Lots of performances coming up with Gypsy Caravan and the Caravan Dance Collective, but jot these down in your calendars! We’ve had so much fun dancing and playing with this fab band over the years, and we’ll have another great weekend with them, drumming workhsop, dancing performances, and Edgefield is my favorite gig of the year, which we’ve been dancing at for the past sixteen years (OMG!).

**Drum workshop with Raquy from the Cavemen!
Sunday September 27th
10:30am-noon,

all-levels middle eastern rhythm dumbek workshop,

$25.00 at Om Studio
request for advanced workshop, let me know!
Don’t miss this opportunity to study with a master drummer!
Contact Paulette for more info dance@gypsycaravan.us

AND
Gypsy Caravan dance with Raquy and the Cavemen! WOW…
and with guest Gypsy musician Jeff Rees
TWO shows…
Saturday, September 26th McMenamin’s Grand Lodge
and
Sunday, September 27th at McMenamin’s Edgefield…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

in celebration of their new CD release!

Patty, myself, Lai, Angela, Brenda, Natasha, Darby, Sherry

I have just finished up the round of six days of all-day dance intensives—Collective Soul Level One and Teacher Training Level One here around Portland. Plus regular dance classes all week and a mini-performance at the farmer’s market! It is nice to have a break in this over 100 degree heatwave we are having! whew… The dancers were all troopers in the heat, the long days and nights dancing and discussing tribal bellydance and beyond—we sightsee’d, I got to cook for them a few times, and we had an informal dance session with live music. They played with my goats and chickens and dogs and we walked around the farm.They danced and then got tested. It takes a while to get the dance and the knowledge in the bones and muscles and brains of the body. Not everyone passes the certification tests right away. We all worked hard and I am honored to be able to dance with such fine women who share the love of tribal bellydance! Congratulations goes to Sherry, Darby, and Angela for getting certified in CS1 this round!

Then we continued right into Teacher Training with Darby, Sherry,  Angela, and Merina (certified last year in CS1) and danced through the next three days.

Getting down to the nitty gritty technique of each move, the nuances, the music, the rhythms, the zils, there is so much involved in becoming a great dance teacher, combining business and art. We talked about a lot of it!  So great to share with all of us, we learn from each other. And we danced some more… and then we tested again! Congrats to Darby and Sherry for passing this round of tests!

I am thrilled to pass on, to share, to teach, coach, advise the dancers who wish to carry this tradition on, the ones who want to learn from the roots, and help them acheive their dance goals. I look forward to continuing to work and dance with these lovely ladies, and I wish them well on their new paths!

…loud zaghareets all around!

The week flies by, I am swamped with my intensives in town this week. It has been fabulous so far, and I have two more days to go. The dancers are delightful, it is very hot, we dance and sweat and talk and dance, and then eat, drink wine, and celebrate our accomplishments. Some are on the road home, to take home what they learned, to share the love, and some are still here with me. Working, dancing, thinking… a lot about tribal. What does it all mean?

I guess that is my one more thing. My contribution towards our dance community, this week. More on that to come!

Either that, or I need you for my one more thing, I need to know what are you doing? I want to hear about your inspiration and ideas. We are all in this together, and how fabulous is that?

Thanks for all you do.

I read Seth Godin’s blog and stuff. He tells it as he sees it, simple. Today he posted a big about social behavior and the internet. I thought it related to our dance tribes a bit…see how tribes, or cliques get started…

I copy his blog today for you, please see the link to his site.

“Interpersonal relations have had thousands of years to develop. Online, there’s been no time.

There are people who tweet in a way that rubs you the wrong way. Marketers who build businesses that seem scammy to you, or build websites that feel wrong. I get plenty of email from people that just doesn’t feel right, whether it’s in ALL CAPS or just difficult in tone or approach.

How do norms get formed? I think it’s simpler than it looks: we interact with people who use the norm we use. We follow or read or hang out with people who use the same social constructs we do.

There might be people at the party down the street who are quite comfortable with each other and the things they’re doing with or to each other… but you’d hate it. So you don’t go.

Cliques form, which become communities and then, eventually a norm arrives. People like us like people like us.

If you’re not attracting the people you want to be attracting online, perhaps you’re not acting the way they do.”

We are just getting started today with the three-day dance intensive, Collective Soul (with Teacher Training to follow). Several of the dancers came early to take extra classes Tuesday and Wednesday with me, and we had a little party at my farm, with Jeff playing horns and Brett playing drums. A little wine, some food, and some dancing makes for a lovely evening!

And  new connections… Some of the women participating in this intensive have traveled far to do this with me, from the UK, Florida, several areas of Canada, and some just down the road around Portland! We are bridging the gap, between women, ages, cultures, and backgrounds, with this dance.

