TRIBAL FEST 8: The Year of Infinite Possibilities - MAY 14 - 18, 2008

Aloha One and All,
I wish to apologize for any inconvenience the absence of information in detail by the usual date of “sometime in November” may have caused you. To quote our beloved Tribe.net: “Donut Freak Out!”

The rest is coming, so check back before the end of the year for complete Class Descriptions, Teachers’ Bios and Photos! Oh, and the “Quick Peek” pages by day and style in case you wanna wait.

From your phone calls and emails I can tell the first thing on many people’s minds is:

How To Perform

This year the Performance Schedule will not be posted on this site or on the BSBD/Tribal Fest Tribe. All dancers who wish to know who’s on when in regards to The Show must plan on purchasing a Program* at Tribal Fest for $2 - $3. (Of course we will reveal what day the teachers are on and possibly other tasty tidbits on our Tribe as things progress just to be mean! LOL!)

*A Word for the Wise: it may very much behoove you to consider taking out an Ad (see “Advertizing in The Program” elsewhere on this site). Imagine almost everyone at Tribal Fest reading YOUR Ad! Talk about a “target audience!” = ;-D

Performance Sign-Ups are going to be conducted from here on out much like TF7’s performance process was, since said process worked so well - it even surpassed my expectations, and I want to keep it that way so it continues to surpass yours, too! It enabled me to write an actual full-size Theater-Style Program with information about each performer’s
style, their specific presentation, what to expect and any “disclaimers” - all in one place along with beautiful graphics and layout by Politti Ashcraft.

This process, unprecedented for full-on festivals, built the strongest show we’d had in 7 years - all because the dancers onstage care enough about their dance to still study!

The minimum number of classes required to secure a performance spot are one for at least every other person in your group. Soloists, enroll in at least one class. Trios: 2 classes minimum. Any odd-numbered group: opt for more classes like with Trios. Be aware that signing up for more that the “minimum” will definitely be taken into consideration when doing the schedule.

This year I will accept performance applications without class sign-ups, but know that these will go on the Waiting List and will not be added unless there is still room at the last minute. You may not get on the schedule, this would be a gamble.

Priority for Performance will be given to those who sincerely wish to support the event and our Teachers.

*** Incomplete Performance Applications will not be considered. ***

Please note! Follow these instructions to a tee or risk not performing. The Event is too large now for me to contact everyone personally if they mess up. (TF7's Show was 24 hours long not counting the Fire Performances following The Show on Saturday night!) Thank you for your understanding.

Please include the following information:

* Once you have chosen your classes, snail mail your Performance Application and everyone’s copies of their / your Online Transaction (Payment) Receipt with classes itemized on it OR Check or Money Order (with classes itemized by title, teacher, day and time) in U.S. Dollars (made to): BlackSheep BellyDance, P. O. Box 791000, Paia, HI, 96779-1000

* MAKE SURE that all of the print-outs of all of the class receipts that everyone in your troupe signed up for are included IN THE SAME ENVELOPE, to arrive at the same time. Total classes will not be counted if sent separately amongst the troupe members, so one suggestion is to get together at troupe meeting or rehearsal and tell your troupe-mates the Shopping Cart is open and they can bring their print-outs to the next meeting. Make sure you send the page/s with the classes you all have signed up for itemized on it so I can schedule your group while no one is in class.
Of course, if you are a soloist, you only need to send your own info.

* Performance Name of Troupe or Soloist

* Contact Person’s legal name, phone number and Self Addressed Stamped Envelope, a.k.a. SASE. (Some folks have claimed to not know what an SASE was, so there ya go, now you know. No excuses!)

* A description in your own words describing what you plan to present at TF8. Please don’t worry about the types of restrictions such as those found at the usual “family-friendly” events and festivals - this event was created for adults and children who are up for being immersed in our unabashedly unashamed alternative belly/dance community. We have
almost ZERO restrictions on the Art you wish to present, as long as it is not anything that can be classified as “cabaret style bellydance.” There are lots of events for that style already, which was the first reason Tribal Fest was created (it was the first all-Tribal-and-Alternative BellyDance Festival in the world).

