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3rd
Coast Tribal Festival, Texas 2007
*I
know everyone has been saying "Thank You" but really
Thank You for your insightful and entertaining workshop. I am
so glad that as my first ever workshop it was yours that day.
I just wish I hadn't been so nervous in front of you, that I couldn'
t think when we were dancing on the stage. Anyhow, YOU ROCK!.
Thanks also for letting people know about the "music"
issue for GBD, it annoys me some times what people actually think
is Goth music. I am trying to make plans for Tribal Fest, hopefully
all works out and I can be enlightened once again. One more thing,
I know we are the same age, but will you be my mom? Hahaha. MY
goth mother.-Deidre
*Hello there Tempest.
First of all your performance was just astounding. Everything
you explained in the workshops came through and put a lot of things
in perspective. I would have to say my favorite was the first
one which was just adorable, dark and silly all rolled up into
one. The second was awesomely hard and captivating. I think some
ladies from Houston didn't know what they were in for. I'll keep
this short since you ARE a very busy woman. Thanks for coming
to Texas and showing us the darker romantic side of bellydance.
Please come back and maybe come further south to Houston, wink
wink. Best of wishes. - Jessie
*Dear
Tempest,
Thanks for 2 super classes! I'm blown away by the talent of the
young dancers in your generation and inspired to keep trying new
things. It would be easy to get into a rut after 33 years. I know
that my students really deserve an up to date teacher and even
though I would never claim to teach "Gothic Belly dance",
I can use many of the ideas you presented in my lessons. -Meleea
(Lady of the Feather Fans)
From
the Durga Tour:
Thank you for coming to Minneapolis - it was absolutely wonderful
to have you here.
I'm
sure you hear a lot of things on tour - there must be compliments
and wonderments and fawnings and (hopefully not too many) pawings
... the reality of being a celebrated artist on the road amidst
her fans.
But
I want you to know that I wasn't kidding when I told you that,
by your very arrival in town, you heralded a new age here in dance.
This is a strictly raqs sharqi town; we have one queen bee (Cassandra
Shore) who has been the reigning shiznit since the 70s ... and
another queen - once Cassandra's right hand - who is too magnificent
to hide in the shadows although she was unable to usurp the throne,
so she formed her own school ... Margo Abdo O'Dell. Glorious dance
learned from incomparable women, but it's cabaret and nothing
else here. We are belly dance's eastern block country! We have
one tribal group ... allowed to live because their roots in community
ed make them easy to dismiss ... and now, Mischievous Djinn -
the Twin Cities' first fusion group.
Oh, I never intended to be anybody's first anything in the dance
world, but I had grown tired of being sidelined in student choreographies
for being a large woman - off to the side or in the back next
to the tall girls and the girls with glasses. I began to wonder
how much power The Island of Misfit Toys could wield if the dentist
elves and polka-dot elephants had their own group ... where talent
and stage presence and passion were the requirements for participation.
There seemed to be nowhere to go with the art when you weren't
being groomed for prancing in sparkles in a Middle Eastern restaurant.
I was that productive kind of angry you get into when wanting
to scream "Fuck you, I hate cutesy choreography with no goddamned
teeth!" turns into a plan ...
When
I wrote to you about your Durga Tour, I just desperately wanted
something different to see and do; I wanted to /go /to the thing
... hosting was the furthest thing from my mind. And then ...
there you were - just like that. And we were scrambling to launch
MDjinn a year before we were truly ready - just to make it legit
and host the thing properly. It was not perfect, but it was better
than I could've hoped for ... 33 people came to a class where
12 were anticipated. And more arrived for the gothla. Lemme tell
ya, we took no end of shit when we announced the tour - pot shots
and digs and disparaging remarks ... mostly, I think, for the
sheer audacity we showed in not asking anybody else for guidance
or ... permission to have an event. 33 people plus, and everyone
was on their very best behavior suddenly. Hmmm. Go figure.
A
couple of Saturdays ago, I went to a hafla with Hypatia to cheer
on a fellow dancer trying her hand at group choreography. The
emcee was a woman who had intended to perform at the gothla, but
had an emergency meeting at work pop up that night. She announced
that she was going to perform her solo at long last and talked
about Mischievous Djinn and The Durga Tour and Tempest ... the
whole place erupted into shouts and applause and zaghareets. We
just sat there and smiled and shook the hands that were extended
to us. A gothic minx from the West Coast, 33 people plus, and
the world is changed.
We
are having a belly dance fundraiser this Saturday for a local
animal sanctuary; we wondered who would perform and who would
come to see us the weekend before Thanksgiving ... but what the
hell; it seemed like a good idea so we ran with it. The dance
roster filled immediately and, from all accounts received, we
will pack the place to the rafters and beyond. The president of
the Guild of Oriental Dance asked if she could participate (we
said 'yes'). We are looking for a studio space to make our lives
easier. A local television station wants to interview us.
