Bellyography: Ravenstone Willowbend
Art
There are many “stars” in our belly dance community, and not all of them perform solos on the stage. One of these amazing women is Ravenstone Willowbend — a lady I have come to love and admire for her intelligence, humor, and dedication. Not only a dancer, Ravenstone is someone who helps keep our community evolving, whether it is through the chat line, costume swaps, or attending every belly dance event she can. This article is written in gratitude to Ravenstone Willowbend and all the other people who work diligently behind the curtains to keep our belly dance community in Utah alive and healthy.
A native of Utah, Ravenstone grew up near the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon, riding horses and wandering through the mountains. As an adult, she discovered a fascination with Middle Eastern dance, and attended every hour of the Belly Dance Festival for many years. In 1998, at the Grecian Gardens, she saw Thia perform. It was a pivotal moment for her, and Ravenstone began taking classes with Thia in September 1998. This will be Ravenstone’s eighth year with Thia, and her fourth year with the dance troupe, Wisteria.
“Thia is such a wonderful teacher and person. She provides many opportunities for us to dance. We have performed all over Salt Lake City, in Wendover, at Spring Fest and every year at the Belly Dance Festival.”
Most people stop there, but Ravenstone is not most people. She became the owner/moderator of the Utah Belly Dance chat group a few years ago. She is the “mom” that keeps everyone on topic and monitors a place where dancers can share costuming, recipes, poetry, and accolades.
“Middle Eastern dancing opens up an entire culture. I became fascinated with the foods, music, literature, and fabrics. Americans romanticize the culture and take what they think is the best of the Middle East. American belly dancers can incorporate the best of their culture as long as you research the history and know when the line is being crossed. It is like fusion dance—you ought to know what you are fusing. As American dancers, we can do things that dancers can’t do in the Middle Eastern countries. Not only that, but American audiences demand it, good or bad!”
Ravenstone’s other credits include organizing the costume swap several times a year, photographing dancers along with her husband, Dave, who also teaches drumming, participating in events with the Society for Creative Anachronism, and sewing her own costumes, which, she explains, “I sew by Zen out of self defense.”
A practicing pagan, sacred dance is very dear to Ravenstone’s heart. She performs and offers workshops through the Church of the Sacred Circle. Ravenstone will be dancing at the benefit concert/masquerade ball featuring Stonecircle, October 29th, at the Hale Theatre. Public invited. Ticket information at www.sacredcirclechurch.com.
Ravenstone and Wysteria will be dancing at Meeting of the Tribes, Spring Fest, and the Belly Dance Festival, or chat with her online at utbd@yahoogroups.com.
