British Tribal Style
By Pauline Qu
British Tribal Style is a fresh and funky take on Improvised Tribal Style. It is heavily influenced by American Tribal Style, for which we thank and bow in a ‘we are not worthy’ way to Carolena Nericcio who founded and spread this amazing form of dance.
BTS was always meant to be a departure from a set format. It struck us that the very essence of Arabic dance was sometimes lost in arguments about which style was more authentic, which costume style belonged with which dance style etc etc. We figured that if we were a ‘tribe’ in the middle east we would not stand still, or become fixed in our ways, we would (like magpies) gather dance steps, costume bits, ideas, from wherever we saw them. We would no doubt be influenced by our past, influenced by our travels and influenced by the area in which we lived.
We took this idea and ran with it. Using our background of ATS, Egyptian style, and music and moves from contemporary styles, we came up with our take of improvised tribal style and called it BTS. The aim is to learn a set of core moves that can be used when dancing with other tribal groups, we make it our aim to ensure that we learn ATS moves so that we dance with our tribal sisters whenever we meet them, but also add in our own moves, cues, formations and combos when dancing with each
British Tribal Style has taken improvised tribal dance off on a tangent into a place that thrives on innovation, raw energy and occasionally total chaos. We rely heavily on live musicians and have developed a unique and original format of working with live musicians using a system of cues between dancers and drummers. Each lead dancer as well as cueing her dancers to set off on moves or combinations of moves, can also cue her drummers to whatever rhythm she chooses to dance to.
The drummers can also cue the dancers to ask for a particular combination of moves or style of moves. This builds strong relationships between the whole tribe as dancers are required to learn and appreciate drum rhythms and drummers are required to recognise and appreciate moves and combos. It also ensures that every performance is unique and dynamic and a tad bit scary as no one knows what might come next!
BTS also works very much from the grass roots up. Workshop leaders and class teachers have monthly meetings to work out new moves and combos which may have been instigated just as easily by a complete beginner as an experienced dancer. Students are encouraged to bring new ideas to class and to show and discuss other styles of Arabic Dance in order to work out new combos, cues and ideas which ultimately will feed into the whole BTS scene. This makes for an organic and ever growing moves and combos list to keep teachers and students on their toes, and to keep audiences entertained. It also ensures that students feel a part of the BTS scene from the minute they step into class. Every student is encouraged to perform with their tribe, whether it be in chorus line or in the lead group. No one is ever left out as the Tribe relies on every one of its members.
BTS was never intented to be an alternative to ATS or any other style of dance, it is simply a route down which rebellious souls can express themselves. It is an umbrella for ‘anything goes’. Whilst we are strict on technique and isolation and in keeping the essence of the Middle East in our moves and music, we are open to any idea, wherever it comes from. We try always to remember that dance is to express, not impress, and everyone’s idea of expression is different.
By Pauline Qu
British Tribal Style is a fresh and funky take on Improvised Tribal Style. It is heavily influenced by American Tribal Style, for which we thank and bow in a ‘we are not worthy’ way to Carolena Nericcio who founded and spread this amazing form of dance.
BTS was always meant to be a departure from a set format. It struck us that the very essence of Arabic dance was sometimes lost in arguments about which style was more authentic, which costume style belonged with which dance style etc etc. We figured that if we were a ‘tribe’ in the middle east we would not stand still, or become fixed in our ways, we would (like magpies) gather dance steps, costume bits, ideas, from wherever we saw them. We would no doubt be influenced by our past, influenced by our travels and influenced by the area in which we lived.
We took this idea and ran with it. Using our background of ATS, Egyptian style, and music and moves from contemporary styles, we came up with our take of improvised tribal style and called it BTS. The aim is to learn a set of core moves that can be used when dancing with other tribal groups, we make it our aim to ensure that we learn ATS moves so that we dance with our tribal sisters whenever we meet them, but also add in our own moves, cues, formations and combos when dancing with each
British Tribal Style has taken improvised tribal dance off on a tangent into a place that thrives on innovation, raw energy and occasionally total chaos. We rely heavily on live musicians and have developed a unique and original format of working with live musicians using a system of cues between dancers and drummers. Each lead dancer as well as cueing her dancers to set off on moves or combinations of moves, can also cue her drummers to whatever rhythm she chooses to dance to.
The drummers can also cue the dancers to ask for a particular combination of moves or style of moves. This builds strong relationships between the whole tribe as dancers are required to learn and appreciate drum rhythms and drummers are required to recognise and appreciate moves and combos. It also ensures that every performance is unique and dynamic and a tad bit scary as no one knows what might come next!
BTS also works very much from the grass roots up. Workshop leaders and class teachers have monthly meetings to work out new moves and combos which may have been instigated just as easily by a complete beginner as an experienced dancer. Students are encouraged to bring new ideas to class and to show and discuss other styles of Arabic Dance in order to work out new combos, cues and ideas which ultimately will feed into the whole BTS scene. This makes for an organic and ever growing moves and combos list to keep teachers and students on their toes, and to keep audiences entertained. It also ensures that students feel a part of the BTS scene from the minute they step into class. Every student is encouraged to perform with their tribe, whether it be in chorus line or in the lead group. No one is ever left out as the Tribe relies on every one of its members.
BTS was never intented to be an alternative to ATS or any other style of dance, it is simply a route down which rebellious souls can express themselves. It is an umbrella for ‘anything goes’. Whilst we are strict on technique and isolation and in keeping the essence of the Middle East in our moves and music, we are open to any idea, wherever it comes from. We try always to remember that dance is to express, not impress, and everyone’s idea of expression is different.
