Sensual Dance As a True Art Form

Post by Ramon Leon Del Mar.

Psyche Corporation Performing at Ikkicon in Texas!!!

Great News!

It is now confirmed that the Shadow Queen, Psyche Chimere, evil genius and beautiful, dancing, songbird of Psyche Corporation, will indeed be performing this year at one of the largest anime conventions going, Ikkicon in Austin, Texas.  She will be bringing her operatic Dark Steampunk Victorian dystopian Science fiction type fairy tales to the stage (not to mention her lovely dancing as she perform!) as we ring in the new year!  Mark your calendars!  Fire up your steam powered broom sticks!  light the coal oil burners on your airships and start heading for Austin, Texas for this New Year's Eve bash that is Ikkicon!  Don't forget... the city motto of Austin, Texas is "Keep Austin Wierd!"  Just our kind of place!

World's Largest Goth Festival via La Carmina & Huffington Post

You have to see this!  It's just a taste, an appetizer really, but it will get you interested enough for more articles about our dark cousins, the Goth Culture.  No, they are not Steampunk, but the blend of the two cultures is where "SteamGoth comes from, and it would be ridiculous to say they aren't a rebellious "Punk" style culture.  Besides the fashions are wonderfully interesting!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/la-carmina/worlds-largest-goth-festival_b_1588296.html?utm_hp_ref=tw

Heidi Wunder Brings Belly Dance to the Dallas-Fort Worth Steampunk Stage

Heidi in full tribal regalia

Heidi Wunder is just as her name suggests...a wonder!  She not only performs and teaches Tribal Belly Dance, but also lives the concepts that she teaches.  She has a deep love of music, dance, nature, and of people.  She is bringing all this and more to the stage on June 4th as the fictional "Delegate" from Persia in a supporting role in a "steampunk" Murder Mystery Play at a new event called the "Difference Engine" in Fort Worth, Texas.  http://www.the-difference-engine.info/ 

In fact the entire event is a celebration of the performing arts in all it's forms as they intersect with the facinating and exotic world of Steampunk Fiction.  Heidi will also be bringing real world performances of Tribal Belly Dance to that same stage later in the day as one of the main performers for the event.  I was recently honored to interview her about her dance, her influences, and her impressions of performing in the Steampunk Community. 

1. How would you define your dance style or genre?
1. I am an American Tribal Style Belly Dancer, and I have mostly done more of the world/gypsy type genre

2. What artists do you think most influenced your current style or styles?
1. Carolena Nericco, as being the creator of ATS, but there are too many Tribal dancers to name that have influenced me in some way, either dance technique or costume. I also take inspiration from the Ghawazee tribes of Egypt and the Berber tribes of North Africa

3. What types of music do you use, and how do you use them in different types of dance?
1. I use a lot of ethnic music that has drum rhythms from the middle east and India.  I also use some more modern Techno, and groups that infuse techno with middle eastern and Indian rhythms.  When I am using the more ethnic music, I tend to be doing traditional movement, the modern techno, I tend to be more expressive, and carry the energy of the music through out my dance.

4. What was your first exposure to this style of dance and what effect did it have on you then?
1. I am active in Amtgard, and have been since I was a teenager, there is where I was first introduced to Tribal by some friends who wanted to create a dance troupe. They needed a third person, and told me I had no choice!  It looked cool, the way the costumes looked, the way the dancers danced just reached into my heart and grabbed it.  I knew instantly this was the dance for me!

5  When did you decide to focus on this as a form of performance art and what influenced that decision?

                  I had danced ATS since I was 17, but wasn’t until I was 24 and moved here to Texas, that I decided this was going to be my path.  I had just moved, so I didn’t have job, and my husband was super supportive of me exploring this more.

6  What sort of expereince do you have in terms of public performances, paid performances, and/or teaching dance?

I have been dancing the style for 11 years, and teaching and performing for 4 years.  I have taught in dance studios and yoga centers.  I have performed at festivals, restauraunts, open mic nights, and stage shows.

7    When did you first encounter people in steampunk attire that was distinctive enough to really draw attention and what effect did it have on you?

                  At a local meeting, is when I saw folks in the flesh in Steampunk attire, I have seen many movies, folks on the internet, and even Steampunk in the Tribal Belly dance culture.  It captivated me as it was different, and funky, and just plain cool.  I knew I had room to integrate this cool style and culture into my dance.

8    What percentage of your music do you consider to be Steampunk related?

                  I say about half of the music I use is steampunk related.

9  What do you think about the influx of steampunk fashion into dance performances?

      Over the past 5 or so years, as I have seen more and more steampunk fashion, and it has been an alternative to the traditional tribal garb.  I enjoy the Steampunk fashion, and what it has done for Tribal Belly dance

10  Do you think there is such a thing as Steampunk Dance at this time and why?

                  For Belly Dance, I see mostly Tribal genre dancers wearing Steampunk fashion.  I know that the costume really helps shape the way you dance, your character while dancing, so I do believe there is an evolution of Tribal into a Steampunk Belly dance.

