Almost home...

One more full day in Bali, after 4 days of working straight with 12-16 hour work days...hopefully will get to shop and see a bit more....then off to mainland China, spending most of Sunday in transit, then back to Hong Kong on Monday afternoon, and leave Tuesday morning for the US.

So, I'll be home, through the magic of traveling back through time, on Tuesday afternoon. Very much looking forward to being home with hubby and cat, and hearing/seeing friends.

Bijoux Cebu

This is the view from my hotel room at the Shangri-La Resort in Mactan/Cebu (which is in the Philippines). Cebu is a great relief for the skin and lungs after the pollution of Hong Kong. And the fact that the convention is being held at a 5 Star resort ain't too bad either.

We flew from HK to Cebu on Thursday, getting here in the early afternoon. The resort is a short drive from the airport, through what some of our suppliers here call "the slums". If the slums of the US looked like this, it would be a different country all together. This is the Third World, but it's amazing how bright and colorful it is, and the way the people use EVERYTHING completely, and look so happy. If the better off sections of the world could use what they have so completely and look as happy, the world would be a better place.

The resort is beautiful. I'm not a resort person, and so it's a bit unsettling for me. I'm not one to lay by the pool or beach all day, nor do I want to eat buffet after buffet. I danced an hour yesterday just to work off lunch (and breakfast and the dinner the night before). Everyone here seems really friendly, and my co-workers keep commenting on it. The east coast cynic in me wonders how sincere they are. If the resort treats the employees well, then I guess they could be. But I don't know. Though the maid who I just turned down again for the turn-down service just told me I was so cute, so cute, so beautiful, so cute! She walked away giggling about it. *blink*

The convention here is a total 180 from the vibe of the giant show in HK. It's small, and reminds me more the NYC shows, like The Accessory Show, and other events at the Javitz Center, just more intimate. Fashion shows all day, gorgeous setting, beautiful booths, music, etc - just what they gave us buyers upon entry was amazing.

One more day here, then we leave for Bali on Monday.

where am I?

Day...3? of Hong Kong...(arrived Sunday evening, it's now Tuesday evening)...with one more full day to go, then off to Cebu. This trip is not quite as insane as last year's, at least on a day-to-day basis, but still not enough time to do everything...and our travel plans are more complicated every time we fly - Cebu not so much, but from Cebu to Bali, and then Bali to mainland China, and then back to HK to leave for home on the 29th/30th...whew!

Seems like I've been gone forever, but nope, only a couple of days. Not too badly jetlagged though....just weird to get emails as people are waking back at home, and I'm off to bed.

Found a beautiful pair of Maio silver peacock earrings. Lady had a huge bat necklace, but that was out of the budget....alas..it was REALLY huge. Should have taken a picture ;)

Ok, off to bed, have a great day everyone :)

Durga Tour 2009!!!!

The info-letter regarding details for hosting/sponsoring/coordinating a Durga Tour event in 2009 have gone out! If you were interested in hosting an event and did NOT receive the email yesterday, please post here or msg me with your email addy.

Thank you!
blessings,
Tempest

Mercury, ruler of communication, asks..what??

I'm a Gemini. Gemini is ruled by Mercury. Mercury rules the realm of communication. Which means I'm somewhat obsessive about communication, and even more specifically, making sure communication is clear, correct, and precise. It confuzzles me when it's not, and causes great pontification on the why and how. I also forget that not everyone can read my mind (though I get more of the reverse than I would care to receive).

So I find it interesting to step outside of my head and personal space and try to perceive realistically what others see. I see so many labels, and they make me curious, because opinion comes from background and experience. And that varies from person to person.

So, dance-wise, what would YOU label me as?

Jersey Intensives & FYI

FYI - the discount deadline is Friday, the 15th, for "Endless Summer" - hurry to www.darklydramatic.com/tempest/nj.html

and while I had tentatively scheduled October 25th for the next, it's quite possible that the August 23rd one will be the last one for this year. I am in Asia for my jewelry design job for a good part of September, booked out of town every weekend in October fordance, except that last one, plus two weekends in November, and two in December. And if Sashi comes out, we'll have Thanksgothing again, but I think I'm going to need a little break.