Please specify the style of dance or performance art you will present this year. Here are ideas for appropriate titles: American Tribal Style Bellydance (ATS) a.k.a. Group Improvisational Tribal Style Belly Dance, Choreographed Tribal Style Bellydance, Tribal Fusion Belly Dance (a mix of ATS and cabaret), World Dance Fusion (styles that incorporate more than ATS and cabaret bellydance influence/s), Interpretive Belly/Dance (your own creation!), Sacred Belly/Dance, Storytelling Dance, Traditional Folk or Classical Dances of any country (but no beads-n-sequins and orchestrated raks al sharki music or dance, though it is considered a classical style), Alternative Belly/Dance, Gothic Belly/Dance, Vaudeville, Burlesque-or-Influenced Belly/Dance, Performance Art, or your own name for your own creation. This will
help me keep a varied and much more exciting Show Program! If unsure, tell me what you have in mind and we’ll decide together if it sounds appropriate.

There may be time for you to be part of our Fire Show following the indoor Show/s if you act fast and are not also performing indoors. Call me 24/7 and leave a detailed message describing your idea. Please be sure to repeat your phone number twice (my cell coverage sometimes can garble parts of messages) thanks! 808.891.8891

The ONLY thing I CANNOT allow are songs or musical choices that are about hate, have bigoted themes or themes of abuse or violence towards anyone or anything in a serious manner. (I’m not talkin’ about campy, Goth-y or satirical silly stuff - though we do need a copy of it along with your application to decide for ourselves if that’s what it sounds like to Chuck and I. It will be returned to you as long as your SASE provides for that).

Really listen to the words of that hip-hop song you’re considering to make sure it’s not that promotes gangs, sexist or racist ideas. Please make sure nothing is being said to glorify violence against anyone or anything. No songs about dog, chicken or human fights, for example.

No songs glorifying firearms. You get the picture, I’m sure.

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO STOP THE SHOW IF WE ARE NOT ALERTED IN ADVANCE TO WHAT YOU ARE PLANNING.

Plain ol’ cuss words are OK - but tell me so I can add that to The Program in case some people would prefer to go outside or whatever. SEND ME a copy of the song with the “cuss words” in it, if any. Same thing for Burlesque or inspired-by Burlesque themes, or unusually revealing costuming. It’s fine as long as I know about it ahead of time, so I can add that “disclaimer” for the folks who do not care to see your act.

No total nudity or fire indoors can be allowed due to the venue, so plan on at least a gstring and pasties or a flesh-colored unitard. And TELL ME FIRST! (It is possible a short Fire Show may happen outdoors following The Indoor Show - please let me [or Chuck] know if you are interested.)

Feel free to include photos, DVDs or other stuff you guys have. As long as your SASE allows for the return of your DVD, it shall be returned to you after viewing. I am very impressed by some people’s promo packs that they send in addition to the basic information required above!

Time Limits:
Troupes Of 5 Or More get 13 minutes
Troupes with 2 - 4 dancers get 9 minutes
Soloists get 6 Minutes

*** CLASS SIGN-UPS ***
Yes, this year I am “Putting The Cart Before The Horse” as “they” say! = ;-D

The Shopping Cart for Class Sign-Ups, that is! YAY! Yes, your wish has been fulfilled: you may sign up online here and now! Folks reading this who would like to send Checks or Money Orders in U.S. Dollars for classes may do so as well, but I advise you not to delay! Others are signing up now as you read this, as online payment is instantaneous. Send your name and contact info including phone number, list of classes you are paying for (itemized by teacher, title, day and time) and payment now to: BlackSheep BellyDance (make Check or M.O. to that name as well), P.O. Box 791000,
Paia, HI, 96779-1000

I sincerely advise that you use Priority or Express Mail with insurance (for tracking purposes) if sending checks or money orders.

Please be extra-careful that you take note of each class time to ensure you are not signing up for anything overlapping. There are about 50+ classes over 5 days for you to choose from in many genres and styles of dance. It may be a good idea to print out the Class Schedule before making your decisions, or wait for the full descriptions to go online if unsure of content or skill level.

In fact, everything in regards to your classes is your responsibility to read, remember and attend. There are NO REFUNDS under any circumstances, so make your decisions wisely.

(FYI: Many folks have been able to trade or sell class tickets on our Tribe, however.)

Print out TWO COPIES of your online transaction receipt with the classes itemized on it so you can keep track yourself. That one is for you, which you must bring to Tribal Fest to show at the door to gain admittance to your classes in the rare case of a mix-up, and one to send to me if you wish to perform as proof of class sign-up at that time. You cannot sign up to perform without a printed copy of your receipt. You may not gain entrance to classes without a printed copy of your receipt. Thank you for being clear on this!

OK, have at it!

PLEASE NOTE the different prices for online class payments and for check or money order class payments, thank you.

To the Schedule with Shopping Cart!

Download the PDF to print out.