New exciting addition to teachers list!
May 23rd-25th
We are happy to announce news of next years Tribal Ford.
Lindsey Macqueen and Angela Noble will be working together to bring you Tribal Ford 2008. They share a common passion in Tribal Bellydance and they previously danced together when Lindsey returned from the States in 2002. Angela’s business, Tribe Zuza will provide the administrative side of things so you can expect the same continued format and quality which you have come to know and love. The spectacular venue of Ford castle remains unchanged: we will continue to take up residence for the weekend.
The price of the weekend includes all workshops, hafla and meals. The menus will have a Middle Eastern flavour in keeping with the theme of the weekend. If you have any special dietary requirements please make sure we know well in advance. There are tea and coffee making facilities available in the communal kitchen along with a machine for soft drinks and snacks. The bar will be open in the evenings. 
Classes start on Friday evening and finish Sunday afternoon with no limitations on how many you attend. We begin the Saturday night with a fabulous banquet in the Great Hall followed by performances. The hafla continues into the wee small hours with plenty of chances to show off your latest moves while wearing your new designs purchased from the well stocked tribal souk.
If you find yourself all danced out, why not take a walk around the extensive Castle grounds, or visit the church and village hall with there beautiful murals.
Prices will remain the same as last year:
- Group room £245 (4-9 people)
- Shared room £265 (2-3 people)
- Single room £280
Secure your place for this ever popular event now with a non-refundable deposit of £50. Payment can be made via the website or by cheque, payable to Tribe Zuza. Please send an SAE if you require confirmation of your booking.The balance should be paid in full by Friday 21st March 2008. Places are limited and we have already received a great number of enquiries, so do not delay! Last year Tribal Ford sold out 7 month in advance!
If you would like to see photos from previous Tribal Ford events and keep up with the latest Tribal Ford gossip click here
Northumberland is a wild and beautiful county, so why not consider extending your stay. Book into a local B&B and explore its hidden treasures.
Getting to the castle by car, use their postcode TD15 2PX and type into Google Maps or AA Route Planner along with your own postcode and you will get door to door directions.
Travelling by train then the nearest station is Berwick upon Tweed which is 12 miles away. I will post the local taxi number here soon. If people are looking to share transport can I suggest you use the tribe.net site, follow the link above, to post requests to make contact with others travelling from your area.
TEACHERS 2008
HEATHER SHOOPMAN
Heather is an award winning performer and teacher of Tribal Fusion BellyDance from Los Angeles, California.
She defines her bellydance as an organic movement integrating classic dance form with pure, heart rooted creativity. Heather is inspired by life’s many sources. She believes dance has the power to heal, awaken and delight body and spirit.
Heather has been studying movement since she can remember. Her path started early in gymnastics, cheerleading, jazz, modern and hip-hop dance. She also dabbles in ballet, classical Indian, African dance and tai-chi. She has studied bellydance in Egyptian, Pharonic, Turkish and American Tribal styles.
Heather also has a very powerful connection with healing and has been involved in bodywork since 1998 and she believes dance to be the best medicine!
http://www.magicalmystery.org
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=sevenplusfour
http://people.tribe.net/be66cd3d-8b52-4fac-9e6a-08e2cb4c0225
THE UZUME 
The Uzumé was founded in early 2005 by Tjarda and Minka and began as the first troupe to represent Tribal Fusion Bellydance in the Netherlands. Their style was an immediate success and they started collaborating with many DJ’s and events. After several months of hard work, they found their equal in Maya (Renate), to complete the team, joining forces with their unique individual quality’s.They have already won several prizes for their innovative choreographic style and are well-known for their strong charismatic stage presence. The Uzumé does both choreographed and freestyle performances to the electronic beats of global underground mixed with traditional music. Late 2007, they successfully produced “Worlddance Con Fusion”, their first theatre show, that has sold out twice within a few weeks. They are now performing and teaching throughout Europe. This year they will have their first performance in the US as they are asked to participate in Unmata’s theatre show Bloodmoon. These girls Rock ‘n Rule!
www.the-uzume.com, http://www.myspace.com/theuzume or tribes.tribe.net/uzume
TSINGANI
Tsingani, a Tribal Fusion Troupe based in San Luis Obispo California, has been performing since 2006. Their style is a blend of “traditional” Tribal fused with an eclectic array of dance cultures. This includes Asian, Latin, Modern Jazz, Hip-Hop, Indian as well as a bit of “funktafied” moves of their own creation!
