Canberrans have been invited to join their partners and kick their heels up to mark Dance Week this week, launched by Minister for the Arts, Gordon Ramsay on Tuesday (30 April).
Dance Week, presented by Ausdance ACT, is part of International Dance Day celebrations and will run until Sunday (5 May).
“Dance Week is a spectacular celebration of all forms of dance by professional, community and social dancers of all ages,” Mr Ramsay said.
“This year is particularly significant with several anniversaries across the sector.”
He said Mirramu Creative Arts Centre was celebrating its 30th anniversary; Dance on the Edge by the Belconnen Arts Centre was in its 10th year of production; and the Sydney Dance Company would be sharing its half century in the ACT through a performance at the Canberra Theatre.
Founder of the Australian Dance Party, Alison Plevey (pictured) said dance had a universal language and the power to change people.
“Dance Week 2019 is for me about celebration and connection,” Ms Plevey said, “celebration of this incredible art form together as a community, in all its diversity.”
Ms Plevey is to perform with the Australian Dance Party throughout the week, including at Belconnen Art Centre’s Dance on the Edge.
Another Dance Week performer, Gretel Burgess said she loved the healing that dance could provide.
“Dance Week is a celebration of all bodies moving in and out of all dance forms,” Ms Burgess said.
Her work, Liability will also be performed during Dance on the Edge.
