Akzara Martini (Venezuela)

Metal-Roos: Welcome to Metal-Roos, Akzara. I’s a privilege to have you here.

Thank you very much, is an honour.

MR: Tell me a little bit about you.

I’m a dancer from Caracas- Venezuela, living in Madrid since 2018.

I have a dance studio in Venezuela called SOMBRAS TRIBAL since 2011, specialized in Dark Fusion Bellydance. That is a dance format that combines 3 different dance styles: Belly dance, Tribal and Hip Hop, danced with, Rock, Metal and Electronic Music. We have almost 200 students and so far have done 6 productions.

I travel the world to teach and perform my style. Love to spread this new form of dance and a new form to live metal music. Now I’m teaching in Madrid in different dance studios and working on my own project (classes, music and productions).

MR: How did belly dance inspire you to get into it?

I started dancing belly dance when I was 14. Simultaneously, I learned other dance styles, and I didn’t feel complete with any of those styles. So, I started to dance my own way with all the technique I learned but with the music I like, and magic happens lol. I realized that it was an unexplored path (metal + dance community).

MR: You are the creator, mind master and director of a very respected school in Venezuela, Sombras Tribal. Many people who attended that school are spread around the world. How can you describe that feeling?

At the beginning, it was heartbreaking to see all these students leaving the country by force, because of the crisis. But at the same time, I feel happy for them because they’re looking for a better life. And, of course, now Sombras Style is spreading all over the world, they keep dancing, and we are connected by online classes.

MR: You, with Sombras Tribal, had already many memorable shows and performances. Also, you have a custom to make one showcase or sample annually with a specific theme. From all of them, what was the most emotional and shocking to you?

The most emotional show was Esencia. The theme was touching to the audience and the dancers, covering subjects such as sickness, death, and loneliness. Besides that, it was a year where a big amount of students leave the country and it was the last performance with Sombras, so it was kind of a farewell.

MR: You are right now in Spain. Some days ago you had a thematic show in Germany with a group of worldwide talented dancers on stage. The show was named The Jungle Book, what can you describe this unique experience?

This was a dream coming true. I grew up as a dancer watching Bellydance Evolution Shows and be part of it now was amazing. The level of the show and the team was super high, and I had one of the lead role (Kaa, the serpent). That was a huge challenge. I learned a lot, and I’m looking forward to work with them again, hopefully in November 2020.

MR: Returning a little back, one thing that can be curious to many people, is that you, with Sombras Tribal, use rock and metal songs in most of the performances. That is very well received in the Venezuelan crowd. How did that idea come into reality?

As I said before, this was very experimental. At the beginning, I just danced in my room with the music I like and the technique I know from many dance styles. The result was very curious, so I decided to show this new style in competitions, and some metal and rock events. It was surprising to me that people actually really liked it, and many girls wanted to learn it. That’s when I decided to open classes, and then a whole school for that.

When Sombras dance in events, people who love metal or rock or any underground music, always get surprised. It is a new way to see this music and also a new form of art in these events. Even people who don’t like this music feel attracted to the performance.

MR: With which band or bands was the “point break” to say “I want to do this”, and your principal influences of it?

When I was in this experimental phase, I used to dance to music like Linkin Park, System of a Down, and other Nu metal bands. Then I loved to choreograph Lamb of God, Slipknot, Periphery, and many more.

MR: Apart of rock and metal songs, you also include other genres, like hip hop, dubstep and original score films. This brings great results on stage. How does that fusion work?

I love the fact that all these music genres are a balance between aggressive, anti-establishment. At the same time, they are very danceable and easy to transmit feelings and to tell stories. They allowed the audience to be immerse in what we want to say onstage.

MR: Right now, the world is in stand-by-mode because of the COVID-19 virus. Spain is one of the most affected right now. What are your prevention tactics for all the readers, fans of metal?

STAY HOME! That’s the only way to finish with all this soon. It’s our responsibility. There are many things to do in this quarantine; it’s a time to reflection, to be close with our beloved ones, to start planning new projects or start learning something new.

MR: Thanks for the interview, Akzara. It’s a privilege to interview you here. Please share your social networks to follow you and your career.

Thank you so much to open this space to new forms of art.

Thanks to the people that follow and support this project, taking classes, going to our shows, buying merch or just sharing on social media.

Love and miss all my students in Venezuela <3, las amo.

Instagram:

@akzara_triibal

@sombrastribal

@escuelasombras

Facebook:

Akzara: https://www.facebook.com/akzaratribaldark/

Sombras: https://www.facebook.com/sombrastribal/

Youtube: