American Tribal Style bellydance (ATS) is a modern style of dance created by FatChanceBellyDance director, Carolena Nericcio.

In 1974, Carolena began belly dancing with Masha Archer and the San Francisco Classic Dance troupe. Masha's style was an eclectic blend of classic Egyptian, folkloric and any other influence that she found enticing.

Masha, a trained painter and sculptor, taught her dancers to create art through dance. In 1987, after the SF Classic Dance Troupe disbanded, Carolena began teaching in a small studio in the Noe Valley Ministry. (Ed: Noe Valley is a neighbourhood in San Francisco, CA.)

Her only goal was to teach people to dance so she could have dance partners.

Being young and tattooed, Carolena attracted other young people living alternative lifestyles. The Modern Primitives movement was also underway. Tattoos and primitive styles of body adornment were the vogue. Carolena and her students performed at tattoo shows and conventions, and became well known in the City by the Bay.

When the need for a name for the dance troupe arose, a friend suggested the playful rhyme FatChanceBellyDance, based on the silly question dancers often get from onlookers who think that beautiful, feminine belly dance is merely an exotic entertainment for their personal pleasure. In other words, the answer is: "Fat chance you can have a private show."