Natalie Brown and Delirium Tribal,

Posted By Administrator on January 12, 2011

Alternacirque, Columbia, South Carolina’s lovable band of circus misfits, is planning big for their fourth season, which begins in March 2011. We are already rehearsing and creating bigger and more ambitious shows, learning new skills, talking to larger venues and plotting a handful of tour dates throughout the southeast. We’re kicking off the new year with our third annual East Coast All-Star shows, nicknamed the Shows of Doom: due to over-capacity support in previous years, we’re splitting the event this year into two fundraiser shows on Friday, January 28th and Saturday, January 29th, featuring Alternacirque and bellydancers and musicians from across the country. Funds from these shows will assist Alternacirque in purchasing a mobile stage, lighting and sound equipment, costuming and insurance.

On Friday, January 28th:
The Bellydance Show of Doom
8:00 PM
CMFA Black Box, 914 Pulaski Street, Columbia, SC
All ages, $10. Advanced ticket sales available soon.

Join Delirium Tribal and Alternacirque as we host many of our favorite bellydancers and musicians in an all-star gala on the CMFA stage. We are very lucky this year to have several musicians making the trek to Columbia to provide live accompaniment to the dance companies in the latter half of the evening. Current roster includes:

Delirium Tribal
Aaron White
Serpentine Bellydance Company (Columbia, SC)
Asharah (Columbia, SC)
Awalim Dance Company (Atlanta, GA)
Majda (Atlanta, GA)
Teejei (Atlanta, GA)
Christy Smith (Atlanta, GA)
Ananda Dance Company (Knoxville, TN)
Fierce Fusion (Augusta, GA)
Mahsati Janan (Asheville, NC)
Asim (Greenville, SC)
Maria and Sipi of Biz’Cirque (Knoxville, TN)
Brandy White of Bellymuse and Discordia Arts (Greenville, SC)
August Hoerr of the Mezmer Society (Asheville, NC)
Darbuka Dave Machek (Huntsville, AL)
Denys Proteau (Columbia, SC)
Robert Gowan of Discordia Arts and Wasted Wine (Greenville, SC)
Tim Rayborn (Berkeley, CA)

And more in negotiation…..

On Saturday, January 29th:
The Circus and Shorkestra Show of Doom
10:00 PM
The Art Bar, 1211 Park Street, Columbia SC
21+, $5. Tickets available at the door.

Hide your kids, hide your wife. Alternacirque takes the stage in a variety show format that, rumor has it, will showcase all the stuff we’re not allowed to perform elsewhere, including circus party game Kraken Circus Jenga and Darbuka Dave’s staplegun raffle. Starting at midnight, the infamous Day Late and Dollar Shorkestra, the southeast bellydance community’s inebriated pickup Balkan jam band, will commence a dance party that will have you removing articles of clothing and singing in several different languages. Audience participation and dressing up is encouraged.

For more information, please contact Alternacirque Direktor Natalie Brown at alternacirque@gmail.com or at (803) 71-BELLY.

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Posted By Administrator on October 14, 2010

Hi, gang. I’ve been doing some writing off and on on a separate blog: here is a link. If you’re interested in my navel gazing and a look at what goes on in my strange little head, check it out.

Also, Aaron Johnson over at Pretty Penny Productions managed to shoot and edit a gorgeous promo of Alternacirque’s “Midsummer Night Cirque” show last summer. We were really proud of this production, and are looking to do more on this scale next season.

Cheers,
Natalie

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Posted By Administrator on October 4, 2010

Hi, students of Natalie Brown and Asharah:

It’s Triboriginal week! Unfortunately, I am due to head to the mountains for Onca’s music, dance and circus arts camp on Wednesday, October 6, which means I will be unable to teach Wednesday’s ATS Basics class, or Thursday’s Tribal Fusion class. Asharah is currently in Europe and will be heading to Tribo as soon as she’s off the airplane, so her classes are also, presumably, canceled. Classes will resume their regular schedule the following week.

