10 highlights of Australian Dance Week 2023
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Love dance? Do we have the week for you.
Every year, Ausdance ACT presents the largest Australian Dance Week program in Australia, throwing the spotlight on a thriving and diverse local dance scene from studio classes, workshops, and activities for all ages with a range of free classes and events. This year, Australian Dance Week is from 28 April–7 May.
‘Ausdance ACT presents’ events feature high-quality professional performance, returning internationals, exciting collaborations, community events and workshops. Here are 10 highlights to look forward to.
1
Australian Dance Party ‘Hillscape’. Photo Credit: Olivia Wikner.
Ausdance ACT & Canberra International Music Festival (CIMF) collaborate once again with a beautiful marriage of dance and music, co-commissioning of a new work by Australian Dance Party on Friday 28 April.
‘Hillscape’ choreographed by Ashlee Bye will be performed as part of CIMF’s Seeds of Life concert at the National Arboretum.
cimf.org.au/shows/c1-seeds-of-life
2
Tomorrow, two acclaimed artists originating from Canberra showcase their works on International Dance Day in Batchelor & Lea—a double bill, at the Canberra Theatre Centre on Saturday 29 April (International Dance Day!)
James Batchelor will present his Shortcuts to Familiar Places, a work that premiered recently in Europe and that focuses on Batchelor’s examination of how dance styles are transferred across generations of performers.
Liz Lea will reprise her outstanding production, RED. RED is fearless, RED is fierce, RED is powerful—a one woman show full of film and fabulousness.
canberratheatrecentre.com.au/show/batchelor-lea
3
Founded in 2005 in Geneva, the Canberra Compagnie Jozsef Trefeli supports choreographic research and collaboration between choreographers of diverse cultures to promote cultural exchange.
Jozsef is a returning Canberran and during his visit there are a number of opportunities to connect with the company including an intergenerational Hungarian Folk Dance Workshop as well as performances of ‘JINX 103’ and ‘Creature’ at Ainslie & Gorman Arts Centre and a workshop for local professional dance artists. This tour has been made possible by the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia.
See ausdanceact.org.au/adw-2023 for more information.
4
Try a ZEST Dance for Wellbeing class for FREE during Australian Dance Week.
Classes are designed for adults who want to keep their body and brain active and healthy, regardless of their mobility, skill, age or experience. Have fun, feel good. Various times and locations across Canberra.
See ausdanceact.org.au/adw-2023 for more information.
5
To celebrate the power of inclusion and the imperative for excellence The Stellar Company and Liz Lea present an On Demand version of A Stellar Lineup, a stunning program of Canberra’s most engaging community dance companies which premiered in December.
Offered 24 hours online. See ausdanceact.org.au/adw-2023 for more information.
6
QL2 Dance will present a Focus on Floor Workshop with Stephen Gow on Saturday 6 May.
This exciting and fun workshop covers contemporary floor work fundamentals such as monkey slides, donkey kicks, combat rolls and more, followed by floor sequences and guided improvisation.
See ausdanceact.org.au/adw-2023 for more information.
7
Join the Deaf Butterflies ACT Dance Group led by Gretel Burgess and Debora Di Centa in a fun, inclusive, creative dance session on Saturday 5 May!
The class will consist of dance exercises and viewing the Butterflies’ latest choreographed work. The class is free, and is for deaf and hearing impaired, family and friends, and the general public.
See ausdanceact.org.au/adw-2023 for more information.
8
Vaidehi Subramanyan. Photo: Amardeep Shergill.
Discover the beauty and grace of South Indian classical dance as Ausdance ACT presents an exciting workshop with Vaidehi Subramanyan on Saturday 6 May.
Join Vaidehi Subramanyan to explore the movements, lines, and storytelling of the South Indian classical dance form, Bharatanatyam. The workshop is aimed at participants of all ages, with or without prior dance experience.
ainslieandgorman.com.au/whats-on/class/2023-workshop-series-vaidehi-subramanyan
9
On Sunday 7 May, the National Portrait Gallery will co-host a day of dance to enhance your Portrait 23: Identity exhibition experience.
Be entranced by this celebration of dance as an art form but also as an everyday diverse practice. Featuring new works by Canberra Dance Theatre commissioned choreographers Josh Freedman and James Batchelor.
See ausdanceact.org.au/adw-2023 for more information.
10
Local studios, dance artists and arts centres offer free, trial and taster dance classes during Australian Dance Week, so get involved!
Experience a DC Fit class at Dance Central, join MAKS Ballet Studio for a MAKS Mini Movers trial class for 3-5 year olds, or try partner dancing with Canberra Old Time Dance Club.
This is the time to get out and try a new dance experience, see a show, take a class, and celebrate dance. See ausdanceact.org.au/adw-2023 for more information.
