FOREWORD

Since the last issue, AusdanceNSW has hosted two valuable dance events at the Sydney Opera House: The Dance Education in Australian Schools Forum and DARUNG MURU*  the inaugural Aboriginal Dance Forum (*darung muru – dance pathways). Bookings also opened for Spring Dance Masterclasses, a project of AusdanceNSW and the Sydney Opera House.

In partnership with AusdanceNSW and the Sydney Opera House, Ausdance National convened the third national Dance Education in Australian Schools roundtable in April 2011. 

DARUNG MURU*, inaugural NSW Aboriginal Dance Forum, was held on the 18th May and 19th May at the Sydney Opera House Boardroom.  The forum aligned with the 2011 Message Sticks Festival and a presentation by NAISDA Dance College as part of the Kids at the House Education program.  Funding from Arts NSW was approved to deliver the NSW Aboriginal Dance Forum 2011 as part of the implementation of the NSW Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Strategy; Direction 1: Artists (1). * Darung...
Read More >>

On the 8th July, Accessible Arts hosted a Dance Symposium to demonstrate and expand inclusive dance practice in NSW. Leaders and innovative thinkers in dance from across the country shared knowledge, experience and skills to inspire innovative directions for inclusive dance practice.

Choreographer Martin del Amo has collaborated with eight untrained male performers in his new work Mountains Never Meet. Part of Western Sydney Dance Action & Riverside Theatres 2011 Dance Bites Program, Martin has created the work with footballer Ahilan Ratnamohan. The work playfully challenges what dance can be and who can be a dancer.  So where did the idea come from?  We spoke with Martin about the inspiration and process of the work.

Alongside SPRING DANCE 2011 performances, AusdanceNSW and the Sydney Opera House present SPRING DANCE MASTERCLASSES. Sydney dancers will have the opportunity to study with reknowed contemporary dance companies and artists, such as; DV8, Israel Galván, Antony Hamilton & Bryon Perry (Chunky Move), Alain Platel & Company C de la B, Ros Warby and Fevered Sleep.

As many of you may know, earlier this year Critical Path commissioned Arts consultant, Gregory Nash, to conduct a study to assess the impact of its program and the extent to which it is achieving its ambition to become an internationally recognised centre for choreographic research. The study was conducted in Sydney and Melbourne between 7 March and 2 April 2011 and has drawn on the contributions of 390 individuals.

The 2011 DANCE BITES season begins at Riverside Theatres on the 10th of August. Campbelltown Arts Centre presents PANTO, the new work by Lizzie Thomson and Western Sydney Dance Action will present 4TELL by youMove Company Director, Kay Armstrong.

Following a highly acclaimed European tour of Spirit, Bangarra Dance Theatre returns home to begin a National Tour of BELONG.

This paper informs both theory and practice for dance educators, as they meet the demands multiple dance heritages in today’s classrooms.

Choreographer Bernadette Walong-Sene (formerly Walong) has completed the first stage of establishing a new company BWSENE !nmotion Australia.

August + September 2011