A
gothic minx ... 33 people ...
I
am grateful to you for sharing your beauty and talent with us.
And I am grateful to the powers that surround you for their blessing
of space and act in our town. Do we want you to come for a weekend?
Oh, hell, yes! 2007 or 2008 - whatever might make sense with your
impending move back to Philly and our budget for the year. Now
that we have changed the world, Ms. Tempest, it is probably high
time to make history.
*blessings
to you, to Keith the Music God, and Da Mischief*
- Lee (Mischievous Djinn, Minnesota)
*Hi Tempest!
Thank you for such an awesome workshop! We've got to have you
back to Raleigh-Durham again. I'm sure if we could ever do something
on a weekend, we would have a much better turnout, because since
the Durga Tour I've gotten a lot of feedback from people in neighboring
cities who would have liked to come. I know you're already booking
for Durga Tour NW but if you ever have the time and interest we
would love to host you again.-Sara Beaman
*We loved having you out! Thank you so much for taking the time
to come through. I'd love to host you again if you end up coming
through please let me know and we'll make it happen! - Gypsy Raihana
(Tennesee)
*Tempest! Just want to say thanks again for the fantastic workshop
on Friday. I found it so helpful during my performance that night.
Except you could see the part when my left brain kicked in; my
choo-choo shimmy stuttered and died! I have to say the things
I've learned from you this spring and this past Friday have really
expanded my mind as a dancer so thank you so much for coming to
Chicago twice this year. -Lisha
* I just wanted to say that you rock! It was nice to meet you
in person! I loved your workshop, a lot of what you said hit a
lot of points in my dance and non-dance life. You are an awesome
person and dancer. -Meg
*I want to tell you (somewhat) personally, that I really was glad
to make it up to your workshop in Knoxville. I've used much of
what I learned in my performances and teaching since then. You
are a hoot and really fun to learn from. Thanks again. -DeLacey
*Hi Tempest, I went to your workshop when you were at the studio
with Sashi in O.C. I just heard what a great workshop you guys
put on in Minneapolis from a friend I met on the Ensenada cruise
last weekend. They really enjoyed your workshop! See, good news
does travel fast! -Zahira
*Loved the workshop and I have your artwork in my dance room.
Thanks for all the great tips, and good luck with the rest of
your tour! - Zahara (Ohio)
*Tempest, Just wanted to say thanks again for a great workshop
with you and Sashi. Bringing the Durga Tour to Columbus was a
real treat! You both brought great stuff to the class and you
offer a nice balance between the two of you and your different
styles. Also, thanks for the recommendation on the compilation
CD- I love it. I've been listening to it constantly and I've been
working on the techniques you shared- it's stuck with me (a great
sign of a great class!) So, thanks again, and I hope to run into
you again one of these days. -Adhira
*Tempest,I just wanted to thank you for the DC workshop. I have
always been pretty troupe/choreography dependent and you have
inspired me to step outside my comfort zone and make an attempt
at solo/improv. I left with lots to think about. :) You and Sashi
were both amazing in the show!-Danielle
*I just wanted to take a moment this morning to thank you again
for coming out to visit us after your fabulous workshop. I know
you were tired, but everyone really enjoyed meeting you both.
We sat around and watched your Beautiful Freaks afterward, the
production looks really nice, and I like the Victorian/burlesque
performance you have on there very much! It is my favorite of
the performances I've seen you do, just thought I'd mention it.
- Zebeebah (Tenessee)
*hello tempest, I just wanted to say thank you for all that you
had to share today, both in the workshop and performing. i'm a
pianist and i've always had to learn things in a very left brain
way and then make that side lay down while the right brain took
over when actually getting a piece "up to snuff" thinking
of casting a circle and telling a story while dancing sounds like
the perfect way for me to make that switch when dancing! thank
you so much. it was a joy to meet you. - lucinda (Chicago)
*Thank you, again, for helping to make my first hosting of a bellydance
workshop such a smashing success! We thoroughly enjoyed your workshop
and performance--I received many positive comments from everyone
involved. You have a fun and informative teaching style that really
shone with your personality. - Zivah
Red Moon Tribe, Springfield, MO
Thank you so much for coming to Springfield! You really inspired
me. I love your passion for the dance and your awesome sense of
humor. I felt like I was hanging out with an old friend at dinner
last night. Thanks again. - . Ananya, from the Red Moon Tribe
"THANK
YOU!
Hipnosis would like to thank Tempest for her excellent workshop
this Sunday!
It
was very well organized and covered a great range of topics that
all fit together into a cohesive whole. It was clear that she
had thought a lot about creating this workshop - very professional!
There was plenty of time for dancing and practicing what was covered...
we did group and solo dancing, streching into the nervousness
of soloing for some, but that was good!! It was also really really
FUN !! Some workshops almost seem like work, or a chore. This
was not the case at all!! Tempest was fun and engaging (humm....
does she have to give up any goth cred because of this? .... nah!)
and really took the time to explain and demonstrate. I highly
recomend this workshop to all who have the chance to take it at
any other location!
