Belly Belly Hip : Tribal Belly Dance

Belly Belly Hip is a Tribal Style Belly Dance troupe. We have been dancing our own unique blend since 2001, one of the first Tribal troupes in Canada. Belly Belly Hip formed when Tonje, returning from living in Portland (and training with Gypsy Caravan), discovered there were no other Tribal Style dancers in Vancouver at all. She soon attracted a small group of like-minded individuals, and Belly Belly Hip was born! Shortly after, she returned to Portland to earn her teaching certification and then started teaching the first Tribal classes in Vancouver, with the aim of building a local Tribal community. To the same end she is also writing a regular column in SAHDA, the monthly newsletter of MEDA (Middle East Dance Association) entitled "Tribal Page"

Troupe Director

Tonje
Tribal bellydance has given me a great community of people I would never otherwise meet. Both locally, among my troupe mates and students, and across Canada and the US, I have made great friends and attended amazing events. Dance has gotten me through tough times and given me wonderful, life-changing experiences, challenging me to keep stretching my expectations of myself and those around me.
Plus, I get to wear really, really cool stuff !!!

Current Members

Kim
Once upon a time in a galaxy not so far away…my guy says to me...”Wow babe you should start belly dancing, that would be sooooo hot!” Well, 4 and 1/2 years later, it looks like we have created a monster that doesn’t want to stop dancing! I have settled into my dancing career with tribal style belly dance, which I love for the friendships I have formed, the costuming I can play dress up with, and the spirit of cooperative improv!

Stephanie
Sick of aerobics and missing the camaraderie and team spirit that I once found in school sports I took a plunge - against my better judgment - and enrolled in a belly dancing class at a local community centre. It was everything I was looking for and more! Exercise for the mind and body, being part of a group working and playing together to create something beautiful. It soon became apparent to me, that the Improv Tribal Style was the one for me! Now I can't imagine my life without this art form or the wonderful people who are part of it. I am certified in FatChanceBellyDance General Skills and look forward to the teacher training.

Monika

Monika
After a year or so of Egyptian Cabaret style belly dance instruction, I found an interesting article on the internet on Tribal style belly dance. I fell in love with the music, costuming and tattoos and had to give it a try! I found tribal style lessons being offered at my neighborhood community centre, and after my first class I knew I had found my “tribe”! Like my spirituality; Tribal dance is co created, sharing leadership roles and showcases the individual beauty and divinity of each dancer. I can’t imagine Tribal dance not being a part of my life now, and I am honored to share the stage with this talented and beautiful group of women.

Vanessa

has been dancing around campfires for 10 years or more.

   After taking workshops and learning bellydance informally

   from friends for years, she recently completed the ATS

   General Skills Certification. Vanessa loves both ATS and

   Folkloric styles. She is a little obsessed with the costumes...