HC: Gothic Bellydance is a rapidly developing genre. Are there some specific cultural and social trends that are driving its growing
popularity?

Jeniviva: I think that within the belly dance community, a portal has opened. The initiators of the movement to expand the world of belly dance have been primarily Tribal Fusion belly dancers such as Rachel Brice and Jill Parker. Their choices in costuming and makeup have a striking similarity to the way us Goths look on a day-to-day basis, i.e., tattoos, piercings, lots of black eyeliner, and tons of silver jewelry. Many of their music choices are considered by many in our Goth community to be “dark wave ambient” and “industrial” with their particularly “dark” undertones. I think Rachel Brice and The Indigo in particular have played a major role in popularizing the whole “dark” aspects of belly dance with their performances in The Bellydance Superstars.

We, Goth belly dancers, dive a bit deeper in to those dark uncharted territories by fusing Cabaret, performance art, modern dance, and choreography/improv to specifically Goth and industrial music. Our costuming is also a bit more of what you’d see at a Goth Club and less Tribal style.

HC: The making of a Gothic belly dancer: Which is more typical -- a Goth who becomes a belly dance performer, or a dancer who comes to Goth culture via belly dance?

Jeniviva: Aside from Neon and Blanca : ), in my experience, more Goths turn to belly dance than belly dancers turn to becoming a Goth. For me, being a Goth is a lifestyle thing. I have dressed this way and had an affection for the music since I was 13.

There are Goth and/or dark ambient bands like Faith and The Muse, Dead Can Dance, and The Creatures that have used Middle and Far-East rhythms in their music. Goths tend to be elitists when it comes to music, so any good Goth would be inclined to explore the roots and naturally come across some info, somewhere, that would lead to the belly dance world.

I think some belly dancers - when they think of belly dancing music - they think strictly in traditional belly dance music terms. However, in recent years traditional belly dance music has opened itself up fusing Flamenco, Techno, and other world music styles. Perhaps it was only a matter of time before Gothic music became fused with traditional belly dance music and popularized. Bands like Knossos, Vas, Niyaz, and Children of Laudanum are a bunch of artists who are a product of that fusion.

HC: What makes a belly dance performance "Gothic"?

Jeniviva: That’s tricky. For me personally, anyone can don a black bedlah, slather black kohl on their eyes, and a pair of ragged fishnets and call themselves a Goth belly dancer. However, if the mood is not there, if the marriage of weight and emotion between the music and individual are not there, then by my terms you are not the real thing.

Goth belly dance is beautiful and often an intensely moving experience where the dancer reaches in to the deepest and darkest part of their soul and extracts those shadows before their audience. It can be at once gorgeous and hideous, empowering and submissive, dark and light. This concept of opposites is something us Gothic belly dancers love to play with and I feel it's part of the allure for our audience.

Whether we embrace it or not, we all have a shadow self. As a Goth belly dancer, I choose to share that side of myself with my audience and show them it's ok to dance in shadows sometimes. Besides, it is always darkest before the light returns!

HC: What are Gothic bellydancers' favourite music choices?

Jeniviva: I know most of us in our Goth Belly dance troupe Bellydance Asylum love Niyaz and Gypsy Caravan. For me personally, I am a huge Lisa Gerard and Siouxsie fan, anytime I can dance to them I will. Mimi Fontana and I are working on choreographies right now to classic Goth bands Specimen, Christian Death, and The Sisters of Mercy. I am also into dancing to Einsturzende Neubauten, Diamanda Galas, Wumpscut and The Creatures.

Because there are so many genres of Gothic music to choose from today, it is important to dance to what you truly love. That’s my main rule. I’ll dance to any genre of Gothic music, so long as I can express myself properly to it and work in a few good shimmies!

HC: What was your personal path toward Goth subculture, and what features of Gothic philosophy and/or lifestyle ensure that you will continue to belong to the Goth world?

Jeniviva: It was always about the music for me. I think it must have been my neighbor’s fault. I was 13 and awkward, never really feeling like the mainstream was a thing that I could relate to. My neighbor, well, she was older, cooler, and played music that made me feel deeper than usual. Needless to say, I was over everyday with blank tapes. I felt very moved and the lyrics were so inspiring that I went to as many shows and parties that featured these artists as often as possible.

From a very young age I was into various types of literature, most specifically, poetry. In fact, I chose reading over playing outside with other kids most of the time. The Gothic subculture is also largely into poetry and literature, so again I was immediately very drawn to it. In the Gothic community, I am able to write from my shadow self and no one judges me for it. There’s a great group of poets out right now called The Undead Poets Society!

