November Noir

November Noir is San Antonio's first ever contemporary belly dance event. Local belly dancers Anaid of Mystique Fusion Bellydance and Samara conceptualized an event that would showcase dramatic and expressional belly dance at its finest. They decided what better way to premiere this event, than to introduce the "Gothmother" herself, Tempest, and her Nouveau Noir style of dance to this region. November Noir will feature workshops by Tempest and Emily Alrick of Circus Tribal, followed by an evening gala filled with featured dancers, special guests and more.

Tempest is an artist, designer, dancer, and writer recently relocated from Bay Area of California to the Jersey Shore. Although she enjoys studying 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; engaging the audience through dramatic embodied storytelling, passionate expression, and sensuous, mesmerizing movement.

She finds inspiration for her dances in many eras, places, and faces, from ancient cultures and spiritual myths worldwide, to the work of silent film star and original vamp Theda Bara, and turn-of-the-century dance goddess Ruth St. Denis.

She is most well-known for her Gothic Belly Dance performances and instruction, and is featured on the first ever GBD performance DVD produced by WorldDanceNewYork entitled "The Darker Side of Fusion", its sequel "Gothic Belly Dance: Revelations", and Hollywood Music Center's "Bellydance Underworld". She also has an instructional DVD geared towards the alternatively-minded entitled "Bellydance for Beautiful Freaks" produced by WorldDanceNewYork.

Websites:
- Med'Devi Ink (art, design, the original corset belt...) www.meddevi.com
- Tempest's Nouveau Noir Dance: www.darklydramatic.com
- The Gothic Bellydance Resource: www.gothicbellydance.com

Emily is a professional performer and instructor with a life-long passion for dance. She is also the director and choreographer of Circus Tribal Dance Company. Known for her crisp technique and expressive stage presence she has developed her own unique style of fusion bellydance. She is currently Level 2 certified in Suhaila Salimpour's format and working towards level 3. In addition to her studies with Suhaila she continues to study both classical and ethnic dance forms including many of the various forms of Middle Eastern dance. Emily is dedicated to a life of learning and growing as a dancer and will always be a student of the art form. She spreads her love for dance through teaching and performing.

Website:
- Circus Tribal Dance Company: www.circustribal.com

Mystique Fusion Bellydance is a dark Tribal Fusion dance troupe in the San Antonio, Texas area. Anaid with the help of Freya, shaped a troupe that uses American Tribal Style as its core foundation, but incorporates elements of other forms of ethnic dance and theatrics into their stylization of dance. Although both ladies have studied various forms of Western dance, they found their true passion in bellydance. With a common love of all things dark and eclectic and bellydance without boundaries, it did not take them long to find themselves amongst a developing genre of dance known to some as Raqs Gothique or Gothic Bellydance.

Together, these ladies are interested in dancing for not just the self, but for the love of dance. They are proud to be part of a non-competitive dance community, and enjoy sharing their performances with new audiences.

Website:
- Mystique Fusion Bellydance: www.mystiquefusionbellydance.com

Dancing since an early age, Samara, by way of Michigan, teaches classical Egyptian Belly Dance at Cynergy Dance Company in San Antonio. Although she teaches and performs mostly in the classic style, she strives to explore this dance and all it's possibilites. Samara has performed at haflas, events and festivals in and around the San Antonio area, and also has appeared on American Latino TV.

Website:
- Samara: www.samara-bellydancer.com

With Special Guest

Producer & Director of Desert Passion Middle Eastern Dance Theater, he is a gifted and talented dancer & instructor with a love for this dance form deeply embedded in his soul. His diverse performances of classical Egyptian "Raks Sharki" along with folkloric dances, particularly Nubian, Gawazee and Saide combines with his masterful use of a Scimitar sword to create a unique and powerfully intense personal style. Prepare now for an energetic opening of your heart.

Website:
- Desert Passion Middle Eastern Dance Theater: www.desertpassion.com