2008 Instructors:

Zafira Dance Company
Pittsburg, PA
Triboriginal Instructors: Luscious Layers; Fluid Floor-work; Rajastani Dance; "Gettin' Supah Saucy" Master Classes

Troupe of the Year 2007!
Zafira Dance Company is arguably one of the most influential groups of the past ten years in bellydance, influencing dancers the nation over. Tribo is honored to have them here as Master Teachers. They fuse bellydance with ethnic and modern dances from around the world. With a basis in Egyptian and Turkish style bellydance, Zafira drawsmovements from North African, Central Asian, Middle Eastern and modern pop culture to create a unique and dynamic dance form.

In the spring of 2001- Christine Hamer, Olivia Kissel, Maria Hamer and Tamara Nelson formed Zafira Dance Company, later adding Jennifer Imashev. These five dancers have been performing together professionally since 1996 in venues ranging from intimate settings to full scale theater productions.

Zafira's strong stage presence combined with complex choreographies and layered improvisations continue to entrance and astound audiences from all over the nation.

http://www.zafiradance.com/

Samantha Riggs of Boom Boom Bollywood
Tempe, AZ
Triboriginal Instructor: Pirate Bellydance: Why Is The Rum Always Gone?, Fosse-ilized!

A member of Domba for 8 years, Samantha is the Founder and Director of Boom Boom Bollywood and the Sexy Scallywags. She was surprised and grateful when there were so many dancers who wanted to walk with her down this rather odd path! She was even more surprised and grateful when Boom Boom Bollywood's premier performance for the Arizona Indo-American Community (Diwali, 2004) was greeted with cheers and support from the community...and even tears from an Indian gentleman who had recently moved to the US. He said that he as feeling homesick and worried about living in a new country, but to see a team of American girls doing the dances of his country with such joy and skill gave him hope about making his home here. Then he started to cry, thanking her and hugging her... and something changed in Samantha in that moment (as she began to cry as well... wouldn't you?). She realized why what they were doing was important... Fun, yes. Cheesy, yes. Overly-dramatic, yes. But just like the Bollywood movies she loved, the dance team was spreading hope! If just one person walks away from a Boom Boom Bollywood performance a little happier than they were when they arrived, that makes it all worthwhile for Samantha. She is a sap.

www.boomboombollywood.com

Zi'ah Ali of award-winning TribalCon & Awalim Dance Company
Atlanta, Georgia
Triboriginal Instructor: Zi'ah Smackdown

Ziah Ali McKinney-Taylor began studying dance in 1991 with Shakira-Masood Ali at the Sirrom School of Dance in Houston, Texas. From 1992 to 1997 she took the opportunity to study in many cities across the country while she traveled the Renaissance Festival circuit with her husband as a manager for Ballena Bay Pewter.

She settled in Atlanta in December 1997 to begin teaching classes full time and formed the Awalim Dance Company in September 1999. In addition to directing Awalim and teaching five belly dance classes a week, Ziah directs a student troupe called Banat Ziah, teaches workshops throughout the East Coast and produces the Red Light Cafe Middle Eastern Extravaganza Shows which showcase all the top talent in Atlanta and the Southeast. She also produced the critically acclaimed video of Awalim's show at the Georgia Renaissance Festival titled "Yalla! Yalla!".

Ziah's new venture is a sci fi con type bellydance festival called TribalCon! Ziah is also the new mom to Ava Alexandra, born 11/04.

Her extensive background in bellydance includes Egyptian, Tribal and Turkish. She has a broad base of folkloric dance study including Kurdish, Persian, Rajisthani, North African, Israeli, Turkish Rom, and Egyptian.

http://www.awalim.com

Blue Lotus Tribe
Chicago, IL
Triboriginal Instructors: ATS, BLT Style; Engerde!! Aggressive andDramatic Dance

