BLAKDANCE 2012 is an international showcase celebrating First Nation contemporary dance.
For the first time six renowned international and Australian First Nation choreographers will work with established and emerging dancers to create a new production called BLAKDANCE 2012.
This production will include a suite of works devised by each choreographer. It will be a timeless cultural collection that will surprise and engage audiences through traditional and contemporary First Nation dance and storytelling as each choreographer has their own unique style and traditional voice.
Rita Pryce (BAIWA DANCE COMPANY) and Tammi Gissell (FIGURES OF SPEECH) and Mr Albert David (Torres Strait) represent the Australianindependent choreographers whilst the international choreographers include Ojeya Cruz Banks (Guahan / Guam), Jack Gray (ATAMIRA DANCECOLLECTIVE) and Ms Cathy Livermore (Maori) respectively from New Zealand.
BLAKDANCE 2012 is a showcase where international, national and local choreographers, dancers, industry members and audiences can come together to celebrate and gain a deeper understanding of First Nation Australia through contemporary dance practice. It’s an opportunity to share; where traditional dance meets contemporary performance, where the storytelling is from global cultural voices. Throughout the week there will also be forums, a cultural artists’ symposium and master classes.
This showcase event is created by BlakDance Australia Limited. BlakDance Australia Limited was born from an Ausdance National program called Treading the Pathways. Like Treading the Pathways, BlakDance Australia Limited’s purpose is to support Indigenous Australian dance and dancers.
BLAKDANCE 2012 will be held at Queensland Theatre Company in Brisbane as part of the GreenHouse.
Dates: 4 – 9 June 2012
Venue: Bille Brown Studio, Queensland Theatre Company, Montague Road, Sth Brisbane
Bookings
Performances and Forums – including a work from each choreographer
Thursday 7 June| 1pm (with post forum) and 7.30pm
Friday 8 June | 1pm (with post forum) and 7.30pm (with post forum)
Saturday 9 June | 1pm and 7.30pm
$38, $28 Concession, $25 Under 30, $21 School Groups (1.5 hour duration)
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
4 – 9 June 2012Queensland Theatre Company | Bille Brown Studio
Australian First Nation Emerging & Established Dance Artists
Masterclasses
Forums
Cultural Artist’s Symposium
One performance event
BlakDance Yarning Circle
IDC Indigenous Dance Connections
Artist exchange conversations
Space for natural conversations and networks to evolve…
There is a wonderful energy and spirit guiding BLAKDANCE 2012 forward. If you decide to come, be prepared to bring your contact details, a business card would be great or create an artist card.
BLAKDANCE 2012 is designed for artists and the theme for the symposium is Indigenous movement vocabulary making and how one navigates through and with culture protocol alongside the making.
The symposium will offer an informal, inclusive and welcoming environment where wisdom, experience and knowledge can be shared on a global scale in Brisbane. Two key questions will begin the conversation. They are: How do you as First Nation choreographers find your movement vocabulary and how do you as First Nation choreographers navigate through and with cultural protocol alongside the making? Our surprise guest provocateur will guide the discussion inviting questions from the audience.
IDC will be an opportunity to present you and your work in a 10 minute time slot. Bring images | video footage of your work and your creative passion to share. We want to inform and inspire each other of the diversity of work happening in Australia today.
Cost: Each Professional Development Artist needs to fund his or her travel to Brisbane for BLAKDANCE 2012. Perhaps your state funding body or ATSIA can help you. Perhaps you know someone in Brisbane who can help you with accommodation. The Professional Development Program is free to all Professional Development Artists.