The California State Fair afternoon events on Sunday August 30, 2009 included some colorful shows from a wide spectrum of performing artists.  Two of these groups included the band Not Your Style at 1:00 on the Promenade Stage and the Manasa Tribal Belly Dancers on the PG&E Center Stage at 3:00.

Not Your Styleis a band comprised of handsome young men based in Sacramento who play with heart and skill. This band gave life to the food court that was well shaded by the raised canvas awnings recently brought into use at the State Fair to provide more comfortable facilities.  Their music was lively but not harsh and suitable for a wide range of -. With a lead vocalist, two guitarists, bass player, and drummer they played a mixture of pop punk and rock with passionate expression.  The crowd was moderate as well as moderately enthusiastic with distractions in effect from active children, fair food and colorful surroundings.  Find out more about this band at their facebook site http://www.notyourstyle.com

The Manasa Tribal Belly Dancers are a dance troupe located in Sacramento with a stylistic foundation from the Middle Eastern traditions of Northern India, North Africa, Central Asia, and Andalusia Spain.  The style is considered a tribal fusion. Their costumes are a delight to behold with extravagant layers of colorful skirts and pantaloons, jewelry, mirrored fabrics, tassels, belts and decorated bras.  The center PG&E stage was an ideal setting for their performance with the colorful background images of the capitol complimenting their bright purples, reds, greens, and blues. The event was not well attended despite the undulating, waving efforts of the beautiful dancers.  Children did not appear particularly fascinated by the performance and adults in the area seemed to be hitting an afternoon weariness of fair appreciation as the day’s heat peaked before cooling from the incoming breeze.

The Manasa Tribal dancers were a lovely troupe of voluptuous dancing ladies with ample bellies to undulate. The performance was not actually a shake and jiggle style of movement and although they were highly skilled and practiced it was under appreciated. More information about their style and background can be found at their website: http://tribes.tribe.net/manasa    All content and photos copyright by Susan Raines

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