I’ve had almost nothing to do with ATS. (American Tribal Style)
. I say almost because I did once work with a few ATS videos, although that was all in the course of learning basic belly dance moves. The closest I’ve come to actually dancing anything ATS is Sahira’s Arabian Spices – and that’s ATS-esque rather than ATS. Other than that, the lack of opportunity to have danced with a troupe means that I just don’t relate to ATS the way I do to tribal fusion or American Cabaret style. I do understand however that it must be empowering and tremendous fun to be part of this sisterhood. The very teamwork involved must do wonderful things to people!
That’s my disclosure before I say anything further about this video, which I haven’t worked with and am just giving my impressions of – on demand. Oh… there’s actually more. I outright dislike the costuming and the more yelpy cues and audience responses. Sorry.
But Mimi Fontana of Manhattan Tribal tells you straight out what the vision of her DVD – the first ATS from World Dance New York – happens to be. She and her troupe are here to share their love of dancing. And they do that by giving you some of their signature vocabulary to make up your own sequences.
I don’t think this video is meant for anyone who doesn’t know the absolute basics of either belly dance or even ATS. Right from the start Mini gets into the movement meditation that most aware dancers will be familiar with. With no breakdown, she gets into some moves like camels and takasims and grapevines, propeller turn etc – the ATS way. In no time at all, it’s all over. The slow moves were probably less than five minutes. Okay for those who know – but not for anyone being freshly introduced to these. Rather bafflingly, she refers to various levels which again, one may not be aware of.
There’s a “drill” of fast basic ATS moves such as the Arabics and choo choo, Turkish basic etc. Through all of this, there’s a big feeling of hurry. Why, I’m not sure. Zero breakdown and no explanations. She just names the move and you’d better know. There’s quite a variety of moves, but it all rushes past. However, she did say this is a technique review and not learning technique afresh, so one can’t complain.
Then we get into the combinations.
If you’re familiar with WDNY videos, you may, like me, be surprised at how tiny these combinations there are. Not that I have anything against small combos – it’s just that the content on this particular video doesn’t seem to be as much on other WDNY videos. The combos are explained briefly and then demonstrated. There are seven of them, some slow and some fast. All the music is entirely familiar. I know I have each of these pieces somewhere. That’s good, I’m sure. One can focus on the combos more.
Fairly quickly, we’re on to the performances section. Nice solo one by Mimi. In fact, I much appreciate the solo element on this video. There’s a solo variation built in for each combo.
Other dancers seem to love the combos. One person prettily described them as beads in a necklace. Someone else said it was exactly what her troupe was looking for. But me I’m rather disappointed, to tell the truth. This hasn’t made me like ATS any more than I didn’t. The structure and detail described in the welcome doesn’t seem to bear out in the instruction. I just get the feeling that there could have been much more to this much-awaited video.
All that said, I think ATS dancers will like it very much. I remember being disappointed with Shimmy Shimmy Drop Drop because it seemed not to give enough, but dancers loved it and still do.
On this one, ATS dancers, don’t listen to me.
Mala, considering that you are not a fan of ATS, I think your review of “Tribal Revival” is very good and extemely fair.
While this is a good ATS dvd, it certainly isn’t the best. I don’t think this would be a good choice for ATS newbies at all. Anyone who bought this dvd as a way to learn the basics of ATS will end up frustrated by the lack of breakdown of the moves. Honestly, I was taken aback at just how rushed the basics section was. It almost seemed like an afterthought.
I, too, thought the combos were slightly lacking in substance. While they make good building blocks for ATS style dances, they are way too short to be used as drills. I found that quite aspect of the dvd quite disappointing.
I guess after spending years working with the Gypsy Caravans dvds my expectations of “Tribal Revival” were set a bit too high. It’s not that I won’t enjoy working with the dvd, I know I will. I guess I just wanted, well, more.
Hi, Mala! I had learned basic ATS and enjoyed it. I was excited about this DVD coming out but was disappointed by it. It just wasn’t enough for someone who’s been out of classes for awhile. I am wondering that since ATS is the creation of Carolena Nericcio and she has instructional videos on it, if that is why Mimi only reviews the moves. Again, I am disappointed.
Ah, so I was not the only one…
To be fair, I think this may not have been meant to get deeply into basics. But even so it seems to overall lack depth and weight. It doesn’t meet expectations in an areavwhere there are very few videos but all from pioneers of the genre. Was the idea really to give these minor combinations? What’s so specially building-block about them? Andnif we’re into building blocks, why the rush to gloss over the basic moves?
It’s World Dance that spoiled us for good quality content in generous helpings… So I don’t understandbthis one.
Am overall surprised with it.
Well, I spent some time with Tribal Revival last night and, unfortunately, I have to revamp my opinion that I would enjoy working with it. I didn’t. There’s just not enough meat on the bones of the dvd for my liking. I’m really not sure who WDNY was targeting with this one. I’m going back to my Gypsy Caravan dvds.
Woah… are you serious? Nothing wrong with the combos. They’ll surely be useful to add to your repertoire even if they’re not long or enough in number?
Mala
True, the combos are nice, useful and fun. They may be brief but, at least, they’ll give me some new ideas. And, boy, do I ever need them! My dancing is as stale as a two week old croissant.
I guess what I meant to say in my critique of “TR” was that, with very little instruction in the basics of ATS, the dvd seems a bit thin. I was really expecting/wanting a deeper tutorial in the basic moves and some extended drills. Something along the lines of “Luscious”, perhaps?
After working with the dvd last evening, I found myself wishing that it had more substance like the ones from Jenna, Sera, Neon, et al. I thought that “TR” would follow the same format as other WDNY releases (i.e. – comprehensive tutorials and butt kicking drills) and was rather surprised to find that it didn’t.
I think I’ll probably like “Tribal Revival” a lot more after I take a refresher course with Gypsy Caravan. It’s been so long since I did ATS belly dance that I need to start again from the beginning.
I think I’ve been spoiled by WDNY over the past few years. I want ALL of their releases to be super stellar.
That’s interesting, I’m not much of an ATSer myself, but I did consider getting this one to take a look because WDNY’s dvds are usually so good. I’m glad I didn’t bother now!
It’s not one of their best. But there’s plenty of others to pick from.
After looking forward to “Tribal Revival” for so long, it’s a shame that it turned out to be a disappointment. I’ll probably use it for a little while and then pass it along. It’s definitely not a keeper.
I’m looking forward to the Shimmy Workout, I think it’s due out anytime now, so that will be my next WDNY purchase.
I bought Kaeshi’s Hip Pop NYC too recently but haven’t even looked at it yet. I’m interested to see she has any similarities to Anasma, because I know they danced and trained together.
Me too. I’ve been spoiled by WDNY. I want more meat! LOL!