Well, that didn't quite go as planned...but anyway:

Photo by Amber Clark, from SteamCon IV, Seattle

I have been a terrible blogger for pretty much the second half of 2012.  Not being harsh or down on myself. Just the straight-up truth right there.

I managed to update this blog quite regularly when I still had a full-time job (as in working for someone else), compared to the last 6 months where I have been working for myself.  Which is admittedly, also very much a full-time job, which I was already doing ON TOP of the other job.  But truthfully, I managed to write a lot of my blog posts on my work breaks/lunches - where I needed a mental switch-up to keep creatively producing for someone else.  Nowadays, I just switch from task to task, project to project, and my breaks are usually outside and away from the computer, enjoying Seattle and the fact that I can do my grocery shopping at 2pm if I damn well please and work until 2am if I feel like it. 

It hasn't been for lack of ideas of stuff to write about - that's for sure.  I've been keeping a running list - on paper, online, and in my head.  But I haven't sat down to write any of them into posts.

I'm not a big fan of resolutions. I don't want to say "In 2013, I'm gonna get back on track about writing my blog! 2 posts every month!" because that doesn't really work.  Instead, I need to further explore the self-scheduling that happens when one runs their own business(es - cause essentially I'm a performer, instructor, designer, artist, illustrator, booking agent, etc), and frankly, I really enjoy writing these posts and especially the feedback that I receive from y'all about them. This is part of my creative process, and part of what I teach and believe in, so I think it's important to verbalize it regularly - just as it's important to pay bills, make stock, practice, etc.  The key thing is to figure out how to do it best, what works? Is it something that be planned?

And I'm sitting here thinking, wow, 2012 is almost done - and there's no way I can say "oh, where did it go?" because OMG, a LOT happened for me in 2012.  I quit my corporate job. I moved over 3000 miles from Providence to Seattle.  I did a cross-country tour, and have done several coastal mini-tours with bands.  I started a new relationship.  I began new collaborations. I made two new websites for myself to replace ones I haven't updated in years.  I put on a hugely successful dark fusion bellydance event. And so much more.  How the hell did I squeeze all of that into one year?  And 2013 is already shaping up to be one very busy year.

So I'm not going to beat myself up about my posting schedule, and I'm not going to make any resolutions about being a better blogger.

Instead, I'm just going to share the following: 

I am thankful for the blessings of change. I am thankful for amazing friends and family who honor, respect, love, and support me. I am especially thankful that humming inside of me is the kind of drive that makes things happen (and it's because of those friends and family that I have the extra power to do it and keep it humming.). 

You can wish and ponder and imagine anything you want.  But it's not going to happen if you don't do something about it.  Don't resolve to make something happen. MAKE IT HAPPEN.  Don't have the money/time/energy to do what you want? Ask yourself why.  What can you do to get around those obstacles? There is always an option besides "that's just how it is" if you apply belief, some elbow grease, and get moving. No one else is going to do it for you.

So what is it that you want to do in 2013? And how are you going to make it happen?

New Patterns, Tours, New Website, DVD, etc!

Hi folks!

October is almost upon us - my favorite time of year!  To celebrate I am releasing TWO new patterns - for The Shruggery and The Whoodlet - but the pre-order pricing is only good through October 1st - only $20 + shipping for BOTH patterns!  They will be released mid-October, but you can only get the special pricing now!  Buy online here: http://www.darklydramatic.com/newpats.html

And while you're there, you may notice that www.darklydramatic.com has a whole new look!  The whole website has been revamped with all new graphics and photos - plus there's a media gallery featuring video lists of recent performances - so if you haven't seen me perform lately, you've been missing out! 
Check it all out at http://www.darklydramatic.com

Also - some folks have noticed that my DVD "Bellydance Artistry" is listed for $999.99 on amazon - well, it's still very much available for only $25 plus shipping directly from me - at http://www.darklydramatic.com/artistrydvd.html

There's a lot more exciting things on the horizon - I will be vending and performing at Steamstock in the Bay Area on October 7th, up in Vancouver, Canada October 13th, out in Washington, DC for Raven's Night on October 20th-21st, and teaching/performing at SteamCon in Seattle October 26th-28th! - check out the performances area of my website for complete details.

I will be touring with Jody Ellen and The Nathaniel Johnstone Band in California November 16th-18th - hitting San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.  

We are also in the midst of planning a quick tour from Atlanta to Philly in Mid-November - check it out at http://darklydramatic.com/tempestandnathan/tour.html

OK, lots more news to come as there's a lot happening behind the scenes!

Thanks so much for your support!
blessings, 
Tempest 

Amping up!

