RACHEL BRICE's ASK 10 PAGE

SAN FRANCISCO/BAY AREA, CALIFORNIA

TROUPE OASIS HONORS 2007 WINNERS (THE INDIGO DANCE COMPANY)

Her passion for Tribal-style bellydance is unique, a quality all of its own. She puts as much time into perfecting her body and mind as she does her choreographies and teachings. Her movements are a signature definition of raw power. A highlight of the recent Bellydance Superstars tour and Lollapalooza, this modern goddess shares her driving forces behind her destiny toward bellydancing stardom.

=============================================================================================================================

1. Who were your 1st and current influences in bellydance?

''First: Suhaila Salimpour. Current: Suhaila, Carolena Nericcio, Mardi Love of Urban Tribal Bellydance (San Diego, CA) and Hah'biRu.''

2. You have 14 years of Ashtanga yoga in your career (7 years of study & teaching). How has this been beneficial for you in bellydance?

'My yoga practice isn't actually Ashtanga yoga as taught by Pattahbi Jois, although it's influenced me, for sure. I do plain and simple Hahta yoga, as taught by my teacher, Erich Schiffman.

Yoga has changed my posture, awareness of my body. It's given me a devotional aspect in my dance practice, taught me how to structure it. Through yoga, I learned a little anatony and physiology, developing the back strength essential for some of those Tribal backbends...just to touch on a few points.''

3. Tribal bellydance has spread through the country like a mad fever lately. Has it peaked too soon, or is there still more to look forward to?

''Oh no...there's a lot more to look forward to. Tribal bellydance, as Fat Chance Bellydance created it, can be infinitely expanding and changing form, with principals and aesthetics that can be applied in any number of variations. I'm not sure Tribal in its current form will remain as big as it is right now, but for some of us, it's changed bellydance forever. I'm sure it will continue to be an evolving, changing style of dance, I think we have yet to see some really exciting stuff; every year at TribalFest, there are new innovations that everyone just flips over. That's one of the reasons I go nuts at TribalFest...the creativity is so intense.''

4. You've become one of the most sought-after for bellydance workshops. What are the main points of emphasis you must get over to those who study from you?

''Take care of your body! Stretch and warm up first, stretch for a LONG TIME afterwards (when done). Posture, carriage, health all are more important than shimmying fast. Really. No, really. :)

Take your time learning the moves thoroughly. When I started drumming, I wanted to do finger rolls right away, when I couldn;t even hold a basic beat yet. I end up telling everyone to dance more slowly, don't rush the beat.''

5. When you're performing, people give you their undivided attention. Can you describe what what is being seen through YOUR eyes as you're performing?

''Usually the wall above everyone's head (when indoors). Just kidding... I try to stay relaxed and really enjoy what I'm dancing to. Music is key...if I can melt into what I'm hearing and disappear, I'm doing my job.''

6. Music (especially drumming) is essential in Tribal bellydance. How easy/difficult is it for you to find the right musical selections for a performance?

''Ah yes, the trouble with finding the perfect song. It's like finding a lover: some seem perfect in the beginning, only to wear thin in no time at all, others you can spend time with for years and never tire of them. The latter can get embarassing if you're talking about music: I'll get caught dancing to 'Violin Taxim' by Sirocco after ten years and I'm afraid people are thinking, 'Can't she find anything new?' I suppose it shouldn't matter, I suppose it doesn't really...''

''There are so many big shiny compilations coming out now. I prefer to try to dig out a gem in a store, some old-weird looking CD in the used section, something hard to find, maybe out-of-print. I'm lucky, though. I live one block from Haight Street in San Francisco and a 10-minute bus ride to the Fat Chance studio, and thus have access to all kinds of good stuff. That's why I moved here!''

7. After being on the Bellydance Superstars tour and Lollapalooza in 2003, what did you take from the experience?

''Three words: Suction cup hooks. Ask Ansuya.'' :)

8. The Bay Area is one of the most bellydance-friendly regions on the planet. What does it mean to be a bellydancer from this area?

''Well, you better love Tribal if you move herebecause we're eeeeverywhere. I moved here to study with Suhaila and Carolena (I haven't studied enough with Suhaila yet...), and to be near all this creativity: Fat Chance, Azure, Romani, Ultra Gypsy, Suhaila, Nanna Candelaria's Troube Tabu, Hah'biRu and a lot of great soloists. I wanted to raise the bar on my dancing, get my degree and find people who were as obsessed with this thing as I am. In Southern California, I was always dragging people to my TV and making them watch Suhaila's Dances for the Sultan. I wouldn;t even let them talk while it was on! Now, I can fill my place with people who go through my video collection and pull stuff out themselves. Aaaaaahhhhhhhhh....''

9. To say the very least, you have redefined the use and method of bellyrolls and other abdominal movements in a live performance. Are there any secrets to the muscle development and control you possess?

'' Actually, Carolena Nericcio was the one who redefined the abdominal movements for me. The secret is practice, practice, practice. That's it. I've only studied with teachers for may 6-9 months, if you add all the time together, the rest of it was me, my mirror my video camera and an iron will to figure it out for myself. Arm yourself with these.''

10. The day will come when you'll perfom for the last time. As you walk off the stage, what impact on bellydance do you want to leave on the art form and those who've seen you?

'I love this question. Thank you for helping me remember my intention. I hope this doesn't sound too...oh, I don;t know...arrogant? Sure of myself? I know I haven't done it yet, this is what I hope to do: I hope to raise the standard of bellydance in NON-BELLYDANCER'S eyes. We (the belly dancers) all know it's amazing, I want the ''average Joe'' to know that, respect that.''

''My favorite quote in my dance history came from a man who saw me dance at the Gypsy Den in Santa Ana. He said, 'I don;t know how to take elegance with sensuality. I'm used to seeing sensual women as somehow degrading themselves, but this looks more like exaltation.' That's it. That's what I hope to leave, women who feel sensuality is beautiful, a beauty that is rare. (And, I ain't talking about conventional beauty, I'm talking beauty that makes people remember what's behind getting the bills in on time and climbing the social ladder, etc.''

http://www.rachelbrice.com

http://www.bellydancesuperstars.com

QUICK PICKS: Created January 6, 2004:

Updated August 10, 2009:

*Has a popular DVD out now: Tribal Fusion. from Urban Tribal Dance Company to the 2004 tour.

*Rachel is finishing up on her Bachelor's degree in DanceEthnology at San Francisco State University.

*She works with her own dance company, called The Indigo., made up of she, Zoe Jakes and Mardi Love.

*Rachel is featured on the BDSS performance DVD: Live in Paris, out on 8/16/2005.

*A highlight of her Superstars trip to DC (@ The Birchmere) came as the dancer before her got off stage and Rachel walked on...the entire attendanced hush in dead silence, in awe of her attire and presence before them (including myself). :)

*Her former Indigo members include Ariellah and Michelle Campbell.

*The Indigo now has their own group on Tribe.net

*Holds an annual Costa Rican summer retreat at Pura Vida, through Sahara Dance.