I'll start.

Who are you?
I'm Joy. I've been dancing for about 7 years, now. (I forgot to put that question in.)

Where are you?
Fresno, CA

Who do you dance with (or are you on your own as a dancer)?
I dance with the Ananka Dance Company under the direction of (and choreographed by) Ely Buffin. I've also been known to do the occasional private party, and have danced at least once in most (not quite all, but that's ok) of the restaurants in Fresno that feature belly dancing. And I dance around the house a whole lot.

What's your style (or styles, or lack thereof, or what styles do you find interesting)?
Good question. I'm still finding my own style. I have to say, though, that I have an appreciation for many different styles including, but not limited to Turkish, Egyptian, Classic American, Tribal, and that fun and eclectic melting pot we call 'Fusion' (and when I say 'Fusion' kids, I mean FUSION... of everything from Ballroom to hip-hop.)

How'd you get started?
I took an Adult School night class to get out of the house when my daughter was a toddler. And it stuck. In a big way. I loved everything about the teacher, her personality, her attitude, her values as a human, and I thought, "Hey, I think I could stand to be around people like this." Ok, that, and I really wanted to get my groove on.

Anything else you'd like people to know or notice about you?
Um. I have long hair? I don't know... Let's see, I'm teaching my very first "Introduction to Veil" class at Perfect Balance Yoga starting this Wednesday April 13 (wish me luck), and you can also catch me dancing at City Kabob in the Villagio shopping center this Friday and next Friday after 8 p.m.

How about things that you DON'T want people to know? (Just kidding)
I'm incredibly shy. No, I really am. I'm introverted and extremely introspective. I don't call people, they call me, and it's not because I'm snotty... it's because I'm not sure I should or that they'd want to hear from me. So there you are, all of me, naked before you. (FIGURATIVELY... geez.)

Sound off! 1..2.. ;-)
Okay, my name is Mahsati and I'm from Utah. I like all styles and we really try to shake it up a bit. I dance with Desert Orchid here and just love them. I just decided a few years ago to jump in with both feet and have loved it ever since.

I have a very wicked sense of humor...and it usually gets me into trouble! Okay, lots of trouble!

Hi, my name is Brigiett, and I live in Clovis in the Central Valley.
(Hi Joy)

I am on my own as a dancer but if I had to say who I dance with its Tanjora Tribal Fusion Bellydance. My style is Tribal Fusion, but I can do straight up Caberet if the need arises. My life does not permit me to dedicate to a group so to be fair to the group I dance as a guest, when I can. I have a long standing dancing friendship with the members of Tanjora and that will never change.

I started dancing when I was 5 years old Tap, Ballet and Jazz continued to do so into my 20's. I have also taught all of those dance forms at one time or another betweeen the ages of 15 and 30.

About 7 or 8 years ago now my life was going through some very hard twists and turns and I needed to do something for myself. Since dance was always a part of my life I turned in that direction. I had seen on some show on t.v. a belly dancer flipping coins on her stomach and I thought cool I want to do that. So I looked in our local Phone book and found my first belly dance teacher Cory Zamora. I stayed with Cory for about 4 years I think and then one of my best friends Rachel Lazarus who used to direct the now famous Devadasi, and I left to pursue our own style. We called ourselves Painted Toes Bellydance and it was during that time that our own individual freedom and expression came out in our dance. We also at that time joined in the beginnings of Tanjora, with our fellow dance mate Lydia Fortner. Since then I have watched so many dance videos and some of my favorite dance influences have been Suzanna Del Vecchio, Rachel Brice (of course who hasn't) and my new favorite dancer for the last two years has been Kami Little. I have a tendancy to stick with one for a long time and watch and watch and try and try.

Sometimes I just shake my head and ask how did I ever get hooked in this hobby, I will never make enough money to pay for all the videos, costumes, music and trinkets I have bought to go a long with this wonderful thing. I can not shake it though I love it, it has brought so much to my life and when I dance it is the only time my brain stops, nothing else matters when I am in the zone, even my children will have to say my name at least 10 times before I hear them. That alone is enough to tell me I need this forever and ever.

I have preformed her in Fresno, in resturants and special events as well as being booked for private parties and weddings ect....

I am currently going back to school and raising my two children. My dancing is done in moderation as my life permits it. From time to time I teach beginning bellydance as well as coach fellow dancers or give them my advice or pass on things I have learned over my time with the dance and the people who have taught me. Its a beautiful thing when I can pass on this gift of dance as it was passed on to me.

P.S. Still have not learned how to flip coins and fold dollar bills with my stomach yet.

