resistance is futile!
don't make me call you out.

My name is Mike, and I am currently living/dancing in San Luis Obispo, CA. My girlfriend and I (who is also a dancer) are planning on moving up to Seattle in August. I joined this tribe so that I could try to get a pulse of the Seattle dance community before making the move.

We both primarily do modern, but I also have an interest in African and Capoeira.

HI, Fran here! I am the director of Red Tent. We are a group improv tribal style troupe nestled in the Sleepy Snoqualmie Valley WA. *waving*

Hi All!!

I'm Melody... Director of Emerald Rain Bellydance Co. and the Producer for Emerald Rain Belly dance Competition. I love dance of all kinds but of course am partial to Belly Dance, muahahahaha!!!!

Who's next?

Well you know me, Tushara ;)

That said:

I am not a real dancer, and won't be one. Yet I am interested in learning movement and to combine it to my poi spinning and other skill toys usage.

cheers,

P.S: I am taking beginner modern dance classes in velocity

HI!!! I'm Linna! I've taken American Tribal Style bellydance off and on for years. I just started taking salsa with Salsa Caliente a couple of months ago and I'm in LOVE!! I've also been trying my hand (or hips for that matter) at hoop dance, but am having a really hard time with it. Oh, and I'm in Seattle.

**Big hug for everyone**

Booo!
Seattle...
Tribal style bellydance...
Fusions style bellydance...
whatever way she can kick up her heals here...
and that's the trutttttthhhhhhhhh,,,,

having an Edith Ann moment here. *giggles*

Im Amber and I just shake my butt. I am also socially retarded.

I'll do so, but only under extreme duress. (Note to self, quit watching so much Law & Order.)

I'm Kimberlee. I run Punk Rock Yoga and teach a fun yoga/dance fusion class called Shake Rattle & Pose. I also have studied belly dance and occasionally perform. Currently my husband and I are on a short hiatus from our tango studies, but we are returning soon.

More fun facts about me at www.8thelementyoga.com

Ok, fine.

I'm Hosie. I ended up here just kinda looking for info on dance classes in Seattle - specifically contact improv, but there's not much of that around here in the way of classes. :(

I could say more, but I've been up since 5, so... my profile is very informative.

I've done lots of different dance styles mainly modern which I love but lately getting back into belly dance because it's one of the easiest for me to feel comfortable about my body image/issues with. I also do Balinese when I can find a teacher, mine moved back to Bali, and I do flamenco and ballet and kathak. anyone know of a Javanese or Balinese dace teacher out there please post the info! I'm in Seattle but will travel for dance classes with the right teacher!

Since I've been bitching about introductions, it's only fitting I introduce myself.

I'm Tushara, your (s)love(n)ly moderator.

I am a member of a couple of local performance troupes. One is the the Afro-Cuban-Haitian music and dance ensemble Todo Folklore
www.cubanfolkloricdance.com/todo...e.php
See us at the World Rhythm Festival at the Seattle Center, 3:00 on April 14th!

The other is Spinergy Arts, a local fire and performing arts troupe.
www.spinergyarts.com

I've been belly dancing for six years and I also study capoeira. I have an ongoing love affair with bhangra dance. I also minor in dance at the UW. You may have been witness to me performing at the 2005 Faculty Dance Concert wearing nothing but my underwear.

I've studied a bunch of other dance forms briefly. I have an obsession for dance in general. Me thinks that's it.

Hello, my name is Briana. And I have been dancing and performance butoh for the last 2 or so years. I joined this tribe to post or find out about any interesting dance events.
I have a website, please check it out www.butohdance.net

Tushara, be reasonable. You know there's no "I" in "borg."

Kendra is a goth/tribal bellydancer and pole dancer in Seattle. She performs, she teaches, she causes trouble and breaks rules and raises lots of eyebrows. She's also founder of the infamous experimental bellydance troupe Hands of Kali. The lowdown on Kendra's classes and troupe Hands of Kali can be found at handsofkali.com or by emailing kendra@handsofkali.com.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Howdy! Dahlia here. I'm newish Seattlite. Been working the circuit here for just over 3 years now. I love all forms of belly dance, but myself stay pretty traditionally Egyptian. (I will bust out some fusion action tho if you twist my arm! -or buy me a shot of tequila- ;)

Thanks for hosting us, Tush. ;)

Best,
Dahl
www.DahliaDance.com

Hi everyone,

I just joined. For some reason this Tribe was just not on my radar!

