dance styles:
Classic Arabic/Turkish (cabaret)
Gothic Belly Dance | Tribaret Fusion
MedDevi Dance | Ritual and Sacred Dance
Zar and trance Dance

props: sword, veil, cloak, fire lotus

creative pieces:
"Invocation of Kali"
"The Rusalka"
"Heart of Darkness"
"Becoming"
"Red God Revel"

photo by Shiva of Stealing Time Studios

About Tempest, the Dancer:

Tempest started her exploration of dance in early 2000 on the East Coast. She quickly found belly dance to be incredibly rewarding not only physically, but spiritually and emotionally, as well as a source of inspiration for her visual art.

Tempest's study of belly dance began officially with Sabra Jamal of Providence and has continued extensively with Azar of Mystic Sun Studios in "Silicon Valley" since Winter of 2001. She has learned various styles and moves from Classical Indian Dance from Sarada (CA & Canada), and has taken workshops in various forms of Middle Eastern Dance with masters of the art, including Princess Farhana of Hollywood, Dawn Devine Brown, Alexandra King of Southern California, Fat Chance Belly Dance and Ultra Gypsy of San Francisco, and Ma*Shuqa of Los Gatos, CA.

While living in Providence, Tempest formed a dance and drum ensemble called "Zingari" (now known as Zingari East), and created and organized "Between the Veils," an annual benefit event for battered women & breast cancer.

In the fall of 2001, Tempest and her husband Keith moved to the Bay Area of California (aka belly dance central) to explore, discover, embrace, and enjoy the cultural blendings and vivaciousness that is California. You'll find them at most area events, usually vending their array of unique artwork, gifts, music, and belly dance attire. With Tempest as the visual aspect (art and dance), and Keith creating "dragondropp audio reconstructures" with his sound expertise, they make a dynamic team that takes the dance form to a different, infused level for all involved.

Although she enjoys 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. By working (playing) outside of the box, Tempest engages the audience through dramatic embodied storytelling , passionate expression, and sensuous, mezmerizing movement. She particularly enjoys performing Raks Gothique, also known as Gothic Belly Dance, and sacred-fusion forms of belly dance.

Tempest performs regularly at festivals and events throughout the Bay Area, and beyond. She is occasionally available for events, parties and related theatrical functions. Email her for more details.

What is MedDevi Dance?
MedDevi is a Tempest-coined term, combining "Middle Eastern Dance" with "Devi", Goddess-essence of India, and refers to the combination of elements found not only in Tempest's dance, but in her Mediterranean family lineage. The technique and rhythm from the Mediterranean area blended with the spirit and power of the Romani & India's diverse culture.