Interview with Tempest
We are looking forward to having the talented Tempest perform at our Winter Blues Ball! Those of you who saw her perform her Nouveau Noir style dancing at our last event know you have something to look forward to. We took some time to ask the beguiling belly dancer a few questions so that you could get to know her better.
[singlepic id=11 w=320 h=240 float=right]How long have you been involved with dancing or performing?
I have been dancing for over 10 years, and performing for almost as long.
You call your style “Nouveau Noir dance.” Tell us a little bit about what that means.
Nouveau Noir is an offshoot of Gothic Belly Dance that revels in turn-of-the-century inspirations. I have been greatly inspired by the art, culture, and history of the 1890′s-1930′s and sought to incorporate this timeframe into my dancing.
“Nouveau” comes from “Art Nouveau” – a movement of art throughout Europe and the United States that cherished the organic, the naturally beautiful, and the intricate. ”Noir” speaks to the darker side of things, the drama of early silent films all the way through “Film Noir” in the early mid-20th Century. It alludes to danger, from being in danger to being dangerous. Also, there is a definite homage to “Orientalism,” the 1920′s and 30′s, and even the 40′s in Nouveau Noir Dance. It depends on each piece and the story in which the artist wishes to portray and enthrall her audience with.
[singlepic id=12 w=320 h=240 float=left]Nouveau Noir also subscribes to the Steampunk & Neo-Victorian mentality of “take something old, make it new – take something new, make it old.” All in all, Nouveau Noir simultaneously pays homage to the past while moving forward into the future, new merges with old, sacred meets profane, oddity and elegance co-exist. It exists in the realm of Neo-Victorian, Steampunk, and the Punk Flapper.
Where do you find your inspiration for merging these elements into your performance?
It depends on each performance. For every single performance, I carefully consider how the movements, the costuming, and the music work together to create that feeling of the era and inspiration I am seeking to capture. Sometimes a song creates an idea for me, and I create a piece around it. Other times, it may be a work of art or a portrait of a silent film star that sets off the inspiration – whether it’s Erte, Mucha, Theda Bara, or Mata Hari.
[singlepic id=13 w=320 h=240 float=right]You recently moved back to Rhode Island after a stint in the New York area. How has Rhode Island changed since you lived here last?
I left RI in 2001, and it’s amazing to see how far it has come. Now a lot was already changing in the late 90′s when I was here, the city was undergoing a renaissance – and it continues to evolve today, despite the economy. Waterfire is so huge now, AS220 has grown, RISD has taken over half the city. Things seem more up-to-date, even more immersed in the arts, and a lot more hip and conscious.
Each of your Speakeasy performances has had a unique twist – can you give us a sneak peak into what your January 23rd performance might look like at our Winter Blues Ball?
When Delsin (DJ Delicti) told me the name/theme of the night, it seemed the perfect time to use a song I’ve listening to for some time now, and create a performance for it – definitely with a touch of blue, in the spirit of Winter.
Sounds mysterious – we’re looking forward to it!
For more information about Tempest and other events where she will be performing, check out her website, www.darklydramatic.com.