My name is Renee and I co-direct inFusion Tribal Belly Dance here in Seattle. In addition to studying belly dance, I have dabbled (as in taken a session or two but have not extensively studied) in ballet, flamenco, and bhangra. Someday I would like to take ballroom, salsa, and swing classes, because those just look like way too much fun.

Hiiieee! I just joined this tribe (literally). I am a little south of Seattle, but still make it up there to dance! I like to do all sorts of dance: modern, tribal belly dance, fusion belly dance, modern ballet, rave, hip hop, salsa... I'm trying to find places to perform and ways to get involved (eventually start a group?) I choreograph my own stuff, mixing in different genres and styles.

Hi! My name is Suzanna. I'm a Middle Eastern Dance performer and instructor based in Seattle. Even though I'm partial to my style, I am completely passionate about other forms of dance, such as West African, contemporary, Bollywood, jazz, etc. I've studied many of these, but decided about a decade ago that I needed to specialize in one.

I also have a theatre degree (and other degrees, but save that for another time), and I love to direct and produce things. Such as, the new monthly World Dance Showcase on first Sundays at the Northside Grill. Ah ya! Yes, I do have an agenda for introducing myself, 'cause I will shortly want to post the announcement for that event. --But at least it's not a hidden agenda. I'm not in the habit of hiding my agendas.

So, to those I already know, and to those I don't know yet, NICE TO MEET YOU!

hey there,

I just snuck in the back door a few weeks ago...I am a man of movement, grew up playing soccer and baseball...have taken up Qigong and yoga and looking to move into a dance for my life...Currently studying structural integration and joined the tribe to advertise for models...I love dancers for their unique and personal understandings of the way their bodies are...I soak it up as much as I can, hey thanks Tushara for making this an active tribal family...

Peace

Kiel
Bainbridge Island

My name is Chelsea (dance name is Atara) and I just moved to Seattle from Virginia. I have been bellydancing for about 11-years. I have been a part of four dance troupes, one of which I started in Virginia, Vardo. Many different types of fusion dance appeals to me. I guess I would classify myself as a earthy inprov dancer....although I love to choreograph as well. I love to incorporate ritual in my choreography. I also enjoy Middle Eastern drumming.

I'm part of this site to discover what is going on in Seattle and look forward to seeing all the local troupes at some point. The only troupe I've seen so far is Troupe Hipnotica when I was scouting for a residence last March at the Chac. They were amazing!!! Great job. They were so connected and they moved together beautifully. I loved the costuming.

I've done some fire bellydancing and would love to do some more in the future. I also really enjoy hoola-hooping.

Hope to meet some of you soon!
Chelsea

My name is Marcas. I was born "Mark" and my middle name and last name is also currently different than which I was born. I had more of a German last name (Americanized of course) but I don't ever wish I could place a name, color, number, symbol... whatever to my own character (it is sort of like Prince and when he was "the artist formerly known as Prince"). I changed it for family reasons and other personal reasons too (no- I wasn't wanted for any crime).

I've been dancing since I was 4 (or earlier) and I would really love to experience more of a Tribal-based, contemporary- but cultural, type of dancing rhythms that also could mix in with Tai-Chi. This all goes well with PsyTrance and Goa... as well as dancing to downtempo music such as Psybient, etc. Being a drummer helps too I guess in some instances. I consider myself a great dancer, but just not the greatest. I have picked up many forms of movement and expressions by other artists, dancers, drummers, etc. I just don't ever want to look like an organized, or synchronized dancer... unless it was some sort of stage performance, etc.

Peace to all... and much love and happiness.

Marcas

Hello! My name is Jacquelyn and I'll be arriving in Seattle with my husband some time in the summer of 2008. I joined this tribe to figure out what the Seattle dance community is all about. While I'm currently most interested in tribal-style bellydance and ITS, I also take lessons in cabaret/oriental.

