Walking Talking Contradiction

Bellydance Artistry with Tempest - DVD Trailer

meddevi — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 01:13:51 GMT

New DVD Project & Fundraiser!

meddevi — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 00:24:18 GMT

And now, I can officially release the squirrels...cats...bunnies...OWLS! I am working on a new instructional/performance DVD this Spring called "Bellydance Artistry" - and I'm self-producing this project. So, that means fundraiser and awesome rewards for those who participate! All of the details are here! http://www.darklydramatic.com/artistry.html

New Blog Post!

meddevi — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:59:41 GMT

May You Forever Thirst....For Knowledge - Studying Bellydance - http://darklydramatic.blogspot.com/2010/09/may-you-forever-thirstfor-knowledge.html

Lots of dancewear stuff for sale

meddevi — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 20:28:24 GMT

Just made a photo album of dancewear stuff I'm purging (should be viewable to everyone) - some "vintage" Geish Moths pants and tops, Phoenix-Rising pants, MeloPhoenix pants, gothy/tribal practice choli's, etc: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=213741&id=608841770&ref=mf

New Blog Post: Masking a Master vs. Making One

meddevi — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:07:58 GMT

Another new entry:
http://darklydramatic.blogspot.com/2010/08/masking-master-vs-making-one.html

and I archived some older blog entries from tribe.net worth keeping...

The Gospel of the Almighty Tree of Style

meddevi — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:35:09 GMT

New blog post! Can be found here: http://darklydramatic.blogspot.com/2010/08/roots-shoots-almighty-tree-of-style.html

some beautiful work...

meddevi — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 20:26:36 GMT

I love the use of color, layering, and unusual perspective:

http://www.booooooom.com/2010/08/05/illustrator-sterling-hundley/

Possible workshop @ The Jersey Shore - EDIT - 8/14

meddevi — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:21:54 GMT

NJ/DE/PAfolks - looking to be a real possibility of a workshop this weekend inthe Ocean City area, most likely late Saturday morning, consideringdoing "Journey To The Underworld" - hope to have details finalized foryou tomorrow!

*updated - going to move this to August 14th, have a possible studio location at a new facility in Somers Point. Looking at 10-12pm, so folks can enjoy the rest of the day at the beach.

Go forth and buy!

meddevi — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 14:04:02 GMT

So the charm collection has hit Target - and I believe it is all stores!! We have 4 necklaces in the collection: a birdcage, a rhinestone camera, a music note frame and note, and "night-time-screw" - an owl, screw, and clock. The latter two are my designs specifically. The owl especially is mine from scratch, which is very exciting!

ALSO: in the ring department, there is an antique brass owl on a stretch ring - also mine from scratch, and a Victorian bow on a shank (sorta antique gold) - we have other designs, but these two are MINE!

In the Romantic Vintage collection, there is a soft pink cameo with glitter enamel on a long chain that is mine. Also multi-color pearl drop earrings.

In the Rocker collection, there is a long black ball chain necklace with steamy-looking rings on it, set with stones. Mine.

In the Earring panel, there is a pair of teal/turq and copper roundish enamel earrings with a teal rhinestone - and also enameled purple and gold leaf-shaped with spirals earrings. Mine.

Bellydance Show in Providence, this Saturday, 7/10!

meddevi — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 18:17:03 GMT

Just a reminder, Amel Tafsout will be teaching and performing in Providence, Rhode Island this weekend, July 10th-11th! Workshops and show will take place at Perishable Theater (workshops up at Groundwerx, on the 3rd floor), 85 Empire St, Providence.

The theater show will take place 7:30-9:30pm on Saturday evening - doors open at 7pm - featuring Amel Tafsout, Tempest, Anaar, Najmat, Badriya, Samara, Neylan, Ameena, Baseema, Sara Ford, Belladonna, and more! Very special rate of two tickets for only $25 ends TONIGHT(tickets are $15 each, or $20 at the door - IF AVAILABLE, we are halfway sold out!!).

8 hours of workshops all weekend with Amel, only a couple of spaces available in any of them! - complete details at http://www.darklydramatic.com/amel.html

Buy tickets/register at http://www.darklydramatic.com/amel-register.html

"Body of Dance" Intensive @ Tribal Fest 10 - 5/13 - a few spaces still available..

meddevi — Sat, 08 May 2010 02:58:54 GMT

Tempest's Workshop @ Tribal Fest 10 - "The Body Of Dance"
Thursday, 5/13, RUSSIAN Room 2:30-5:30 (3 hours total)
**A few spaces are still available - register at the door, $48 per student.**

At the bare essence of dance, the dancer uses their body to express the music, to create lines and carve shapes in space. The best dancers not only know a lot of moves and how to put them together, but how to choose and utlize moves that look best on their frames and express their intent and personality. So that they OWN the moves, the moves don't own them - and every angle is appealing to the eye, regardless of their size or figure. And far too often, teachers pass moves on to their students without taking into consideration how differences in frame and body structure can affect those moves. Are you dancing to your best advantage? This workshop intensive is designed to help you use what you have to the best of your body - to create more effective and powerful dance using your existing vocabulary (as well as new combinations and accents) for understanding YOUR body lines for the most flattering look and finish - and this workshop is for ALL body types and styles. Learn to use what nature has given you NOW (not where you hope to be), and RAK it!