Chicago's Blue Lotus Tribe is one of the up-and-coming forces in the tribal bellydance world. Heralded for their tight improvistaional skills, original choreographies, impeccable technique, and party-like stage presence, Blue Lotus Tribe is working hard to bring the Midwestern tribal scene to the forefront. Each member of Blue Lotus Tribe has an extensive background in tribal and tribal fusion dance, but they are also all accomplished in the art of Egyptian style bellydance. Most of the dancers of Blue Lotus Tribe have studied for several years with internationally recognized Egyptian style dancer, Jasmin Jahal, among others, and they have all become professional solo artists of Egyptian style bellydance. Blending Egyptian technique, composition, and musicality with the tribal movements, music, and aesthetic, Blue Lotus Tribe has successfully created a new twist on tribal, taking it to the next level and calling themselves "Egypto-Tribal Fusion Bellydance." Blue Lotus Tribe continues in their quest for new inspiration and ideas by traveling across the country and taking classes with the masters of both Oriental and Tribal bellydance, creating a bridge between the two that honors the ancient art of Middle-Eastern bellydance while still moving forward with today's modern tribal fusion movement. Apart from their popular local performances and workshops, Blue Lotus Tribe has had the honor of teaching and performing around the country to enthusiastic students and appreciative audiences. In addition to this, they are the hostesses of the Midwest's only tribal bellydance festival-style event, Tribal Revolution, now in its fourth year.

www.bluelotustribe.org

Politti Ashcroft of Blue Damsel Dance Company
Southern California
Triboriginal Instructor: Disco Tribal

Politti Ashcraft has studied bellydance for over 14 years, with a strong focus on the beautiful and varied styles of Tribal Bellydance. Inspired by the diverse cultures of the world, her progressive dance style is an engaging blend of the sacred and contemporary, by way of fluid movement and grace.

In her eternal quest for bellydance knowledge, Politti has studied with some of the most talented and gracious dancers in the industry. She continues to learn and grow in her dance by frequently promoting and attending bellydance workshops and festivals in and around the So. Cal area. Politti also travels around the U.S. (whenever she can!) performing and teaching specialty Tribal Bellydance workshops, bringing her own brand of Tribal to the Bellydance Community.

In February 2008, Politti became the proud owner of Art Through Movement at The Oasis Dance Studio in Highland, So. Cal, where: “We are ever evolving, following our commitment to excellence in dance and training.” She strives to honor the community aspect of the dance in her classes along with an emphasis on studying this art form as a discipline. She enjoys instilling her students with a passion for the dance, just as her teachers before her did.

Those who have deeply touched Politti’s life and encourage her art include:
Rachel Lazarus Soto: Creative partner and friend
Mira Betz: Amazing (Politti would like to be her when she grows up)
Frederique David: A constant inspiration
Mihoko Powers: Beloved Japanese Dance instructor
Carolena Nericcio: The source
Krisha Kazimira: First bellydance “Mama”
Carl Martz (Politti’s dad): Always there to support his “crazy artistic daughter”
Diana Glance: The most supportive friend one could ever ask for

Politti dedicates her dance to the memory of her mother.

Contact Politti: Tribalstuff@earthlink.net

On-line: www.oasisdancestudio.net or www.bluedamsel.org

Romka
Washington D.C.
Triboriginal Instructor: Bad @ss Bellydance

Romka` is Washington DC's premier tribal fusion duo, performing and teaching their unique style throughout the United States. Inspired by global dance forms & modern primitives, Romka` honors the ancient and contemporary through expression and movement, creating a new and captivating performance experience. Belladonna and Mavi bring over 20 years of the study of dance to their art, and have shared the stage with innovative musical acts including Corvus Corax, Raquy and the Cavemen, the Dresden Dolls, Android Lust, and Peter Murphy. In 2007, Romka performed as part of the Night of 1,000 Goddesses, and at ShadowDance. Locally, Romka` hosts a monthly fusion bellydance event, DCTribal Cafe, bringing the art of fusion dance to the masses. Mavi is featured on the recently released Gothic BellyDance Revelations DVD and you can find Belladonna on her Sword Stylization DVD.

Bash & EuropaMoon of Creative Flame FireTalent
Wilmington, North Carolina
Triboriginal Instructors - Intro to Juggling, Fire Performance & Safety

Back by popular demand!

