|
Welcome to the April 2007 edition of Songlines,
Bangarra's email newsletter, presenting updates of the
company's work, as well as giveaways and offers.
Also in this Edition:
 Cloud
Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan - exclusive Songlines offer
The
Australian Ballet's BODYTORQUE - exclusive Songlines offer
Message
Sticks Indigenous Film Festival 2007
|
|
|
| True
Stories Premiere & Melbourne ticket offer! |
Our
True Stories heroes! |
Shot on
location at Bangarra’s
harbour-side studios by photographer Stephen Oxenbury,
our True Stories image
captures the Indigenous spirit represented by both Emeret
Lu and X300.
The dancers appearing in this campaign are Waangenga
Blanco and Deborah
Brown.
|
Waangenga Blanco
 The
boy from Mission Beach has returned to Bangarra! Waangenga,
from both Murray tribe and Scottish/English ancestry, started
dancing at the age of eight and is inspired by ‘people
and life.’ After many notable dance achievements including
performances with NAISDA in Which Wei in 2002, When
the Dust Settles in 2003 and Apu Kazi in 2004,
Wanngenga was asked to join Bangarra Dance Theatre after
Stephen Page saw him perform in NAISDA’s end-of-year show.
After leaving Bangarra in 2006 to pursue
other exciting journeys, Waangenga performed in Meryl Tankard’s Kaidan:
A Ghost Story as part of the Sydney Festival 07. |
Deborah Brown
 Deborah
is a descendant of Wakaid Clan, Badu Island, whose grandmother
is a descendant of the Mer people, Murray Island, Baizam
Clan.
Deborah began dance classes at age 5,
at the Pamela Le Ray School of Dance in Brisbane. Her inspiration
comes from her family, particularly her parents.
Deborah joined Bangarra Dance Theatre
in 2003 and performed in Bangarra’s highly successful Bush,
a career highlight, and later toured with Bangarra to the
US and UK.
Deborah has also performed in Unaipon in
2004 as part of the Adelaide Festival and in Clan in
Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.
Deborah has also performed as a singer,
has appeared in a documentary film, and has worked with
schools, running an education program for students at Cooroora
Secondary College and working closely with Grovely State
School and Coloundra State High School.
|
|
Special web offer!
 As
a Songlines subscriber, we would like to offer you an EXCLUSIVE
discount for tickets to the FIRST FIVE performances of
True Stories in Melbourne (17-23 May). Sydneysiders should
watch this space for upcoming offers for our Sydney Opera
House season:
3 August - 1 September 2007.
Emeret Lu
Emeret
Lu, or "very old things", explores the
passion and energy of the traditional people of the Torres
Strait Islands. In this thrilling new work, choreographer Elma
Kris interprets her people's love of the land, the
sea and each other, with an exuberance handed down from
generation to generation.
X300
In the 1950's a series of Atomic explosions were conducted on Maralinga, Tjarutja
traditional lands. The code name of the test site was X300. Frances
Rings' new work powerfully and spectacularly explores a landscape assumed
vacant and cleared of occupation but which in reality became a contaminated
desert which poisoned the people. Rings' work is known for its theatricality
and inventiveness. X300 will
bring Australian audiences a memorable evening of lasting imagery.
|
|
Book before 13 April and SAVE $10 on
adult tickets!
This offer is valid for adult tickets
only and limited to the following five performances in
Melbourne:
- Friday 18 May 8pm
- Saturday 19 May 2pm
- Saturday 19 May 8pm
- Tuesday 22 May 8pm
- Wednesday 23 May 2pm
BOOK TODAY!
*Phone 1300 136 166;
*log on to www.theartscentre.net.au
OR
visit in person the Arts Centre or any Ticketmaster outlet
*Transaction fees apply.
QUOTE the password "STORIES" to redeem
this special web offer.
|
 |
True Stories Season Dates:
|
|
|
| Elma Kris rehearses
her work Emeret Lu |
Elma Kris at work |
Bangarra's 2007 capital city
tour is a fantastic opportunity to see this new choreographer's
stunning new work! Emeret
Lu, or "very old things", explores the passion
and energy of the traditional people of the Torres Strait
Islands.
Elma interprets her people's
love of the land, the sea and of each other to create a
piece that truly shares with the audience her love of her
culture.
Read more about Elma
Kris
|
|
|
| New dancer joins
Bangarra in '07 |
Jasmin
Sheppard |
Jasmin was born in and raised in Melbourne,
a descendant of the Walangamma tribe in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
At 18 Jasmin began full time training in
musical theatre and completed three years at The Dance
Factory, Melbourne. In 2002, Jasmin studied for a further
two years at NAISDA Dance College, working under choreographers
such as Jason Pitt, Bernadette Walong, and Jennifer Newman-Preston.
