Young, old, and all levels of ability are invited to boogie down this Australian Dance Week with Ausdance ACT’s incredible line-up of events around town from 28 April to 7 May.
Canberra offers the largest dance week program which features local studios, troupes and schools presenting performances that celebrate different genres of the craft.
International acts return to the calendar with a sell-out workshop and performance from Hungarian dancer, József Trefeli. Ausdance ACT director Dr Cathy Adamek says that dance is a way we embrace culture, and other performances share the cultures of the people of Switzerland, New Zealand, and India.
“We know that dance in different cultures and communities holds a really central significance because it kind of represents who we are, like art does,” she says.
With 30 years’ experience as a dancer and choreographer, Ms Adamek wanted to embrace the diverse dance community in the Canberra region – from culture and genres to age brackets. Part of the program was to promote the dancers from Canberra’s almost 100 dance schools, some of whom are returning from working on international stages. However, it was also important to offer dance in accessible ways to the Canberra community.
“There’s this whole wonderful tasting platter of free classes and trial classes – everything from dance and wellbeing for seniors to older partner dancing, right through to the littlies, six-year-olds and adult ballet classes, too.”
One of the biggest trends she is seeing is adults returning to the artform. Whether you’ve done it forever or are wanting to start in retirement, she says dance is a feel-good way to connect that anyone can do.
“I think it’s one of the most basic forms of human expression. Movement is one of the first things we do and that can stay with you throughout your life,” she smiles.
Find the full program for Ausdance ACT Australian Dance Week 2023, 28 April-7 May at ausdanceact.org.au
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