Tribal Vision: A Celebration of Life Through Tribal Belly Dance
Joy rated it: recommends it for: feminists and dancers! A beautifully written and picture filled history of Paulette Rees Denis, director of Gypsy Caravan dance company of Portland, Oregon, as she studied with American Tribal Style belly dance's creatrix, Carolena Nerricio and came to be one of leaders in ATS. A GREAT and rare book on the subject of ATS. beautiful! --GoodReads.comI am haunted by this book. Not because of the content, which is compelling, honest, intriguing, and empowering. It is because I long so desperately to begin Tribal Belly Dancing on my own and don't know how to find a local group, if one even exists here in the reserved Midwest. I also know of no places to purchase the clothing and accessories here. Why must I live somewhere where it is so difficult to experience such a well described spiritual awakening based on the realization of your own private feminine sexuality? I will pass this book along to my female friends in an effort to spread this powerful and inspiring message, hopefully to the benefit of starting our own group here in Northern Indiana. (five stars) Brandi Gardner --LibraryThing.comI just received the book, Tribal Vision, by Paulette Rees-Denis. I have only yet read the first 3 chapters, but all I can say is, WOW!; This is one of the most refreshing books I have read. It touches on many dance related subjects that are close to heart. It gives a nice history of American Tribal Style belly dance as well as Paulette's own personal history. Tribal Vision also touches on belly dance classes, troupes, and the impact the dance has on women. Several personal insights by various dancers are given, along with beautiful, full-color pictures. This book is a must read for all belly dancers. It is also a very beautiful book and would just look absolutely gorgeous on any coffee table, but you MUST read it! I especially love the way she talks about the connection belly dance helps women make with themselves and others. A truly life-changing read. --sent inThis book is a definite must have for any belly dancer.....whether you are a follower of the Cabaret, Tribal, Gypsy or Fusion style of the dance there is something for everyone in this book. Paulette is one of the keepers of the dance...Please don't take me wrong there are others out there that are also keepers of the dance...Paulette is just one of them. With this book she lays it out....she draws you in...and allows you to feel the spirit of the dance. I have read this book many times since I bought it...I put on some Gypsy Caravan music and I open the book and step into the wonderful world of dance. Thank you Paulette. As Oliver once said...Can I have some more... --J. ZachariasI just received the book, Tribal Vision, by Paulette Rees-Denis. I have only yet read the first 3 chapters, but all I can say is, WOW! This is one of the most refreshing books I have read. It touches on many dance related subjects that are close to heart. It gives a nice history of American Tribal Style belly dance as well as Paulette's own personal history. Tribal Vision also touches on belly dance classes, troupes, and the impact the dance has on women. Several personal insights by various dancers are given, along with beautiful, full-color pictures. This book is a must read for all belly dancers. It is also a very beautiful book and would just look absolutely gorgeous on any coffee table, but you MUST read it! I especially love the way she talks about the connection belly dance helps women make with themselves and others. A truly life-changing read. --sent in...FUSE Magazine 2011......Reviewed by Alexandra Lancette I'll admit that the first three or four times I picked this book up I did nothing but look at the photos. Even though I own The Tribal Bible--which is a pictorial buffet itself--the numerous gorgeous pictu --Marilyn J. Mcleod "Coach Marilyn" (San Diego)I'll admit that the first three or four times I picked this book up I did nothing but look at the photos. Even though I own The Tribal Bible--which is a pictorial buffet itself--the numerous gorgeous pictures in Tribal Vision were so fantastic that I had trouble reading the text. Every dancer I saw seemed clothed in layer upon layer of earthy, textured finery. While the Internet abounds with photographs of dancers, printed copies are rare. And color! They're in color! Even the ones in black and white were so lush and inspiring that I picked my jaw up off the floor, grabbed for my sketch pad, and started drawing new costume and makeup ideas. Once I was able to calm my visual center down enough to actually read the book, I was absolutely hooked. It was my first in-depth introduction to Paulette, as I come from a FatChance American Tribal Style (ATS) background. I knew nothing about her, and very little about Gypsy Caravan (her troupe) other than that it was another form of improvisational dance. The book begins with Paulette's background, and then spreads out into many other aspects of the dance, including the history of ATS, costumes, performing, music, and teaching. Rather than serving as a how-to book, this text is more a moving, growing memoir infused with useful information for anyone interested in group improvisational dance. Alongside Paulette's words are snippets from her current and former students and troupemates. I found myself drawn into this sisterhood, feeling a connection to them even though our vocabularies are different, and wishing desperately that I could move to Portland to be a part of it all. The section on trance dancing was especially interesting. The link between movement and spirituality is undeniable, but I have always felt a personal resistance to it, not wanting to get too hippie with my dance. Paulette tempts me to give this a second thought, and to open myself to follow whatever path my dancing leads me to find. I was also delighted to read about Paulette s experiences as a teacher. This sort of firsthand account is, again, difficult to find. It was inspiring, to say the least, and made me appreciate the teachers I had worked with all the more. Tribal Vision is a wonderful book. For improvisational dancers, it provides a history as well as inspiration for the future. For non-improv dancers, it's an interesting glimpse into the sisterhood. And did I mention the photos? --Fuse Magazine 2011Beautifully Produced Book!,  (San Diego) It's evident the author took care when creating this work of art. Sharing her experience of tribal belly dance on so many levels, it's both an introduction and guide to a beautiful tradition. Thank you, Paulette! --Marilyn J. Mcleod "Coach Marilyn"