Hipnosis
(Vikki, Jess, Maeve and Diana)"
The following review
was published in the August 2005 issue of SAMEDA's newsletter, "The
Papyrus"
Gothic Belly Dance
by Maha Hadi
On
April 24, Tempest conducted what may have been San Diego’s
first workshop on Gothic Belly Dance aka Raks Gothique. This exciting
fusion was bound to happen within alternative culture. Belly dance
and the gothic lifestyle share the expression of an ultimate fantasy
and feminine ideal, high drama accompanied by a range of moods,
as well as elaborate forms of make-up and costuming (many goths
create their own costumes or have them custom made which can cost
several hundred dollars). Middle Eastern dance rhythms have long
been used in gothic music for their evocative qualities, exoticism,
and beauty. Yes, the gothic subculture is not well understood,
but for some of its participants, goth represents a precious lifestyle
choice that reflects and reaffirms their interior beings, their
individual dramas.
Tempest's workshop was not only fascinating but one of the best
workshops I've attended to explain some of the basic principles
behind belly dance. She emphasized the importance of first learning
traditional belly dance techniques which of course takes time
and practice. Only then can the two styles properly merge.
Tempest
also addressed how some dancers in the community believe that
belly dance should remain "pure" while on the opposite
end there are dancers doing purely experimental dance...with a
continuum existing in between.
She
explained that Raks Gothique is separate from Tribal. Tribal is
performed as a group interacting as a harmoniously flowing unit.
Gothic Belly Dance is about the individual and expressing gothic
moods such as a dark elegance, mystery...with perhaps a sense
of danger. It can be very dramatic. Gothic Belly Dance can be
more classic one day and more Tribal the next. It is a fusion
incorporating dance moves from India, Flamenco, Tribal, as well
as moves seen at gothic dance clubs around the world.
To
prepare for a performance, Tempest demonstrated breathing exercises
to relax the mind and improve performance. She commented how some
dancers perform with an "I hope they like me" attitude.
She said it's more interesting if the dancer presents herself,
and the audience has to figure it out. When she dances, she tries
to tell a story. "This is an art. You don't want to be in
your left brain....Make it a story rather than thinking about
movements." "Goth is all about class." Standing
with back straight up and shoulders back yet relaxed relates confidence.
Tempest
explained the importance of having a persona and direct eye contact
with the audience. Eye contact is key to connecting the audience
to the dance and making them feel involved. This can be utilized
to create drama. Wherever the dancer looks—whether at her
sword, hand movements, etc.—the audience will be looking.
She demonstrated by looking toward her hip while doing some hip
movements and then lifting her head up to look straight at the
audience to bring them in.
Tempest's
dancing is slow, intense, and drenched in drama. The audience
can see every move and she knows how to take advantage of this
added concentration. The pause is used for drama, suddenly stopping
in relation to the music and then moving her hands ever so slightly
while all else is frozen. I loved one movement while she was doing
floorwork. On her knees, she suddenly fell back as if fainting.
In
Gothic Belly Dance, a dramatic entrance and exit are key. Never
run off stage. She demonstrated by leaving the stage with her
back toward the audience, slowing stepping away and then slowwwwly
glancing at the audience over one shoulder and then the other.
Pick up any props with elegance as well.
The
Gothic Belly Dance costume reflects the gothic aesthetic. The
predominant colors are black (the base color of most costumes),
red, scarlet, blue, wine, purple, silver, and other metallics.
Actually any color can be used mixed in with a little black, of
course. No bright, cheery pink or yellow costumes here. Other
costume elements may include fishnet, lace, antique jewelry, PVC,
leather, satin, medieval or Victorian designs, and metal accents
such as chain maille or spikes. Tempest was wearing one of her
own creations, a Corset Belt. (Another creation is the Skorset.)
Near the end, Tempest reiterated the need to have a solid background
in classic belly dance. At our request, she graciously accepted
to dance for us which is I think the true test of any instructor.
She danced slowly, intensely. At times, a tremble overtook her
body as if in seizure, a compelling sight. The most dramatic moment
was when she suddenly, almost violently swung her veil in a circle
perpendicular to the floor and crashed it against the floor, leaving
it there as she slowly danced away. I think Gothic is always a
little scary with a bit of unease to it. "It's not about
shocking but making people think in new ways," she stated.
Tempest
did a marvelous job. I appreciated her well thought out, comprehensive
explanations along with her sharp, witty personality which put
everyone at ease.
Vive
le gothique.
Tempest
is from the Bay Area and can be reached at her website www.gothicbellydance.com
New York 2005 (hosted by Chovexani)
Review
& Article on MorbidOutlook.com by Mistress McCutchan
Livejournal
Review by Willow
"First
Gothic Bellydance Workshop in NYC" -review and article
by Neon/The Hip Circle
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