Music is also related to the world of literature, I can’t tell you how many books I have read because a song title or a line from it was referenced on an album. Maybe that’s why I went for the B.A. and M.A. in Lit!

The fashion part I grew in to. I always have considered myself an outsider but my style is pretty much Victorian Goth, never too much flesh exposed and way too much lace and crushed velvet.

HC: What clubs/venues in New York would you suggest for dancers and
students who would like to get a flavor of the NYC Goth scene?

Jeniviva: Oh boy, well in NYC we are desperately trying to keep the scene together. Venues are opening and closing left and right and there is new party every month. Your best bet is to check on line @ www.razorwire.com

HC: Which are your personal favorite venues?

Jeniviva: Well my association with Endless Night Productions is no secret. My beloved friend Father Sebastiaan, Sir Victor Magnus, and I throw a monthly party at The Black Abbey, which is always great fun. My favorite parties are definitely Byte, Long Black Veil (part of Endless Night), Corrosion, and Contrition. These parties are all once a month, which makes for a night of serious decadence and there is something for anyone with an open mind.

HC: Can you suggest books/online resources for people who would like to educate themselves about the Goth movement and culture?

Jeniviva: There are a handful of sources out there, but honestly the best way to educate yourself on the Goth world is to go out and observe it first hand. Books tend to be written from a limited perspective and I seldom trust someone’s opinion without first seeing for myself. Look up venues and see if it sounds like something you’d be open to, get your best dress on and head on over. Support your local Goth artists and go see a show. Get in to the music and sample some classic Gothic bands. Go to conventions, clubs, join an on-line community or a meet-up group…just don’t be an armchair Goth…get out there and try something new!

HC: Are there any Goth clubs or promoters who hold or plan to hold regular bellydance performances at their events?

Jeniviva: Its funny how hard it is for us in NYC to get a weekly gig when it comes to dancing outside the box. So far we are doing monthly events. I dance at the Black Abbey Party pretty regularly and also at most Endless Night events. My Moon in Brooklyn also seems pretty open. Our troupe Bellydance Asylum is booked to work at the first Gothic Renaissance fair in NJ this February. We’re hoping to have that be a regular place for us as well.

HC : Do you work with Goth event promoters, DJs or Goth bands?

Jeniviva: We work with anyone who truly supports the scene and promotes the perpetuation of great parties!

HC : Do you belong to any of the online Gothic bellydancers' communities?

Jeniviva: I started “RaqsGothique/ Goth bellydance in NYC” on MySpace.com and have a rather large amount of memberships, considering I started it up only a few months ago! I am also a member of Tribe.net and Raqsgothique on Yahoo groups.

HC: Are there other dancers besides yourself who are active on the NYC Gothic bellydance scene? Is there a community of Gothic bellydancers in touch with each other?

Jeniviva: Yes, there is our troupe Bellydance Asylum that consist of myself, Mimi Fontana, April Isis, and Oscura. We work together with Chovexani and various soloists on the Urban Oasis shows. Zan of Chovexani really has done a lot to get our message across to the public. She also just hosted a very successful workshop and Hafleh with Tempest from California…kudos!!!

HC: How do Goth audiences receive Gothic bellydance performances? Is
there any discussion of the Gothic bellydance phenomenon among Goths?

Jeniviva: Absolutely, yes. Our dancing is definitely well-received within the Goth community. I can’t tell you how great it feels when people come up to us after a show and say, “It’s about time…thank you!” I am actually forming a class with a few Gothic girls who are interested in doing an introduction to bellydance with a Gothic edge. Sparking interest and stimulating personal growth for members of the community I have been a part of for years has been the greatest reward for me. I am also so thankful that the people in traditional bellydance community have been so supportive of us as well.

Comments
amantha
great interview - thank you! i'm really intrigued by the idea of "dancing from the shadow self" - it's very jungian, the idea of acknowledging and creating from the shadow. in my experience (especially as a theatre director,) with dark themes this actually leads to an integrated self, and the shadow is less likely to consume you. wonderful to think of exploring that through our beautiful dance.

sarahskinner
What great photos - I cant wait to get the world dance video of that performance!!! yay!

ajaraks
I'm very excited to hear of the blooming of Gothic Bellydance as a genre. Providing the separation from it's fusion and tribal roots is liberating as well as a highly descriptive way of helping audiences choose the venues they will find most appealing.