Originally based in Los Angeles, Creative Flame Company now operates on both US Coasts, with Headquarters in Los Angeles, and On the Cape Fear Coast. Created and operated by its two core members, there are 14 performers in our company, performing in various arrangements to accommodate shows of varying sizes and scales. Sebastian Gomez and Marcy Whipkins as the creative minds behind the acts, maintain a long list of satisfied high-profile corporate and private clients.
Often performing simultaneously in different cities, they bring in satellite members of our top-caliber roster when performing larger shows, or for specialty acts requested by clients. Our "family" provides infinitely changeable and high-level distinct abilities and specialties, venturing far beyond fire, allowing us to create dynamic and truly unique shows for each client.

www.firetalent.com

Darcy Devine
Awalim Dance Company Atlanta, Georgia
Triboriginal Instructor - Aerials 101: Silks

Darcy DeVine (aka Kate) is a dancer, aerialist, personal trainer and instructor. She currently teaches beginning to advanced bellydance classes at Georgia Tech. Darcy has been dancing professionally as Katya with the Awalim Tribal Dance Company since 2006. She performs aerial arts and more with Guerilla Aerial.

August Hoerr
The Mezmer Society, Asheville, North Carolina
Triboriginal Instructor - Middle Eastern & Balkan Melody; Group Improvisation De-mystified

August taught himself to play accordion as angsty teenager, and after discovering Middle Eastern music, began working with Tribal dancers in 1999. Discovering a mutual interest in Balkan music and quirky party songs, he formed The Mezmer Society with Onça (Baraka Mundi) in the Autumn of 2007. They have taught and performed at events including Tribal Fest, TribalCon, and Tribal Revolution, and they are scheduled to continue touring throughout the United States. The Mezmer Society is fully committed to spreading the aesthetic of hafla joy as quickly and loudly as possible.

In addition to to The Mezmer Society, August is a member of the quartet Ashes in Order, and maintains a career as an internationally represented figurative painter. He is the president of the Institute for the Advancement of Occultism and Aerophonics (previously Asheville Accordion Club), and he has released albums with the cinematic trio Soora Gameela, and Greek fusion band Makari. August lives in Asheville, North Carolina and is currently working on material for his first solo album.

www.augusthoerr.com

Medley with The Mezmer Society

Balkan/tango fusion with Ashes in Order

www.myspace.com/themezmersociety
www.myspace.com/augustext

River Guerguerian
Free Planet Radio, Asheville, NC
Triboriginal Instructor: World Percussion

Back by popular demand!

River Guerguerian (Multipercussionist/Composer/Educator) was born in 1967 inMontreal, Canada to Armenian-Egyptian parents. In 1989 he received his Bachelor of Music from the Manhattan School of Music Conservatory and graduated with the school’s award for Most Outstanding Percussionist. For over 25 years, he has been performing internationally with such groups as the BBC Concert Orchestra,Omar Faruk Tekbilek, Paul Winter Consort, Grammy and Oscar winning composer TanDun, Tibetan Singing Bowl Ensemble, Talujon Percussion Quartet, Chuck Berry, and Ziggy Marley/Gipsy Kings. His compositions have been commissioned and performed by chamber ensembles, universities, modern dance companies, and new music festivals throughout the U.S. Guerguerian has performed in concert halls in New York, Berlin, Moscow,London, Rome, Sydney, Hong Kong, Barcelona, Athens, Istanbul, and has recorded on over 100 albums and film soundtracks. In 1994, River sold all possessions, left civilization for five years, and lived in a wildlife sanctuary in the Himalaya Mountains. His music has evolved from research of indigenous cultures gathered from travels around the planet. He enjoys teaching rhythm and sound exploration workshops.
Visit him at www.ShareTheDrum.com