I've been dancing on and off since my mom enrolled me in ballet, tap, and jazz at age five. Since then I've been a cheerleader (sort of like dancing!), dabbled in boxing for a year, and performed for four years as part of my college's Scottish Highland Dancing troupe. Besides finding bellydance classes, I would like to revive my fading knowledge of ballet and generally dabble. I'm also trying desperately to learn to like yoga.

Hello fellow dancers! I'm Malia and am based in Lynnwood. I've studied Middle Eastern Dance for almost four years with no other training, so very new to the dance scene!

This past July I gave birth to my first daughter, Alexandria, so have been very busy adjusting to life as a mom and making time for dance. I did manage to sneak down to Portland and compete in Double Crown Pro category for the first time. So much fun! Also just started the Nurturing Pathways class with Christine Roberts in Seattle for my daughter; basically a dance class for babies!

If anyone near Lynnwood is teaching ballet or modern, please PM me. I'm very interested in some beginning lessons.

OK, a little late, haven't checked into tribe in months...I'm Stephen, also go by StephenStar, and am new to dance as a conscious activity but like every other human being (or beast, or thing?) have always been a dancer. Have been strongly drawn to salsa, meringue, etc, and increasingly to African dance....also have an intense interest in Classical Indian although it appears much harder and may take several years to get into it...I also love just dancing to _anything_ that genuinely moves me, making a fool of myself, showing my love, and doing my best to get others to dance....I also think I'm beautiful and sexy, lol.

Ok, so I so don't want to be deleted, LOL! So I am posting, although I should be posting as much as I am reading.

My name is Nicole and have been dancing for a little over five years, Cabaret style. I am now looking to branch out to Tribal/Fusion because I would like a bit of a change and love the style and beauty of Tribal. I currently live in the surrounding Seattle area and plan on networking a bit more often in regards to Bellydance so that maybe I am able to share this passion with those who love the dance as much as I do. :)

Nicole

Greetings my Fellow Gracious Groovers,

I am Yarah...originally reside from Seattle, where I lived for the music scene most of my life diving into breakdancing around 24...I now reside in California, but the dance community feeling just isn't the same. I am danced by the beat of so many different drums...dancing has transformed my life and lead me to this current path, opening me on a completely different level...I dance to live.

I dance.
I dance to feel complete.
Music travels through my entire being.
I dance to let go of the pain and disappointments of life. Move on through movement.
Grow.
I breathe deep into my new body.
I dance to feel true freedom. Freedom from limitations, freedom from expectations, freedom from the box society has created.
I dance for the freedom of others who cannot dance, what ever the reason.
I dance for expression, to express without words.
Here I am.
I dance to feel. The beat. My emotions take me on a journey through the music, connecting me with Oneness; I am safe to experience all.
Ecstasy.
I dance because music does not judge, does not criticize, and does not play favorites. Music does not care who you are or what you believe. Music will never turn Her back. Music is acceptance.
I dance because I am grateful for the gift I have been given.
I dance to be real.
I dance to forgive those who have hurt me and to forgive myself for the hurt I have caused.
I dance to remember that I am not a victim but a force in life. The dance floor helps me remember that I choose who I am.
I dance to be full. Positive energy emanating from my pores, I empty myself in front of you.
I dance to find peace from within. I surrender.
I dance to worship.
I dance to give part of myself, to share my passion with those who need it. I let them feed from my soul like a mother nursing her child.
I dance to move you.
I dance to help you dream of existence unknown to us but remembered. I let you in. I shine for you, filling your soul with my purest love.
I dance in faith for all and faith in my own abilities to create love.
I dance for awareness of the affect I have on others.
We create the world we live in. In my world I am a dancer, a mother, a healer.
I dance for my affect to be a positive one.
I dance to uplift.
I dance to inspire. Close your eyes and feel me.
I dance because I don’t know how not to.
I dance to calm myself. As intensity courses through my being dancing grounds and centers my soul. It brings understanding into light. Things just make sense on the dance floor.
I dance to listen. She speaks. Shhhh…………………turn it up.
I dance to learn. To unite and nourish my being with the knowledge provided. Envelop me.
I dance to know…of myself, of others, of our power from within.
I dance to dare others to be true to themselves. The courageous step on to the dance floor; cast out fear of failure, embarrassment, or of being inadequate and let the music take over. I invite all onto the dance floor with me as long as you do not step with an agenda or with competition; you must step for the love of dance.
Be pure.
I dance to will my self to be a greater person. More giving, more loving, more flexible. Focus on love…ahhhhhhh.
I dance to be silent and just be. No drama, just dance.
I dance to teach for I must not keep this to myself. It’s about the music, it’s about the movement, it’s about the motivation of passion. I’ll show you if you like. Turn it up. Watch, judge not.
I dance because I love. YOU. Myself.
I dance to feel like a woman, a glorious sensual being with passion radiating all around me.
Passion of Air.
Passion of Fire.
Passion of Water.
Passion of Earth.
Breathe.
I feel the heat coursing through my body as if my heart was pumping to the same beat as the DJ. The sweat dripping down my body is an enticing reminder that I am true. I do not hide on the dance floor nor make believe I am someone I am not.
Authentic.
No pretenses.
Just me, just music, just dance.
I dance to feel the earth beneath my feet. Holding me. Balancing me. The power I feel from her is like no other comfort I’ve known. It rises through me and guides my way.
I dance to connect my human self and my spiritual self with Greatness.
I dance to show others the possibility of it all.
I dance for peace. Give peace a dance!
I dance to be alive.
To dance is to live.
-Yarah Volkman

