Wed, 04/09/2008 - 2:11pm - Posted by: Anonymous

Tempest commenting here. My weekly classes in North Cape May cover the breadth of traditional bellydance - students learn traditional rhythms and movements from Egypt (Modern and Classic), Turkish (Stage and Rom), Lebanese, Moroccan, and other regional folkloric dances, in additional to American Cabaret, which we also compare and reference to American Tribal Style and Improv. Tribal Style in terms of posture and presentation. We listen to the whole breadth of bellydance music, from classic to modern, from "over there" to over here. The student choreography performed at Hipnotique was Turkish Pop (Tarkan's "Kiss Kiss") with all "regular" bellydance movements, minus 1 movement which is a signature version of the extended maya. My workshops, on the other hand, generally focus more on Gothic Bellydance, and these are also appropriately labeled. I believe there is a BIG difference in calling what I am known for as bellydance versus referring to it as Middle Eastern Dance, which it is not. While I can certainly perform "authentic" MED, I prefer fusion performances, especially for the majority of venues where I perform. I still often use Middle Eastern music, the movements are all solidly based in bellydance, and the costuming as well. So if the movement, sound, and look is all unconditionally bellydance, then you've got bellydance. I wholeheartedly understand issues where fusion goes so far, it's become a whole other creature, but in regards to my work and what I teach, it is most certainly bellydance. Thank you for sharing.

Wed, 04/09/2008 - 2:11pm - Posted by: Anonymous

Hey "Fri, 03/28/2008 - 1:15pm" poster Again: Belly Dance is NOT a folkdance. It's a performance art and has been ever since LITTLE EGYPT danced at the world's fair.

Maybe you meant to say Raq-Sharki?

To say you see nothing in common with belly dance when you click on Tempest's video link above is almost LAUGHABLE or sadly blind. You could possibly say her technique could be better, but to say it's not belly dance is, yes, plain LAUGHABLE!

Again, we should ALL be HAPPY someone in our dance community is capable and willing to spend the ENORMOUS amount of time & money it takes to organize an event.

Tue, 04/08/2008 - 9:24pm - Posted by: Anonymous

Bellydance is certainly not meant to be a performance art. It was traditonally performed privately by women as a celebration of birth, death and other life events. And while it has "branched out", it can only branch out so far before it becomes something other than bellydance.
Certainly there are different forms of the dance, yet the "umbrella" of bellydance now seems to cover any dance deemed appropriate by the dancer. Tribal bellydancers and teachers call themselves by that name and their dance features tribal style moves. I assume that when Tempest teaches, her students learn the moves that define HER interpretation of the dance. I suggest that Tempest clear up any confusion by labeling her dance and her classes as Gothic, Fusion, or a similar term to make it obvious that it is a different version of the dance.
It is sad to see such a defensive tone in response to what is basically an issue of identification. There was no denigration of Tempest or her students. I am sure Tempest's love of her dance, whatever she calls it, is just as strong as mine, and I wish her well.

Tue, 04/08/2008 - 9:05pm - Posted by: Anonymous

Interesting to see the comments, and to see how people define bellydance. As a woman of Middle Eastern descent who grew up with bellydance, I believe that their are certain accepted definitions, if you will, of what is traditionally classed as bellydance. In the past several years, bellydance has been mutating into some forms that are barely, if at all recognizable. That fact is certainly no criticism of any dancer who devotes herself to an "alternative" form. Dance is a discipline and a passion and any dancer who applies herself is to be applauded, regardless of what label her art form bears. That said, we do have a right to resist the dilution of the time-honored traditions of our dance. One comment mentioned Irish Step Dance--certainly that dance form has certain steps and music associated with it. If a dancer billed herself as an Irish Step Dancer, yet appeared, for instance, in a slinky costume and danced to hip hop music, would it still be valid to label it as Irish Step Dance? Is it Ballroom dancing without the usual dances? Is Ballet not strictly defined?
As a dancer, I am thrilled that people are inspired to take their dance to a different place, change is good, as is the evolution of dance. Bellydance has evolved over time, but some have taken it to a place where it is basically unrecognizable. Tempest's interpretation of the dance is often referred to as goth, a darker form of dance (hence the website name). I attended Tempest's performance and found it fascinating, her devotion to her art form is evident. Alas, those of us who learned and practice the art of bellydance, cherishing it as the traditional folk dance it is, lament the idea that derivative dance forms are labelled as bellydance.
Again, that is NOT a criticism of Tempest, her talent or her students. I believe in being true to the definitions of bellydance, and I encourage those that find their passion in a bellydance-inspired dance to label it as such.
Good luck to all my fellow dancers, whatever you call your dance!

Tue, 04/01/2008 - 3:22pm - Posted by: Anonymous

Belly Dancing is NOT a folkdance. It onlly has *roots* in folkdancing. Belly Dance is a performance art (folkdancing is not) . Belly dance has now branched out into many forms. Rather than limit ourselves as a dance community, we should embrace them all. So sad to see negative comments from inside our own South Jersey belly dance community. Obvious jealousy, making someone considering lessons think trash! I think we are lucky to have Tempest here! Belly Dance is an Ancient Art and can be express in modern terms. And if it's not Belly Dance she performed what else could it be! Maybe she's studied Irish Step Dancing and you should call it that!

I proudly call it belly dance and hope to see more shows from Tempest!
What about that free show in Smithville May 10th!

Sun, 03/30/2008 - 6:29pm - Posted by: Anonymous

Dear dancer in DE, I believe you missed the title of this article, and probably also the other article previous to the event. Dancers presented a variety of bellydance forms - traditional and fusion to show diversity within OUR beautiful dance, matching in music and costuming, nearly 2 hours which cannot be seen a 2 minute clip. You were more than welcome to come perform and share your interpretation of bellydance, and can do so in the future at our upcoming events. We welcome ALL styles of bellydance, each of which are beautiful in their own right, bellydance is constantly evolving -here and "over there". And while it's roots are folkloric, the umbrella is much larger - Egyptian Raks Sharki is hardly "folkloric" and neither is what's being performed in clubs in Turkey. Perhaps find out for yourself about other styles in person before making incorrect comparisons.

Fri, 03/28/2008 - 1:15pm - Posted by: Anonymous

Sorry but that is NOT bellydance. Bellydance is a folkdance.What I see Tempest doing has no relation to the art of bellydance, so why call it that? I study bellydance, and the moves and music are those historically and culturally linked to the dance. Taking modern music, adding tribal elements and vaguely recognizable moves is certainly not bellydance. Tempest's gothic performance may be a unique dance form, but it cannot begin to match the grace,femininity and power that authentic bellydance offers.