Bangarra Dance Theatre (BDT) is currently on tour but it’s not just about the performances. As well as presenting a double bill entitled “Kinship”, the company is also conducting workshops aimed at inspiring and engaging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, in particular young people from those communities.
Having taken in Geelong, Dandenong and Mildura, BDT is about to arrive in West Gippsland. The company will then head to Sale, Frankston and Nunawading in Victoria, before heading to Hobart.
Dance workshops will take place at each of the towns on the tour. Each workshop begins with an introduction to BDT followed by a workshop led by company dancers. “Our dancers are great role models for Indigenous young people,” remarks BDT artistic director Stephen Page. “They come from diverse backgrounds, some from remote and others from urban communities. Each of them are part of the contemporary expression of over 40,000 years of continuous cultural practice. They help young people to see the value of rekindling their culture and being proud of their identity.
”The “Kinship” double bill is comprised of the works Brolga and ID, both by Page.
“Kinship”
NB: To book into a workshop contact community@bangara.com.au or call (02) 9251 5333.
28 August: West Gippsland, West Gippsland Arts Centre
Bookings: www.wgac.org.au
Workshop: 27 August
31 August: Sale, Esso BHP Wellington Entertainment Centre
Bookings: www.ebbwec.com.au
Workshop: 30 August
4 September : Frankston, Frankston Arts Centre
Bookings: www.artscentre.frankston.vic.gov.au
Workshop: 3 September
7 September : Nunawading, Whitehorse Centre
Bookings: www.whitehorsecentre.com.au
Workshop: 6 September
12 – 13 September: Hobart, Theatre Royal
Bookings: www.theatreroyal.com.au
Workshop: 11 September