Don’t miss out on your chance to perform in front of millions of people with Sydney Dance Company!
This coming Sunday is the date for Big Dance, which is open to everyone.
Big Dance is a biennial festival which began in the UK in 2006 at the instigation of the BBC and the mayor of London, Boris Johnson (a mover and shaker of some note). In 2012 it involved 3500 events and involved almost five million people. This year the festival will expand to include Australia, with the local event led by Sydney Dance Company in association with Ausdance NSW. “We recognised a great opportunity to expand the event to include thousands of Australians, as part of our 45th Anniversary celebrations,” declares artistic director Rafael Bonachela.“We wanted to have a moment where people here could come and dance with Sydney Dance Company.”
Big Dance is a free event for people of all ages and abilities. Bonachela is planning to match the year – 2014 – with the number of people performing. There will also be a live satellite link to London and Glasgow.
Bonachela is creating the work on SDC’s new pre-professional group and is calling it “Beats for Peace”. Beginning with the idea of breath as a uniting force, he has also included some steps he remembers dancing as a child: “The sheer joy and innocence of them brings a smile to my face. As a child it wasn’t about technique or precision it was just about energy and movement – I just loved to dance and I believe everyone can have that feeling at whatever age.”
Bonachela follows in the footsteps of Wayne Macgregor, Luca Silvestrini, Aletta Collins and Jeanefer Jean-Charles, who have all choreographed for the event.
WHAT: Big Dance 2014
WHERE: Northern & Western Broadwalk Sydney Opera House
WHEN: Sunday July 13 at 8am.
0820: First rehearsal with Rafael Bonachela
08.45: Final rehearsal
08.55 Final Big Dance Live Performance
PHOTO: The 2012 Big Dance in London.