Sydney Festival
4 – 26 January, 2025
Sydney Festival is set to soar to new heights this summer, running from the 4th till 26th of January with a trailblazing free and ticketed program of theatre, music, dance, visual art and all the experimental in-between places of live performance.
Highlights of the dance program include The Chronicles, a cathartic new work by Australia’s bold choreographer Stephanie Lake. Lake’s explosive physical language is brought to life by twelve extraordinary dancers, accompanied by a masterful electro-acoustic score by Robin Fox, the ethereal voices of a children’s choir and a stirring solo vocalist.Exclusive to Sydney Festival, A Taste of Spain features a captivating collaboration between the Pepa Molina Flamenco Dance Company and the Western Sydney Youth Orchestra, interpreting Suite Española by the illustrious Isaac Albéniz. At Parramatta’s Riverside Theatres, Cowboy is an interactive solo contemporary dance work by creator and performer Michael Smith. Audiences become part of the action—brawling in saloons, robbing trains and shaping the story as it unfolds in an unforgettable Wild West adventure.
Here is an overview of the Dance program, including dance workshops and classes!
- Cowboy: An immersive Wild West fantasy from 8–11 Jan at Riverside Theatres.
- The Chronicles: A sublime, explosive dance by Stephanie Lake from 16–19 Jan at Roslyn Packer Theatre.
- Katma: A celebration of street and club culture from 15–19 Jan at Bell Shakespeare, The Neilson Nutshell.
- Afterworld: A requiem for Eurydice from 7–11 Jan at Parramatta Town Hall. *Please note, this work features the filmed presence of the late 110-year-old Eileen Kramer as Eurydice, in her final dance performance
- All In: A boundary-breaking dance celebration from 22–25 Jan at Parramatta Town Hall.
- A Taste of Spain (World Premiere): Indulge in the rich essence of Spain for one night only on 18 Jan at Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre.
- Plant A Promise (World Premiere): Honoring Country through dance, installation, planting, and storytelling from 22–25 Jan at The Studio Theatre at Bangarra (The Thirsty Mile).
- Anito: A queered Filipino ghost story by Justin Talplacido Shoulder from 15–18 Jan at Carriageworks.
- Street Dance Workshop: Explore street dance elements with Azzam Mohamed on 18 Jan at Sydney Dance Company, Neilson Studio (The Thirsty Mile).
- Freestyle Dance Lab Masterclass: Sharpen your street dance moves with Azzam Mohamed on 17 Jan at Sydney Dance Company, Clifford Studio (The Thirsty Mile).
- Moving Sound Masterclass: Discover sonic rhythms and their connection to the moving body on 9 Jan at Sydney Dance Company, Clifford Studio (The Thirsty Mile).
- Contemporary Dance Masterclass: Experience fast-moving choreographic fun with Stephanie Lake on 19 Jan at Sydney Dance Company, Neilson Studio (The Thirsty Mile).
- Art Up Late: Bankstown Arts Centre: Celebrate stories and share connections from 16–23 Jan at Bankstown Arts Centre.
