On March, 10 the Courtenay Bridge Lounge will host Tribal Café, an evening of ‘tribal roots’ and fusion belly dance by the Island’s own ‘belly dance superstars’ and special guest DJ Nils.
Dancers from the Comox Valley, Ladysmith, Errington, Victoria, Nanaimo and Vancouver will perform a variety of belly dance styles including American Tribal Style aka ATS, tribal fusion belly dance, Romani ‘gypsy’ dance as well as traditional dances from the Middle East and India.
Tribal belly dance is a continually evolving popular dance form that embodies strength and grace and has its roots in traditional dances from the East. This show will feature not only ATS and tribal fusion styles but also the traditional dances that have inspired this evolution like Egyptian Ghawazee, Algerian Kabyle ‘Berber’ and Kalbelia Rajasthani ‘gypsy’ dance.
Some of the performers featured in the show are Debra Shields and the Saidi Sisters, Taiya Curle, Blue Lotus, Dorothy Smith (you may have seen her dance with Tambura Rasa), Edith Jacob, Cathy Stoyko, Candace Alderidge Sanchez (Harmony Belly Dance in Victoria), the Spin Jinny, Hipsteria and more.
Following the show portion or the evening, DJ Nils will have the room shakin’ with his inspiring blend of world fusion music. Nils is a founding member of Beats Without Borders (beatswithoutborders.com) and has been at the forefront of the global music dance scene on the West Coast for many years.
This promises to be a great way to celebrate International Women’s Day, which falls on March 8.
Two of the featured performers coming will also teach workshops the same weekend at the Abbey Studio in Cumberland.
Shields, a seasoned dancer who owns and operates the Saidi Sister’s Studio in Ladysmith, will perform ATS belly dance in the show and teaching an ATS workshop on March 10 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Debra has been teaching for 20+ years and as well as belly dance she also teaches Tango, Irish and Highland dancing. Debra learned ATS right from the source and did her teacher training with Carolena Nericcio of Fat Chance Belly Dance in San Fransisco, the woman that made this dance style famous.
Taiya Curle will also perform in the show and share her unique inspirational style of belly dance. Taiya is a festival favourite (you may have seen her dance at the Big Time Out) and has travelled the world sharing her dance.
As well as a dancer Taiya is also a reiki master and her healing work extends to her dance as well, her performances are often like healing invocations. She will teach a chakra belly dance workshop on March 11 from 1 to 4 p.m.
For more information about the workshops at the Abbey that weekend and/or to register contact Cathy at 250-218-0704.
Local dance teacher and visual artist Cathy Stokyo is organizing this event in support of the Comox Valley Transition Society.
“With International Women’s Day on March 8, this seemed like the perfect way to celebrate the beauty and strength of women and support this organization. The show is about celebrating women’s community and how women continue to connect through dance,” says Stoyko.
Every year, over 1,500 women and children in the Comox Valley seek support to deal with issues arising from abuse and violence.
The Comox Valley Transition Society provides services in Comox, Cumberland, Courtenay and surrounding areas including Denman and Hornby islands, to women and children who have experienced violence.
You can find more information about the Comox Valley Transition Society by visiting their website at cvts.ca.
Tickets for the show are on sale at Silhouettes Dance Shop on England Avenue in Courtenay, $15 advance and $20 at the door. This is a 19+ event and doors open at 7:30 and the show starts at 8.
For more information, call Cathy at 250-218-0704.
— Cathy Stoyko
