Now in its 42nd year, Australian Dance Week (ADW) is an opportunity to turn the spotlight on the local dance scene, with Ausdance ACT supporting a broad range of events highlighting the diversity and popularity of dance, both professional and community, in Canberra and surrounds.
For Australian dance Week 2024, from Monday 29th April to Sunday 5th May, dance lovers of all ages and abilities can experience highlights which include:
International Dance Day: Official Opening at Canberra Museum & Gallery on 29 April with Welcome to Country from Ngunnawal elder Aunty Serena, and Minister for the Arts Tara Cheyne MLA. Featuring Australian Dance Party, ‘Co Lab: 24’ a movement, sound and visual feast performed by ADP dancers and guest dance, music, and visual collaborators, will transport you into the deep listening and abandon of live, improvised performance. At the Canberra Museum & Gallery on the 29th April this performance will be followed by the premiere screening of ‘Hillscape’, and short films from Dance.Focus and Dancecology.
‘Co Lab: 24’ - a commission for Ausdance ACT’s Australian Dance Week with support from Canberra Theatre Centre’s New Works Program will also be performed at the Canberra Theatre Centre on 30 April & 1 May.
Australian Dance Party Co_Lab24. Supplied by: Photo Art Atelier Photography
Other events presented by Ausdance include:
Ausdance ACT’s annual networking morning tea 1 May - this year with a focus on Safe Dance® practice. Jacqueline Dimmock will share practical skills and tips to incorporate Safe Dance® into the studio and teaching space.
Jazida’s Fabulous Fan Veil Dancing Workshop 4 May - in this beautiful and exciting workshop, participants will explore dancing with silk fan veils. This workshop is free and is open to all.
Fabulous Fan Dancers in Decadance & Debauchery. Photo by Captavitae
In addition, a number of local studios, dance artists and arts centres are offering free, trial and taster dance classes during Australian Dance Week, making this a great time to try something new. The full calendar can be accessed here.