If you can’t live without your bellydance fix, you have two Alternacirque options:

1) I am opening up the intermediate/company class on Tuesday, October 5th, starting at 7 PM, to all students of all levels. It will be a drop-in class of $10. Come hang with the company, and learn the ATS basics, as well as bonus material as a teaser to what you learn in the upper levels.

2) Take drop-in classes Monday and Wednesday with Maria Bargas Palacio at Gyrotonic Vista: www.mariapalacio.com.

Thank you, and I hope to see you Tuesday!

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Posted By Administrator on August 2, 2010

More Info John Tudor’s Magic Theater (with special guests)
Friday August 6 at 8:00 pm. (pre-show entertainment at 7)
Tickets $22.50 adults, $11.25 students, call the box office 803-276-6264, or online at http://www.newberryoperahouse.com/

John Tudor’s Magic Theater presents magic legends and grande illusion; with guest magicians, juggler, dancers, hoopers, light spinners, and other surprises. Friday August 6 at 8 pm. Tickets are $22.50 adults, $11.25 students. It’s a one of a kind variety show, a magic journey around the world and through the ages.

Magic Theater proudly presents special guests: Alternacirque, which includes Delirium Tribal (dance), Tribe SK (freestyle dance), Fire And Motion (light spinning), and Lunatrix (hooping). The alt-circus will be joined by award winning young magician Brandon Wagster (Columbia), Newberry’s own comic juggler Ralph Summer, and pre-show entertainment by magicienne Sarah Dippety (Columbia).

A special collaboration between Tudormagic and Alternacirque is in the works: a special piece created for this show by John Tudor and Natalie Brown, called “The Temple of Kali”.

The Newberry Opera House is at 1201 McKibben Street, Newberry S.C.

Tudormagic is unique: pulling the moon from the sky, vanishing ladies in a giant puzzle, a haunted sword, legend and levitation from a master magician…it’s amazingly hilarious as the audience joins him onstage in his quest for real magic.

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Posted By Administrator on May 10, 2010

www.nataliebrown.net and www.asharah.com

Asharah is now in Columbia permanently, and she’s teaming up with Natalie to offer two double header nights of instruction in the Columbia and Lexington areas.

STARTING THIS WEEK, WEDNESDAY MAY 12 and THURSDAY MAY 13

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Natalie’s classes:

Wednesdays at the Center for Dance Education, Lexington Old Mill, 711 Main Street, Lexington.

7 PM to 8 PM — American Tribal Style Basics for all levels (including beginners who have never stepped in a dance studio in their lives. We promise).

$10 per class, classes are offered continuously on a drop in anytime basis.

Come and learn about where Tribal began and the basic vocabulary of American Tribal Style. In this entry-level class, you’ll do a warm up and stretch, work on Taxim, learn a slow move from ATS slow vocabulary and a fast move from ATS fast vocabulary. If you have zils (finger cymbals), bring them, as we’ll work on zilling and dancing the last ten minutes.

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Thursdays at Gyrotonic Vista, 911 Lady St., Suite H, Columbia, SC

7 PM to 8 PM — Tribal Fusion technique for all levels (including beginners who have never stepped in a dance studio in their lives. We promise).

$10 per class, classes are offered continuously on a drop in anytime basis

It’s the kitchen sink class. Learn how to access and isolate muscle groups, refine movements and learn different methods of technique coming from American Tribal Style, Tribal Fusion, Suhaila Salimpour and other styles and formats of bellydance.

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Class cards that apply to all of Natalie’s classes are available. $50 gets you 6 classes and $100 gets you 12 classes.

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Asharah’s classes:

Belly Dance Drills and Technique. Wednesdays, 8:15pm-9:30pm
Join us at the Old Mill in Lexington we’ll be drilling, working, and learning hardcore technique in a fun and supportive environment. $15 drop-in, $125 for a ten class card.

Lexington Old Mill, First Floor at the Center for Dance Education
711 East Main Street
Lexington, SC

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So you want to be a belly dancer? Thursdays, 8:15-9:15

We’re kickin’ it old school at Gyrotonic Vista Studio and learning the fundamentals of belly dance. With a focus on safe execution of movement and muscular isolation, this class offers challenging yet accessible material for dancers of all skill levels. And I mean that – all skill levels! $15 drop-in, $125 for a ten-class card.

