| Terrain: Multicultural Contemporary Dance Festival |
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Terrain Dance Festival is a biennial event that celebrates the best contemporary dance from culturally diverse artists at Dancehouse from Thursday 6 November – Saturday 8 November 2008.
Building on the success of the inaugural festival in 2006, this year’s Terrain Dance Festival is performance, free dance classes, a free artist forum, a free masterclass and an indigenous artist-in-resident program. The artist-in-resident program is an exciting new initiative with Ausdance NT and Dancehouse.
Terrain Dance Festival brings together artists from diverse backgrounds, who find a common creative experience through contemporary dance. It presents new choreographic work by some of Victoria's leading and exciting artists and includes: Rakini Devi (Indian), Sun Ping (Chinese) & Tina Wong (Malaysian), Lamine Sonko (Senegalese), Soo-Yeun You (Korean), Rachael Wallis (Indigenous) and Feng Feng Wang (Chinese). Lighting is designed by Dori Bicchierai.
While each of the artists have culturally diverse backgrounds, their works will not necessarily be about their cultural identity – while it informs their dance practice it does not own it. There will be a range of styles in the festival from fusions with traditional styles to pure contemporary to dance theatre.
Northern Territory independent artist Rachael Wallis will be the inaugural artist-in-residence. This exciting addition to the Terrain program will provide audiences and the dance community with the rare opportunity to experience contemporary indigenous dance from the Top End. For two weeks Rachael will be based at Dancehouse and will work in collaboration with fellow Arnhem Land artists Jonathon Munyarryun and Arnold Marika. A number of Victorian artists will also work with Rachael and her team to create a new work. This new work will premiere at Terrain Dance Festival. Rachael and her team will also be holding a free masterclass, open to all experienced dancers, on Friday 7 November from 10am-12noon.
If you ever wanted to learn to dance, here is the perfect opportunity and it’s all free. On Saturday 8 November from 11am – 4pm, there will be a range of free dance classes, including: Tai chi, Bollywood, African, Hip Hop and Latin. Each of the classes will be lead by festival artists and a range of special guests. The classes are suitable for children from pre-school age up and adults, and no experience is necessary.
‘This is a wonderful way for audiences to engage with dance, each work is no longer than 15 minutes and provides a great entry point into contemporary dance. I’m sure audiences will really enjoy the breadth of work on offer in this festival and the chance to talk with artist about their work. I’m thrilled that Terrain is able to support each of these independent artists to make new works’, says Kath Papas, Director, Ausdance (Vic).
Kath Papas from Ausdance (Vic) and Jill Morgan from MAV are the co-curators of Terrain Dance Festival. Ausdance Victoria produced the highly successful Australian Dance Awards gala in Melbourne in June. Multicultural Arts Victoria is celebrating its 25th birthday at the Opening Night Celebration of the Melbourne International Arts Festival on Thursday 9 October, at Federation Square.
Ausdance Victoria & Multicultural Arts Victoria present
Terrain: Multicultural Contemporary Dance Festival
Venue: Dancehouse, 150 Princes St, Carlton North
Dates: 6 – 8 November
Tickets: $20 / $15. Bookings: 9347 2860.
Free Masterclass on Friday 7 November, 10am – 12noon. Bookings essential
Free artist forum, Friday 7 November, 9pm. Free dance classes, Saturday 8 November 11am – 4pm. Bookings not required.
More information:
www.ausdance.org.au/vic
www.multiculturalarts.com.au
www.dancehouse.com.au
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