A highlight on the Melbourne arts calendar, the annual Green Room Awards is a joyous celebration of local arts and artists. This year their achievements will be applauded at the iconic Comedy Theatre on April 1. Anni Davey and Maude Davey will host the ceremony, which will be jam-packed with live performances.
This March, an enchanting “magic carpet ride” of Scheherazade’s ancient tales about the adventures of Sinbad will be told in Sydney through Middle Eastern and contemporary folkloric dance. A one-off international spectacular called Fantasm – 1001 Nights will land at the Concourse, Chatswood on Saturday, March 9.
Sydney Dance Company recently announced the aspiring young Australian and New Zealand dancers selected to take part in its acclaimed Pre-Professional Year (PPY) program. The dancers commenced their studies at SDC’s brand-new, state-of-the-art studios in Ultimo this month.
Gold Coast and Sydney, get ready! Starpower International is bringing its Ultimate Dance Workshop to you! It’s one-day event focuses on classes, not competition. This season’s faculty includes Jill Wolins, Frankie “FJ” Zulferino, Alex Prushinski, Nicole Wells, Wyatt Rocker and Shannon Atkins.
Australian Dance Theatre (ADT) is planning a huge celebration to acknowledge the 20th anniversary of its world-acclaimed Artistic Director. Garry Stewart joined ADT in 1999 and in his two decades at the helm, has overseen a remarkable period of growth at the nation’s oldest contemporary dance company, cementing its position on the world stage.
Do you know a ballet fan aged 2 – 17? Then tell them it’s now the perfect time to join QB Junior Friends to make the most of the year-round member benefits. The 2019 events will kick off with Classes with Ambassadors in Toowoomba and Sunshine Coast, and House Parties in Brisbane, Cairns and Rockhampton.
Angela Hamilton's Twisted Element in Sydney will soon present its current work-in-progress at a teaser event at 107 Projects in Redfern, NSW. The immersive dance theatre show R I T U A L will be previewed on February 22 and 23.
Disney’s musical version of the smash-hit 2013 animated film Frozen will have its Australian premiere next year. The Broadway musical will open at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre in July 2020. It'll be the musical’s first international production.
Unexpectedly, The Australian Ballet’s 2019 Season Premiere Production has been postponed till 2020. Choreographer Graeme Murphy was set to finalize the brand-new show The Happy Prince but due to health issues, he is now unable to complete the work in time.
At a star-studded ceremony in January, the winners of the 2018 Sydney Theatre Awards were announced, with 34 awards presented, shared between 16 productions that played in Sydney during the calendar year of 2018. Over 450 members of the Sydney theatre community packed the York Theatre at the Seymour Centre to celebrate.
Western Australia’s flagship contemporary dance company Co3 will present three world premiere works in 2019. The resident company at the State Theatre Centre, Co3 officially announced its season, which will feature new collaborations, performance locations and a profound local story of racial segregation.
Three time APRA Art Music Award-winning percussionist Claire Edwardes and Helpmann Award-winning dancer Richard Cilli will unite in the hauntingly hypnotic dance and music work Recital at Riverside Theatres from 28 February to 2 March.
In 2017 the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Australia launched Project B – a range of initiatives to widen access to dance for boys and male identifying students to encourage more to take up ballet. This initiative is one of a few in celebration of the RAD’s upcoming centenary in 2020, which aims to bring dance to more people in more places globally. Ranging from summer workshops for all ages, to beginners class for 7 year olds, to masterclasses for advanced students, and pop-up performances - Project B has delivered young male dancers the opportunity to embrace their dance passion and celebrate it with their peers.
Does technology bring us closer together or further isolate us? This question will be considered in a new program of works by Louisville Ballet, the official ballet company for the state of Kentucky, USA. Choreographers’ Showcase tackles how technology shapes the human experience with never-before-seen choreography in collaboration with Kentucky College of Art + Design. On the program is a new work by Australian choreographer Tim Harbour.
Action Education is an initiative of Action Reaction Entertainment, touring Acrobatic Educational Shows around NSW Schools. An example of these shows is the Bullying Prevention Acrobatic Show, which combines Acrobatics, Comedy and Parkour to engage the kids in the program, whilst delivering an important message. Action Education is now casting for two new Metro NSW/Sydney performance team members.
