BIG DANCE
BIG DANCE 2016
MINDIL BEACH, DARWIN
TERRITORY DAY JULY 1ST
Under the setting sun, on the sands of Mindil Beach, over 75 dancers of all ages and abilities gathered together and performed in front of approximately 6,000 – 8,000 onlookers during the Territory Day festivities in Darwin on July 1st. With a total of 18,000 festivalgoers, Big Dance Australia 2016 not only took its place on the world stage, but also brought together the masses along the Darwin coastline in celebration of dance and community.
Such a spectacle was the result of a joint coordination between Tracks Dance and Ausdance NSW. Michelle Silby, Director of Ausdance NSW and Executive Director of Ausdance Victoria, attended the event and witnessed the phenomenal turnout while the dancers performed choreography created by Akram Khan.
“We are excited to announce that this year’s Big Dance choreographer is Akram Khan. Khan, originating from Bangladesh and now based in the UK practices intertwined movement rooted in classical kathak and contemporary dance. It is a great opportunity to lead Big Dance Australia 2016 as part of the Northern Territory Government’s signature Territory Day celebration, in association with Big Dance UK.”
Performers
Alex McInnes, Amy Simpson, Andrew John Arthur, Andrew Blundell, Anna Dowd, Annette Brown, Antonietta Vanzella, Ashley Birkin, Alexia Amy, Barry Thomson, Bronte Hewett, Bryn Wackett, Carmel Alderson, Chandrika Munasinghe, Chay Arthur, Christine Murphy, Darlene Wright, Darryl Butler, David McMicken, David Taylor, Demi Poort, Di Sinclair, Eldon Arthur, Ellen Hankin, Eve Rivalland, Gabriele Driver, Gwen Varney, Jack Hewett, Janine Sutter, Jasper Mules, Jenelle Saunders, Jenni Sanderson, Jennifer Warren-Bender, Jo Parish, Joanne Edwards, Jonathan Tan, Josephine Brine, Judy Markwell, Julie Hepburn, Karen Schmiing, Kathryn Lloyd, Kathryn McMicken, Kathy Conway, Kelly Beneforti, Kyle Ramboyong, Kyle Adams, Lani Hewett, Loris Lacy, Mal Hunt, Margaret McGregor, Marge Duminski, Maria Vlastuin, Marita Smith, MaryAnn Hinton, Melea Apps, Molly Kroes, Monika Ostermeyer, Natalie Eerden, Nikki Higgins, Pamela Stagg, Pat O’Neill, Peta Elderson, Piper Mules, Putu Desak Wati, Rebecca MacKrow, Rebecca Patrick, Rosa Norman, Rosemary Scrutton, Sara Scrutton, Sarah Lacy, Sarah Hona, Sarah Harpur, Shirley Somers, Stuart Fong, Susan Smith, Toni Vine-Bromley, Valerie Hristova
Creative Team
Tracks Dance Company & Big Dance NT Event Producers
Big Dance Australia Director: Michelle Silby, Ausdance NSW
Big Dance NT Coordinator: Bryn Wackett, Tracks Dance Company
NT Dance Animateurs: Kelly Beneforti, Bryn Wackett, David McMicken, Stuart Fong
Project Partners
Festivals NT, Darwin Entertainment Centre, Ausdance NSW, CHARTTES Training Advisory Council
Sponsors
Darwin International Airport, Southern Cross TV, CHARTTES Training Advisory Council
Funding Bodies
Big Dance NT is supported by the City of Darwin through its 2015/2016 Community Grants Program.
Government Partners
Tracks Inc is assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body; and is proudly sponsored by the Northern Territory Government.
Video Footage:
BRISBANE POWERHOUSE, QUEENSLAND – SUNDAY JULY 3RD
Set on the grounds of the Brisbane Powerhouse on a beautiful Sunday morning, over 50 dancers varying in age and ability gathered to perform Akram Khan’s choreography created especially for Big Dance 2016.
The dancers dressed in reds, whites and blacks and put on an exciting show for onlookers, while giving their best performance for the cameras for footage to be uploaded to the Big Dance UK website and also to be shown at the 2016 Australian Dance Awards.
There was much enjoyment to be had on the day and Ausdance QLD, in partnership with the Brisbane Powerhouse and in collaboration with Ausdance NSW, coordinated a vibrant and inclusive event in harmony with the Big Dance mission statement.
Big Dance Australia Director: Michelle Silby
Big Dance 2016 Leader (QLD): Nerida Matthaei
Ausdance QLD Program Consultant: Lizzie Vilmanis
Venue Partner: Brisbane Powerhouse
Rehearsal Venue Partner: Expressions Dance Company
Assistance: Waw Dance & River City Ballroom
AUSDANCE NSW
Ausdance NSW is the key support & advocacy body, for the creation, presentation and practice of dance in NSW.
Ausdance NSW is part of the Ausdance National Network.
Ausdance acknowledges and respects the Traditional Custodians of the Lands on which we work and dance and pays respect to elders past, present and emerging.
Contact Info
AusdanceNSW
10 Hickson Road, Level 3, Arts Exchange Buliding, The Rocks, Sydney 2000
02 8076 9480
ABN 36 824 207 095