11.  How would you define or describe what aspects of music, wardrobe, instruments (acoustic versus electric for instance), styles, and lyrics, make you think “Steampunk” when you see another band perform or when looking back at your own performances?

                  When I think Steampunk, I really think a melting of classic with electric.  A Mandolin with an electronic beat box, or out of this world sounds.  I see classic Victorian garb with a hint of mad scientist tinkerer, or Lightning pirates.  This crazy alternative look that has become more prominent is what makes me jump to think “Steampunk”

12  What was your first exposure to Steampunk as an actual subculture.  (as opposed to say Steampunk movies or fiction books)

                  Actually Ramon and Radha of Kali’s Hourglass.  They open my eyes to “steampunk”

13   Can you talk a little about the difference in general dance styles that you like and how this works together to make your own approach?

Well, I am only trained in American Tribal Style, which has a set dance vocabulary, but when dancing solo, I try to be as expressive, but still maintain the tribal look, it works great for me

14  What can you tell us about the local Steampunk Community close to where you live?  Is it very active and in what ways? In other words what sort of events do they set up, are they involved in charitable, political, or educational projects?

                        Well I know a little bit, the Steampunk community seems to be pretty active, I am not to well entrenched yet to give a detailed answer.

15.  How deeply are you involved in these events, and do you always perform musically, or do you sometimes interact there in other ways?

                  So far I have only performed, but would love to have more interaction!

16.  What sort of public performance art, classes, or other activities have you not done so far, but that you would like to try in the future?

                  Well it something I have not done a lot of, but would like to, is play doumbek for a solo dancer, I am not too bad, but I don’t get to do it with my troupe, cause I am usually dancing

17.  How much difficulty do you face getting event organizers to understand the needs of performers for adequate compensation for time, travel, lodgings, and wardrobe costs?

                  Generally event organizers have no clue about all the time and effort a performer puts into his or her trade, but that is just generally, there are some folks I have worked with that are really great about this.

18.  Would you like to share any information with our readers (and potential hiring clients) about typical compensation levels for performances of different types or would you prefer to keep that something discussed on a case by case basis?

For Performance, I would like to always talk with somebody interested in hiring me, as situations vary, but I can be reached by going to www.wildskystudio.net

Texas Allcon 2011 makes the news!

Our little everything convention in Texas made the big time in a recent abbreviated article in the Steampunk Tribune and with the full article on Convention Fans Blog!  See the article at the following links


http://www.steampunktribune.com/2011/03/direct-from-all-con-2011-steampunk-fun.html

http://conventionfansblog.com/2011/03/28/all-con-2011-convention-report-steampunk-themed-fun-and-fiction-in-addison/

Allcon 2011 was somewhat difficult, but very rewarding!

Allcon 2011 Steampunk Themed Fun and Fiction in Addison

As you may already have heard this year’s theme for Allcon 2011 was “Steampunk” as special genre of retro-futuristic science fiction that takes the elegance, innovation, and indomitable spirit of the Victorian age and the science fictional imagery of it’s most imaginative writers and transplants it into very unlikely places in very unlikely ways.  Steampunk has also attracted very creative and imaginative people that have turned what was at first a special science fiction loving society into a real world subculture that strongly promotes “Maker Culture”, ecology, creative expressions of individualistic art in all it’s forms, and encourages forceful rebellion against the marketing messages that encourage mindless consumerism and the following of an endless stream of fashion trends. 

Local groups, like Kali’s Hourglass, The Steampunk Illumination Society, Airship Steel Rose, and Airship Nocturne came to teach, explain, and enlighten others about learning to make things the way they want them instead of settling for whatever Walmart has to offer, doing it on a budget, rebelling radically against consumer zombie cultism, and having great fun doing it!  They did this with about 17 panels, two film screenings, a dance performance, a comedic play, a demonstration table, and general spontaneous fun throughout the convention!  They also announced plans to host an all Steampunk event soon on June 4th called the “Difference Engine” to further this liberating message for Texas and the surrounding areas.

With 3 panels in 5 hours the first day, we were running from the time our boots hit the ground in Addison!  Actually we did an improv half panel on improve comedy and spontaneous character acting when the panel ahead of us labeled "hit the talking pinata" failed show.  Actually, as we mentioned, it seemed entirely reasonable that any pinata smart enough to talk would soon realize he didn't want to go to a panel about hitting him and talk someone into calling a cab out of here, so why should they be surprised?  I mean really...can you imagine how that would all go?  Whack!  Hey!  What did I ever do to you?  Whack!  Hey!  If you have anger issues related to being bullied as a child, hit that guy next to you!  Hit him not me! Whack!  Now look...I am certain that whoever it was that abused you as a child was human...am I right?  Whack!  Stop that!  I mean ... it's not like pinatas go around attacking unsuspecting children in the school yard do they?  Whack!  Would you just stop for a minute and think about it?  How many paper mache creations have you seen beating up small children and stealing their lunch money?