So if you're one of those people thinking, well, if I miss THIS one, there will be more...well, not really for the rest of this year, and the new year brings in new plans with another national tour and an eye on New England, so don't count on it. Come now, while you can. Or else.

"Divatude"

When I think back to all of the teachers I’ve studied with – for regular classes as well for workshops, the ones I’ve returned to again and again all have something in common, despite being different in style, age, gender, experience, or location. I found that I was drawn to them not only because I felt the teaching was strong and improved my understanding of the dance as a whole as well as what it meant for me, on my body – but I truly enjoyed who they were/are as people, and that enriched the experience all the more.

I like to think that I offer the same opportunity to my students – they are not only exposed to the history of bellydance, its styles, movements, and diversity, but get to see who I am as a human being. Which includes all of my little quirks – I can be serious, and I can be a (lot) tad silly. I can be very eloquent and deep, and I can call my ankle an elbow if it’s been one of those days. I talk with my hands…a lot. You pretty much get the picture.

Recently on my journeys, a friend told me the story of someone in her community and that person’s experience upon meeting a famous bellydancer. This person had been actually upset and disappointed that the famous dancer was friendly and interacted with everyone, not just a select few community elite. That surely, such a great dancer would have been far more reserved and selective about the company she keeps. This story left me speechless. Why would someone *expect* that sort of behavior from anyone?

Shortly afterward, I saw another somewhat prominent teacher/dancer bash the quality and aptitude of the students attending her workshop at a foreign event, in a public forum, probably assuming that none of those students would read the forum if it’s in another land? Again, I was struck speechless. I have taught easily well over a hundred workshops all over the US and in Europe, and never would have I dismissed an entire group of students as not being proficient enough dancers, especially when you know they’re coming from different levels of experience and backgrounds. (In retrospect, I would more likely believe that the issue lay in the teacher and her material, rather than the ability of the students.)

And then there’s those dancers who offer a lot of lip service to the student’s face (and backside), and then switch their tune once their listening ears have left the building – especially if they find out the student has other heroes as well (thou shalt not have any other god before she!). It hurts me to see a student beaming with the praise she was given by a favorite dancer, when as soon as she was out of ear shot, eyes were rolled and/or comments contradicting the faux compliment are made. Is it better to leave the student believing what she’s been told, and basking in the nuclear glow of her idol, or break her heart with the truth?

As I mentioned, these were all recently observed experiences, and they’ve culminated into this piece exploring the state of “Divatude.” What does it mean to be a Diva? What are a Diva’s obligations to herself and her public? What does it mean to idolize a Diva? And most of all, what IS a Diva?

The Online Etymology Dictionary defines “diva” as "distinguished woman singer," 1883, from It. diva "goddess, fine lady," from L. diva "goddess," fem. of divus "divine (one)."

The American Heritage Dictionary defines diva as
1. An operatic prima donna.
2. A very successful singer of nonoperatic music: a jazz diva.
[Italian, from Latin dīva, goddess, feminine of dīvus, god; see dyeu- in Indo-European roots.]
A little outdated nowadays since the term is applied to many performers outside of the opera or song realm, but it’s interesting to note the divine roots of the word, as well as the fact that you don’t see “a temperamental, high-strung bitch” among the definitions. But that’s really the most common image the term tends to bring to mind. Definitely not a good thing to a word that had such glorious roots.

As someone who has been trained as a visual arts since the age of 3, and have been exposed to all aspects of the performing arts since then, I do understand the truth behind “artists can be temperamental” – anyone who makes their living directly from their bodies in such a subjective manner (for in sports, it’s either win or lose, the same is not true with the arts), the experience can more or less make you batty. But being shallow, petty, self-centered, and self-absorbed are uncommon traits among artists, nor are they qualities to be celebrated or imitated. No matter how great the artist is.

What makes someone act like the negative Diva? Is it concern about reputation or perception? A(n overdeveloped) sense of entitlement? Some bizarre belief that by stepping on the little people, you make yourself seem greater? Just someone with a bad personality to begin with? Or maybe just a very shy person who doesn’t know how to deal with the public? And most importantly, can such behavior be fixed? Honestly, I don’t know – I’m sure every person is different, but I can think of some ways to deal with and perhaps prevent such negativity.

