Natalie Brown
Director, Delirium Tribal and Alternacirque
Skills: Bellydance, fire fans, fire eating, sword, fire sword balance, stilts, aerial silks

Natalie Brown grew up studying classical music and ballet as she traveled the world with her military family. She met her spiritual match, however, when she stumbled upon a Tribal Bellydance Style class in New Orleans, LA in 2004. Natalie soon became a N.o.madic Tribal student company member. After fleeing hurricane Katrina, Natalie found herself starting over in Columbia, SC. With no tribal troupes or classes established in the state of South Carolina, she founded Delirium Tribal Bellydance Company in April of 2006 and Alternacirque in August of 2007. She is a highly skilled and respected instructor and performer with a reputation for excellence and pushing the boundaries of theatrical bellydance.

Kendal Turner
Skills: Spoken word poetry, emcee, fire eating, fire fans

When Kendal Turner was little she wanted to grow up to be either a unicorn or an actress. In her adult life that has translated into a slam poet and cirque performer who daylights as a real estate agent. She is satisfied with the compromise. You can catch her every Tuesday at VerseWorks Poetry Series and every 4th Friday with Alternacirque, both featuring at Art Bar. A life without art is a lonely existence. Kendal is attempting to make hers as lively as possible. We’ve believe she’s off to a good start.

Gina Wolfe
Director, Luna Trix
Skills: Hula hoop, fire hoop, acrobalance, aerial arts

Someone, somewhere, once said it couldn’t be done and that’s where it all started. Years after a devastating, life-changing injury, Gina found a lonely hoop in the grass at a spring festival. She found its owner but not before the hoop had a chance to share a bit of its magic. Hoop-wrangling, as she affectionately calls it, quickly became an addiction and physical therapy at the same time. Gina joined Alternacirque in late 2009, rocking fluid and mesmerizing on-and-off body moves, tricks, spins, and isolations combined with mind-numbing speed. She also heads up the community based Columbia Hoop Troops and Luna Trix, Columbia’s premiere hoop performance group. We’ve learned never to tell Gina “It can’t be done;” that’s when you get into trouble.

Chris Carney
Skills: Fire poi, fire staff, fire eating

Chris’s fascination with fire began three years ago when he saw a freind spinning at a party. Also an avid scuba diver with a passion for aquariums, when his head is not beneath the water he lights up a dizzying array of fire toys to spin in various formations around his body. Chris joined Alternacirque in 2010, and is the head of fire production for the company.

Jessie Padgett
Skills: Bellydance, veil, sword

Jessie is a chicken farmer in Leesville by day, circus performer in Columbia by night. She had ten years of Cabaret bellydance experience under her belt before she took on Tribal and became a founding member of Delirium Tribal Bellydance Company. She still explores her passion for Cabaret bellydance with Columbia-area company Saidi Belles. Jessie also crosstrains with yoga, aerobics and weight training, and enjoys reading and traveling.

Maria Bargas Palacio
Director: Serpentine Bellydance Company
Skills: Bellydance, veil, sword, veil poi, fire fans

Maria is a mix of Spanish, Mexican and American heritage. Born in Spain and trained in Flamenco, Salsa, Merengue, Folkloric and Cabaret bellydancing, and already a member of local cabaret fusion troupe Saidi Belles, Maria became a permanent company member of Delirium Tribal in February of 2007. She’s quickly become indispensable as a dancer, costumer and choreographer for Alternacirque. Maria is also the director of Serpentine Dance Company.

Christine Brandt
Skills: Bellydance, veil, sword

The newest member of Delirium Tribal, Christine was born in Canada and raised all over the world. A nomad by nature, when not traveling to South Dakota, Hawaii, Key West, Vegas, Texas, Spain, France, Canada, ……. she enjoys time on the lake with family and friends. Her interest in medieval studies started her journey of Middle Eastern dance which lead her to Delirium Tribal and then to Alternacirque. Through the years Christine has attended workshops on the east coast and started studying dance with Natalie Brown in 2008. In 2011 Christine completed the American Tribal Style General Skills Course offered by Fat Chance Belly Dance founder Carolena Nericcio.

Mike Tanner
Skills: Acrobalance, stilts, hula hoop

Elizabeth Ferretti
Skills: Still trapeze, acrobalance