During her time at NAISDA she was privileged to learn
traditional dance from Yirrkala and Mornington Island
regions, and Darnley and Badu Islands in the Torres Strait.
Whilst at NAISDA Jasmin performed at Garma
Festival NT and also in Melbourne to dance at the Australian
Youth Arts Round Table, and was a choreographer and Dancer
in Albert David's production of Apu Kaazi (2004). Jasmin
has also performed in the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth
Games Opening Ceremony, The Migrant Project Creative
Arts Show in 2006 and the 2006 Australian Dance Awards
choreographed by Jason Pitt.
Jasmin joined Bangarra in January this year.
|
|
|
| Sydney Harbour
Bridge turns 75 |
Smoking Ceremony |
On March 18, Sydney's Indigenous
community came together to present a spectacular traditional
smoking ceremony in honour of the historic celebration
marking the 75th anniversary of our iconic Sydney Harbour
Bridge.
Directed by our very own Artistic Director Stephen
Page, ninety 44-gallon drums of eucalyptus leaves grouped in sets of
three were ceremoniously lit at sunset to envelop the bridge
in smoke and cleanse those who walked through it. The ceremony
represented a united spirit and shared with the country
a significant and traditional part of Aboriginal culture.
The mesmerising sound was composed
by Page's brother, David Page, and Matthew Doyle, and featured
words in the Gadigal language, acknowledging the traditional
Gadigal, Wallumedegal and Gamaragal owners of the land
on which the Bridge stands.
|
|
|
| Exclusive Songlines Offer! |
Cloud Gate Dance Theatre
of Taiwan
|
Cloud Gate Dance Theatre
of Taiwan
‘Wild Cursive’
Sydney Opera House
22 & 23 May 2007
“Dancing and calligraphy
merged into a single art of motion… the glory of beauty
itself” New York Times
After rave
reviews in the US and Europe, one of the world’s finest
dance companies, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan,
returns to Sydney for
two nights only. Internationally renowned choreographer,
Lin Hawi-min, evokes the ancient art of calligraphy through
modern dance, tai chi and martial arts, as nineteen dancers
capture the rich aesthetic and vibrant energy of flowing
ink. The result is a breathtaking masterpiece of motion.
“Stunning… Striking… Poetic” New
York Times
A selection of the best seats
has been placed on special reserve for Songlines subscribers.
Simply book on 02 9250 7777 before 9 April and quote ‘Songlines
offer’ to access these prime seats!
|
|
|
| Exclusive Songlines Offer! |
Bodytorque. Generations.
|
The Australian
Ballet’s BODYTORQUE programme
showcases the best in new choreography performed by some
of the country’s top dancers.
This year, BODYTORQUE presents
the long-awaited Sydney premiere of acclaimed choreographer
Stephen Baynes’ multi award winning Unspoken Dialogues.
After the successful collaboration, Gathering,
in 2006 with Bangarra Dance Theatre, The Australian Ballet
is delighted to offer our special Destination pack! Simply
buy two tickets to Bodytorque. Generations. in
Sydney before 4 May and automatically go into the draw
to win our Destination pack and see the world premiere
of The Australian Ballet’s Destiny programme
on opening night in Melbourne on 30 August*.
*Conditions apply.
For more info visit australianballet.com.au/offers
|
|
|
| Message
Sticks Indigenous Film Festival 2007 |
Crocodile Dreaming
|
Sydney Opera House
4 - 6 May
After the great success of Message
Sticks Indigenous Film Festival in 2006, this year’s
Festival promises to be even bigger and better with screenings
in both the Playhouse and The Studio. This year’s festival
features 21 world premier films showcasing the latest
in Indigenous drama, comedy, documentary and short films
plus the premier of Crocodile Dreaming,
starring David Gulpilil.
Individual sessions are free,
or to ensure entry to all sessions and priority seating
purchase a weekend pass.
More info: sydneyoperahouse.com/messagesticks
or by phone (02) 9250 7777
|
|
|
About this newsletter
If you received this newsletter from a friend and you would like to join for
free, please click here.
To unsubscribe please click here.
To update your details please click here.
Bangarra Dance Theatre respects your privacy. None of the information
given by any visitor to our site will be sold, bartered or given to any
third party without prior consent. You can view our privacy policy here.
|
|
|
