Movement Dialect
From the FCBD, Inc Archive. Written by Carolena Nericcio:
I’ve been trying to think up a lengthy and thought-provoking way of presenting this topic, but it’s really short and sweet. We have a new category: FCBD®Style Movement Dialect.
Last year at Tribal Fest I settled down to watch a few FCBD® Sister Studios and I have to admit I was shocked, I had no idea what they were doing! At first I was upset. This is supposed to be a language that we can all understand. How could my own Sister Studios be presenting combinations and formations that I didn’t recognize? But then I thought about it and realized that’s the nature of growth. Even some of the steps that we (collectively: FCBD®, Devyani, Tamarind and Ghawazi Caravan) put on Tribal Basics Vol. 9 Anatomy of a Step are more short choreography or combo than steps. As much as I’d like us to remain in Classic FCBD®Style for the rest of our lives, I have to open things up for the dance to continue to grow. We now have Classic FCBD®Style, Modern FCBD®Style and FCBD®Style Movement Dialect. Sheesh!
Let’s define FCBD®Style Improv vs FCBD®Style Movement Dialect; Improv uses universal FCBD®Style steps that are recognized by all dancers. The steps can be combined in a never ending variety of ways, using cues to move into and out of duets, trios and quartets, which are supported by the chorus. It appears magical to the on-looker but to us it’s a highly sophisticated language that is easy to understand once you learn the alphabet and words (steps and variations), grammar (formations) and parts of speech (cues, musicality, etc.)
Here’s the boundary: if you can create a variation on an FCBD®Style step that I can follow without you having to explain it, it’s still FCBD®Style Improv. If you have to take me aside and teach me the step, combo or choreo, it’s FCBD®Style Movement Dialect. Movement Dialect describes the unique combinations and creations of a particular troupe or group. This Movement Dialect naturally evolves through the creative process of personal and group collaboration.
Although FatChanceBellyDance®Style Belly Dance is largely improvisational, we have always used choreographies when the situation merited. Sometimes you have a show that wants a full spectrum in just a few minutes, or a piece of music that really needs a combo to land in just the right spot. This is a great time to employ a Movement Dialect. It’s also a great way to get comfortable with a challenging piece of music, or introduce new dancers to the possibilities of Improv.
23 November 2013
Carolena