The truth is, our dance community is relatively small – VERY small. The internet has brought together dancers from far ends of the globe and made them next door neighbors. And while there’s plenty of room to celebrate great dance, there’s not a lot of room for monstrous egos – it damages not only the artist, but all levels of the community, from the event sponsor to the student.

From the ground up:

For the students: draw your inspiration from as many dancers as your eyes will let you take in. Very early on my dance journey, I was told, “you can learn something from every dancer – that means both the good and not-so-good ones” and that’s true both dancers as they’re performing and who they are in the classroom and backstage. The best teacher will not only help you grow as a dancer, but their spirit and integrity should inspire you as well. Just like your parents, your dance idols aren’t perfect. They make mistakes, they don’t live in a perfect glass bubble, and they put their flared pants on the same way you do, one sore leg at a time. They’re just at a different part in their journey than you. That doesn’t make them a better person than you, it just makes them different. Remember that, and know it’s wonderful to be the student, no matter where you’re at. The best teachers keep on learning well after they’re established.

For the sponsors: how much is stress and hassle worth? If that one name diva costs you twice the cost of two good dance instructors, and four times the mental drama, does that really balance out in the end? Communities grow through exposure, and prosperity can come just as much as from diversity, as the standard. Eventually, a negative diva will wear herself out, though not before she wears out a string of sponsors and disenchants students from compromising behavior. The economy is tough, but a good sponsor can get the best of both worlds and educate their community in the process.

For the dancer/teacher/performer – professional behavior doesn’t equate to being a bitch. It means being reliable, considerate, comprehensive in thought, and gracious under stress and respectful of your students, colleagues, and sponsors. In the end, you’ll get more respect in the community and career longevity through cultivating these traits, in addition to the skillful practice of your art – than being a negative diva. If you treat yourself and others honorable at all points in your dance journey, it shall be returned to you. That is what makes a true Diva – a distinguished lady with a dash of divineness.

Upcoming Disturbance: Central NJ PPD

I will be at the Central NJ Pagan Pride Day this Saturday in Somerset, NJ - offering a free workshop on how to enhance your ritual practice with dance - as well as vending my wares, and who knows what else:

Central Jersey Pagan Pride Day 08
When: Aug. 16th. 2008
Where: SOMERSET, New Jersey
Event Details: Central Jersey Pagan Pride Day is proud to return. This year's event will be held on August 16th 2008 @ Colonial Park in Somerset, New Jersey. Hours are from 10 am to dusk. We will have a day of fun activities for children, workshops, vendors, raffles, festivities, a powerful ritual and of course TURKEYS.

What to Bring: A chair or picnic blanket, and an open mind
Price/Donation: Free/Donations-see in description

This year's charity beneficiary is the NJ Epileptic Fund, Monetary Donations are greatly appreciated. We are also collecting clothing and non-perishable food donations for the Ronald McDonald house.

In the spirit of community, we are hosting a potluck feast. Please bring something to share with everyone. If you're not sure what to bring, this list may help: Juice, Bottled water, Soda, Desserts or Cookies, Lunch Items, & Vegan Foods.

PLEASE mark your dish "Vegan", "Vegetarian" or "Meat" and make sure you LABEL AND LIST all ingredients Due to possible allergies so others can know what they're eating.

Items you may want to bring: A chair or blanket for the ground so you can relax; an instrument such as drums, rattles, or guitar for the drum circle; your potluck dish; water to stay hydrated; SPF 1 million for you vampires to prevent burning, lol, and a sense of fun and community!

The following items are prohibited by the park: alcohol (sorry Guys No mead) , weapons (though we all love a crossbow at times) , and ritual blades (athames) . If you are found to be carrying these items you will be asked to place them away. Please be responsible Pagans and abide by the laws of the land.

CNJPPD looks forward to connecting with the greater community and providing a fun, family event that all Pagans (including parents and grandparents) can enjoy. The following information about activities, vendors, and presenters will be updated as more information becomes available. Be assured we are working diligently to make this a positively amazing experience for all.