In addition to addressing to tailoring moves for your body type, we will also focus on costuming for professionalism - aka
Tempest's Guide To Style - tailoring costuming to your personality and the level of dance you're presenting, while discovering what works best in terms of lines, color, and pattern for your figure and presentation.Learn how to integrate your favorite elements without looking like a curbside alert or a copycat.

This is a mini-intensive open to all levels and styles of dancers, but especially for those who at a performance level. What to Bring: You are encouraged to bring costuming pieces and inspiration pictures - and be ready to take notes for your personal shape!

"Body of Dance" premiered in Indianapolis this past April - and here's what some of the attendees had to say about their workshop experience:

"I found this workshop not only gave me great ideas on how best to present moves on my own body, but it gave me a much better appreciationfor my body. When Tempest went through each suggested move and demonstrated how to present it in the best way for each body type, I realized that there aren't any moves that "don't look right on me" -only ways of presenting a move that are more flattering than other ways. All in all, a very affirming workshop - I don't need to try to lose 80 pounds and grow long legs after all!" - Kat

"The Body of Dance taught me how to make the different moves work best on my body. Simple modifications like changing the angle can make a ton of difference. As a teacher, I learned a lot invaluable information to help my students make the most out of the moves for their body shape.Tempest took us on a journey of how the different moves really feel IN our bodies... not just on our bodies." - Celeste

Pre-Order Buttons UP!

meddevi — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 22:49:36 GMT

Pre-Orders for Nouveau Noir hoodies, and another run of fitted tees,tanks available - if you'd like a men's shirt, please LMK ASAP, as I amplacing the order on Wednesday. You can pick up at Spring Caravan,Tribal Fest, or I will ship to anywhere! These go fast, so place yourorder now to insure your size and style!http://darklydramatic.com/nntee.html

(and for those of you who can't place the order right this minute or tomorrow, but know you can/will in the next two weeks - by Spring Caravan or TF10, then please write me and let me know what style/size you want, and I will put one aside for you - but I need to know this ASAP!)

Nouveau Noir Merch?

meddevi — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 18:20:02 GMT

I've decided to do another run of Nouveau Noir merch - same design - the white and black drawing on charcoal grey shirts. I will be doing:

-zippered hoodies (decent weight, not the super-thin ones), S-XL (might be able to get XXL if folks are interested)
-spaghetti tank: S-XL
-ribbed (wide strap) tank: S-XXL
-fitted tee's, S-XXL

I could do a few men's tee's, but those would have be requested/pre-ordered.

Hoodies would be $40, tanks and tee's $20. You can pick up at Spring Caravan, Tribal Fest, or ship for $5 domestic. (slightly more international)

I need to place the order probably by Wednesday so I can get part of them back for Spring Caravan, so if you'd like to order something specific, if you could let me know what item and what size, that would help me a lot. No need to pay for it right this moment, but if I'm only ordering a dozen hoodies, 3 of each size, and 4 people all want L in a pre-order, that would change things....so please, LMK what your heart desires, if you sincerely want one.

Artwork at http://www.darklydramatic.com/nntee.html - DO NOT USE THE BUTTONS, it's an old page!!! Thanks :)

RISD Alumni Holiday Sale Deets

meddevi — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 03:24:07 GMT

Dosome serious damage to that holiday shopping list with unique,beautifully crafted and designed gifts made by RISD alumni! The RISD Alumni Sales feature thousands of items designed and created by alumni from all over the country and the world.

Alumni Holiday Art Sale
December 12
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Rhode Island Convention Center
One Sabin Street
Providence

admission: adults $7;
children under 14 and current RISD students (with ID): free

FYI

meddevi — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 20:18:09 GMT

Tribal Fest 10 website is live. http://www.blacksheepbellydance.com/tf10

cart is up, workshop descriptions won't be until later this week when I receive them from the bosses, but that hasn't stopped people from shopping it seems...

Gift Certificate Sale - this weekend only

meddevi — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:12:07 GMT

I am offering a very special sale on a very limited number of gift certificates $25 free (or more) for every $50 you buy- that can be used for merchandise, custom orders, and if you're local, classes, workshops, and private lessons.

