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Tribalieve was founded by a group of local women in 2007. The seven members of the performing troupe are moms, wives and professionals, active in their communities who have come together to share their love of this unique dance style.
Their improvisational tribal style dance is choreographed in the tradition of various belly dance forms to eclectic music, incorporating colorful, folkloric costuming. The troupe is led by Tamara Babun of Weston and is now based at the Gobbah Studio in Norwalk.
The troupe performs regularly for local charities, events and parties. The event in Austria featured a dog sled race in the Alps to raise donations to benefit World Hunger Aid. This charitable organization was founded in Germany in 1962 with the goal of banishing famine and poverty by following a guiding principle towards the development of self-help. Tirol Cross Mountain was created by renowned German actor, Till Demtroeder, brother of Tribalieve member Nikola Freeman of Westport. The event is held in the beautiful mountain village of Kühtai, Austria where corporate sponsors, celebrities and guests come together for a weekend to participate in an Alaskan style dog mushing race. The mushers come from all over Europe with their huskies and train eager participants to take on a five kilometer challenge race in the Tyrolean Alps. In keeping with the theme of the event, Tribalieve was asked to perform in the snow and portray a "hint of Alaska in Kühtai." Notwithstanding this unusual setting for a bellydancing performance, the troupe succeeded in shimmying and balancing swords amid snowflakes, barking huskies, cheering spectators and Austrian and German Television crews. Belly dancing in the snow was a first for the dancers.
The troupe who visited Austria was Lori Samuel of Greenwich, Nikola Freeman of Westport, Camille Falta of Wilton, Mel Soriano-Taylor of Weston and Tamara Babun of Weston. For more information regarding Tribalieve and dance lessons at the Gobbah Studio visit the website: www.gobbahstudio.com.
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