______________

CNJ PAGAN PRIDE OFFICIAL SCHEDULE

10 am Start of day
10:30am Opening Ceremony by Pat Miller
11:00am – 12:00 pm The Power of Personal Symbols with Ishtar
11:30am – 12:00 Kitchen Witchen' with Jess of C.O.W.S
12:00pm Lunch
1:00pm Ritual Design with Ben the Bear
2:00pm - 3:00pm Main Ritual
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm Enhancing Ritual with Dance with Tempest
3:00pm - 4:00pm Healing with the Elements with Pat Miller
3:30pm - 4:30pm Mace
5:00pm Tarot with Beau
6:00pm Dinner
7:00pm Closing Ritual/Fire Drumming ceremony
8:00pm Ending of the Day

+Kidz Crafts ( no times set yet except for treasure hunt)
+Treasure Hunt- Seek and find items for open Main Ritual
+Bracelet Craft with Laurel Popp
+ Parachute Play-Edu/Play Activities with Parachute
+ Obstacle Course-Active fun including: Spoon Race, run through Hoola Hoops, Jump Rope, and more
+ Balloon Animals-for children over 3 years of age By Deserie of MoonOnTheWater
+ Face Painting/Temporary Tattoos-for all ages By Deserie & Dimitri of MoonOnTheater
+ Learning Games for Prizes courtesy of MoonOnTheWater
_____________
Children's activities are presented by Deserie of Moon on the Water & Laurel Popp of Beyond the Summit.

+ Confirmed Vendors: Moon on the Water, Talon, Strange Omens, The Sun & Moon, Wee Witches, AND MANY more vendors to come.

+ Breaking News!: We are working on permissions, safety precautions, and other logistics for a possible Blacksmithing demonstration. Stay tuned for more information.

Volunteers needed for cleanup! Pitch in and do your part by contacting the CNJ PPD Coordinator today!

Please Contact:
Jon Marcus @ 732 261 7716
CNJ PPD Coordinator
jmarcus@btsunited.org
www. Myspace. com/jonegypt
For any other information.


Event Location: METTLERS ROAD in SOMERSET
Event TIME Details: 10am - 8pm
Directions: Here is a site map of the park. Parking will be in Lot F off of Mettlers Road.
http://www. somersetcountyparks. org/maps/ColonialParkMap. pdf
Phone: (732) 261-7716
Website: http://www. Myspace. com/jonegypt

Memory: The Living Goddess Dance Theater - 13 years of dancing the divine

Several paths have led me back to this area of memory - my recent trip to sacred spots in the UK, my look into myself and why I dance, and discussions on what the sacred feminine is in relation to bellydance.

My journey into bellydance was a direct result of my spiritual path. As a group, myself and the other ladies of my Tradition signed up together for bellydance classes. Some of us kept up with it, found more dedicated teachers and classes, others got the basics and that was enough for their enjoyment and ritual use. We spawned "Zingari", a dance and drum collective and "Between the Veils" - a benefit event. Then Keith and I upped and moved 3000 miles to California in 2001, because that's where my soul was tugged. The result was full-on immersion into the heart of bellydance. Part of that immersion was meeting Dhyanis and becoming part of the Living Goddess Dance Theater's annual show.

I had read about the show on the Gilded Serpent, where previous years had been reviewed, for better, for worse. The concept intrigued me - a whole show based on different interpretations of the Goddess, with a different theme each year. With my background, it appeared to be the perfect blending of the dance and spirituality, and so I wrote to Dhyanis about taking part in the show in 2002.

Dhyanis is a formidable woman - both a very creative individual and business-grounded as well with a very strong personality that you can count on to be direct. She had me audition for the show live in her home studio - I had been developing a piece for Kali Ma. She accepted my piece and gave me constructive criticism in developing and refining it. I worked with a Classical Indian Dance master to fuse bellydance with this artform, to wholly capture the essence of Kali Ma. Keith created an amazing piece of music for it (and to this day, one of his favorite pieces), and I crafted most of the costume from scratch, scouring the Bay Area for pieces and fabrics to make it happen.

