Spotlight Dancer/Troupe
Chandara

It was a bright sunny day in August at a Celtic festival in Sweet Home, Oregon when the belly dance bug bit me. A vendor was there selling all things belly dance, and while I saw no performances, I bought an anklet with bells on it and swore that I would find a belly dance class in the near future. I had recently lost 60 lbs. and while actively pursuing Pilates, I knew I needed some serious aerobic in my exercise routine, and I thought belly dance might just be the little extra I needed.

Fast forward a couple of months to a rainy evening in October 2004 when I walked into a yoga studio in North Bend, Washington for my first belly dance class. I was really excited yet stunned when I saw all these beautiful ladies, in all shapes and sizes, with their lovely bellies hanging out and looking so dignified. I spent the greater part of my life hiding my belly! How could they do that with such self-confidence? I was so very impressed. It wasn't too many classes later that I found my yoga pants or skirt sliding further and further down my belly. And then my first tattoo. I had been wanting one for years but had never found the right design. Getting a tattoo was also part of my transformation.

I did not know at the time that there were variations on a theme for belly dance. I later understood that the classes I was taking were tribal in nature, led by Airmid (Fran Maas) and her "Daughters of Dinah" troupe. Airmid taught me to let go of inhibitions that had so wrapped themselves around me for most of my existence. I always walked out of the classes feeling like a million bucks and as if I could fly.

Our style is based on ATS (American Tribal Style) cues, moves, and transitions, but we like to throw a whole medley into the mix by sprinkling in Spanish & Ghawazee accents as well as African, Indian, Tunisian, Egyptian, and Turkish styling. The music itself will often tell you what to improv.

I've spent the last two years refining my tribal posture, working on calibrated spins, trying to make my chest lifts look impressive, working repeatedly on that darned elusive torso twist, refining my zil technique, and the most fun of all, getting to work with my own scimitar! In the future, I'd love the opportunity to work with veils, learning to swish them about and radiate a whole different kind of vibe in the realm of tribal fantasy.

Our student troupe performed three times in 2005, dancing in the Fall City Parade, the Illuminatus Yoga studio opening, and at the Mediterranean Fantasy Festival in Seattle. We had such a good time out there performing. As a very green beginner student, I led the chorus and also had a moment in the sun when it was time to take the scimitars off the other dancers' heads. In July 2006, I participated in a scimitar duet with my belly dance instructor, Airmid at the Mediterranean Fantasy Festival. This performance was important for me as it was the first time I ever took lead position and had to think on the fly, emote to the audience, and oh yes, keep from tripping over my feet! Each time up on stage is a learning experience, and this one was a humdinger. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and that's all part of dancing as well. Enjoying yourself.

For me, tribal belly dance releases my inner growl. It's "I am woman, hear me roar!" It's the combination of sisterhood and the tribe mentality that can bond you to your fellow dancers in a way that is best left to be experienced and not described. I heartily encourage everyone to go out there and do something to stretch your limitations! I don't know if I will ever make it to the professional level, but I can honestly say that I will always be an ardent admirer of the dance and it will always be a part of my life.

Chandara
Mediterranean Fantasy Festival 2006 video can be found @ http://homepage.mac.com/teajayc/ Click on "dance practice movies" download ACMedFest06.WMV 
 
To contact Chandara:
Websites: http://homepage.mac.com/teajayc/ 
Tribe: http://people.tribe.net/chandara
Email: mulder@halcyon.com

last photo taken by Robyn Spaulding

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