Product Details

• Actors: Mimi Fontana
• Directors: Mimi Fontana
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Stratostream - World Dance New York
• DVD Release Date: March 29, 2011
• Run Time: 150 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00097AAKO
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #53,937 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Tribal Revival offers intermediate instruction in the American Tribal Style (ATS) bellydance group improvisation format created by Carolena Nericcio, director of Fat Chance Bellydance. Designed by Mimi Fontana, founder and director of New York City's Manhattan Tribal ATS collective and sister studio of Fat Chance Bellydance, the program blends classic ATS moves of Fat Chance Bellydance with signature steps and combinations developed by Mimi and Manhattan Tribal. The Manhattan Tribal combinations embody both tradition and innovation within the ATS format, adding modern flair to the mesmerizing flow of Tribal Style dance.

Tribal Revival - American Tribal Style Bellydance Variations opens with a technique review featuring slow and fast drills of individual ATS movements. In the combinations section Mimi offers detailed breakdown of ATS moves from various levels of both Carolena Nericcio s instructional format and Manhattan Tribal s own  moves and cues, and weaves them into 7 combinations - 3 slow and 4 fast. Each combination is taught step-by-step with improvisational cues as performed by duets, trios, and quartets of ATS dancers. Extensive drills of each combination enable group practice.

Mimi s teaching style is precise, generous and supportive; her attention to form and detail that enhance the magic of American Tribal Style will help you polish your technique and deepen your expressivity as an ATS performer.

In addition to teaching group format, Mimi Fontana seeks to expand the application of ATS moves and combinations in solo performance by including solo versions of each combination, each with its own solo drills for practice. This added feature offers Tribal Fusion soloists the opportunity to review their Tribal style technique and enrich their dance vocabulary with classic ATS and Manhattan Tribal moves woven into beautiful sequences.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent ATS instructional dvd!!, April 17, 2011

By 

J. Ho (NYC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tribal Revival - American Tribal Style Bellydance Variations with Mimi Fontana (DVD)

this is an excellent instructional dvd for the american tribal style (ATS) belly dance. the contents of this dvd is for intermediate level but mimi does a great job breaking down the steps. with practice, you will learn it very quickly and enjoy dancing with one another.

i am also a student of the ATS belly dance and what i really like about this dvd is the way the instructions are presented- during the step by step, i like how there is another dancer facing the back and performing the moves. it is very helpful to watch how the leader moves (from the back) because ATS is based off of improvised cues. essentially, you learn to how read the cues and follow the leader. i also like how at the end of each technique, there is a solo, duet and trio practices. you can always practice with a friend(s) and have a great time. and at the end of all the techniques, the performances by mimi and manhattan tribal are just beautiful.

in all, i highly recommend this dvd.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tribal Beauty, May 8, 2011

By 

Alejandra Vernon "artist & illustrator" (Long Beach, California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Tribal Revival - American Tribal Style Bellydance Variations with Mimi Fontana (DVD)

Mimi Fontana's Tribal Revival is a marvelous way to learn her American Tribal Style techniques, and be inspired by her incredible fluid grace and exquisite arm movements. You don't need to know much about belly dancing in the Level 1 portions of this instruction DVD; you'll learn as you go, into the Level 2 and 3 portions as the choreographed pieces become incrementally harder, and with Mimi's clear teaching methods, they are easy to assimilate.

After a warm-up and demonstration of the essential postures and movements, there are 7 choreographed pieces to learn and practice. I love the 2nd dancer mirroring the dance from the back angle as Mimi demonstrates during the teaching portion. The 1st dance, Hey Taxi! Is also shown as a duet, while the 2nd, 3rd and 4th are shown as duet and trio. The final pieces are able to be performed as a solo, duet, trio or quartet.

The performance section is worth the price of admission. The costumes alone delight the eye, and Mimi's 1st solo, with her shimmering golden voluminous pants, and using cymbals, is my favorite piece on the entire DVD. In the other 3 dances Mimi is with Manhattan Tribal, a lovely group that deserves mention:
Heather Bondra, Debbie Lakis, Rachel Ehrlich, Micol Hiatt, Kate Reid, Maria Naja Richardson, and Stephanie Rubino-Ginsburg. The terrific music includes Solace, Turku, Knossos, Zikrayat, and the Upper Egypt Ensemble.

Belly dancing is the most inclusive of art forms. Short/tall, thin/zaftig, untutored or expert, it welcomes all into its delights (I know a retired gentleman who is having the time of his life learning to belly dance). And Mimi Fontana's Tribal Revival is one of the best places to start.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beyond ATS Basics, June 26, 2011

By 

Seir (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tribal Revival - American Tribal Style Bellydance Variations with Mimi Fontana (DVD)

Tribal Revival consists of variations in footwork and combinations for already established students or those with background in ATS, mostly level 2 and up. If you are new to ATS perhaps you may venture into FCBD for the basics,zil patterns and work up to a comfortable level beyond basics.

After a very brief posture check and technique review, there are seven combinations to learn in several variations.

The terminology for combinations is in a personal signature of the instructor. These combinations are designed to work for solo to duets, trio and even quartets. With background in ATS I felt the practice runs are generous, adequately broken down, as they are a necessary element in obtaining fluidity and synchronization especially with turns and keeping formation tight. This section requires precise footwork especially during the barrel turns with several dancers.

With practice,Tribal Revival will bring new awareness to technique, improve footwork and perhaps keep the movement from appearing predictable and repetitious. It is fun to dance alone, or to learn with fellow dancers.
The production values are strong in this dvd which brings the performance section to impressive vividness, enhancing the colorful costumes.