I have always said that doing this dance has made me see the yearning for connection that the world is craving, and in particular, these dancing ladies. We need it, it is a primal urge, it is tribal—to be a community of sorts. It is organic, with deep roots— an intuitive thing, with the collective unconscious, that we feel what it seems many others have felt over the millions of decades of tribes and communities before us. But it s now that we are dancing, that we are desiring this connection, feeling the contact and the connect with another or a group.

And with this dance we change the world, for the better, by establishing these connections, wether it be in classes, in performances, in workshops, or dance intensives like this one that I lead. We carry it with us when we leave the dance world. We take it out on the streets, maybe smiling at someone as they walk by, or nodding hello, or speaking to someone who may have glanced away from before. Before you felt more confident in your body and in your self. Before you felt sure of your footsteps, your path, your grounding. Before you could walk with pride, lift up your chest, take up space in the everyday world.

But now you can and do, because this dance has helped you to acknowledge the magnificent creature that you are. To know that we are all different but amazing. That we can create beauty and art with our bodies, and with each other, and feel great doing it. Powerful, forceful—in a good way, feminine, strong. Healthy, vibrant.  Those are just a few feelings that this dance evokes through connection and community. It all comes down to each one of us, but it takes all of us to make the whole.

Bhrigha, Bonnie, Lydia, Kristi from Caravan Dance Collective

Photos by www.kaizennw.com

I love scrolling around and finding reviews written about me or my book! I just found several on Good Reads, such a lovely surprise…

Are you a member of GoodReads?

something to check out if you love to read, like me! and of course, then you can read the reviews

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3531080.Tribal_Vision_A_celebration_of_life_through_tribal_belly_dance

Ah, so many ideas to blog about this week, but I cannot forget this one (the Monday one!), neither can you, for the sake of our own well being and that of our mother earth!

I read some great stuff in this month’s issue of MaryJane’s Farm. There was a section on making your own house cleaning things. I’ve read similar articles over the years, but have never “made” my own. I have been using natural, organic, safe cleaning products, along with simple baking soda and  vinegar for cleaning, but who needs to buy those bottles of stuff all the time when you can make your own, fast and quick. So that is my plan. And I think I will get my farmgirrrls in on it at our next meeting!

What about you?

Five of the dancers trekked to Seattle on Saturday to participate in the Meditteranean Fantasy Dance Festival that ran all weekend—Bonnie, Karen, Carol, Peggy, and Lydia, with our youngest dancer, Lydia’s little daughter Aubrey! A beuatiful day to be performing outside amongst a trilion other bellydancers. What fun! Throw in some shopping, socializing, and then a waterfront glass of wine after all was finished!
I love those gals!
A lovely dancer who has been dancing with me for a few years, said to me the other day in dance class that one of the things she loves about tribal, is that as she grows older, she can grow with the dance, as it is a dance for women of all ages. That’s what I say, we should be able to dance at least until we are in our 90’s!
And look at the Collective, all ages, some newer dances, some who’ve been with me for at least fifteen years, and they dance together, and dance with wisdom, beauty, and sincerity.
Lovely.
and I thank them for their gift of dance.

Tribal Vision: A Celebration of Life Through Tribal Belly Dance, by Paulette Rees-Denis

Book Giveway!

Deadline July 31st!

Write for me…right here…why you love tribal bellydance!

Hard one, eh? What’s not to love?

Short and sweet, but meaningful… I will put your names in the turban and pull one out, be sure to include your email addy so I can let you know when you win the lucky copy…BONUS:  and your words may be included in the next issue of Caravan Trails!

Thanks for sharing. I look forward to reading your thoughts.

Just what is Collective Soul? Or more pointedly, what is the Collective Soul certification course put on by me, Paulette Rees-Denis from Gypsy Caravan Dance Company?
Many of you ask me that, and I have given short descriptions, and I have given longer descriptions, but let me try to be more succinct. Or for those of you who have heard my diatribes, maybe not so succinct, but at least descriptively unfettered!

First, my role is as the teacher, coach, director, hostess, and instigator for you to be the best dancer you can be. Plain and simple. The rest is a bit more involved and complex. I have been teaching Tribal Style Belly Dance for eighteen years and dancing it for over twenty-two. My assorted professional, semi-professional, and student troupes have been performing for that many years, in many formations large and small, but it is the dance itself that I am focusing on here. Over the years, from the needs of my students I have developed six levels of classes—Beginning Levels One and Two, Intermediate Levels One and Two, Advanced, and Performance Preparatory—before getting into the performing groups.