Complete details at http://www.darklydramatic.com/darkheartdelight.html

"What is Community?"

meddevi — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:41:48 GMT

My latest article, "What is Community?", was just published in the Bellydance New England Newsletter - you can read the pdf here (I think it's around page 20): http://helade.com/magazine.html

Class Night Change Reminder!

meddevi — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:39:23 GMT

Now on WEDNESDAY eves!

Wednesdays in Pawtucket @ World Dance & Music Center

5:45pm - 6:45pm Bellydance Foundation
Tempest’s class is structured to be a low-impact workout that improvescoordination, fosters positive body awareness, and tones the whole bodyfrom head to toe, while immersing the student in the fundamentals ofthe art of bellydance. Students will learn the foundation movements ofthe dance, while being engaged about the history, music, and costumingof the dance in its many styles from folkloric to fusion, in a fun andsupportive environment. For beginning to intermediate dancers.

7pm- 8pm Bellydance Fusion – Gothic & Beyond
This class is designed to give intermediate-advanced dancers thetools they need to understand and perform quality fusion bellydance,with an emphasis on Gothic Bellydance (including Nouveau Noir,Steampunk, and Ritual styles). Working from a strong foundation intraditional technique, students will learn dramatic styling, propusage, theatrical enhancement, professional presentation, and mostimportantly, how to develop their own voice in the dance.

About your instructor: http://darklydramatic.com/tempest/about.html

To register and more info,
World Dance and Music Center
925 Central Avenue, 2nd Floor Pawtucket, RI 02861
Phone: 401.723.3900 | 617.733.4141
http://www.loladance.com/classes.html

Rose Harden Workshops in Providence, RI - August 8th!

meddevi — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:13:20 GMT

I'm very proud to announce that fellow RISD alum and assistant director of Ultra Gypsy, Rose Harden, will be teaching a workshop intensive here in Providence on August 8th. Complete details and PayPal registration at http://darklydramatic.com/tempest/rose.html

A Fusion Bellydance Intensive With Rose Harden
*-* August 8th, 2009 in Providence, RI *-*
*/*Workshop Descriptions (2 hours each):*

*/11:30am - 1:30pm: Super Duper Slow/*
Working your slow to limit! we will cover a brief warm up focused on
lengthening muscles and opening major joints to develop range of motion.
Emphasis will be on deepening technique, embodying the music, and
finding shapes and lines with a sculptural approach to dance.

/**Lunch & Shopping Break**/

*/2:30 - 4:30pm: Shimmy 'n Shake/*
Explore the wonderful world of shimmies! We will work on defining
different kinds of shimmies- 4/4, 3/4, vibrations, shoulder shimmies and
more. We will incorporate footwork, traveling, and upper body layers in
this exciting class with Rose's unique approach to shimmies.

/*The Details:*/
*Registration is limited to 14 students!!*
*Tution:*/* Before August 1st: */$55 for both workshops, or $30
each./*After August 1st:*/ $65 for both workshops, or $35 each.

*STUDIO LOCATION:*
Studio II @ RISD Catanzaro Student Center (Basement floor of The Met), 30 Waterman Street, Providence, RI (between Benefit and Meeting Sts, in the middle of the block on the left, a short walk up from the security offices and entrance to The Quad).

/*About Rose Harden:*/

Rose Harden, artist and Tribal Fusion belly dancer, has been a passionate member of the vibrant San Francisco belly dance and
performance community since 1999. She has contributed her artistry to the innovative concepting, costuming, and choreography of influential dance companies *Ultra Gypsy* and the *Barbary Coast Shakedown*. Rose loves the creative process and approaches performance as an extension of her visual arts training, crafting with intention, a unique experience for the audience. She continue to share the joy of this dance form through performance, instruction, and continued study.

As assistant director of Ultra Gypsy, Rose enjoyed sharing the essentials of great technique, dynamic presence and the joy of this
dance form through teaching with Jill Parker throughout the United States and Europe at major festivals and workshops. Festivals she is
honored to have been a part of include Tribal Fest, Spirit of the Tribes, Northern Migration, Tribal Quest, Tribal Cafe, Tribal Con, and
the International Belly Dance Convention.

Rose is inspired by the diversity of the San Francisco performance and dance community where she continues her dance and movement studies with Suhalia Salimpour, Mira Betz, Amy Sigil, yoga, modern dance, and pilates. She also tours with the Cyclecide Bike Rodeo and The Lifesize Mousetrap when not managing Rosehips Designs.

Complete details and PayPal registration at http://darklydramatic.com/tempest/rose.html

"Lola Gets a Charleston"

meddevi — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 03:51:21 GMT

Durga Tour footage from Tri-Cities, WA

Durga Tour : The End is Near: In New England!

meddevi — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 02:32:44 GMT

The Durga Tour has been on the road since May 1st, hitting over 30 stops across
the US, from Spring Caravan to Tribal Fest, from Ft. Smith, Arkansas to Seattle,
Washington - and finishes this week with Boston, MA on Monday and in Pawtucket,
RI on Tuesday!