The show itself featured a huge cast - two acts with at least 8-12 pieces per set. Dancers (both men and women) from around the Bay Area brought their interpretations of the Living Goddess to the stage and to two evenings of a packed house (averaging 100+ people per night). I was honored to be part of such an amazing production, only 2+ years into my study of dance. I will never forget the chanting my piece received at its conclusion, as voices from around the theater called out praise to Kali Ma. It sent shivers down my spine.

In the years that followed, I was invited back to bring more pieces - in 2003, "The Rusalka" (based on Slavic/Russian mythology), in 2004 "The Becoming" (aka, the infamous Peacock Sex Dance, with Anaar), and in 2005 "Whole & Horn" (a gender-bending piece morphing Goddess into Horned God). 2005 was the last year of the Living Goddess Dance Theater, commencing a run of 13 consecutive years, the end of an era.

You don't hear much about the Living Goddess Dance Theater outside of California, but most dancers in the Bay Area participated in it at one time or another during it's run, bringing cabaret, tribal, folkloric, fusion, and other forms of dance together. I don't believe there is or was any other Goddess-themed show anywhere that is as long-running and varied, and as large-scale as the Living Goddess. It predated EEMED and perhaps helped to spawn the concept, as it was a safe ground for fusion and pushing the limits of the dance - and received just as much flack for it.

Nowadays, most of the bellydance community commits anything "goddess" to the realm of new-age fluff or fantasy, which is a shame because it doesn't have to be either, and doesn't automatically mean such a thing. In the end, no matter what you call it, at it's core, this dance helps to transform a woman - aiding her to be more confident, more accepting of her body and herself, and to see the beauty in other women as well. It does awaken the spirit, no matter what energy or being you attribute it to or personally subscribe to. And there is nothing fluffy or fantasy about that.

From my UK Travel Blog...(some snippets)

Upon closing my eyes Sunday night in Tree's house (with my bed just below and beside her altar), I wondered about the Gods of the Old Country and if they are the same as the ones back at home. In checking in with the Horned God, I got my answer almost immediately - most definitely not. I sketched what I saw, but I think I will need to paint it...definitely NOT the same Horned God I know - this was much more older, wizened, and merged with the Green Man very much. Like a father or grandfather of our "American Gods." Amazing. Kali is the same everywhere - I have my theories, but I'll save that for another time.

The rest of our stay in England was very much along these lines. It was spiritually astounding for me, and I get the feeling I've tapped into something that will be the next direction in my art - visual, dance, spiritual. It's on the tip of my tongue, the edge of my brain, just waiting to come out.

Monday, Tree took us to Stonehenge and Glastonbury. I gasped as we came up the highway and could see Stonehenge...it was truly big! You know how so many monuments really aren't that spectacular in person? Not Stonehenge - it's magnificent and amazing. Alas, we couldn't get in near the stones, but perhaps something can be figured out next time, with enough plotting. Glastonbury was beautiful - it had it's share of new age cheesiness in a Salem sort of way, but more grounded and less silly. Here, I encountered the hare. Where in America, most metaphysical shops stock wolves, eagles, dragons, and unicorns....the predominant magickal animal was the hare, followed by the stag and the raven. The stores closed early, so we didn't get to experience all of it (plus there was stuff I wanted to go back and buy..), but we did get to climb to the top of the Tor, which was a breathtaking site. Oddly, none of the pictures with ME in them came out (at the Tor).

Thursday, we were picked up by our lovely sponsor Sara, who took us to Avebury (stopping at a proper Tea Room on the way there, I had clotted cream and tea, plus a ploughman's salad, not too bad). Avebury is as amazing as Stonehenge, AND you can touch the stones. I touched a lot of stones ;) I had visions of moonlight celebrations and musical marches down the avenue of stones. It's a beautiful place. And it has sheep. Lots of sheep. I made fun of one of the sheep and then promptly began coughing. Later that night after my workshop had just ended I lost my voice. Don't make fun of the Avebury sheep, that's all I'm going to say. After we strolled all over Avebury, we headed to Reading for our workshops. Wonderful group of ladies, though I could only get a few of them to bunny hop. Sara was a gracious host and took good care of us :)