Australian dance and activewear trendsetter Energetiks recently proclaimed “your dream pair of tap shoes are here”! The brand has officially released its new Slip On Neoprene Tap Boot, which comes in Tan and Black. For a limited time, shoppers can enjoy 25% off the shoes in stores!
Australia’s Got Talent is currently seeking a diverse range of acts and performers to take part in its new show this year. The return of the talent competition is a bit of a surprise, as it was axed a few years ago after continual low ratings. This time it will air on the Seven Network, it’s original home.
Want to try Salsa this new year? Here's your chance! Kids and Adults Salsa Classes are being offered at Melbourne's newest dance studio, La Encantada Collective. Australian Champion Elysia Baker, as seen at Victorian Dance Festival, invites newcomers to come dance with her!
Ausdance WA’s 2019 Education Program, which offers professional development and networking opportunities for dance teachers, has officially kicked off its workshop lineup. On January 12, Dance for Parkinson’s PD Day taught attendees to work comfortably and effectively with the Parkinson’s population. Up next is ATAR Set Solo Workshops on January 31 and February 1.
After numerous trips around the globe, the 2019 touring schedule of Germany’s Semperoper Ballett will bring company dancers to the South Pacific region for the first time. The initial port of call will be the Adelaide Festival on 8 -10 March, where the company will perform Swedish star choreographer Johan Inger’s interpretation of Carmen. Just one week later, Semperoper Ballett will present William Forsythe’s four-part ballet Impressing the Czar in Singapore.
Emerging choreographers, how would you like to create on dancers from the largest ballet company in the Netherlands? The Dutch National Ballet (Het Nationale Ballet) is inviting talented young choreographers to apply for its 2019 Choreographic Academy, where they’ll enjoy a series of creation sessions with the 12 highly-talented dancers of the Junior Company. The deadline to apply is January 28.
For 2019, West Australian Ballet (WAB) is welcoming four new dancers from around the world. In addition, four Corps de Ballet dancers were promoted to Demi-Soloists. These artists can be seen performing with WAB soon at In-Synch: Ballet at the Quarry.
Director and Producer Bonnie Lythgoe’s sixth Australian panto will be Jack and the Beanstalk, a “giant" 3D family musical spectacular that will play at the majestic State Theatre in Sydney from Friday, July 12. This production of Jack will feature a fantastic 3D sequence, that will transport audience members deep into the Giant’s castle.
If you are a dancer or choreographer who has a passion for environmental protection, particularly dealing with water, then you need to check out this international event happening in more than 100 locations around the world. Global Water Dances is now looking for artists to create and present a site-specific work near a body of water on June 15, 2019.
The new Gold Coast Youth Ballet Company has announced auditions for its very first production, Alice, based on Lewis Caroll’s novels Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass. Dianne Cassillis and Shane Weatherby invite children aged 7 and over (Grade 2 and above) to audition on February 3 at 1 p.m. at the Nerang Bicentennial Community Centre.
Sydney Dance Company hits a big milestone this year - its 50th Anniversary Season! To celebrate, the company has launched a contest that will last all year long, with winners drawn every month. It invites dancers to post a video of turning on Instagram, Instastories or Twitter.
The students of Melbourne City Youth Ballet (MCYB) have been hard at work getting ready to bring The Wonderful Wizard of Oz to life. Premiering in February, the studios at MCYB are buzzing with excitement as finishing touches are put on the brand-new production.
Young dancers based in or around Perth are invited to try something new with Co3’s Act-Belong-Commit Co:Dance program. Soon workshops will be offered for Juniors and Seniors. Each offers daily contemporary dance classes.
Australian Dance Theatre (ADT) is offering its School Holiday Workshops soon! On January 23 and 24, youth aged 7-12 can take part in a fun, exciting and creative program at ADT’s Norwood-based studios. In addition, ADT is offering a Boys Only Workshop the day before (January 22) and an audition for its Youth Ensemble on January 31.
Darwin-based Tracks Dance has announced that it’s growing! After years of performing for the Coomalie Community, the organisation started its first outreach Grey Panthers class in Batchelor. Led by Tracks choreographic alumni and Grey Panther performer Darryl Butler, the Coomalie GP's meet weekly, learning the same repertoire as the Darwin troupe.