Finally recovered from having been on tour for about 3 weeks, and this blog is about to go back on schedule again.  I have an exciting backlog of topics I want to discuss here...but in the meantime...I have totally revamped the look of my dance website, so check it out and LMK what you think!

http://www.darklydramatic.com

The Ghosts Project West Coast Tour August 25th-30th + Atlanta + New England

Hello all!

I plan to be back on a regular posting schedule in mid-September.  Right now I'm about to head off on tour for several weeks - first with The Ghosts Project, starting in Seattle on 8/25, Portland 8/26, Eugene 8/27, San Francisco 8/28, San Luis Obispo 8/29, and Los Angeles 8/30. The Ghosts Project is an amazing improvisational world fusion live music experience - I will be dancing, and we will be featuring guest dancers from every location we stop at. Details for all of the stops (plus video!) at http://www.darklydramatic.com/tgp/

And then I will be at DragonCon in Atlanta 9/1-9/4 - performing with Frenchy & The Punk, as well as some other possible surprise performances.  I will be available for private lessons from Saturday through Tuesday, so if you're going to be there, or are from the area, and would like to schedule a lesson, please drop me an email.

And THEN, I am flying to New England, where I will be performing in ANIMUS on 9/8 in Cambride, MA - details at http://www.zehara.com/ANIMUS - AND I will also be teaching a brand new workshop in the Providence area that morning from 11am-1pm - it's nearly sold out! Sign up at: http://darklydramatic.com/ne-workshop.html

Then I will be back home in Seattle on 9/10, and my next series of classes at Tin Can Studio (http://www.tincanseattle.com) start on 9/11 and 9/13. 

And there's more in store for the Fall!

I'm alive!

I live! I have arrived successfully in Seattle (as of 7/1), it's beautiful and awesome here. Going to take me a few weeks to get situated - my stuff is still apparently back in Boston (supposed to arrive next week apparently at the latest) but I love my new apartment and neighborhood! 

I will be teaching two series of classes at Tin Can Studio (Tuesday and Thursday evenings, starting at the end of this month), I will be performing at Medfest on Saturday, July 21st, from 3-4pm with Nathaniel Johnstone...and this past Saturday I performed up in Bellingam, WA with Abney Park.  More info shortly on upcoming classes and shows.

I'm in the midst of doing a complete website overhaul, so once I get that completed in the next week, and get my toes on firm ground, we'll be back up and running with a lot of new exciting things, so stay tuned!

On The Road!

Today is Day 3 of the "Ocean to Sea" Tour, where I will be teaching tonight a shimmy workshop in Buffalo, NY.  (Yesterday was Syracuse, NY and Saturday kicked off in Spencer, MA). It's been awesome so far, and many great stops ahead:

June 18th, 2012 Buffalo, NY Darkly Sparkly Bellydance  
June 19th, 2012 Youngstown, Ohio Eos Whole Fitness & Bellidance
June 20th, 2012 Kalamazoo, MI Boheme Tribal Belly Dance  
June 21st-June 24th, 2012 Chicago, IL Tribal Revolution (workshops and show)  
June 25th, 2012 Madison, WI Dance Life Studio and Fitness  
June 26th, 2012 Minneapolis, MN Eye of Horus  
June 27th, 2012 South Dakota TBA  
June 28th, 2012 Billings, MT Spiral Skies Bellydance Troupe  
June 29th, 2012 Missoula, MT BuddahBelly Dance Studio  
June 30th, 2012 Spokane, WA Parizadah - details  
July 1st, 2012 Seattle, WA Arrival! (and there was much rejoicing, stay tuned for details on a party of 7/4 at Tin Can Studio!)

The Master Plan Has Begun

I know, I know, I've been far too quiet here...but I have a really good excuse. HONEST!

In a nutshell, I have quit my corporate design job, and I am moving to Seattle. In two weeks, I will begin the journey from Rhode Island to Washington state, via a cross-country tour with stops in Spencer, MA, Buffalo, NY, Youngstown, OH, Kalamazoo, MI, Chicago, IL, Minneapolis, MN, Billings, MT, Missoula, MT, and Spokane, WA.  Complete info is here: http://darklydramatic.com/oceantosea.html

I will be teaching regular classes in Seattle, once I get settled, at Tin Can Studio, and already have a list of upcoming performances in the Northwest/West Coast where you can catch me, including a tour with The Ghosts Project from Seattle to San Diego at the end of August: http://www.darklydramatic.com/tgp/

Instead of putting my creative energy into corporate clients, I'm going to focus on my own jewelry line and get back to making actual artwork, on top of teaching/performing dance - so more on that as I get settled.

And if that's not enough for you...here's a close-up video of my performance at Tribal Fest 12 with Nathaniel Johnstone, courtesy of Beebe Lee (who is made of awesome):