| Troupe Shivani is a collective of experienced bellydancers and teachers from Massachusetts, gathered under the creative direction of Dancing Gypsy owner Dina LeDuke. The word "Shivani" refers to the Indian goddess Parvati in her role as the wife of Shiva, Lord of the Dance; in this way we hope that our dancing will also be divinely inspired! Our dance style is a magical brew of Tribal, Folkloric, Cabaret, and Fusion Bellydance, combined into lively and dramatic routines that emphasize exotic rhythms and our love of the art of bellydance. Our dance pieces are a mix of choreography and improvisation that reflects our spirit of creative collaboration. We often associate with people who like to play big, loud drums and beautiful, dramatic melodies ~ such as The Dancing Gypsy Band and Ensemble Davuli. Look for us at various events throughout New England, and of course at Dancing Gypsy haflas! |
| DANCE PERFORMANCE: TROUPE SHIVANI |
| TROUPE MEMBERS: Dina LeDuke ~ Creative Director; Lead Gypsy; Mad Rhythms Lady; PR Specialist. Dina has been dancing since the age of 4 and bellydancing professionally since the turn of the century. She has an extensive background in Ballet, Jazz, and Modern dance as well as Cabaret, Tribal, Gypsy, and Fusion bellydance. She has played music and/or danced with members of Turku, Djinn, Ishtar, and even the classic rock band Jethro Tull. She has studied bellydance with Morocco, Dalia Carella, Amaya, Sabrina, Baraka Mundi, and Aepril Schaile to name a few, and she describes her eclectic dance style as "Gypsy Fusion". Her performance venues have included colleges, castles, nightclubs, renaissance faires, and rock concerts. Her bellydance specialty is the sword, and she is also a musician, playing with The Dancing Gypsy Band and Ensemble Davuli. In her spare time she does... more of all this! Rosemary Nolan aka "Rihana" ~ Head Chef and Tribal Fusion Ninja. Rihana has been dancing, performing, and teaching for over 25 years in a multitude of disciplines: Ballet, Jazz, Modern dance, yoga, and bellydance. She began her study of bellydance 10 years ago and soon decided to focus exclusively on Tribal Fusion. She has studied with Kami Liddle, Rachel Brice, Urban Tribal, Mira Betz, Alyssum Pohl, Zafira, and Amy Sigil of Unmata. She has been a member of the troupes Hippy Chix and Ambika Badi'yah before joining us. She is also an herbalist, gardener, culinary arts teacher, and general bon vivant. She teaches Tribal Fusion classes at The Dancing Gypsy, where she also sells her handmade herbal soaps, bath salts, and sachets under the trade name "Howe Street Handworks". JoAnn Adams aka "Nasrin" ~ SCA Ethnic Expert & Candledancer Extraordinnaire. Nasrin became captivated by bellydance over 14 years ago as a member of the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism). She has since learned much from several amazing dancers, taught classes to inspire others, and always strives to improve her skills. She is the "daughter" of Safia of the Shifting Sands, and in 2001 she started dancing with Toupe Nor'Easter Scirocco. She then became troupe leader for Rakassi Kaocob al Ard or "Dancers of the Earth". She has studied with such notable teachers as Nourhan Sharif and Artemis Mourat, who have informed her style with a mix of Egyptian and Turkish influences. She is inspired by all the beautiful ladies she has seen dancing over the years, women of all shapes and sizes who revel in the joy of this enchanting dance. Nasrin is a member of both the Hippy Chix and Troupe Shivani, where she has lots of fun dancing with two fabulous groups of women! |
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| Troupe Shivani is currently regrouping in preparation for a theatrical project scheduled for 2011. This project promises to be an exciting extravaganza featuring talented guest artists from across the bellydance world! We will keep you posted on our progress; please check the CALENDAR page for updates on our performance schedule. |