Donnegan
Asheville, NC
Triboriginal Instructor: Beyond Hijaz-Kar

Devoting years of academic research and practical application, Donnegan has dedicated his musical career to the re-creation of ancient music. Favoring the intricacies of Middle Eastern music that western music cannot portray, he continues to experiment with various ancient and eastern instruments and tuning systems to study their varying influences on Middle Eastern music. His voracity for precision has directed his study of languages and cultures of the ancient world. Immersed in Middle Eastern and Greek culture from infancy, he abandoned sixteen years of devotion to the piano in favor of Greek and Middle Eastern music. Beginning with the Greek bouzouki in 2000, and quickly progressing to the Turkish Saz and microtonal synthesizers, he became enamored with the nuances of Middle Eastern music and began studying Turkish and Balkan music at York University in 2007. Donnegan teaches a variety of workshops and private lessons in Saz, Middle Eastern music theory, history of instruments and ancient music theory.

Daveed Korup
Baltimore, MD
Triboriginal Instructor: Tao Te Drum: Eastern Drumming for Western Musicians; Tao Te Drum: Tower of Babel

Daveed is an educator, percussionist and civic force. In addition to playing darabuka and djembe with Turku, he has also performed on "Eyes Behind the Veil" and "Seeds of Time". Creator of the author of the Tao de Drum hand drumming course, Daveed also offers "Drumfest!", a hands-on, interactive, multi-cultural drumming experience for people of all ages. Since it's inception, Drumfest! has reached more than 45,000 people from San Diego, CA to Wilmington, NC. Recently installing his WORLD Rhythm DRUM Circus at Port Discovery Children's Museum, in Baltimore's Inner Harbor, he is able to offer the power of percussion to tremendous quantities of people. He is also the man behind the BIRDS ‘Peace Through Music’ Festival. He may also be reached at daveed@drumfest.com. Daveed is a native of Kankakee, Illinois and a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

 Miguel here!

Miguel Flamini

Triboriginal Instructor:Rhythmic Play; Fire Circle Magic

Miguel Flamini is a teacher, percussionist, dancer, and magic weaver. He has been playing percussion for over 17
years and involved in the fire circle tradition for almost as long. Miguel has studied and performed with teachers
from the Caribbean, West Africa , Spain (flamenco), and Qatar . He blends and explores the folkloric traditions to
help find pathways for our emerging culture. Miguel sees improvisational music and dance as a powerful vehicle of
spiritual expression and communion with the gods that dwell in us.

Jaia Ananda
Knoxville, TN
Triboriginal Instructor: YogaFusion

Jaia has been a student of Yoga for over 10 years, and an instructor for 9. Taking her first Bellydance class in 2000, she saw the natural fusion between the two passions. Believing that Yoga takes her deeper within, and Bellydance fosters her creative expression, she has found the perfect balance. She is half of bellydance duo Ananda of Knoxville, TN.

Gypsy Hands
Knoxville, TN
Triboriginal Instructors: Poi; Energywork

Gypsy Hands Tribal Belly Dance, created by its featured performer, Sara Griscom, has appeared around the country since 2001. Other current performing members are Katherine Metz, DeLacey Santini, Anna Nicely, Jackie Cole Contreras and Lindsay Rogers.

Gypsy Hands brand of tribal belly dance incorporates traditional aspects of the dance from North Africa and the Near East but hybridizes it with touches of American Hip-Hop, Indian Bhangra, Thai and Hatha Yoga and, of course, Sara's signature moves. Add flaming torches, fire eating and sword play and Gypsy Hands becomes a unique, world-conscious interpretation of an ancient art form that absolutely rocks.

Audiences that have seen them perform in previous years will recognize the troupe's brand of fiery sensuality and will be amazed by the otherworldly additions to choreography and costumes.

www.gypsyhands.com

Claire Metz of Gypsy Hands
Triboriginal Instructor:Poi
I began belly dancing with Gypsy Hands in 2002. Through the troupe, I discovered poi in 2004 and have been spinning ever since. I have devoted my life to sharing shiny happy things with the world, and poi has been a natural expression of that desire.

