Today's April 14th...meaning in a month, Tribal Fest 8 will be kicking off! Very excited for this year in so many ways - have a slew of new products to vend, offering two new workshops, performance collaborations, seeing folks I haven't seen in a long time, big bowls of sangria, meeting new peeps, and so much more.

But I was also thinking this morning as I drove to work, where I was at when I first heard of Tribal Fest. I was just starting out my journey into the realm of bellydance, located in Rhode Island, blissfully reading all of Kajira's articles and interviews online, oogling over (and eagerly printing) photos of Fat Chance, Invaders of the Heart, Romani, and others..I must have gone through a ream of paper printing out the articles and photos for reference. And then I heard about this festival - the first ever Tribal Fest! I called my friend in CA and asked her where this weird place called "Sepastopol" was....only an hour or two from her! And where we would be moving to! But not soon enough! We wouldn't be out there in time to experience this first festival ourselves. I comforted myself with the knowledge that SOON, I too would be out there, and I would most certainly be there for #2!!!

And I was :) I dragged my friend up for one day, it took us forever, because it was Bay To Breakers, and her "shortcut" was blocked off, and we got routed way out of our way, and it was raining and the traffic horrible on 101...but we got there eventually! So many beautiful things, so many dancers! And I bought the loudest pair of gold and red Indian pants from Sharon Moore (who I had met and chatted with online!), which became part of my Kali costume in Dhyanis' "Living Goddess" Show. I remember looking at them on the way home and my friend telling me to close the bag, or else I'd cause an accident b/c they were so loud ;)

The following fall, I would return to the same venue for Festival Fantasia, the sister "cabaret" festival for TF, and would grace the corner of the stage as part of Azar's troupe, Dancers of the Mystic Sun, in their "Oya" Afro-Belly piece, as I helped sing the chants and do the chorus and not fall of the stage. Oh my gawd, how could I do this ever by myself? Out HERE? SO much different then performing back in RI!

But come Tribal Fest 3, there I was, sporting my second pair of dreadfalls (the peacock ones debuted at Rakkasah) in black and white, ghawazee sleeve falls, handmade bra, doctored-up Indian metal belt, and assuit skirt (a wonderful gift from my friends), dancing to System of a Down! Ansuya's Troupe "Ya Leil" performed! OMG! Such beautiful amazing ladies! (I didn't get to see too much b/c we were vending in the Russian Room..).

Tribal Fest 4 was an amazing and profound experience for me. This year, I performed a duet with Anaar - "The Becoming", aka the Peacock Sex Dance. I had been struggling with my place in the dance world, and who/where was I as a dancer, why did I dance? And I'll never forget the amazing feeling I had after performing with Anaar - it's like everything made sense, and I had so much FUN dancing with her - it really was magick! This was also the year of the debut of the corset belt. Laura Rogan, Sherri W, Sharon K, and Sooz were among the very first ladies to buy my designs that year. I also believe this was the last Tribal Fest that Ellen Cruz was a part of, and I'll never forget the beautiful correspondence we shared afterwards about the event. I think this was the year of the impromptu dance jam at the Italian restaurant!

The next year, Tribal Fest 5, Kajira invited me to teach this strange fusion called Gothic Bellydance. OMG, I couldn't believe it sold out! This year was what I now refer to my "running, jumping, climbing trees!" performance, which was a mix of Knossos and Disturbed. I graciously lost my top and got fishnet burns (in that pattern) on my knees. Learned a lot from both experiences :)

Tribal Fest 6....ok, how come my memory is better the further I go back? This year is a little fuzzy in my memory. Another GBD workshop, and thankfully I didn't lose any articles of clothing, and wore two pairs of underwear to offset the super high-cut slit of my "Salomatra" piece and had invisible straps on my bra.

Tribal Fest 7 - probably explains why I have very little memory ;) Last year, I was determined that Keith and I would move to the East Coast right after TF7. Ever tried preparing to move and making stock and preparing for two workshops and two performances all at the same time? While still working a day job? Yes, I was insane. We did it, but if I ever try to do that again, I hope someone distracts me with shiny things and whacks me over the head. Anaar and I did another duet, which was magickal and amazing for both of us (and very close to costume disaster), and then in my "Gothfia" solo, I had a near-burlesque experience :) This was the first year that Aradia made it out from RI, and we really re-connected. And there was a most magnificent bowl of sangria.

And so here we are, a month away from Tribal Fest 8, and I'm amazed at the years (at least what I can remember lol). All of the people I've met over the years, friends made and what came from all of those connections. And how weird it will be flying out there instead of just driving up from the Bay Area, and coming without my husband Keith, because someone has to watch the cat.

And all because Kajira decided to create a festival.

Thank you Kajira (and of course Chuck!), and everyone else who lends their energy to making Tribal Fest the amazing event it is - vendors, performers, volunteers, students, and teachers.