My dancelife has been blessed by beautiful, fun, quirky, talented women in my tribe and my troupe.
To be invited into TempleRain troupe is a special honour, showcasing a dancer's finesse: in dance and performance, dedication to learning and a flair for costume and creativity.
My first troupe, Gypsyrain, began in the late 1999's, with my mother B/Bushki, Jacki Liekefett and Leela Bale. Recently, early 2020's, this has been changed to TempleRain Dance, a reflection of my studio, our location and a place to celebrate our goddess circle. Storm, Sharelle Rowe, joined our troupe in 2005?
These women helped shape who I am as a sister dancer, a teacher, a performer. We shared so many laughs and wonderful experiences. We travelled to Katoomba in 2006 to be part of Tribal and Trance Fest, and also Fremantle in 2008 to study with Carolena Nericchio.
Storm, Leela, Jacki, B, me 2015
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Bushki
"For my 50th birthday I saw a woman bellydance and thought this would be fun thing to try! I dragged a reluctant Nina along and we both fell in love with its exoctic appeal. We were at a workshop and the teacher was showing different dances and a video of FCBD/ Tattooed One came on....from that moment it was TRIBAL for us! Then we meet Paulette Rees -Denis and started on our Caravan dance journey . We built our dance temple on our rainforest property in 2007 and I have had the honour of dancing with some amazing women."
Jacki
Jacki came to a TAFE course I ran in the late 1999's and started dancing with me at our first "Temple" the Masonic Temple. I saw Jacki blossom into a different woman, carefree and colourful, always up for a challenge and always with a beautiful smile!
Leela
"My dancing journey began in2000 when I was asked by a friend to attend Nina's Bellydance classes as she did not want to go on her own. I ended up really enjoying the classes, especially when they started to evolve into a more improve style of dance. The connection with the other members of the troupe and the absolute creativity of the dance is not easily experienced anywhere else. I often think of it as being like a patchwork quilt. Each dancer is different to the one beside her but when pieced together it becomes something incredibly colourful, beautiful and not easily replicated."
Storm
"I was attracted to the mesmerizing tribal belly dance in 2006 after seeing the Gypsyrain girls perform. I loved to dance and loved the middle eastern music and jewellery, so was totally my style and in my element and I was able to let my inner gypsy spin free! I danced with Gypsyrain for about 9 yrs, i loved that the dance is both beautiful and strong and what it expressed, and I loved getting lost in the momentwith the girls and sharing the dance."
Patty- Patty started dancing with us in around 2005, went away for a few years, then returned and became a member of troupe in 2013. See Part 2 for her story.
Michelle
I started dancing with Nina around 2014 after having a break from oriental style bellydance. What I love about dance is the freedom to express emotion through the feeling of movement. Gypsy[Global] Caravan Tribal style bellydance enables dancers from any troupe, anywhere in the world to come together and dance in a synchronised and connected way. It provides a platform for each and every dancer to share their expression and to tune into and experience that of other dancers. Nina's school provided a fun, safe and empowering environment to grow as a person both on and off the dancefloor.
Kirsty
Gaye
"I first saw Nina with her (then) Troupe Gypsy Rain at a performance in Brisbane. I was blown away by the energy and colour of their dance and the swirling movement of their formations.
Patty Brown 2005-2021
My interest in Bellydance was first stirred when I saw these ‘mysterious’ women in ‘tribal’ looking costume, dancing at local events.
I joined the group and fell in love with the form, connection, circle of sisterhood and the glamour of those body adornments. I love that these elements have not remained static and the story of tribal dance evolves in every sense to continually hold my interest and desire to dance.
I was born into a tribe that grew my group connections and helped develop my sense of fairness and caring, non judgemental attitude and inclusivity. I care about healthy relationships and connectedness and love that our dance circle gives me these things.
Bellydance has been a great stress reliever during my working life as a social worker. It has been a saviour in dark times and something that I could rely on to lift my spirits and give me heart swells.
I hope to keep dancing and one day teach and dance GCTBD with my island community of Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island).