Next we gave our panel on "Steampunk Alchemy" which turned out to get more compliments about actually teaching new and useful things about making really good Steampunk Ensembles out of things no one wanted that it received considerable praise and enthusiastic thanks afterwards.  (and was good fun for all-without even murdering a pinata or any mass child arena fighting afterwards-imagine that)

We also gave a panel on acting, on multicultural Steampunk, and on Trends in Steampunk Music and Dance.  Unfortunately no one discovered that all the sound equipment in our panel room was missing and only discovered at the last minute before our panel on music and dance.  The courteous and rapidly responding con staff and our own preparedness (bringing a backup dvd player), saved the day. (or the panel at least) Feel free to take a look at photos and our "Steampunk Dance" video on the Vimeo site (similar to you tube, but better picture quality).  http://vimeo.com/21393289
but please read the description first so it isn't taken out of context.  Thanks!

We had a  number of other exploits including a woman attempting to join one of our panels right after it started.  She strode in briskly right after it started, sat at the head table with us, and announced to the audience that she "had been asked last minute to sit in on the "Multicultural Steampunk Ensembles Panel" due to her Master's degree in anthropology and expertise in the field.  As there was no way to call her a liar and throw her out without looking like very rude, uncouth, boors, and we were unable to pull her aside to make certain she wasn't the well meaning victim of a practical joke, I simply gently redirected when she kept trying to interrupt scheduled lesson plan content with war stories and self promotion.  She then vanished mysteriously, perhaps because she wasn't allowed to self promote enough, when we presented our short comedy "The Trouble With Aztecs" as a practical demonstration of use of multicultural ensembles in Steampunk and so we could discuss pitfalls to avoid afterwards.

(We later learned she had been given a last minute list of panels she was asked to assist in by another group and she got confused and walked into the wrong one and sort of tried to take over panel conversations without so much as introducing herself, to us at least, but she was very apologetic when I finally tracked her down to discuss the matter.)

We managed to get past that disruption and still perform the comedic play "The Trouble With Aztecs" right before the Q&A in this "Multicultural Panel" and it went very well.  Of course I tend to judge a comedic play by three things:

1) did they laugh often,?   2) did they laugh hard?  3) Did the degree and quality of complaints lodged afterwards necessitate calling an attorney or making many public apologies?  I'm not really being flippant about this, just realistic.  I told the audience that realistically it is impossible to do effective comedy without occasionally offending someone accidentally, but I said that I try to keep it to a minimum, because I'm just not willing to offend anyone just to get a laugh.

We discussed how almost any element specifically dealing with names of Aztec deities, not out of fear of offending the good Christians attending (I mean they do realize that the Aztecs did in fact have entities they referred to as Gods, so what would be the point?), but rather to avoid offending any real Aztecs (yes they still exist...we are formally adopted by that culture) that happened to attend (not that rare in Texas) that might not have liked elements of their faith brought into a comedy play.  I also removed anything that even referred to the mention of human sacrifice (though it pains me to avoid history to that degree) or that used funny references toward Europeans that too accurately described what the Aztecs thought of the uncouth, uncultured, unwashed, and foul smelling criminals and mercenaries that the Spanish Crown could afford to send out as Conquistadors.  At that point, we needed funny bits to fill in all the gaps, so we stole cheap laughs from old films and made it Aztecified, sort of.  Actually it all worked even better than expected and everyone seemed happy as they left.  I tried to film it, but we seem to keep having problems with our video camera or any other camera when we try to film plays.  I'll have to have a long talk with our "House Gremlin" about that.

The head of programming for the convention was even more shocked about this woman's "attempted highjacking of the panel" as he described it, than we were, but the only real problem was that I spent so much time and energy keeping her from taking over the discussion, while trying to avoid appearing to do so, that 3 of my four panelists (whose credentials on the topic make us less than impressed with hers) never got a chance to speak much outside of the play.  Ah well.  It will make a funny story for us one day, but may do very unfortunate things to the woman's credibility.  She may actually have been convinced she was there at our request, but that would seem unlikely since she never spoke to any of us before or afterwards and did not even introduce herself aside from stating credentials without a name.  Another one for the convention manuals.  Always expect the unexpected and keep the security number handy during panels!

The thing that is most recognizable, and in many ways, the most fun about Allcon is that it exposes each fandom culture to others they might never have encountered otherwise.  Storm Troopers and Jedis conversed with gunslingers, Star Fleet Officers, and Klingon Warriors while Steampunk time traveling Pirates, “Maids” and Roller Derby teams rolled by in an endless stream of wonderful mad fun!  It was a bit like ending up in Alice’s Wonderland, but with a science fiction twist.

The only really big news at the con, other than new Steampunk talent being shown, was that the Steampunk Ball got canceled, then rescheduled last minute.   After discussing this with both the con staff and the headliner band, it appears to have been a massive failure in communication.  The band is very professional and does not appear anywhere without a signed contract for the performance which they had indicated, but was unusual enough in the program director's past experiences with Allcon, that he didn't realize how important it was and forgot to get it done.  The other problem was that the venue had no sound system or amplifiers capable of reproducing the kind of music and instruments that electric guitars make. 

The lead singer, Toby Lawhon, said that if they just used the 12" speakers available their sound would be not much more than distortion and would be so unprofessional that they would not perform there without renting commercial concert speakers, which meant also bringing in a concert level mixing board and sound crew capable of moving 5 foot tall speakers and setting the system up to work properly.  The staff didn't understand why a large number of people suddenly got added to the necessary list of passes for the band, so it had not gotten approved as of Friday night even though the band had tried to reach him to explain.  Obviously communications like this should have happened sooner, but they had trouble reaching the program director after they discovered this was necessary, and he didn't really understand the request.  He said it was his mistake and that the band acted very professional about the whole thing and did a great job fixing the problem when it looked like things would fall through for the concert.  The concert had to start over an hour late due to problems adjusting the unfamiliar equipment in the strange venue, but in the end, it was a great performance!

In the program director's defense, he handled everything beautifully for us, but then all of our events were set up and re-adjusted as needed more than 3 weeks before the event.  Things start to go wonky for most convention staff when they get overloaded the last week before hand, and they sometimes have catastrophic brain cramps, like in this case, when the overload gets too great or the situation, as in this case, is too unfamiliar to them.  The other item I would like to mention is that when I approached their program director for comments about the incident, he took full responsibility for the confusion and fallout, did not blame anyone else about anything, and stated gratitude to Toby and the band for helping them fix the problem at the last minute.  That's the kind of human being I prefer to work with!  (This is based on my own interactions with Todd Carlton when I contacted him for a public statement for the magazine review, but there is speculation and rumor that he may have been less forthcoming earlier-however-Toby Lawhon also told me directly, that Mr. Carlton accepted full responsibility and was very apologetic when they agreed to reschedule and follow through with the concert.) Mr. Carlton even said that if Toby was as courteous about the whole thing in what he was saying about the incident at this point  then it was just another sign of the level of professionalism of Marquis of Vaudville and he really appreciated and respected that in him.  Did these people just step out of a time machine or something?  Where did all this gentlemanly behavior come from?  Hmmm...maybe all this Steampunk stuff isn't just fiction after all? 

So overall, in spite of the temporary setback due to miscommunication with the headliner band, I would rate this convention as one of our absolute favorites!  As both performers, and even back before we started offering panels and performances at conventions, our biggest complaint was always that they didn’t actually post a full list of who and what was performing until a week or two before the event, yet expected us to decide blind if we wanted to go.  This is especially a problem for those new to a festival trying to decide whether to buy the early discounted tickets or to wait and see who is performing there.  For us performers that is not a problem, but it is maddening to send offers to give panels and get no response for months, then be told “we definitely want you, but can’t decide what or when.  I even have trouble getting them to commit as to whether we will be performing enough to avoid paying for full price at the door to get in order to perform for them, which did indeed happen to us once. (but never again) 

Allcon, on the other hand, was entirely different!  They had over 75% of their lineup listed with times, days performing, and a detailed map of the venue over 3 months in advance.  When I offered panels to them I got a response in less than 24 hours that listed every panel they wanted in appropriate rooms with the exact day and time of the presentations listed.  Even minor changes such as adding to the number of badges needed in order to have enough crew to cover so many panels was met with quick and courteous response that met our needs every time.  Fortunately planning ahead permitted us to get these things done early before the rush and confusion of the final week before the con.

The full review including information about non-steampunk related performers on the following site:

http://conventionfansblog.com/2011/03/28/all-con-2011-convention-report-steampunk-themed-fun-and-fiction-in-addison/

Steam Powered Belly dance in Brazil!

Below is our attempt to translate into English a wonderful article by the people at Steampunk, an excellent steampunk blog from Brazil.  It is discussing the emergence of movement and dance as a form of Steampunk as a direct result of Steampunk developing as a musical genre.  It focuses primarily on Tribal Fusion Belly dance, but discusses possible fusion of many styles into that subgenre in ways that create something entirely new alltogether.  See below [items in brackets like these were added by this editor as teh translating program was unable to fully translate, but I should mention that my Portuguese is not that great either, so I am making my best guess in a few areas based on the parts I could clearly make out]

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Steampunk culture has spread in various artistic manifestations, leaving the literary and movie niche, and now moving into music and therefore into dance as a result. But different than you might think, the last has nothing to do with the dances that were favored by the Victorian nobility, in halls of gaudy chandeliers and diamond covered candlesticks. No. The biggest and best known of all expressions was eventually found in belly dance in a style called Tribal Fusion.

Tribal was [apparently] established in the years 1970 through 1980, the United States, by Carolena Nericcio, director and lead dancer of the "Fat Chance Belly Dance Group", a leading representative of the style today. Carolena fused classical and traditional elements belly dance with other types of dance, like the Egyptian and folklore styles, and also added new positions, styles, and postures, with arms higher and [something about feet/legs more closely held or possibly sliding against the floor]. The garments have also changed, giving tattoos, flowers, shells, and other more natural and primitive elements [a primary place in costuming] in this style. Carolena called this new style of belly dance the "American Tribal Style", now often known as ATS. The ATS is now essentially a dance group, which gives the characteristic of "tribe" - hence the use of the word "tribal" - and [is often] based on dance improvisation. Some steps are characteristic and the lead dancer often comes out in front [then gives signs to the others] indicating the dance, or the actual movement she will do next, so that the whole group [will be] able to imitate [and follow her movements in a synchronized fashion].

However, over the years with the spread of ATS and other types of dance began to [be] incorporated [into] Tribal. The essential rules of style began to be changed, making the dance more personal and more [expressive] of the personality of the dancer. What was created, then was a  new version of the ATS, known as Tribal Fusion. This style is more popular than the original style developed by Carolena, as it is being seen as more comprehensive [and flexible/adaptable in style and scope]. Although they still maintain much of the original positions, the Tribal Fusion can add in and blend to virtually all types of dance, the most common being hip hop, break dance, Indian dance, flamenco dances, and even cabaret. The songs chosen are varied and there are some used from electronic music, World music fusion, hip hop, trip hop, and even Gothic Heavy Metal. Circus music, vintage, and other types can also be used in this genre.  It all depends on who is creating the dance and choreography.

Because of this, it was very easy for SteamPunk [music] to also manifest in Tribal [Fusion belly dance performances]. In addition to the bands whose influences are essentially [the definitive representations of] the movement, such as Abney Park, Clockwork Quartet, Unextraordinary Gentleman, [Vernian Process], and Dr. Steel, other bands, including those with metallic sounds, reminiscent in some ways to listening to old movies, are also chosen, as is the case of Beats Antique. The clothes as well, across the Tribal Fusion movement, [depend] on your taste, but most fans of the genre will find a way to merge the influences of Victorian, Steampunk, and [Steampunk] accessories into the form of [belly] dance costumes, which should [still] have good mobility and of course show the belly.

In Brazil, the ATS and Tribal Fusion are recent developments. The first workshops and first teachers of the style here, appeared only in 2007. In July 2009 came the first international meeting of Tribal Fusion of Brazil, in Sao Caetano do Sul, and in October the same year, the first event back to the dance of Sao Paulo. Nevertheless, the style is growing every day, and gaining more dancers, who [may or may not have been] involved in  classic belly dance. With this, and also with the growth of the SteamPunk movement in the country [Brazil], [who knows, perhaps soon] we will have national dancers that are {inspired and/or] powered by steam, eh?

[The original article in Portuguese in linked below:]
http://www.steampunk.com.br/2010/03/15/steampunk-a-danca-e-o-movimento/

Steampunk Belly Dance Exchange of Ideas

I am re-posting a fascinating exchange of ideas about whether there can or cannot be true "Steampunk Belly Dance" or any other dance style or music for that matter.  
Each comment below was written in response to the article titled:

Not So Steampunk Belly Dance

by Jasmine June Cabanaw

posted February 26, 2011

published in an online Belly Dance Journal called Gilded Serpent

  Each comment is labeled at the end with the name of the contributor of the comment along with the link to my own response followed by a link to the original article.  The article itself comes last in what I am presenting to you as I think the dialogue about the topic is more important than the inflammatory (and probably unintentional) choice of wording in the original article that was published in an online Belly Dance Journal called Gilded Serpent.  Take a look and try to keep an open mind to all sides of this discussion.  I selected the comments that I thought were most worth reading, but there are many more under the original article.

 thanks,
Ramon
 *********************************************************
All comments previously copied to this site were removed per insistence of the editor of the Gilded Serpent online magazine Lynette Harris as she pointed out, quite correctly, that neither the authors of the comments nor the magazine/e-zine where they were posted gave permission to re-post them.  I advised that my oversight was due to an urgent desire to soothe and put out the firestorm of resentment toward the author Ms. Cabinaw and the magazine Gilded Serpent that a link-share on facebook  had set off.  As pressing the share button marked facebook, (done by a number of people in my own community-though I was not one of them) which is all that was required to start this firestorm, is not considered "Stealing" information, and that no content from the article, other than a brief quote of a few lines (it was impossible not to take it totally out of context with less and would thus do more harm than good) ever occurred regarding the article, I believe the editor may be over reacting a bit in sending me an e-mail suggessting I am "stealing content", but I agree that the comments about the article (the calmest and most well spoken ones) that I copied to clarify and resolve the conflict, should be deleted from re-posting to my personal blog site.

What actually caused the original problem was the posting of the original article by Ms. Cabinaw on the Gilded Serpent site which used phrasing, apparently unintentionally, that was very insulting to another allied community, namely the Steampunk sub-culture.  Reviewing content of articles for such possible problems prior to posting them is the venue of the magazine editor.  I was simply trying to suppress a problem that others created which appeared to be causing a very destructive rift between the belly dance community and sub-culture, which I dearly love (and the magazine which appears to be a good one) and my own community of "Steampunks".  My influence was needed to put a stop to it before it got out of hand, so I acted, albeit a little rashly in copying some of the better written comments (from the comment portion only) without consent.  They are now deleted from my personal blog site and remain so.  Any interested in reading them should go to the original article site on Gilded Serpent.

Thanks,

Ramon Fagan

For my own response to this article and discussion and for a link to the original article that started the controversy (at the end of my response-sorry, but the unexplained version of the original makes some of our community so angry that they might stop thinking with an open mind and simply see red after reading it, so I put it at the end of my own carefully considered response-): see below

http://artofsteampunk.blogspot.com/2011/03/response-to-article-stating-that-belly.html 

Response to an Article Stating That Belly Dance Cannot be Steampunk

I had posted a copy here of my own comment below that was written in response to the article titled:

Not So Steampunk Belly Dance

by Jasmine June Cabanaw

posted February 26, 2011

published in an online Belly Dance Journal called Gilded Serpent

Due to the confusion of definition of the word "reposted", confusion as to who was reposting things, and different veery strong opinions about etiquette regarding handling of someone's comment, (even my own apparently) that has been posted on another site, I am electing to avoid the whole headache by simply deleting my copy of my own comment here as well.  Feel free to see it and what it was in response to in the article this was in response to at the link below:http://www.gildedserpent.com/cms/2011/02/26/jasmine-june-steampunk-belly-dance/

***********************************************************

Ms Cabinaw later clarified that she was only intending to suggest that when belly dancers wear steampunk attire as a costume, then it should not shift the label of the dance purely because someone is wearing a costume that day.  I totally agree with that.  She apologized for the unintentional suggestion that steampunk amounted to nothing more than a costume and the statement that she didn't believe there was such a thing as steampunk music or dance without fully investigating that.  She stands by her assertion, which I consider reasonable, that if a form of bellydance is going to call itself by a new name it should present at least the level of actual change in dance forms that were developed by ATF and/or Tribal Fusion before doing so.  That also seems very reasonable.

In fact, after further discussion she actually asked about collaborating on a more in depth article with myself to ensure that both sides of the issue were appropriately explored and treated respectfully.  I agreed.  I also advised that I am a very ardent devotee of the incredibly beautiful and traditional art of belly dance, and that I am very concerned with ensuring that how we "label" belly dance calsses and programs in panels and events that I am already scheduled to give and evaluate panelists for, be handled approriately, so as to correctly describe the level of Steampunk influence, whether costuming, music, actual new movements or what, in the programming that is presented.  I think this is actually in everyone's best interests.

  thanks

Kali's Hourglass Presenting 6 panels at All-con 2011

Yes we will not only be presenting panels this year, but also performing as both the Multicultural Ensembles panel and the Current and Future Trends in Steampunk Music and Dance panel both include a brief dance performance inside the panel room as part of the total panel experience!  Don't miss it!

Clockwork Wonderland-Huge Success!

It was so hugely successful and so immensely poplular and well attended it was almost too crowded to move!  Even the patio was jammed with happy party goers!

We helped some setting up and more taking down, but mostly were working the theatre giving almost non-stop screenings of "Nickel Children" and the Clockwork Wonderland Video, then answering questions about either or both films.  We also managed a table to give out flyers about the Steampunk Illumination Society and answer questions about our own little Acting and dance troupe- "Kali's Hourglass".  Our new banner was finished and flying proudly the black, white, and red colors in the best traditions of the "Brethren of the Coast" even though, as an admiral of a privateer organization, I am bound to state unequivacolly that "we are not pirates".  (Well not this year anyway)  Kali's Hourglass also gave a one act play called "The Ugly Gun".  Yes my beloved gun is ugly, but very powerful!  Not only that, but as V.Adm. Radha often points out she is the only steampunk weapon in the area we know that played a tarring role in a televised film.   Right now we are too exhausted from that and rehearsing and script editing for our next performance at Carnevale of Creatures for me to write a full review, but I will do so later.  For now, the biggest news of the night was that "Master Bones Jangle", who was accompanied by his lovely and talented lady Kelsey during their set, proposed to her at the end and they are now engaged to be married!  Well, that's all for now.

