“La Danse and Drama”
Spokane, WA * October 2007
As reviewed by Nizana
Nadiyah’s sponsored yet another wonderful performer/instructor in Spokane on Oct 6, 2007, the Raqs Gothique Queen, Tempest! What fun this event was and Tempest was a delight to be around! This style of dance is something our area has not seen yet, as much as it’s grown. I (and many others!) had been wanting to venture out a little bit, so decided to take both of the workshops before the evening dinner theater.
Tempest
Tempest is featured in numerous DVD’s including “Darker Side of Fusion”, “Gothic Belly Dance: Revelations” and “Belly Dance Underworld.” Besides being a dancer, she is an artist, designer and writer, and recently moved from the Bay area to the Jersey Shore. Tempest is dramatic and expressive, and fun to watch.
First, I gotta say, for those who didn’t take the workshops, you missed out!!! Tempest has a wicked sense of humor, and was just a hoot. They were two very enjoyable and entertaining chunks of time that were well spent. I came out of these with all kinds of fun stuff. Handouts were provided in both classes, something I always appreciate. Tempest brought core values and principles to the class, but embellished them; hence, Raqs Gothique. The first workshop, “Belly Dance and Dramatic Body Language” was an intro to Gothic Belly Dance, using cabaret and tribal movements, and adding a Gothic flair. This was an informative class, with twists on old movements, making them fresh and new. She broke down the dramatic body language into four sections, starting with the head and neck, moving down to shoulders, arms and hands. Next were the ribs and stomach, and hips, and finally legs, knees and feet. We did traveling and in place moves, and drills to music to apply them. There were interesting names assigned to these movements, such as “Zombie Bride,” “Innocent Virgin” and “Serpent Kisses.” She also shared some insight into the Gothic culture.
The second workshop was called “Between the Veils,” and some things I had learned elsewhere and had forgotten about, so were nice refreshers. Others were brand new takes on ways to use “your partner, not your prop.” I SO appreciated that she told the attendees how and how NOT to pick up your veil off the floor. Tempest went over wraps, different ways to use your veil, and different types of veils and what they are best used for. There is at least one new wrap I am taking back to the troupe! I also will remember a couple of new veils tricks, and speaking of, Tempest had some great tips for getting out of tricky dance situations with grace and class.
The dinner show, headlined by Tempest, was held at A Taste of India Restaurant, and included local and regional performers and hostess Nadiyah, Nizana and the Desert Silk Dance Company, Djimmah Karena and Albina Samara, Kendra Searls, Janell,Khamarah, Arika Whitaker, and Shamal. It was an lively evening that showcased a wide variety of dance styles, inspired by the Middle East, and embellished in unique ways. Nadiyah and Nizana emceed.
Opening the show with a theatrical flair was Djimmah Karena and Albina Samara. This was a “Raqs Gothique” performance that had them starting wearing big black cloaks. They were attached by a large, very long gray veil and included little blue lighted lanterns hanging from their wrists for part of the set. It was very creative, and I would like to see that on a stage. The restaurant had a few sight obstructions to work around, so there were times you might not be able to see the dancers. Next was the Desert Silk Dance Company, in red and black for an alternative three number Latin-Arabic fusion set. The last dance they performed is a relatively new one, and they added some different and fun accessories for the occasion. After their set was Shamal, in a lovely black and silver cabaret costume, to an exuberant performance to “Macarena.” Kendra Searles came out in a beautiful white (I’d say “urban”) tribal costume, performing sharp locks, pops and rolls to the music. Next up was hostess, Nadiyah, with a four number set that included a drum routine with her troupe Hasna Hadiyyah. It had a Turkish flair, and she played finger cymbals, and also had a slow piece in there that included some veil work. Janell, who studies with and sometimes duets with Kendra, was next, performing a similar Tribal style with lots of great locks, pops and rolls, but a tad darker in costuming. Last up for the first set was Tempest, in a fabulous white and silver costume and silvery gray veil. She did some great veil work, including some of what she taught earlier. Her entrance and veil tuck was dramatic, and her dancing was enjoyable to watch. Her expressiveness to highlight her technique is a good match.
For the second set, Khamara opened with a “sort of” candle dance to a nice piece of music-but what she was holding were blue lighted globes. Very cool! Desert Silk Dance Company came back out with an alternative veil number in a change of costume to almost all black. Arika Whitaker then danced “urban” tribal style live with finger cymbals to a sax and dumbek duo, and was more fluid than sharp in her movements. Tempest closed the show out dressed in a black Gothic, with big heeled chunky shoes, and the cutest little hat! It was cool to see one of her sets performed in white and one in black. This dance had sharper, faster movements than the first, but was as equally entertaining! What a fun day and evening this was!
