Tempest's Tips for Gothic Belly Dancers

A lot of people have asked me, "How does one become a Gothic Belly Dancer?"

Well, hopefully, if you've read through all of this, you know now that it's more than just dressing up Goth and shaking your hips.

There are a few classes and workshops out there that specialize in Gothic Belly Dance instruction, which I think helps in some ways, but even I wonder how can certain elements be taught in such a short time period. It's really not an overnight thing at all. We're talking serious dedication here.

So, my recommendation is to start at square one and be sure to develop a strong foundation in traditional belly dance. Find the base vocabulary that works for you: Cabaret, Tribal, Tribaret, etc. A strong foundation comes through years, not weeks or months of studying belly dance. Take from different teachers, practice to all kinds of music, learn to understand the movements inside and out. Learn the rhythms and the sensations. Watch other dancers---every dancer has something to teach you, whether they're a good or bad dancer.

And it's not just about learning the dance...it's learning how to present the dance! There are hard and fast rules about performing, and it's a good idea to get them under your belt before you present yourself out there as a Gothic Belly Dancer AND you want to be taken seriously.