The 2012 Australian Dance Awards, presented by Harlequin Floors with Ausdance WA and directed by Ruth Osborne, was a winner in every sense.
MC Verity James, best known for her 28 years as a broadcaster for the ABC, lent a warmth and wit to the proceedings. The performance line-up was the traditional show-casing of Australian talent, the twist being an emphasis on West Australian artists and companies.
An audience favourite was The Australian Ballet’s presentation of the celebratory Act III pas de deux from Don Quixote. Dancer Ako Kondo performed her fouette series with aplomb while her partner Chengwu Guo’s wowed the audience with his sensational ballon.
An excerpt from Garry Stewart’s Proximity by Australian Dance Theatre was a hit too, the audience thrilling to the almost dangerous energy of the six dancers.
From Western Australia, Daryl Brandwood demonstrated why he is thoroughly deserving of this year’s award for Outstanding Achievement by a Male Dancer. Brandwood performed an excerpt from Barry Moreland’s HELIX, also a winner at this year’s awards, impressing the crowd with his impeccable technique. A veteran of dance, his acceptance speech assured the audience that he has no intention of retiring just yet.
Awards evenings can start to drag but there was no risk of that here, with many small and not-so-small touches helping to keep the audience thoroughly entertained. A quirky and humourous film, created by WA’s Ludwig (Cass Mortimer Eipper and Emma Sandall), announced the nominees for Outstanding Achievement in Dance on Film. The Australian Ballet’s performance was introduced by footage from Rudolf Nureyev’s famous film of Don Quixote, featuring himself alongside WA’s grand dame of dance, Lucette Aldous.
And the winners are:
Lifetime Achievement Award
Nanette Hassall
Outstanding Performance by a Company
Bangarra Dance Theatre for Belong
Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer
Elise May for R&J, Expressions Dance Company
Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer
Daryl Brandwood for HELIX
Outstanding Achievement in Independent Dance
Barry Moreland and Daryl Brandwood for HELIX
Services to Dance
Lucinda Sharp
Outstanding Achievement in Dance on Film
Bryan Mason & Sophie Hyde for Life in Movement
Outstanding Achievement in Choreography
Natalie Weir for R&J, Expressions Dance Company
Services to Dance Education
Sarah Calver
Outstanding Achievement in Youth or Community Dance
Shaun Parker and Company for The Yard
The Awards ceremony included the announcement of the 2012 Ausdance Peggy van Praagh Choreographic Fellowship. This was awarded to Stephanie Lake.
Dance Australia warmly congratulates the winners of the 2012 Australian Dance Awards!
STEPS Youth Dance Company (WA), in an excerpt fromTry Hard, performed at the 2012 Australian Dance Award ceremony. Photo: Ashley de Prazer