{"id":2298,"date":"2011-01-18T15:16:38","date_gmt":"2011-01-18T22:16:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/?p=2298"},"modified":"2011-01-18T15:16:38","modified_gmt":"2011-01-18T22:16:38","slug":"paola-croatia-split-tribal-fest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2011\/01\/18\/paola-croatia-split-tribal-fest\/","title":{"rendered":"Europe’s Newest Dance Destination"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Detail<\/p>\n

Split Tribal Festival in Croatia<\/h2>\n

by Paola Blanton<\/a>
\nphotos by Marin Culic and Dunja Cuk Podolski
\nposted January 18, 2011<\/span><\/h3>\n

Imagine performing in a historic Roman palace \u2013 its time-worn pediment rising high above as the audience finds its place among ancient marble columns and stairs.\u00a0 Colored lights cast a mystic glow as the music lashes out, grabbing the public\u2019s attention and holding it rapt as international soloists and troupes cast their spell onstage.<\/p>\n

For three days and nights in August, the Split Tribal Fest gave us that stage setting \u2013 and much more.\u00a0 Croatia\u2019s second largest city is the site of Roman Emperor Diocletian\u2019s palace on the seaside and a living museum of antiquities.\u00a0 In Split, it is not uncommon for one\u2019s home to share a wall, a column, or an ancient walkway dating back to antiquity . Romance and history converse in its streets as the salty Adriatic breezes waft through its corridors, invoking a sense of timelessness. <\/p>\n

Organizers Suncica, Dunja<\/span>, and Slaven<\/span> began their preparations a year in advance, sponsoring Sharon Kihara<\/span><\/a>, Kami Liddle<\/span>, the Uzume<\/span> , and myself to present workshop topics for a diverse assembly of European dancers.\u00a0 Croatia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Italy, and Russia were represented in the workshops and nightly shows, showcasing the wealth of talent from the heart of Europe.<\/p>\n

Croatia is one of Europe\u2019s up-and-coming tourist destinations, and for many good reasons.\u00a0 The Adriatic coast winds sinuously down the west of the country, where jagged fjords meet crystalline-blue waters teeming with the fruits of the sea that grace the country\u2019s excellent cuisine.\u00a0 Foodies, don\u2019t think twice for here is a Mediterranean marvel, offering some of the region\u2019s best wines, olives, produce, seafood, and of course, the famous smoked meats of Croatia, like prosciutto.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It\u2019s like an Italy that one can actually afford, due to the fact that it is not yet an European Union country,\u00a0 and therefore not subject to the massive cost of living spikes of EU member nations.<\/p>\n

\"Class\"Croatia\u2019s dry summers boast endless sunshine tempered by sea breezes, olive groves, vineyards, and cypress forests.\u00a0 There is something about the light there, romantically Mediterranean, golden and reflective in a way that makes everything a touch more beautiful.<\/p>\n

Combine its history, architecture, climate, food, wine, and warm Balkan hospitality, and you have a perfect setting for an international gathering of dancers who showcased Tribal, Fusion, and related styles.\u00a0 Our workshops were held in the Hajduk Soccer Stadium<\/span>\u2019s modern cultural complex \u2013 a set of well-appointed studios with an upstairs caf\u00e9 that served a hearty vegetarian lunch every day to festival participants for less than $5.<\/p>\n

Nightly performances at Diocletian\u2019s Palace<\/span> were a Festival highlight, spanning creative Tribal Fusion and featuring international stars like Sharon Kihara and Kami Liddle.\u00a0 I myself presented my Balkan Fusion style that derives directly from my own yearly research and festival in nearby Macedonia, sister republic to Croatia in the Former Yugoslavia.\"Map<\/p>\n