Gyrotonic Vista
911 Lady St., Suite H
Columbia, SC

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Posted By Administrator on January 6, 2010

“You must have the devil in you to succeed in the arts.” –Voltaire

We are excited to announce a special collaborative intensive, “The Devil in the Details,” created and taught by Asharah and Natalie Brown. We are currently booking for 2010 and 2011.

Check out our info packet to get an idea of what we’re doing. If you would like more information, or are interested in sponsoring us in your city, please contact us at either alternacirque@gmail.com or asharah@asharah.com.

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Posted By Administrator on December 30, 2009

We will not be performing at our usual fourth Friday in January. Instead, we’re hosting dance companies and performers from six states and the District of Columbia for a fundraising show the following night at Art Bar!

“After last year’s infamous Bellydance All-Star Show at Art Bar (with four top acts, 350 spectators standing on barstools and hanging from the rafters, and a drunken, accordion-filled after party that lasted until dawn) Delirium Tribal called up several of our favorite dancers and arranged to do it all again.

In an effort to raise money for the upcoming circus season and for our eventual goal of opening a studio, Art Bar is throwing open its doors on SATURDAY, JANUARY 23rd and welcoming bellydancers and companies from across the southeast and eastern seaboard.

Site: Art Bar indoors(21+)
Cost: $5 at the door

Currently confirmed and scheduled:

Delirium Tribal and Columbia Alternacirque (Columbia, SC)
Ashley Bennett (Columbia, SC)
Ananda Dance Company (Knoxville, TN)
Mahsati Janan (Asheville, NC)
Lisa Zahiya (Asheville, NC)
Awalim Dance Company (Atlanta, GA)
Jahara Phoenix Dance Company (Atlanta, GA)
Fierce Fusion Dance Company (Augusta, GA)
Asim (Greenville, SC)
Asharah (Alexandria, VA)
Mab, Just Mab, D.C.’s sideshow Queen (Washington, DC)
Devyani Dance Company (Birmingham, AL)”

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Posted By Administrator on December 30, 2009

Maria is hosting Yasmine of Magic Hips in Charlotte, NC for a workshop here in Columbia. Information follows:

“”From Funky Fusion to Cutting Edge Cabaret (C)”, Yasmine, who has an extensive background in ballet, tap, jazz, & Middle Eastern dance, is the studio owner of Mid-East Dance by Yasmine. Yasmine spent much of 2004 touring with the Bellydance Superstars performing in major cities around the United States as well as Barcelona, Spain and after touring teamed up with Master Tabla Player Issam Houshan in offering Drum & Dance workshops. Yasmine is well recognized for her dynamic and precise movements and her ability to portray the music, which she carefully extends to her students – grooming them for their own spectacular performances. As well as being a sought after instructor due to her personable and fun teaching approach, Yasmine’s distinct performance style is often referred to as “Cutting Edge Cabaret.”

Featured on the cover of the May/June 2007 issue of Zaghareet, Yasmine also appears in IAMED’s Bellydance-O-Rama vol. 3 DVD and appeared as a featured artist for Dr. Samy Farag’s 2008 CD Release Gala Show in Texas. Yasmine hosts several events in the Charlotte area & is currently teaching seminars throughout the U.S. www.magic-hips.com

Mid-East Dance by Yasmine 704-525-3606 www.magic-hips.com
yasmine@magic-hips.com

Register for workshop at yasmine.eventbrite.com

Got “Magic” Hips? Rhythmic Hips = “Magic” Hips! (2 hours) SATURDAY (12:15 – 2:15)
Dancers will learn to interpret the sounds of the drums by drilling some of Yasmine’s favorite techniques and movements to Middle Eastern Rhythms to accentuate the “Dums” and “Teks”! Drilling dance movement to these rhythms will help the dancer gain more control and to feel the rhythm. Then we will put these techniques to the test with “The Rhythmic Soul Train” Exercise and “The Battle of Rhythmic Hips!”

