Magpie Calls: April 2014

So Finally I have gotten around to processing and writing down my thoughts of This years Massive! This is a long one.

My first Massive was in 2012, and it was literally (and yes I am using it correctly) a life-changer for me regarding my dancing and how I think about it , and my place in it! It was me jumping into the deep-end of the Advanced-pro track with very little concept of where I or Tribal Bellydance in SA fitted in globally, and wow what a journey it was. I surprised myself by keeping up for the most part. Yes there was technique I didn't know , and there were dancers who were far beyond me talent and ability wise, and I probably did frustrate a few of them. But I absorbed and sucked up every morsel of dance-related stuff I could. I realised that even though I wasn't in the same league as some of those dancers, I COULD be. I had to look at it from the perspective that the other dancers for the most part had much more access to training, and more often. They had mentors and teachers who had been doing this for years before they started and therefore had people to turn to and ask advice and be fed themselves as teachers and professionals. But the biggest thing I found was that those dancers worked for themselves. They practiced, they researched and made sure they were fed in any way possible by doing other classes and styles. They made sure they weren't stale and were constantly working on their craft and skills. They also worked TOGETHER. So many collaborations and connections where they learnt from each-other meant growing the community and skills in an organic way! This all made such an impact on me coming from a tribal community that is still in its infancy in SA. It made me see that yes, we may not get as many opportunities to have international teachers come to SA, but that is no excuse to let us have bad tribal and teaching come from SA! We have the responsibility as first generation teachers to make a strong foundation any way we can! When I came back from the 2012 Massive my mind and attitude had completely changed, and while I slowly started working on myself it was really in 2013 when I took over Dance Tribe that I could really start implementing what I had learnt the previous year. I am extremely proud of my studio, my students and our place in the KZN and SA tribal scene.

Now I know this is a review on the 2014 Massive and not the 2012, but I thought some background would help put this years review in perspective.

For one, 2012 I went alone (after the director of Dance Tribe at the time pulled out due to ill health), and this year I got to experience it with my Dance Wife Benni. To have a dance wife or wives is important to a dancer. This is a person or persons who connect with your dance style, who you are able to choreograph with easily and who complements your dancing and who thinks on your wavelength. This means collaborations which are exciting and which have real soul to them. Last time I did a solo at the Massive Hafla, which was originally supposed to be a duet, but then had to be cut and improvised when Cindy Pulled out. This time Benni and I thought of our concept, I found music and we choreographed our set together. We were prepared to dance on the Massive Showcase stage and I am so proud of what we achieved.

Here is our dance from the showcase called "RED" ,all about dark fairytales and obsession, love,lust and possession.

some of the amazing pics captured by Yaniv Halfon of us:

Next- this time I really felt I had more stamina, I knew more technique (and was able to do it more easily)and I felt more confident than last time. It showed me that I had improved over the last 2 years. Once again I learnt soooooo much from the workshops and teachers. Zoe Jakes, Kami Liddle, Mira Betz, Sharon Kihara, Jill Parker and Amy Sigil. Some teachers I had last time and was so grateful to get the chance to learn from them again. I just loved how each is so different from each other but have so much knowledge to give us. I think having the variety of really solid Master Teachers meant we got a well-rounded approach, and their workshops complimented and contrasted enough with each-other so we could never be bored , and worked our entire bodies, minds and souls.

From Sharon we learnt about Japanese Butoh dancing and its place in cultural expression. From Zoe we learnt about the archetypes of the lady and the lion and how they can be utilised in performance. She also gave a crash course on Jamila Salimpour and her style and influence on Modern Bellydancing. She also introduced us to Balinese and Odissi styles of dance. We also did a choreography which incorporated many of these aspects called "Glamazon". From Kami we learnt more about musicality and rhythm,body geometry and fluidity. Jill Parker got us back to our juicy bellydance roots and got us out of our routine movements and transitions. Mira got us to work in groups for 2 days working with manipulations and choreographies, and also made us create dance wear from junk! Then to finish off Amy and Kari from Unmata gave us a crash course in slow ITS and multiple leaders which blew my mind! See what I mean about variety.

That is one reason why I spend all the money and travel all that way to go to Tribal Massive. It is one of the few events that cater to different levels and who give that type of intensive training with the caliber of teachers that are there. The fact that it is so expensive for us SA dancers to travel and get training means we really have to prioritize what we spend money on with regards to where and how we train. I can only afford to go over every few years and so I want to make sure I can get as much in as possible in the time I am there. 49 hours. There is no ways I would ever get that much training in 2 years with international tribal dancers if I stayed in SA! The level is also important, when people come out to SA the workshops cater to a general level to make sure workshops are filled. While you still learn it does mean that you can't always get into the nitty-gritty details of the topics on offer. Tribal Massive allows the opportunity to spend 3- 5 hours on each topic and at a advanced level to really get the most out of it. It also means the participants are all on the same wavelength, even if they are not all of exact skill level. We all have the same passion and love of the dance, and most of us are teachers, performers and studio owners so we go through similar things. I learnt just as much from observing, talking to and dancing with my fellow adv/pro track dancers as from the teachers. The set-up of the event also allows for real group camaraderie . Mira actually commented on how special our tracks bond was when we danced, and how we all worked together so well. It was a really safe and non-judgmental space to create and learn.

My hard earned Certificate:

Our Advanced/Pro track of 2014 pic by Tori Halfon:

I love my Global dance family and made and re-connected with some special friends while I was there. What is amazing is that when we are there every continent bar Antarctica is represented! A truly Global gathering!

Now one of the highlights of the week was the Massive Spectacular. A stage show of Epic proportions. It is my chance to watch the dance crack I drool over on youtube in the flesh, from a few rows away! Getting to see the debut of Zoe's House of Tarot was AMAZING (specially as so many of my track-mates worked their butts off practicing after class because they were in it). Seeing Kami's Goldstar Dance Company, Sera Solstice, Ariellah, Jill Parker, Sharon Kihara, Unmata, Lady Fred,Mira Betz etc live and in front of me was just so.... huunggha! SO much inspiration and amazing skill on that stage.

Tori and Yaniv Halfon the organisers of the whole event really put on one of the best stage shows-and then they let it be put on youtube free for the dancers and the public to view and experience. They are really the most lovely couple and the kindest and sweetest organisers. They make sure everyone is taken care of and sorted out, and we all know we can go to them for help if we need it! They are our "dance Mom and Dad" while we are there.They say once you are part of the Massive Family, you are always welcome "home", and this is true! I don't envy the work involved in this event and I am grateful for what they do for the fusion bellydance community!

Here is a pic of me and Tori the organizer backstage at the showcase.

To finish off this review I also want to say how much fun our off time was. Getting to stay at the same place as everyone else meant we could have dinners together, make trips to the Strip, drink 1 dollar margaritas at the casino bar, walk to the studio each day together and just bond. It really makes for a special experience. I learnt so much more than what I can put in one blog-post, but I know that it will be filtered through into my dancing and into my studio over the next few years and that it will hopefully benefit the KZN community as a whole. I recommend that every dancer finds the event or festival that will give them the best training they can get and connects with the community which nurtures and grows them. That may mean travelling overseas, or to the next province or State, but it means you are actively taking your dancing seriously and to the next level. You won't regret it! Tribal Massive I will be back!