Innovation marked every aspect of this Festival.\u00a0 I saw Tribal merging with lyrical expression from \u201cLes Petits Bijoux<\/span>\u201d of Slovenia, comedic character-play from Stania<\/span> and Irena<\/span> of the Czech Republic, and pumped-up Electronic Trance fusion from Nina Stepic Cupic<\/span> of Zagreb, Croatia\u2019s capital city.\u00a0 It goes without saying that Sharon Kihara and Kami Liddle were both gorgeous and inspiring onstage, crystallizing the impact the event had on the awed public. The\u00a0 Adriatic and Central European\u00a0 dance community is in love with belly dance in all its manifestations, as evidenced by the regular visitation of international stars like Kihara, Kami Liddle, Petite Jamila, Morocco<\/a>,<\/span> and Michelle Joyce<\/a><\/span>, just to name a few.\u00a0 For a first-time project for Dunja, Suncica and Slaven, it was world-class in all aspects.<\/p>\n

The novelty and originality in the application of related dance forms and sensitivity to good fusion extended to great live music as well. This was showcased in the electrifying performance of the Mantra Fusion Band<\/span>, of which Suncica is the violinist.\u00a0 They wrapped up one of our shows in front of the Palace with a high-impact set cross-breeding Balkan music with Oriental and Indian tones, along with a dash of Rock to keep you on your toes.\u00a0 <\/p>\n

As an instructor, I enjoyed working with a highly organized team who took the time to anticipate my needs and to make me feel at home. Volunteer helpers like Josipa Vulic<\/span> were always on hand to pick up, drop off, have a coffee or a wine, or just chat.\u00a0 I felt like I was surrounded by friends because I was.\u00a0 In the Balkans, hospitality is in the blood, and a generously warm and friendly spirit pervaded all aspects of this Festival.<\/p>\n

In 2011, they will do it again, and you\u2019re invited!\u00a0 Imagine yourself on the ancient shores of an ancient land, surrounded by centuries-worn marble, dancing to your soul\u2019s content among new friends in the heart of Europe.\u00a0 Raise a glass of cold white wine, enjoy a platter of steamed mussels, and enjoy the show.\u00a0 Split is a unique, world heritage setting, and Split Tribal Fest is a unique festival that will steal your heart and fire your imagination until you come back to the embrace of new friends in the spirit of our great Dance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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\"Audience\"
\nAudience<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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\"Diagnonal\"
\nDarma Dance Company from Italy<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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\"Duo\"<\/p>\n

Russian Tribal Mafia Dance Company from Russia<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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\"Duo2\"<\/p>\n

Les Petite Bijoux Dance Company from Slovenia<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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\"Group\"
\nGroup photo taken at the end of the 1st night of the performances<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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\"Group<\/p>\n

Belly-Freaks Dance Company from Croatia<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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\"Kami\"<\/p>\n

Kami Liddle<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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\"Paola\"
\nAuthor Paola dancing a fusion piece to traditional Macedonian Zurli<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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\"Paola\"<\/p>\n

Author Paola dancing to "Da Zna Zora" – by Sandy Lopicic Orkestar – Balkan Gypsy\/Cabaret fusion.<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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\"Shades\"<\/p>\n

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Stania and Irena from Czech Republic <\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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\"Tribal<\/p>\n

Tribal trio \u2013 The Uzum\u00e9 and Sharon Kihara<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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\"Window\"<\/p>\n

Your next window of opportunity to meet new friends in the heart of Old Europe will be<\/h5>\n
August 18-21, 2011<\/h5>\n
festival info:
\nhttp:\/\/www.orijentalni-ples.com<\/a>
\nwww.splittribalfest.com<\/a>
\nCheck above link for details on the festival, including, class schedule, lodging, vending etc
\n<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

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 <\/p>\n

\"use<\/p>\n

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Have a comment? Use or comment section at the bottom of this page or Send us a letter!<\/a>
\nCheck the "Letters to the Editor<\/a>" for other possible viewpoints!<\/p>\n

Ready for more?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\t\t\t<\/p>\n

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