Dancenorth Australia

Today is Giving Tuesday, a growing global campaign that seeks to harness the power of social media and the generosity of individuals to build healthier, happier communities. Dancenorth is taking part in Giving Tuesday for the first time this year. Our aim is to share the transformative power of dance with 100 people in regional communities, by providing free access to our Community Experience programs for people who would otherwise miss out.   You can help us reach our goal by making a tax-deductible donation today on this link: https://lnkd.in/gUE9Hvdb Your donations will help us to embrace the inherent inclusivity of dance and remove the cost barrier to participation, because everybody should have access to dance and the significant flow-on effects it offers.

Dancenorth Australia can continue its forward momentum with deep confidence and full hearts thanks to the significant support of the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation (TFFF), which has committed funding to support our general operations for the next nine years. With this gift, TFFF acknowledges the significant and critical value that Arts organisations bring to their communities, while highlighting the possibilities that arise when we move at the speed of trust, foster deep relationships, and embrace shared values, ethics, and approaches. The Tim Fairfax Family Foundation (TFFF) has supported Dancenorth Australia for more than 13 years. This enduring support has been a catalyst for so much of what we do, enabling us to leverage additional income streams and continue delivering impactful programs across regional Queensland and beyond. An investment in the Arts, is an investment in the social impact that flows from creative process, including: ·     Physical, mental and social wellbeing ·     Fostering creativity, collaboration and innovation ·     Building community connection and resilience ·     Giving marginalised communities a voice ·     Creating more liveable cities ·     Driving visitor economies through placemaking. There is no precedent for Arts philanthropy of this magnitude in Australia – TFFF is truly leading the way. This funding will empower Dancenorth to propel its strategic vision with uninterrupted focus, to sink into deeper connection with our communities, and to explore unknown realms as we continue to make meaningful work that resonates with diverse and inclusive audiences.   True sustainability lies in cultivating long-term relationships, deepening mutual understanding, and trusting that when support is steadfast, extraordinary outcomes can be achieved. May this bold approach serve as a beacon for other philanthropic organisations to emulate.

We would like to extend a special thank you to everyone who contributed to the creation, production, presentation of Wayfinder as our year-long National Tour has come to close. When we set out to make Wayfinder, we desired to craft a heartfelt gift for our audiences. Wayfinder is an ode to optimism, a celebration of the buoyancy of the human spirit and a conduit for restoring connection to a world that can so often feel isolating and disconnected. It has been a privilege to share this gift so broadly, and the reciprocity with which it was received has been incredibly rewarding. To know that our offering has resonated so deeply, and has had ripple effects across communities, inspires us to continue striving to connect hearts, bodies and minds through the transformative power of dance. We’ve loved sharing this journey with you, and we are eternally grateful for your generosity, enthusiasm, and unwavering support. Images by David Kelly, Pippa Samaya and Aaron Ashley

How does dance help people overcome loneliness and isolation, improve social wellbeing and boost mood? Our Teaching Artist Madaleine Armstrong and a number of our Community Experience dance participants recently spoke with Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)'s Emma Jones as part of their coverage for Loneliness Awareness Week. #EndingLonelinessTogether #LonelinessAwarenessWeekAU

"𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘩 [𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘺] 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘬 𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘥, 𝘋𝘺𝘬𝘦’𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘫𝘰𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘴. " A beautiful piece about 'Lighting the Dark' in ArtsHub today, perfectly timed as our Ensemble returns to the studio in preparation for the work's World Premiere at Brisbane Festival on 12-14 September. Thank you David Burton for a beautifully penned look at this important, heart-opening piece.

Congratulations to our Artistic Directors, Kyle Page and Amber Haines who will achieve a significant milestone this evening. With tonight’s presentation of Wayfinder at Darwin Festival, Dancenorth has presented work at every major Australian International Arts Festival while under Kyle and Amber’s creative leadership, This includes performances of RED, Dust, Communal Table, Noise, Attractor and Rainbow Vomit; as well as Wayfinder, which is currently enjoying the most extensive tour of a contemporary dance work in Australian history. A big thank you to all the Confederation of Australian International Arts Festivals (CAIAF) members who have presented our work over the past decade: Adelaide Festival, Brisbane Festival, Darwin Festival, Perth Festival, RISING Melbourne, Sydney Festival, and Ten Days on the Island Tasmania Pictured: 1. Noise 2. RED 3. Rainbow Vomit 4. Dust 5. Wayfinder 6. Attractor 7. Communal Table Images by Amber Haines, Gregory Lorenzutti (Attractor) and David Kelly (Wayfinder).

We've mindfully merged music, meditation, architecture and engineering to bring you STILL - a sunrise sound bath in reverence of nature. You can carve out a morning for stillness when we present this work in Gurambilbarra (Townsville) over the coming weeks, in partnership with Australian Festival of Chamber Music and Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts's PUNQ Festival. Some sessions are already sold out. Book your tickets here: https://lnkd.in/gsJJAak7

"If Chris Dyke had a superpower, it would be inspiring those around him." 100% Read all about Lighting the Dark here, and then grab your tickets to our Preview Season at Townsville Civic Theatre, this Friday and Saturday (14-15 June). https://lnkd.in/gJRC9Dw3

Step behind the scenes with us on the development of our latest work, Lighting the Dark, directed by Chris Dyke. This work will hit the Townsville Civic Theatre for its preview Season in Gurambilbarra (Townsville) on 14-15 June. Tickets available here: https://lnkd.in/e8NazMUJ It's going to be magic.

As always, we've been learning a lot from having Chris Dyke in the building while we develop our newest work Lighting the Dark, under Chris' Direction. Thanks to BDmagAU for this wonderful article about the magic that unfolds when we embrace more inclusive Arts experiences. Lighting the Dark is supported by: Arts Queensland Creative Australia Brisbane Festival The Ian Potter Foundation Townsville City Council