Ausdance ACT Shines the Spotlight on Diverse Dance Scene During Australian Dance Week

Ausdance ACT 2022 Australian Dance Week opens Friday 29th April to coincide with International Dance Day and concludes Sunday 8th May.

Ausdance ACT curates an annual umbrella festival of events, highlighting a thriving and diverse local dance scene from studio classes, workshops, and activities for all ages with loads of free classes and showings. Ausdance ACT’s program features high quality professional performance, community and industry events and workshops.

The Ausdance Network promotes dance as an essential part of our lives during Australian Dance Week. Australian Dance Week originated in 1982 as a series of lunch time performances and has grown into a nationwide celebration with each state and territory hosting a variety of free performances and classes. 2022 marks the 40th anniversary of Australian Dance Week and Ausdance ACT is proud to hold the largest Australian Dance Week program in Australia.

Some of the highlights include:

Official Opening at Gorman Arts Centre on International Dance Day, 29 April by Minister for the Arts Tara Cheyne MLA with First Nation performances by Emma Laverty’s Project Dust, The Training Ground’s ‘Unravel’ and Afro dance duo PARICE, as well as a preview of the dance film, ‘Unavoidable Casualty’ by QL2 Dance.

Ausdance ACT presents Canberra Dragon Dance Workshop, 1 May, Gorman Arts Centre performers teaching the basics of Chinese lion dance and tiger dance. These arts are rarely taught to the public, so now is your chance to learn these ancient skills. All ages and abilities welcome.

Ausdance ACT and Canberra International Music Festival (CIMF) collaborate again during Australian Dance Week with a beautiful marriage of dance and music with Australian Dance Party performing excerpts from their work ‘Symbiosis’ at the Australian Botanic Gardens as part of CIMF’s ‘Tree of Life’ and ‘LESS’ at CIMF’s ‘Fyshwick Follies.’

Many local studios, dance artists and arts centres offer free, trial and taster dance classes during Australian Dance Week. Experience a ZEST: Dance for Wellbeing Class at Belconnen or Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Hughes Community Centre, or Greenway Views, join Bom Funk Dance Studio for their Open Day at their new Queanbeyan Head Quarters, try a Brazilian Samba Fitness Class with Kokoloco Dance Studio at Stage 88 or a morning of folk dancing with Folk Dance Canberra. This is the time to get out and try a new dance experience, see a show, take a class, and celebrate dance.

Plan your week with our daily calendar and immerse yourself in dance! To view the full 2022 program, visit: https://www.ausdanceact.org.au/adw-2022