Salome

Antuanette,

I have to give you an atta girl because... There have been many occasions where someone has posted a video here and asked what other forum members thought. For the most part (on this forum, others too I'm sure) people are pretty frank with their point of view and it's not all going to be glowing from every last poster. Now, usually this is when the OP has a real melt down. I just kind of appreciated that you asked for feedback and then didn't freak out when you got it.

TribalDancer

Ditto what Salome said. It is refreshing to hear someone geuinely open to different viewpoints, and willing to engage in varying opinions. It's why I am here: that kind of mentality is so exciting, and it is how we grow! Glad to have you here!

da Sage

I really enjoyed this clip! The troupe was tight and moved very well together - I was impressed. And the soloist made a real connection with the audience. Awesome!

Aziyade

Okay, you asked: LOL.

No offense, but the first clip is too artsy. I'm old and have trouble focusing, so that one made me a little loopy. Also the music left me wondering -- Goth, how? I feel like Nina Garcia saying this, but I didn't walking away feeling especially Goth, ya know?

The second clip was much better at showcasing your dancing. I considered it pretty cool "tribal fusion" -- whatever that means these days I thought you had a more unique viewpoint than most TF dancers I've seen, who tend to look like clones of Sharon, Amy, Rachel, or whoever. This clip didn't track Goth at all to me, but I don't think you were going for that, so it probably doesn't matter.

Here's my biggest gripe with Goth BD -- and this is general and not directed at you in particular. You have an adorable body and you CAN dance. So why stick with costuming that doesn't REALLY show off your personal Goth niche?

I really really really wish more Goth BDers would abandon the "tribal fusion" costume and think more about personalizing their costume and hair. I struggle with this meself, and I'm always asking meself "how can I style my hair to fit my "inner Goth" (gag) and how can I USE it like a prop? And what kind of costuming can I come up with for the attitude in this particular song?

Now -- I know you probably weren't going for the whole Goth thing in the 2nd clip, so maybe it's irrelevant to a point -- but even with TF dancing -- does the costuming HAVE to reflect what Rachel or Zoe is doing this week?

I was just watching "Underworld" which is actually an older DVD, but you can SO see who was copying who and at what time, on costumes. BE DIFFERENT! BE CREATIVE! Seriously, you (not you specifically, but the general you) can do more with assuit than make a loincloth out of it. What I was really hoping to see from the TF movement was a great variety of new costuming ideas, but they seem to have only 3 different designs (the melodias with coin bra and shell jewlery (with or without the panel loincloth,) the hotpants and garterbelt/garter "pants", and the modified 30's cancan skirt.)

They TOTALLY need a Project Runway challenge where the designers make Tribal Fusion costumes.

/rant



P.S. I assume you are the soloist? If so, I'd LOVE to see you in person. You really do have a great connection with the audience.

Lotus Dancer

I have to go with Salome and TribalDancer on this one.
I applaud you on your conduct throughout this post.
Really nice to see.
Wow!!! That Black v Tribal video was amazing.
I could have watched that for hours.
Well Done
Lotus Dancer

AngelaJP

The special effects of your first video was artistic (wow!) but it probably is too fast and confusing, it somehow annoyed me later on.

I enjoyed the Black V Tribal a lot! Choreography, performance and stage presence were awesome! Congratulations, girl! Which one was you in the video?

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Bellydance Oz

Can't watch your videos right now because my work computer blocks them so will have to check them out later, sorry!

As for Gothic - I have two "Gothic Belly Dance" DVD's which my husband picked up on eBay. I have to say that they were both very disappointing.

Most of the routines consisted of the same thing - standing on one spot doing slow hip movements and snaky arms. Impressive control, but very self-absorbed and static - and boring, after the third identical routine in different costumes.

Yes they used belly dance technique rather than any other style, so you would have to call it belly dancing.

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AngelaJP

The more tribal fusion dances I watch, especially Rachel Brice's, the more I want to learn it!

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Lusifelia

Which DVDs are they?

Lusifelia

The answer to this is quite simple, really. Rachel Brice (and sometimes Zoe Jakes or Sharon Kihara) are seen as the face of Tribal Fusion, which is unfortunate. Not because they are poor dancers, they are great dancers,as I'm sure needs not be said, but unfortunate that a style needs a ... mascot, almost. Anyway, that being the case, people assume that TF costuming means what Rachel or Zoe or Sharon wears, and don't try to come up with their own looks. Maybe as a lack of creativity and understanding of what "fusion" should imply in the first place, and maybe simply because all they understand is the TF dancers they admire dress like this, so to be a respected TF dancer they too must dress similarly.

Just my three cents.