Dancenorth Embarks on Annual Regional Workshop Tour
Indigenous Communities Connections
Dancenorth has recently embarked on their Annual Regional Workshop Tour, traveling to regional areas in Western Queensland, North Queensland and Poruma Island (Torres Strait) to deliver dance workshops to schools and community groups. This ambitious program honours an ongoing engagement with Poruma Island, revisits existing relationships and invites new connections, broadening our connection with communities in regional Queensland.
As part of the first leg of the tour, Artistic Director Kyle Page and the Dancenorth Community and Enrichment team travelled to Poruma Island to explore, share and learn alongside the students of Ngurpay Lag Primary School, Urab Dancers and the Poruma Island Community. The team facilitated workshops that explored the Company repertoire, whilst encouraging creative thinking through contemporary dance techniques.
“Our time on Poruma Island was incredible. It gave us the opportunity to reconnect with the community once again, who welcomed us back with open arms,” said Dancenorth Education and Outreach Manager Susan van den Ham.
“This is an outstanding program and boosts not only my student’s physical activity but their overall confidence and well-being. Thanks again Dancenorth, we look forward to seeing you next year,” said Poruma Ngurpay Lag Head of Campus Deb Steele.
As part of the second leg of the tour, Dancenorth’s Company dancers and the Community and Enrichment team will travel to regional areas including; Emerald, Cairns, Longreach, Winton, Hughenden and Barcaldine. The group will deliver innovative workshops within local schools, encouraging and exploring movement, while nurturing creativity in participants.
“Engaging with young people through art has countless benefits for both individuals and the broader community. The Annual Regional Workshop Tour provides participants with an incredibly rare opportunity to work with high calibre professional artists. By supporting creativity and freedom of expression the tour is designed to inspire participants to explore, expand and share their individual creative voice,” said Kyle Page.
Through this exchange, Dancenorth are able to maximise both time and reach to not only reconnect with existing groups, but also build new relationships, broadening Dancenorth’s presence within Regional Queensland.
Through long-term, meaningful engagement Dancenorth is dedicated to creating positive social change by empowering the lives of people through art.
Visit www.dancenorth.com.au/community-projects/ for more information.