Hi! I'm Kate. I'm a baby bellydancer-I've been taking lessons since October 2006. I live in Renton and take lessons in West Seattle. I love dancing and watching dance. I'm here to keeps tabs on all the cool things going on in our area.

Hello! I am Zulaika. I moved to Bellevue from Minneapolis in April 2007 and am still learning about my new dance community. A lifelong student of dance, I stumbled into the fascinating world of Middle Eastern dance and was instantly captivated by the music and the joyous dance forms. It has been a wonderful 30 year journey of studying, teaching, and performing Middle Eastern dances. Prior to relocating to Washington, I studied with Cassandra Shore, was a founding member of Jawaahir Dance Company (1989- 2007) and taught beginner through advance dance students at the Cassandra School in Minneapolis. I was a rosterd artist on the Minnesota State Arts Board, Young Audiences of Minnesota, and COPMAS and presented educational programs to schools and community groups. In my quest for authenticity and cultural aesthetics, I have traveled nationally and internationally to study with master teachers of various Arab dances including tours to Egypt, Lebanon, and Morocco. I love the joyous, celebratory music and dance of these cultures and sharing it with adults and students through classes, performances, and educational programs. I believe that the arts are a vital key to understanding our world and ourselves. Enough of that- time to DANCE!

Hi, everyone! I'm Christina, a founding member of TriBellas - a tribal fusion belly dance trio from the South Puget Sound. I've been belly dancing for nearly three years now, although my dance background includes 10 years of jazz, tap, ballet, salsa, lyrical and hip-hop. I love experimenting by mixing up all my dance experience with belly dance. I finally found my true luv in bd - costuming, makeup, jewelry, music, community all wrapped in one... What more could a girl ask for!?

Shimmies!!!

www.myspace.com/tribellas

Hello fellow dancers! I'm Anne and I am an avid hoopdancer and belly dancer (tribal and cabaret). I moved to Seattle about a year ago and have been amazed by the number of talented bellydance teachers here! I've decided to get into the teaching thing myself and will be teaching hoopdancing (combines movement and dance with the fun of hula hooping) in March. If anyone is interested in the details, please check out my blog at www.seattlehoopla.wordpress.com
Hope to see you on the dance floor sometime soon!

Hi!
I'm Nefabit, from Spokane. I'm a belly dancer and co-owner of The Mystik Dream Dance Company.
I'm here to see what's happening in Seattle's dance community, as (when the weather is better) I do get over there frequently. Also, my company will be touring next year and our first stop is Seattle! Maybe we'll get to meet some of you then! ^_^

Thanks,

Nefabit