Diversity of local dance in the spotlight for Australian Dance Week
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Free performances and classes are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Australian Dance Week 2022.
From free trials and taster classes to performances and classes, Ausdance invites you to celebrate all things dance during Australian Dance Week, which kicks off this Friday 29 April.
Australian Dance Week originated in 1982 as a series of lunchtime performances and has grown into a nationwide celebration with each state and territory hosting a variety of free performances and classes. This year marks the 40th anniversary of Australian Dance Week and Ausdance ACT is proud to hold the largest Australian Dance Week program in Australia.
Highlights include the Official Opening at Gorman Arts Centre on International Dance Day, 29 April, by Minister for the Arts Tara Cheyne MLA with performances by Emma Laverty’s Project Dust, The Training Ground’s ‘Unravel’, and Afro dance duo PARICE; as well as a preview of the dance film ‘Unavoidable Casualty’ by QL2 Dance.
Zest Dance for Wellbeing. Photo: Lorna Sim.
There’s also a Canberra Dragon Dance Workshop on Sunday 1 May at Gorman Arts Centre, where performers will teach the basics of Chinese lion dance and tiger dance. These arts are rarely taught to the public, so now is your chance to learn these ancient skills. All ages and abilities welcome.
There will also be a spectacular collaboration when Ausdance ACT and Canberra International Music Festival (CIMF) come together with a beautiful marriage of dance and music with Australian Dance Party performing excerpts from their work ‘Symbiosis’ at the Australian Botanic Gardens as part of CIMF’s ‘Tree of Life’ and ‘LESS’ at CIMF’s ‘Fyshwick Follies.’
Kokoloco Dance. Credit: Klick Photography.
You can also get moving with many local studios, dance artists and arts centres offering free, trial and taster dance classes during Australian Dance Week.
Experience a ZEST: Dance for Wellbeing Class at Belconnen or Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Hughes Community Centre, or Greenway Views, join Bom Funk Dance Studio for their Open Day at their new Queanbeyan Head Quarters, try a Brazilian Samba Fitness Class with Kokoloco Dance Studio at Stage 88 or sample a morning of folk dancing with Folk Dance Canberra.
Australian Dance Week is the perfect time to get out and try a new dance experience, see a show, take a class, and dance like nobody is watching.
THE ESSENTIALS
What: Ausdance ACT 2022 Australian Dance Week
When: Friday 29 April – Sunday 8 May
Where: Various locations
More information: ausdanceact.org.au/adw-2022
Feature image: Australian Dance Party’s, Symbiosis. Photo: Lorna Sim