Most importantly, however, is to recognize that Tribal does not have to be about performing. There is nothing like the magic of dancing Tribal, as some of you have experienced. There is the synchronistic group energy of dancing improvisationally together, of creating in the moment, of feeling the music within your soul, of connecting with your dancing sisters through eyes and bodies, of feeling the glistening sweat on your skin as you dance hard. There is a pulsing energy when you really allow yourself to dance, not just memorize the steps, or just mindlessly follow your leader, but to truly dance, and take the lead. Your dance is your gift to yourself, for so many of these reasons, and more. This dance can be a meditation and a prayer, a spiritual awakening. Dancing can be an aerobic workout, a way to tone up the body and lose weight. Tribal can be a way of meeting and connecting with people of all ages and backgrounds, because you are feeling disconnected from any community and have the desire to find one. A big part of that includes lots of laughter along with confidence building. And the dance steps are just great fun to execute, some physically challenging, others a breeze, while you get reacquainted with different muscles and parts of your body! An incredible component of tribal is the costuming. Dancing tribal can be about making yourself beautiful, looking at yourself in the mirror, wearing assorted gorgeously vibrant costumes and hunks of delicious jewelry, elaborate glittery makeup, fanciful head wraps and hair adornments. That is the icing on the cake.

The meat (unless you are vegetarian like me) is most importantly getting to know the steps, feeling them in your muscles and your bones, and being comfortable dancing them. Tribal can be intimidating for some dancers, with the idea of using improvisation versus choreography. To dance Tribal includes understanding how to use your body, how to take care of and take pride in your body as a dancer, being able to identify rhythms so that you can move with the music, and later on adding zil (finger cymbals) playing, and dancing with props as other exciting layers of your dance.

Giving you helpful information, extensive drilling, body and movement corrections, more discussions, and even more drilling, is what I do for you, as a dancer in my Collective Soul certification courses. I find it necessary that you have some tribal belly dance experience before you start my course. Either that or be a fast learner and study my first few technique DVDs intently. I also do not mean it be a course to take so you can chalk one up on your tassel belt, where anyone can just take the course and get certified. That does not cut it for me, and doesn’t do you any favors, either. The intensive classes are small, usually from two to ten dancers, so that you get as much personal attention as possible. In addition, you are tested at the end. We both need to feel confident that you understand the movements, the history, the ideas behind what makes tribal Tribal. Some dancers freak a bit at the idea of being tested. I may be a taskmaster, but I am also a loving teacher! And no sweat if you do not pass right away, there is always another chance. I honor the fact that you might need more time to study and work on your steps. That is so not a problem! You just redo and review what you need to do, by taking the course again, or by testing again, or by sending me a DVD if you live far away. But you need to do it! You need to understand and be able to dance and move with grace, integrity, and confidence, and be that beautiful dancer that I am here to make you be.

Obviously, we start at the beginning, with Level One. But it is not just about re-learning
or reviewing the basic steps, because we spend time talking with each other, as learning not just from me, but from your peers is an invaluable learning situation. We study the body, the moves, and the music, along with talking about tribal and its evolution and revolution! We talk about artistic integrity and being an artist, not just a dancer that follows the trends. I don’t want you to look like every other dancer out there, tribal, fusion, or whatever is the new gimmick. I want you to be your own artist. We find out what it means to support each other. Mostly, it has to be fun. And we probably share a glass of wine or two!

Then we continue on with the next levels. There is so much more to learn, and as I dancer, I never quit studying and learning. That is why I love to dance, and why I love this dance specifically. It is constantly growing, being a living, breathing art form! And Tribal has an ever-growing repertoire of dance moves, using levels of dancer ability and knowledge. Good, fun stuff!

Collective Soul is also a pre-requisite for those who want to continue to study with me and take my Teacher Training intensives too. Collective Soul got started because there were dancers who wanted to teach but were not ready to. There is so much to learn about being a teacher, including marketing, teaching skills, and business plans, besides the logical ideas of running a dance class.

Now also, the Caravan Soul Collective International is growing, and that is certified dancers who are being able to perform together with me, if performing is your path!

I want to support you, and guide you on your tribal path. No, you do not need to get certified to dance tribal, but it is a way for you to study with me intensively to understand the roots and to get it in your body. And your reward for being certified is saying that you have done the work and you know the foundations of Tribal. For most, tribal becomes a lifestyle because of the invaluable lessons it has to give. Collective Soul has been a way for dancers from around the world to connect with Tribal Belly Dance, and with each other. My reward is to see you truly blossom as that dancer that you want to be. As the numbers of certified dancers grow, the worldwide connections grow. Way cool.

TESTIMONIALS!
From Dee, Tribal Blossoms, in Adelaide, Australia, Feb. 2009:
Going to Adelaide for studies with Paulette was amazing, firstly we had three days of Collective Soul – intensive training with Paulette going over moves, rhythms, zills and technique. I swear its changed me for workshops forever!! It was so inspiring AND exhausting! By the time the test came around I wondered if I’d have any more energy in reserve….but passed thankfully! Paulettes a great teacher. I totally recommend anyone wanting to really experience being a student to get themselves along to the program…..for me it was also a humbling experience – learning that I hadnt gotten it all right, but this was my chance to really learn…its hard to put it into words. She makes me want to be a better dancer and a better teacher.