Captain Robert's Bio (Abney Park)

The article is self explanitory.  Just click on the little link below.  I might add that ass this man has done a lot for us in many areas, it will pull up under multiple categories.

http://robert-from-ap.livejournal.com/646436.html

Brazilian Site exploring and showing Steampunk Dance

http://www.steampunk.com.br/2010/03/15/steampunk-a-danca-e-o-movimento/

Dance as Steampunk

To Quote, or at least praphrase some steampunk friends of ours from Brazil:  We believe there is music of special interest to many in the Steampunk Culture which often embodies their culture, attitudes, and wishes, fantasy or otherswise, so we believ this music can be reasonably called Steampunk Music.  As specialized adaptations of various forms of dance have been made and blended specifically for the purpose of dancing to this music, it follows that there is such a thing as "Steampunk Dance" as well...

Here's the link, but I warn you that it's all in Portuguese, and my paraphrase may be less than perfect as my abilities in that tongue are still limited.  They also posted video links of dancing adaptations at a Brazilian event they were specifically referring to as examples.
http://www.steampunk.com.br/2010/03/15/steampunk-a-danca-e-o-movimento/

We also have Steampunk Dance here in Texas.  It tends to be varoius adaptations of bellydance, especially sinuous and serpent like belly rolls and similar moves, blended with trance dancing (the truly self-hypnotic and/or "Drawing Down" trancing at Pagan Revel fires, more than the Rave style), and various other styles such as Latin, Swing, or other Ballroom into a beautiful androgynous blend that is best suited to middle Eastern or African drums blended with modern instruments.  We, and as many of our Flagship's crew as can make it, dance this way every Friday Night in Steampunk attire.  We wear whatever is the least restrictive or cumbersome, and is the most Cool (both meanings) along with various Steampunk Jewelry, accents, watches, skeleton keys, goggles etc, but try to wear a little different combination every night.  This tends to be a cross between sexy and post apocalyptic, mostly because we can't dance weel in heavy clothing or with too many layers in a hot crowded club in Texas.  Wearing our full regalia, is simply not an option, but no one mistakes us for anything other than Steampunks!

  Our Confederation of Steampunks, the Covenant of the Kraken, is specifically intended to encourage and support all of the arts as they relate to Steampunk, as opposed to simply a social or networking group like the many others we are involved with.  As such, we encourge those that do not at least enjoy writing fiction, acting it out, costuming, or directly involving themselves in making Steampunk music, dance, video etc in some way to join their local networking group instead.  We do; however, strongly encourage all our members to join those same networking groups in addition to Covenant of the Kraken rehearsals and performances.

I would like to repost a tongue in cheek ad we posted regarding crew qulifications for our flagship, the Kali's Hourglass.  It actually does relate well to all those already on that crew, expecially in light of the fact that Steampunk Dancing is our most frequent group activity, and we use it in performance art at local events as well.

Qualifications Desired for Crew Members for Kali's Hourglass

While our primary role is as Time Traveling Privateers who look for opportunities to upset the balance of power in various centuries and thereby give the common man and woman a chance to bargain for better conditions in a harsh world, we also just love to dance! That certainly is not a requirement for a crew member on board the other vessels in our Covenant of the Kraken collective, (although it helps), but on board the Kali's Hourglass, crew should be ready and willing to dance at a moments notice! Granted this does not work well in the middle of a naval engagement as, we are not only rather busy at that moment reloading all the cannons and trying to edge more speed out of the sails, but all the cannon fire tends to make it hard to hear the dance music well enough to keep on the beat! As such, ongoing naval battles are one time that crew members are not required to drop what their doing, and grab their instruments or kick off their shoes for a rousing dance on the deck! This exception for naval battles does not count simple chase engagements with poorly armed vessels where only a few gun crews are busy trying to take out their sails as we rather like to dance during such long and otherwise mostly uneventful chases.

