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About American Tribal Style (ATS)
What distinguishes us from cabaret Middle Eastern groups includes the following elements:
<> Group improvisation
in addition to choreography. We use a dance vocabulary of which all of us are familiar. We thus create a dance together
in the moment as we follow one another's leads.
<> Posture and demeanor that is uplifted dignified, powerful,
and austere without appearing unfriendly or severe.
<> Fusionary costuming that includes items from various
areas of the Middle East and India.
<> Appropraiate music that is often hypnotic and evokes a sense of earth
and groundedness.
<> Beauty, style, elegance, and unity.
<> Creative sensibilities of dedicated
and talented American Middle Eastern dancers.
Most troupe members of The World Dance Company create their own costumes. We strive to make our costumes look as ethnically
authentic as possible. These include full skirts with pantaloons beneath. The tassel belts, headwraps and roses are all
part of our signature look.
Many of our dancers wear a top known as a choli. This is a dowry item from Afghanistan
and the Rajastan area of India. Since many women from these areas are small and marry at a young age, the cholis must be
altered to fit the American figure. The cholis are usually decorated with tiny mirrors, beads, embroidered patterns, and
silver jewels. The backs are normally open, which helps to cool the wearer in desert climates.
We wear stage
makeup for dramatic, not ethnic, effect.
The wide range of jewelry includes silver, lapiz, shell, and woven items usually
from Afghanistan or India.
The facial tattoos traditionally symbolize tribal affinity and the desire to look attractive.
We of The World Dance Company wear the facial tattoos for dramatic effect and personal flair.
Our costumes
reflect a blending of cultures throughout the Middle East and Northern India.
We wear them with respect, reverence and
style!
The dancers are given the opportunity to perform at many functions and events after completing a four
month cycle of Middle Eastern Tribal Style dance lessons. These beginning dancers are undaunted as they strive to master
the discipline of the beautiful body isolations for which this ancient dance form is noted. They practice the choreography
and are assured that the audience will recieve them enthusiasticly and many of our new dancers become veterans of this ancient
art form.
The dancers are outfitted in beautiful, swirling fabrics from which they learned how to make after
attending free costume workshops. These workshops are given periodically throughtout the four month cycles.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide any person of San Luis Obispo county who wishes the opportunity to release the creative dance spirit
dwelling within, in a non-threatening performance atmosphere,
regardless of age, experience, or body type.
By
sharing our talents and gifts, we ourselves become gifted in so many ways.
The evening of dancing is indeed a gift from
heaven.
The dancing will continue because the giving and receiving of blessings continue.
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