Sara Griscom of Gypsy Hands
Triboriginal Instructor: Energywork

Sara Griscom, a gifted healer and intuitive, has traveled the globe, from Brazil to India, and researched healing practices of indigenous people in Mexico and Guatemala. With a background in psychology, ethnography, linguistics, and midwivery, she was called into healing by Mayan sacerdotes in the mid 1990's. Soon after, she delved into Reiki. Sara has studied Bellydance with Onca of Baraka Mundi. Also, she received her bodywork training from the Center for Natural Health and Massage in Asheville. Since 2000, she has carried out her vision to own Gypsy Hands Healing Arts Center in Knoxville, TN, an expanding center with 6 practitioners of massage and Reiki, and counseling, a dance troupe, workshop center, and studio space with bellydance classes nightly. There, she practices in Spiritual Counseling/ Soul Reading, Reiki Training, and bodywork. She teaches Bellydance, and runs the Gypsy Hands Tribal Fusion Bellydance Troupe.

Amanda Foster
Asheville, NC
Triboriginal Instructor: Richer than Cake: This Dance has Layers

Amanda Foster's signature 'Tribaret' stylings combine the best of traditional cabaret with the experimental verve of tribal fusion. Her deep personal practice has allowed her to develop truly unique artistry, and her passion shines in every performance and class. Having started her bellydance training with nationally known artist, Kaya, Amanda also has eleven years of intensive ballet, samba, salsa and more supplement her broad knowledge. Her commitment to challenge herself and others makes her an excellent dancer for audiences and students alike.

Claire Dima of Baraka Mundi
Asheville, NC
Triboriginal Instructor: Shisha Mirror Embroidery; Cowrie Crafting; Gypsy Skincare; Harquus: Tribal Tattoos

"Coming to bellydance after training in ballet, tae kwon do and some weight training, I have enjoyed cultivating the different depth and flow required of the dance. As an intellectually voracious person I find all the many cultures and expressions of bellydance intriguing and fulfilling as both learning opportunities and mediums to communicate through. I love the fact that within the same dance language we can engage in ritualistic mystic dance like the guedras and also tap the vibrancy of the glamourous cabaret scene."

-Claire Ghusun Dima

Sparrow of Baraka Mundi
Asheville, NC
Triboriginal Instructor: Vintage Headpieces

Sparrow has been in love with music, dancing and crafting since she was a small child; making her own costumes for living room performances for anyone who would watch. She began bellydancing with Onca 5 years ago and moved two years later to study acrobalance and other circus skills at the Circus Center in San Francisco. During this time, Sparrow studied bellydance with Jill Parker, accordion with Dan Cantrell, and Balkan music with Peter Jaques of Brasz Menagerie. She has recently returned to Asheville and is the newest member of Baraka Mundi.
Sparrow has extensive experience as a craftsperson. She was always the type to not only make her own outfits, but all of the accessories too. She often refers to her Grandma as her hero, and also the craftiest woman alive. With a basement full of arts and craft supplies to play with growing up, she dabbled in a little bit of everything. Sparrow has made a name for herself as a leatherworker; making bracelets, neclaces, halters, and many other beautiful things.

Natalie Brown
Columbia, SC
Triboriginal Instructor: Performance Make-up

Natalie Brown grew up studying classical music and ballet as she travelled the world with her military family. She met her spiritual match, however, when she stumbled upon a Tribal Bellydance Style class in New Orleans, LA in 2004. After fleeing hurricane Katrina, Natalie found herself starting over in Columbia, SC. With no tribal troupes or classes established in the state of South Carolina, she founded Delirium Tribal Bellydance Company in April of 2006. She is also the director of circus collective phenomenon Columbia Alternacirque.

Gaiananda
Triboriginal Instructor: 9/8 Combinations

Gaiananda was formed in August of 2001 to bring together drum and dance styles from many cultures to share the richness of ethnic diversity with Gaiananda's performers and audience alike.