Now you may think this is a waste of time on board a ship of war, but I assure you it is not! It not only keeps our crew fit, well connected, and fearless, but as we learned during our time living among the Aztecs, a warrior that can dance for 4 hours (some would go for 6 to 8) straight in the blazing sun has enormous strength, endurance, and wind capacity. They have used this as a primary means of strength and endurance training for millennia in that part of the world. After seeing them run races and testing strength with weaponry against them, I must say I was incredibly impressed! One of their warriors can cleave through the enemy (or more often block blows while trying to knock others unconscious as they like to take them alive, just like us, but for very different reasons that we won't go into) for almost a solid hour without hardly working up a good sweat. With that kind of endurance, our boarding parties can wear out the crews of even the largest Man of War/Ship of the Line and then go on to the next. Of course we wear specially designed, floating (in case you get knocked overboard or slip on the boarding planks) armor, shields, and helmets, so we don't go down under swords as easily as most, but if we tire too fast, it won't really matter much will it?.

Yes indeed, our time spent living among the Aztecs was very educational. Of course we reciprocated by sharing what medical knowledge we had (mostly Indian Ayurvedic medicine in trade for their own vast knowledge of herbs etc, and most importantly, taught them the signs of and how to contain and stop the spread of contagious European diseases such as the smallpox and dysentery, the real conquerors of the Aztec realm. We also introduced them to gunpowder weapons such as cannons, metal armor such as breastplates, and explained that war dogs and horses are not monsters and that warriors on horseback are just a man, in a metal suit riding a tamed beast rather than the two headed monsters the locals were destined to mistake them for otherwise. In other words, we did, what we always do, we helped out the underdogs against abusive tyrants. While we are good enough businessmen and women that we always keep our crews happy by making a good profit in the process, we keep future technology secret, but shift the balance of power in ways that slow the conquest of endangered people and allow them to bargain for better treatment and hold off the worst tyrants of the era as long as possible. We often share current era, not futuristic, technology with underdogs that current era tyrants are trying to enslave and suggest ways they can use this knowledge to resist being enslaved, abused, or slaughtered by those who got the current technology earlier than the others. (Boy won't Cortez be surprised !)

This should also level the playing field a bit by helping them clear up any confusion about whether Spanish conquistadors in metal hats and silly pumpkin pants are actually Quetzalcoatl returned. Of course I am having a little trouble convincing them to stop all the rumors flying that I am Quetzalcoatl returned, but Montecazuma said that I am fulfilling that role for his people just as the real Quetzalcoatl wanted it fulfilled by helping them understand and protect against a dangerous foe while bringing people together to find new forms of sacrifice that require less human waste. Even he found that second part a little odd at first, but I reminded him that the original Quetzalcoatl refused any and all human sacrifices and accepted only the sacrifice of his symbolic animals, namely snakes and butterflies (& sometimes birds). That satisfied him and the rest of the allied tribes and a true revival of Quetzalcoatl worship was reborn as the primary sect of their empire. While this did not stop human sacrifice all together there when doing special rites for particular Gods, it did cut way back on it especially at the times of dedication of the latest layer of beautification and enlargement of the main temples which usually happened about once in each emperor's life. They used to round up human enemies to sacrifice in great number for that special event (about once each generation), but now, they just round up rattlesnakes and butterflies, because I insisted and cited historical precedent to back it. (I knew those 20th century anthropology books would come in handy!)

Well back to the point. We expect all crew members of our flagship to work on playing instruments, dancing, making art (like the beautiful gold, jade, and feather masks the Aztecs gave us) , drama, poetry, and making beautiful, yet practical clothing, armor, and weapons design etc as part of their normal daily activities and as a way to evolve, to quote Dear Dr. Darwin's writings, into the most wonderful creature they can become!

Of course this has to happen around normal duties such as cannon, musket, and saber drill, knot tying class, swimming and stealthy boarding class, sail rigging class, hand to hand fighting class, etc. We do ; however, have fun competitions and award highly desirable prizes such as a full bottle of our special "Kraken Rum" along with the next day off to recover of course. (Putting a beast in your belly can be fun, but a bit intense for the faint hearted and they are never any good on the deck the next day anyway. Kept missing the targets and setting sails on fire during cannon practice don't ya know!!!)

Oh I should mention, that while we have swept away prohibition of women as crew members, (in spite of the silly local superstitions of most sailing ship era sailors about the Sea Goddess Calypso being so jealous of human women that she would try to sink any ship they sailed on, you are not allowed to tell everyone about he special rituals Admiral Radha performs to pacify the Goddess Calypso (and/or our ship's namesake) and to pacify and reassure our superstitious male sailors. We just let it remain a mystery among the various allies and enemies we encounter. They all think we are witches or something anyway, but are just too afraid to say so. I suppose since technology that is misunderstood is often mistaken for magic, that should not be surprising. After all, while we try hard not to show our advanced weapons, we do use clever tactics, new gun carriage designs, and other advantages from future eras in our battles. Our exploding rounds also have the uncanny luck of tending to explode just when we want them to, unlike those of our enemies, but by their very nature, exploding cannon rounds are difficult to examine after the fact. We also appear at times to be from another world or time. Perhaps that is because it is sometimes true!