scrolly thing

Raks Spooki III: A Gothic Belly Dance Event

featuring the return of the one and only Tempest!

October 19, 2008

Presented by Badriya al-Badi'a

Location: The Regent Underground Theatre, 7 Medford Street, Arlington, MA
Workshop: 12pm-2pm (registration begins at 11:30am)
Hafli: 3:30pm-6:30pm

Workshop, 12pm-2pm: Nouveau Noir Dance

Haunting audiences around the globe, Tempest’s area of specialty within the realm of Gothic Bellydance is “Nouveau Noir” – dance pieces that reflect the art and society of the early 1900’s, pulling from silent films, vaudeville-Denishawn style, art nouveau, art deco, and the Oriental craze. Students will learn combinations that capture the elegant form, fluid movement, and dramatic stylings of these eras, while being taught in a format that will enable them to absorb them into their own personal choreographies. Suitable for all levels and style of dancer, and no, it is not at all necessary to be a goth to benefit from this workshop--a spirit of exploration is the most important qualification.

About Tempest:

Tempest is an artist, designer, dancer, and writer recently relocated from the Bay Area of California to the Jersey Shore/Philadelphia Area. Although she enjoys studying what tradition has to offer, Tempest loves exploring the dance through unusual music and creative costuming, pulling on her visual arts background to "paint a picture" with the dance; engaging the audience through dramatic embodied storytelling, passionate expression, and sensuous, mesmerizing movement. She finds inspiration for her dances in many eras, places, and faces, from ancient cultures and spiritual myths worldwide, to the work of silent film star and original vamp Theda Bara, and turn-of-the-century dance goddess Ruth St. Denis. She is most well-known for her Gothic Belly Dance performances and instruction, and is featured on the first ever GBD performance DVD produced by WorldDanceNewYork entitled “The Darker Side of Fusion”, and its sequel "Revelations". You can also see her perform on Peko's "Bellydance Underworld." She has an instructional DVD geared towards the alternatively-minded entitled “Bellydance for Beautiful Freaks”. Badriya is very proud to be sponsoring Tempest once again in the Boston area, following her sold-out workshop in 2006. For more about Tempest, see her website, Darkly Dramatic

Location: The Regent Underground Theatre, 7 Medford Street, Arlington, MA.
(Entrance is glass door to the left of the theatre's marquee, go down the stairs. Please note that there are no elevators available.)
Directions may be found at the Regent Theatre website. Parking is available in a lot with an entrance on Medford Street just opposite from the theatre, and the venue is easily accessible by the 77 bus from Harvard Square (Arlington Center/Medford Street stop).

Cost: $50 at the door (hafli ticket must be purchased separately)

Raks Spooki III: The Hafli! 3:30pm-6:30pm

Badriya is very proud to present the third annual manifestation of Raks Spooki, a hafli dedicated to exploring the darker side of belly dance. Gothic belly dance has become an increasingly popular form of belly dance in New England in the last several years, as was made very evident by the strong response to the first Raks Spooki, held in October 2006. The strong sense of community that grew out of that event has kept its momentum with subsequent events, Tribe groups, classes and workshops in gothic belly dance, vendors catering to gothic styles, etc. This year's event promises to be even more exciting than last year's, with dancers from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut and beyond participating. Together we represent the darker side of New England, home to H.P. Lovecraft, Edward Gorey and Stephen King. Performers will include local favorites, new performers, and special guest Tempest, who is well known for her innovative approach to gothic belly dance. Plus vending galore!

All proceeds from the hafli will be donated to Women for Women, a non-profit which helps women in war-torn regions of the world get back on their feet and start rebuilding their lives. Currently, they are focused on Afghanistan, Iraq, Sudan, Kosovo, Rwanda, Colombia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nigeria and Democratic Republic of the Congo. Some of these are places where our dance movements, costuming and jewelry come from. Using what women of the world have given us from our relative place of peace and safety, we can make real differences in the lives of other women. We can use our freedoms to help them gain their own freedom from war, poverty and injustice.

Time: 3:30pm-6:30pm, Sunday, October 19, 2008
Location: The Regent Theatre, 7 Medford Street, Arlington, MA
Directions may be found at the Regent Theatre website. Parking is available in a lot with an entrance on Medford Street just opposite from the theatre (some street parking may also be available), and the venue is easily accessible by the 77 bus from Harvard Square or Porter Square. There will not be refreshments for sale at the theatre, but there are many restaurants, cafes and shops in the area and you are welcome to bring your own refreshments into the theatre with you.

Cost: $12 at the door

About Badriya al-Badi'a: Badriya has been performing both gothic and Egyptian/Arabic style belly dance in the Boston area since 2001. She is dedicated both to representing classical raqs sharqi and beledi styles in as authentic a way as possible as well as to exploring the artistic intersection of belly dance movement and gothic music. Each style of dance has its proper place and venue, and she is very proud to be be able to provide the Boston area with the opportunity for regular gatherings of gothic belly dancers. She may be reached at badriya at rcn dot com or 781-325-3039 for more information.