Zills & Drills (2 hours) SATURDAY (2:30 – 4:30)
Drills for combining finger cymbal work with dance movement and working with various rhythms. This class also leads into a Full Zill Drill routine that can be used for practice or group performance using the method of set Patterns to accompany music mixed with dance movement combinations!

Funky Fusion Combos to Choreography (4 hours) SUNDAY (10:00 – 2:00)
The combos presented in this class includes some cabaret technique mixed with a spicy blend of tribal style and alternative belly dance fusion topped with Yasmine’s own Funky Flare that can be used for a variety of modern routines! Funky Fusion blends the power and the beauty of tribal and cabaret! This class will include technique & drilling several combinations for the first portion of the class and then applying these combinations to lead into one of Yasmine’s own Funky Fusion routines.

Location: VISTA Ballroom

1019 Assembly St.

Columbia, SC 29201

Show – Bellydance Extravaganza
January 16, 2010

Door opens at 7:30
Show – 7:30 – 9:30

Location: Capital Senior Center

1650 Park Circle

Columbia, SC 29201

Workshop participants will have an opportunity to perform at the show Saturday night. Deadline for performers to register is December 15, 2009 so that we have enough time to collect music / paperwork. Limited spaces available so first come, first serve.

Performances, shopping, door prizes and more!! Come join the fun!
Tickets – $10 advance. At the door – $15 Children 12 and younger get in free.

For more information on purchasing advance tickets, please visit www.MariaPalacio.com.

Workshop tickets are not refundable. All workshops participants will have the opportunity to perform. If you have any questions, email me at workshop@MariaPalacio.com. Thanks!!!”

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Posted By Administrator on December 30, 2009

From Brandy White of Bellymuse:

“Hi Everyone!!!

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to become part of Greenville’s first and only American Tribal Style dance group!
This is a great way to get started in dance as there is no guess work! You learn a specific language of moves and dance them as a group.
We will have our first ATS Boot camp on January 9, 2010 with Miss Natalie Brown of Columbia SC.
Natalie Brown is quickly becoming recognized as one of the top Belly Dance directors and instructors in the South East and is an exceptional ATS dancer.
www.nataliebrown.net

I plan on following up the boot camp with weekly or bi-monthly jam session that I will organize and lead in order for us to keep practicing and building skills.

Location: SuperStarz Dance Center on Butler Rd.
Time: 10-12 -lunch- 1-4
cost: $85 if paid by Dec. 12
$110 after Dec. 12

After the workshop..prepare to party! A very informal hafla will be held that evening. This will be a true hafla with a party atmosphere! Not a formal show at all!
Natalie will dance and may even bring some gal pals to help rock out with us! Location and details for this will be announced at a later date.

Please contact me to reserve your spot! Make it your Christmas gift to yourself!!

www.bellymuse.com
brandy@bellymuse.com”

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Posted By Administrator on July 30, 2009

I opened up the Free Times yesterday and started reading an excellent cover story interview with Greg Hilton from EngenuitySC (who’s been teaching some of the artist as entrepreneur business classes I’ve been attending), Mandi Engram from the Convention Center, Katherine Swartz from the Columbia Opportunity Resource and Katherine Robinson from EngenuitySC. The article was focused on youth retention and growing and improving Columbia’s nightlife, industry, arts and community. Click here to read it.

I’ve been surprised how much I’ve liked Columbia the second time around, and I’ve been excited and pleased with the impact I feel the company and I have made on our community, and how much support, help and appreciation we get from Columbia. And I feel that this article touched on a lot of the same things I think and feel about Columbia and the potential for growth and entrepreneurship, especially in the arts.

If you go about 2/3rds of the way down the page, the Free Times kindly gave me a shout out for the work and vision we’ve been tirelessly striving for. I’m very proud to be mentioned, and what’s more, that people are understanding what we’re trying to do, and they’re hopping on board to help in any way they can.

Columbia is what we make when we roll up our sleeves and make stuff happen. What are you doing to make your city better today?

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