Gaiananda is dedicated to expanding the understanding of global cultures and to the acceptance and celebration of all ethnic customs, unique in their rythms, movements, dress, ceremonies and rites of passage. Although we honor diversity, we combine styles of drum and dance and strive to express through our art that we are all descendants of one ancestor and move to her "one heart beat" ... Mother Earth. We hope we will inspire you to join us in opening our eyes and our hearts to all the people of the world.

www.gaiananda.net

Kelly Bowers
Leicester. NC
Triboriginal Instructor: Spoons; Zils

Kelly “Avena” Bowers started studying music at the age of 12 when she first saw a bassoon and fell in love with its deeply resonant and soothing tones. She later taught herself saxophone, trumpet and mellophone as a teenager and played in many ensembles including concert band, woodwind quintet, marching band, jazz band as well as many honors bands throughout high school. She started as a music major at Penn State with a focus on bassoon and music education, but then switched from music to earn a B.A. in Communications. While at Penn State she played principle bassoon in concert band and was also a member of the wind ensemble, woodwind quintet, bassoon ensemble, marching Blue band and orchestra. She set aside music in her twenties but then came back to it again after being mesmerized while hearing River playing frame drum with Baraka Mundi. She studied frame drum and doumbek with River and later discovered Turkish spoons through a workshop at D.I.D. with Denys from Turku. Kelly has also studied bellydance with Onca O’Leary, and was a founding member of Onca’s World Spirit student bellydance troupe. She is currently a member of Sesen bellydance troupe in Asheville, and can be contacted at kellyb@ashevillecommunity.org.

Shelly Dandanell, CLTC, CSA
Wilson, NC
Triboriginal Instructor, Retirement Strategies for Small Businesses

Shelley Dandanell, CLTC, CSA has over 20 years experience helping business owners and their employees reach and protect their dreams.

Woodrow Jarvis Hill, aka Asim al-talib, has been a dancer in the raqs sharqi form for nearly 20 years. His extensive research into raqs history is paralleled in his energy and drive with the Society for Creative Anachronism, where he also dances and does research. The survivability of this form, long term, has led him to do extensive research into marketing and supporting dancers, with many thoughts on the topic at his dance blog, APOSTATE. http://apostate.raqsstorm.org

Free Planet Radio
Asheville, NC
Special Performance - Friday Night

'A World Music Super Group'- Mountain Xpress

Free Planet Radio is the vision of three multi-instrumentalists exploring the infinite and seamless relationships between musical cultures through the universal language of sound.

www.freeplanetradio.com

The Mezmer Society
Asheville, NC
Afterparty - Saturday Night

What is The Mezmer Society?
The Mezmer Society was founded in the Autumn of 2007 and fuses elements of belly dance, cabaret performance, Romany music, foppish occultism, unapologetically pretentious Belle Epoque café living, goodwill, bad behavior, misappropriated pop songs, and the horribly misguided notion that one can try and squeeze an entire Balkan brass band into one accordion. In addition to performance, the Mezmer Society teaches dance and music workshops and lessons across the country. 2008 has seen the Society featured at TribalCon in Atlanta, TribalFest in CA, Tribal Revolution in Chicago and TribOriginal in NC, among others.
www.barakamundi.com/mezmer

Onça of Baraka Mundi - Triboriginal Director
Proprietor, Future of Tradition Productions
Asheville, NC
Triboriginal Instructor - Raks Vaudevilla; Tarot

Since 1999, Onça (Lauren O'Leary) has been the source for quality bellydance instruction and performance in Western North Carolina. She was honored to be the first dancer ever to recieve a certification in General Skills from the originator of the modern Tribal Dance movement, Carolena Nericcio of FatChanceBellyDance. Other artists that have deepened her personal dance practice include UltraGypsy, Awalim, and Zafira Dance Company of Pittsburgh. With ten years of Brazilian footfighting, as well as flamenco, cabaret, and circus, her style is fluid, powerful and full of sass.

An author and artist, Onça's World Spirit Tarot was hailed as an instant classic upon publication in 2000. It has been translated into Spanish and is sold around the world.

In 2004, Onça's dance company, Baraka Mundi Live Music & Dance Ensemble, was nominated for both Best Dance Company in WNC and Best Kept Secret in the national Golden Belly Awards. Baraka Mundi has an album, World Spirit Melody, and the company's 2004 dance theatre production, Secret of Ashes, is available on dvd. In addition to directing Baraka Mundi, she mentored two student dance companies and served as Director of a Folkloric Arts Center for eight years.

