd. In addition to directing Baraka Mundi, she mentored two student dance companies and served as Director of a Folkloric Arts Center for eight years.

Onça travels nationally to teach, lecture and perform Tribal Fusion bellydance. Onça's touring project for 2007-2008 is The Mezmer Society, a Balkan-infused Vaudeville revival, with WNC's coveted instrumentalist, August Hoerr.

As a Producer, Onça's most comprehensive projects are Triboriginal: Tribal Dance, Music and Culture Camp, and ABSfest, the Americana Burlesque & Sideshow Festival.

website: www.BarakaMundi.com
phone: 828-232-2980
e-mail: onca@barakamundi.com

Chef Oso - Culinary Passport World Cuisine

Chef Oso started his business to provide the acclaimed, delicious food offerings for the LEAF Festival in Black Mountain, NC. We are thrilled that he will be providing the meals for our event as well.

"This is the result of over 25 years of experience in the restaurant industry. My travels in my vocation have joyously taken me all over the globe. Spending countless hours in home kitchens, farms, boats and islands have yielded many treasures. We endeavor to prepare the freshest and most authentic international cuisine possible. The nature of this endeavor is the celebration of family and community through sharing a meal. It is also the exploration of our lives as art. Let's take time and set a table or sit outside under the sky and enjoy good company, delicious food, great music and dancing from the heart."
-Chef Oso

website: www.culinarypassport.com
phone: 828-713-2405
e-mail: oso (at) culinarypassport (dot) com

Tessho Michael D'Elia
Asheville, NC
Triboriginal Instructor

An artist, businessman, and part of the Future of Tradition family, Michael D'elia has long been a guiding force for those trying to forge a way thru the maze of business, ethics, and art. Now a member of the Board of Directors of the Future of Tradition's allies, Arts 2 People, he continues to encourage artists to be strong, informed, potent determiners of their own destinies.

Rick “Hawker” has been immersed in manipulating sound and music creation ever since he took apart a TV at age 11 to build effects for his guitar. Since then he has been an avid part of the Asheville live music and recoding community for over 15 years opening one of the first digital recoding studios in Asheville and providing live sound and PA services for the community including Tribe Original and other Belly Dance and Middle Eastern music events. He is passionately interested in the nuances of sound and ways to present and create sound both in large venues and the quiet of campfires. During the day Hawker works as an electronic design engineer and has been involved in the design of recoding and music devices for many companies and is currently on the engineering staff of Moog Music, a manufacturer of analog synthesizers in Asheville.

Woodrow Jarvis Hill, aka Asim al-talib, has been a dancer in the raqs sharqi form for nearly 20 years. His extensive research into raqs history is paralleled in his energy and drive with the Society for Creative Anachronism, where he also dances and does research. The survivability of this form, long term, has led him to do extensive research into marketing and supporting dancers, with many thoughts on the topic at his dance blog, APOSTATE (http://apostate.raqsstorm.org).