Monday night features two incredible workshops with the lead Durga Tour dance
instructors - Tempest and Asharah - June 15th, from 6-9:15pm - hosted by
Badriya. Topics are "Dancing on the Right Side of the Brain" which combines
creativity with technique, improving theatrical skills, cohesive story-telling,
and being more spontaneous in your dance, and "Pops, Locks and Tick Tocks:
Tricks to Mechanize Your Movement" - expanding upon traditional moves with
tricky twists!

Location: 855 Commonwealth Avenue, Studio 109, Boston, MA (Boston University's
College of Fine Arts)Boston University West stop on the B Branch of the Green
Line, Street parking available
Complete details at http://users.rcn.com/badriya/durgaboston.html

Tuesday night brings to New England a breakthrough event, bridging cultures and
community: Motif.
What: Motif: A Community Event Blending Music, Dance, & Ritual
When: 7pm, Tuesday 16th (2 hours long).
Where: World Dance & Music Center, 925 Central Ave, 2nd floor, Pawtucket, RI
02861

Motif started off as an experimental gathering, spearheaded by dancers Tempest
(founder of the Cauldron of Annwyn Pagan Society of RI which was active from
1998-2001) and Lee Ali, with musicians Karim Nagi and Tim Rayborn at Tribal Fest
8. It was created with the intent to bring the bellydance community back closer
to the roots of Middle Eastern dance and music - educating while actively
involving and immersing the participants in a community experience.

The attendees will learn dance, rhythm, and trance techniques, as well as
working with other dancers/musicians in a live setting, and understanding
working with energy and fostering community. It was such a success that it has
become an annual event at Tribal Fest, and is now a part of Gothla US, and has
traveled across the US with the Durga Tour.

Attendees can expect to learn dance movements and rhythms that have folkloric
roots, and gain skills to help both build community and personal confidence.

Musicians are encouraged to bring their instruments, and dancers, bring their
moves! This event will be led by Tempest, Asharah, and Tim Rayborn.

Price is an unbelievable bargain at $20, for this fabulous 2 hour event with 3
instructors! The organizers kindly request that you rsvp in order to secure your
spot.

Info about the event (and RSVP) at http://www.loladance.com/

About the Durga Tour: http://www.meddevi.com/durga

Birthdays and things that begin with B

meddevi — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:03:25 GMT

Both are things that are on the horizon ;) We've been on the road now since May 1st, and the end of the Durga Tour draws near! It's been a fantastic journey, and I am so thrilled about the great experiences we've had, meeting folks, connecting with friends, and sharing the art! And we have 3 stops left!

June 13th - Saturday is Buffalo, NY - which is our ONLY NY stop - and features 3 workshops with myself, Asharah, and Tim Rayborn, and a salon show in the evening! Planning some special surprises in the evening, including a taste of Motif to foster community and good vibes, and it's somebody's birthday too. Come celebrate with us!

June 15th - Monday is Boston, NY - with workshops with myself and Asharah, hosted by Badriya! (more B's!) The first time Boston gets to meet Asharah - and my 3rd workshop in B-town!

Then Tuesday is our last stop, with Motif in Pawtucket, RI - Motif has really made an impact across the country, with rave reviews, and we're so thrilled to make our last stop a Motif-only stop. And the B-word for this stop is Beginnings, as Rhode Island is our new home!

All event details can be found at http://www.meddevi.com/durga/stops.html

See you there!

Durga Tour Merch!

meddevi — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:41:37 GMT

Pre-orders for Merch is UP!! Featuring all new artwork for the 2009 tour on the front, and list of stops/sponsors on the back: http://meddevi.com/durga/merch.html

We HIGHLY RECOMMEND pre-ordering your size and style NOW to insure to get what you desire! Pre-orders close on 4/26 - and we will be carrying a VERY limited amount of back-stock. Your order will be ready for you to pick up at your indicated stop!

Thanks!!

This weekend!

meddevi — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 22:43:14 GMT

I'll be here, vending and performing this weekend:

Details:
HIPS-APALOOZA 2009
A Bellydance Jam!
Sponsored by Hips of the Desert & Mystic Wiles
Saturday March 14th - 8pm to Midnight
Hope United Methodist Church (activity center)
700 Cooper Road, Voorhees, NJ

Open dancing & performances
all dance levels welcome
vendors welcome
pot lick, BYODrink (no alcohol please)
bring shoes for dancing

$5 per person

to perform or vend, call Michele, 609.707.3435

DC Workshops - April 11th!

meddevi — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 20:18:43 GMT