Onça travels nationally to teach, lecture and perform Tribal Fusion bellydance. Onça's touring project for 2007-2008 is The Mezmer Society, a Balkan-infused Vaudeville revival, with WNC's coveted instrumentalist, August Hoerr.

As a Producer, Onça's most comprehensive projects are Triboriginal: Tribal Dance, Music and Culture Camp, and ABSfest, the Americana Burlesque & Sideshow Festival.

website: www.BarakaMundi.com
phone: 828-232-2980
e-mail: onca@barakamundi.com

Torva - Triboriginal Asst. Producer
Future of Tradition Productions Asst. Manager
Asheville, NC
Triboriginal Instructor: Tasseomancy & Basic Scrying; Sorting the Desk & Cleaning the Mess, Business 101 for Performers

Assistant Manager and Producer of Future of Tradition Productions, Torva is the stick that stirs the drink in Onca's creative mind. Torva's academic and practical experience in adminstration and management, and her devotion to artistic pursuits has created the perfect combination of understanding and knowledge to help artists and performers take their talents to eager audiences. She has immersed herself in all forms of occult studies for the last thirteen years and has developed a natural talent for all forms of scrying and intuitive readings. Torvawench@gmail.com

Reyna Dawman
Rising Sun Tribe Morganton, NC
Triboriginal Registration Manager
Reyna first began bellydance in 1999, she taught her first introduction class in 2001 but didn't begin teaching regularly until 2006 when she co-founded the Rising Sun Tribe. Currently she serves as the Director of the Rising Sun Tribe and teaches her classes in Morganton, NC where she lives with her husband and a house full of cats. She spends her time helping to organize her friend's chaotic lives and attending workshops whenever money and time permit. Her one dream is to, "Take over the world with bellydance."

Rick Dawman
Rising Sun Tribe Morganton, NC
Triboriginal Registration Manager
Triboriginal Instructor: Intro to Brewing: Beer & Mead

Rick is a "Jack of All Trades, and Master of None" kind of person. In 2002 he began playing with fire and poi, in 2003 he became a black sash in kung fu, in 2004 he became a brewer of beer and mead, in 2005 he became a fencer, and in 2006 he became a bellydancer and helped co-found the Rising Sun Tribe. Currently he serves as the Assistant Director of the Rising Sun Tribe and helps his wife teach her classes in Morganton, NC. He spends his time concentrating on his three hobbies, bellydance, fencing, and brewing.

Hawker has been immersed in manipulating sound and music creation ever since he took apart a TV at age 11 to build effects for his guitar. Since then he has been an avid part of the Asheville live music and recoding community for over 15 years opening one of the first digital recoding studios in Asheville and providing live sound and PA services for the community including Tribe Original and other Belly Dance and Middle Eastern music events. He is passionately interested in the nuances of sound and ways to present and create sound both in large venues and the quiet of campfires. During the day Hawker works as an electronic design engineer and has been involved in the design of recoding and music devices for many companies and is currently on the engineering staff of Moog Music, a manufacturer of analog synthesizers in Asheville.

Chef Oso - Culinary Passport World Cuisine
Marshall, NC
Triboriginal Chef and keeper of chocolate covered bacon

Chef Oso started his business to provide the acclaimed, delicious food offerings for the LEAF Festival in Black Mountain, NC. We are thrilled that he will be providing the meals for our event as well.

"This is the result of over 25 years of experience in the restaurant industry. My travels in my vocation have joyously taken me all over the globe. Spending countless hours in home kitchens, farms, boats and islands have yielded many treasures. We endeavor to prepare the freshest and most authentic international cuisine possible. The nature of this endeavor is the celebration of family and community through sharing a meal. It is also the exploration of our lives as art. Let's take time and set a table or sit outside under the sky and enjoy good company, delicious food, great music and dancing from the heart."
-Chef Oso

website: www.chefoso.com
phone: 828-713-2405
e-mail: Oso@culinarypassport.com