The "Why Should I Care?" series- Tempest

Well, when Tempest emailed me to do this interview, it was very difficult for me not to kiss her ass. She seems like a very reasonable person. A very reasonable, famous, talented pioneer of ,oh, I don't know, just a few particular forms of bellydance, not to mention all the other stuff this artist extraordinaire does. But since she wants to be interviewed like us regular folk, and the Why Should I Care?  thing does not apply since we DO care because she is effing Tempest, I still sent the questions, minus the ass-kissing.
Tempest, we do care, honey, we do. You are friggin TEMPEST. Of course we care.

Based in Providence, Rhode Island, Tempest pulls from her visual arts background (BFA from RISD), literary tendencies, and global inspirations to create dance that crosses the boundaries of time and culture. She is the premiere instructor of Gothic Bellydance in North America, and her extensive work in the genre has helped to define and develop the movement across the world. Her compelling performances exemplify her distinctively theatrical and expressive style, and are rooted in oriental dance technique with a transcendent approach.


1. Say bellydance was suddenly declared an official religion. Who would you nominate as the Pope? ( of the Church of Bellydance)

Uh-oh! I'm not one much for organized religion - could we have a Council of Shimmy? Made up of knowledgeable representatives from all of the styles?


2. If I wasn't bellydancing I'd be ...........................


Making a mess in my studio. I'm sort of at odds between making artwork in 2D and making art on a 3D level through dance. There's only so much time, I wish I could split myself in two and do both at the same time ;)



3. Hitherto unknown dance prop that just needs to be introduced to the dance public.

I'm afraid to ask, what HASN'T been used as a prop recently? I think we could definitely do with less props and more good dancing.


4. You have the attention of all bellydancers all over the world for just one moment. What would you say to them?

Dance like you! No one else can be you, so dance in your own voice, with all of your heart and soul. Yes, it's more dangerous to be you than a copy or a clone, but it's so much more rewarding!

5. Describe how you feel right before performing.

A mixture of excitement, anticipation, calm, and "did I leave the oven on?"


6. Move that makes you feel like Madonna in the 80's. ( when she was hot,and right on the money).

(checks to make sure no one's got video of me dancing on the couch to "Material Girl" when I was like 7..) I have a move called "Beautiful Corpse" that is a dramatic, slinky walk, based off a very princessy/lifted Modern Egyptian walk - I could see it working very well with "Like a Virgin" ;)



7. Move that makes you feel like an epileptic sausage.

SNORT! I don't strobe/glitch/multi-lock. It doesn't say bellydance to me, and it just doesn't feel beautiful. Definitely epileptic sausage feeling, even if I did it technically perfect. Feels wrong on the inside!



Her blog is over on the blog roll, but if you are too lazy to scroll over then the link is right here: Tempest Teapot Bellydance Blog
Ditto with her website.
Tempest...... I will never wash my email again...? ( I know I am acting like a total weenie, but you have to admit it is pretty cool. )

Thanks!