With the love of ATS (American Tribal Style) so firmly planted in their roots, Tsingani has recently developed a new format of Improv that specifically focuses on Duets. This format allows 2 people to work the stage to its full capacity having the same impact as a larger troupe.
www.tsingani.com
LES SOEURS TRIBALES
In 2005 Francesca Pedretti founded the ethnic dance Atelier, Les Soeurs Tribales. She is also the art director of this group. it is the first Italian Tribal Bellydance group. They are currently working on two shows. Oriental Fusion® presents a variety of dance styles including Tribal, Arab folkloric, Oriental and the experimental. Devota is a show exploring the devotion of dancer to their art form.
Francesca Pedretti is the art director and choreographer of the group. An original dancer, Francesca stepped into the world of Oriental Dance in 1996. She continued her training in Tribal Style Bellydance with Wendy Allen and Carolena Nericcio (FCBD), Tribal Bellydance with Paulette Rees-Denis (Gypsy Caravan) and studied Tribal Fusion Bellydance with Rachel Brice (The Indigo), Darshan, Geneva Bybee.
The other members of the group are Cinzia Di Cioccio and Grazia Manetti active dancers in the area around Milan. They studied the Tribal dance style with Francesca Pedretti, Wendy Allen, Paulette Rees-Denis, Rachel Brice, Carolena Nericcio, Geneva Bybee, Darshan
In March 2006, 2007, 2008 they were guest artists at the Italian festival of Oriental Dance Stelle D’Oriente, the most prestigious Oriental dance event, held every year in Turin.
In November 2007 they created and promoted ETNOSFERA, the first International Exhibition on Contemporary Ethnic Dances, in cooperation with Malika Ferhat and Sabina Todaro. Dancers and musicians from the USA, Egypt, Belgium, Portugal, Italy and Great Britain took part in the event which was held at the Derby Theater in Milan between November 9 through 25, 2007.
Events for 2008
October 2008: London Tattoo Convention
November 14-26: II exhibition of Etnosfera, contemporary ethnic dances
http://www.myspace.com/lessoeurstribales
http://www.lessoeurstribales.com/
HRH LUCRETIA
Christine, aka Her Royal Hellness Lucretia of Raqsmacabre
Christine went to her first bellydance class over 10 years ago. Christine is a regular face at both Tribal and Raks Sharki Ford weekends.
Through her work with Farida, Christine has had many opportunities to study and observe this dance form all over the UK as well as in Egypt, Turkey and USA.
Christine’s favourite authentic styles are Baladi and Saidi, especially stick. However her real love is mixing Arabic moves with alternative music and Arabic techno remixes. She teaches regularly and has held goth, fusion and techno workshops at various events and is one of the organisers of Gothla UK, which had its hugely sucessful debut last year. Her very popular dance troupe "Raqsmacabre" started as a lighthearted alternative to the 'darker' side of goth, showing that goths can have a sense of humour while still being scary.
Christine will be teaching a 'Vamp it Up' workshop which includes vampire inspired moves, lots of attitude and some great ideas for veils or Isis (vampire) wings.
A fan of goth since its early days – Sisters, Siouxsie, Cure, Bauhaus etc, a regular Whitby goth weekender for many years, and a lover of horror films, having appeared in two locally, this is a great opportunity to put together things she loves - dancing, music, performing, horror and dressing up!
Her style provides a lighthearted slant on dancing from the darkside.
For more pics and blurb check out
http://www.myspace.com/raqsmacabre
http://www.gothla.co.uk
ELIZABETH OF SHE-ENEDRA
http://www.elizartist.com/Welcome.html
MISTRESS OLIVIA
http://www.myspace.com/uktribaldancer
http://people.tribe.net/d3d0851a-5c22-439a-95d2-94f1d30e99c1
CAROLINE BURY (Tai Chi)
Student to Gordon Faulkner www.quanshu.co.uk 1989-1994. Tai Chi assistant, then instructor for 12 years, 1990-2002. Practiced Chi Kung, Sword Form, 24Step, Yang37, Long Form, push-hands, etc. Travelled to Beijing in 1999 to learn sword form.
Converted to Belly Dance in 2000!
Taught small belly dance class from 2002, which has now developed into a small Tribe. Now teaching Tribal Style/Fusion exclusively, having been inspired by Lindsey McQueen and others. Class warm-ups include elements of Tai Chi and Chi Kung.
‘Practicing Tai Chi has taught me many things. Once integrated into your life it becomes a way to carry yourself, a way to be aware of internal and external energies. A great tool for understanding movement, Tai Chi can teach where the focus of a move is and develop an easy flow, which comes from your core. Partner exercises can be a useful tool for balancing energy between two people and works well adapted for dance. Tai Chi has been a powerful force in my life on many levels. As a discipline, it has been invaluable.’
Caroline is currently working towards a final 4th year Honours Degree in Fine Art at Moray School of Art.
