starting time: 7:32. (just for fun.)

A Conversation with a Belly Dancer
by Blume

A Conversation with a Belly Dancer is a new column created to get to know more about our favorite belly dancers. What they love, how they find inspiration, and more! I hope you enjoy reading this column as much as I enjoyed writing it. It really was a lot of fun!

This month, I interviewed the up and coming troupe, Tabu! These gals are so much fun and they are fabulous dancers. They have won first place awards at both the Hips of Fury and the International Belly Dance Competition. Their moves will work on you like a stun gun, you won't be able to take your eyes off of them! Check them out on the web at www.myspace.com/tabutriballv. Here are some juicy details from the girls of Tabu!

Blume: How did you begin belly dancing?
Inara: After I had my son, I was looking for a fun way to get back into shape. On a whim, I took a belly dance class at a rec center. One class turned into two, and then it was all over...I was hooked. I've been obsessed ever since.
Nisha: I saw Deborah of the New World Rhythmatism Enemble perform at a pagan even I had attended. I knew instantly that I had to dance too, so I signed up for classes right away.
Raven: My company hosted a party at a local Moroccan restaurant where I saw Amara dance for the first time. I asked about where to take classes and have been dancing ever since.

Blume: How long have you been a dancer:
Inara: 5 years now
Nisha: I have been a dancer most of my life, but technically I have been dancing 6 years.
Raven: About 12 years.

Blume: Do you choose the music or does it choose you?
Inara: A little of both. Sometimes I have an idea of what I'm looking for and I scour my sources, the interwebs, and friends' collections for the right fit...other times I hear a song and I'm smitten...I swear to God the other day I was strongly tempted to choreograph to "Rock Lobster." Its just that random. I usually try to match the music to the style. If I'm doing a Tribal Fusion with a sprinkling of Saidi, I'll look for music that reflects that...maybe a Saidi rhythm sampled over electronica or something. I strongly believe that music, costume, and dance content should jive, ya know?
Nisha: The music chooses me...it speaks to me, if it doesn't, I don't dance to it.
Raven: Yeah, I'd have to say a little bit of both. Mostly it depends on my mood at the time and what I am wishing to convey through the dance. It helps that my troupemates love such a wide variety of music and we often pick the same music for solos without realizing it!

Blume: Who is your biggest inspiration?
Inara: I have so many, but I geek out the hardest for Rachel Brice, Ariellah, and Frederique.
Nisha: ARIELLAH! ** (**Ariellah will be holding workshops at Punk Raqs: June 29th www.myspace.mecdaie)
Raven: Ariellah and Carolena Nericcio.

Blume: What is your favorite music to dance to right now?
Inara: Right now...hmmm...I like obscure electronica and odd bits from just about anywhere. I listening to "Beats Antique" a lot, but I'm also really drawn to a lot of the old folkloric songs. I love anything with a heavy Mizmar these days.
Nisha: Mostly industrial music or any unusual, unknown music.
Raven: I love so many types of music, everything from folkloric to industrial.

Blume: What costume piece could you not live without?
Inara: Well, these days a bra, lol! I have a bindi fethish though...
Nisha: My Sugar Petals body suit.
Raven: Definately a bra, then I'd say eye lashes.

Blume:
I'm sure that you have many events that you love, but what is your absolute favorite every year?
Inara: I really need to do more events...my list is rather small so far, but growing. It's a tie between Hips of Fury and Gothla...I love small cozy events that let you meet people one on one, and I really love how these two encourage artistic expression trhough alternative styles. Its really a showcase of personality and originality, which I love. Big events are great too, but I always go away from the smaller ones with many more friends.
Nisha: Tribal Fest! and Hips of Fury.
Raven: I love Tribal Fest. So many dancers from around the globe and a great vibe. I also truly enjoyed Hips of Fury for a more intimate gathering of fun and fabulous artists.

Blume: How did you all meet?
Inara: I've been dancing on and off with Raven for about 4 years now. We met in a local BD class and got together to choreograph a dance for the local Ren Faire, lol! We've been in and out of a few troupes together but always seem to get back together. Raven is so darn knowledgable it's silly...plus she is just so flawless in her technique. Tabu was Raven's brainchild and she invited me to dance with her and Nisha for IBDC. I've known Nisha for about 3 years now. It's funny, Las Vegas is such a HUGE city, but its amazing how much like a small town it can be. I knew her from going to karaoke bars way back in the day (yeah, I'm a recovering karaoke junkie, shoot me) and we had mutual friends. Then I saw her dance with Ethnophonica and was just so impressed. It wasn't till I saw her solo work that I was knocked off my seat...she blew me away. I, of course, had to be near the bright, shiny light...anyways, at the time there were very limited choices for Tribal Fusion dancing. The existing troupes were already established and had their own distinct styles, different than our own. It was a natural choice to band together. Plus we all enjoy scaring small children with our routines...;)

Blume: Would you rather live without belly dance or chocolate?
Inara: Oh, chocolate, for sure. I don't have much of a sweet tooth. Belly dance is non-negotiable.
Nisha: Chocolate!
Raven: Definately chocolate.

Blume: Where can we see Tabu next?
Inara: Tribal Fest 8 for sure! We may crash Punk Raqs, either as a troupe or collectively as soloists, but that's to be decided. After that it's the Las Vegas Intensive show. (Go Vegas!)

***end time: 7:55***


I'll have you know, each time I tried to type your name, Raven, it came out RAven. So...forgive any typos. :)

*hugs*