Hi All!
I'm Katrina in Bakersfield. I dance w/ Tribal Underground w/ Robin Den Beeman as Director and inspiration. Many of you probably knew Telona (sp?), she was the Mother of Bellydance here in Bako. She taught my first instructor (caberet) Natalie aka Princess Nadja. But poor Natalie couldn't keep me away from the exotic bangles/costumes/colors of Tribal (oooooo shiney coins and turbans must touch)...she warned me! Two yrs later I stumbled onto Robin (also a past Telona student) w/ this crazy 'Tribal Fusion' dancing to Indian house music/ hip hop/ NIN/ whatever worked for her.
Whats my style? Eclectic. Love the universal ease with which the Tribal Fusion genre embraces any style of music AND steals from every dance style/culture for performance. It is so gratifying to go to BD events and watch 3 different artists/groups interpret the same musical piece. I get to see a glimpse of the artist/ troupe as they were inspired.
We are very lucky here in Bako that we share a studio (Bahiyaa Almas) w/ a breakout group of caberet girls who are such amazing dancers and progressive thinkers in the community (they dance to some butt kickin hip hop/club music). We take ea others classes and support ea other at local events.
Why do I do this crazy thing?
Uhhhhhhh, I don't get paid for this...Let's see- I pay for lessons, costumery, travel to events/lodging/etc., and if I'm lucky we'll dance a restaurant and get a few bucks to buy dinner. But I LOVE being w/ my troupe, getting all dressed up together, working hours on a peice, laughing and crying at our local diner hangout, and mostly I dance for the sheer joy of dancing. I never appreciated my body when I was 40# lighter, but I love every curve of it now. It is truly empowering, in a way men will never appreciate, to walk into a class or event and see a woman belly bared, laughing and dancing and so comfortable with herself.
joy joy joy joy

Hopefully I will meet some of you at Tribe Fest in May. We perform on Sun 5/15.

Hi, my name is Lisa J. I have been bellydancing for about 7 to 8 years (times flies as you get older). My first taste of bellydance was via a Fresno Adult school class. I was addicted! I started taking lessons with the phenomenal Director/Choreographer Ely Buffin. I am a member of the Ananka Dance Company located in Fresno,CA. My favorite style of dance would probably be concidered fusion. I like that we use all forms of dance (from Ballroom to hip-hop). I really like the American Tribal look, but I'm not that familiar with the details of the dance form. What I like most about my very expensive hobby, is the comradery of the very special ladies that I dance with. We each have very unique talents and personalities, and togerther, as a group, we have the best time you could possibly imagine! As for my personal dance preference, I prefer to dance with the troupe, but I will do solos if I need to. As for something about me that people may not know...I am painfully shy around people I don't know well. So if you see me in public and I seem aloof, I'm really not--just ask anyone in my troupe!

Who are you?
Donna... but I dance under the name Sahara

Where are you?
Manteca, CA

Who do you dance with (or are you on your own as a dancer)?
I am a former member of the Jewels of the Delta, Tracy CA, a current member of Troupe Tareefa, Livermore CA. I taugh a beginners class briefly in Dublin, CA

What's your style (or styles, or lack thereof, or what styles do you find interesting)?
American/Caberet style mostly... but would love to find a Tribal teacher near me :-) I love dancing with a sword!

How'd you get started?
I saw an ad in my local newspaper that advertised belly dance classes, I have a bum knee and was looking for an alternative to traditional exercise i.e. aerobics or step classes... the first class was free so I went... I COMPLETELY fell in love! That was almost five years ago now.

Anything else you'd like people to know or notice about you?
I love to meet new people!

How about things that you DON'T want people to know? (Just kidding) Uh! of course! we all have a few secrets right :-)

Who are you? Songflower Mari

Where are you? Stockton, CA

Who do you dance with (or are you on your own as a dancer)? Currently, I'm on my own. I dance for me :)

What's your style (or styles, or lack thereof, or what styles do you find interesting)? Tribal fusion, ATS

How'd you get started? I've been interested in bellydance for about 2-3 years now, ever since I saw Tempest's site and costumes, just made me think of bellydance in ways I hadn't before. I started dancing with Sashi of Ascend Tribal Dance almost a year ago when I went down to SoCal for internship. From there I was hooked. I haven't been dancing of lately, since my current schedule makes it difficult to take classes but I'm hoping to start up again soon, either with local Tribal teachers in the area or with UNMATA in Sac.

Anything else you'd like people to know or notice about you? Umm, I have a cute butt?

How about things that you DON'T want people to know? (Just kidding) :P

Hi hi hi to Songflower Mari and Sahara!

Welcome to our very quiet tribe. Feel free to post topics, discuss whatever, get the word out about what you're doing, review dancers you've seen and generally share your opinions and thoughts.

Glad you're here. :)

Take a minute and introduce yourself.

Who are you? My name is Tina

Where are you? I'm in the Fresno/ Clovis Area

Who do you dance with (or are you on your own as a dancer)? I'm alone, I dance for exercise and stress relief.

What's your style (or styles, or lack thereof, or what styles do you find interesting)? I think people would call it, the "she watched a video, didn't she..." method.

How'd you get started? I used to be involved in ren fairs and always loved the tribal dancers -- so when I needed a hobby, I chose dancing.

Anything else you'd like people to know or notice about you? A peek at my tribes oughta be enough to tell you I don;t hide a whole lot from anyone. I'd like people to notice my smile and think I am fun :)

Hello to Mystyna and Rachel!

Welcome to the tribe. It's rather quiet here, but feel free to discuss dance related topics, talk about shows and workshops you know will be coming up, or review (politely and respectfully) shows and workshops you have attended.

Additions to the photo album are also welcome, but please take a moment to go over the discussion topic regarding the rules of posting a photo to the album.

Hope to hear more from you... and everyone else... here.