When I happen across a tribal dancer, one from the other
side of the globe, and with whom I share few words in any
language in common, I somehow assume that without one
shared word, there is something about her that I will “get”
and something about me that she will “get”. I’m not alone
in this sentiment, and what’s nice is, so far, I’ve always been
right. Is there anything more important in this life than
connecting with people that we “get” and who “get” us?
What I realized, in the end, is this:
The Tribal Massive TM comes down to three things:
1 - know yourself
2 - know your tribe
3 - write the story – or rather – dance it.
It is not the things we talk about doing that matter in the
end, but what we do. Maybe that’s the most powerful thing
a dancer knows - without having to say it. It is not what
someone says about what we danced that is the real story.
It’s how WE dance our stories.
So my story this year is about the backstage. That’s where I
went this time to get to know myself and my tribe better than
ever. The dancers’ dances are their stories to tell. When I’m
onstage again, that story will be mine. What’s important is
that we give time and attention and support to these stories,
from in front of the stage and in back and in all the seats in
between, so these stories are not lost. What’s important is
that we hold and host and attend festivals with each other.
What’s important is that we get more connected than ever
and keep dancing and teaching and learning and dancing . . .
So come to The Tribal Massive TM . Come see for yourself.
Come be one of the international dancers who travel long
and wide to share. Come, so I can meet you face-to-face –
at the check-in table or in class or at dinner or behind the
Zoe Jakes’ Coven