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Welcome to the September 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:
 EXCLUSIVE SONGLINES OFFER!
Win one of two double passes to The Eyes of Marege! |
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| APEC performance |
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Bangarra was delighted to be amongst a distinguished selection of Australian artists and groups to showcase the very best of contemporary Australian performing arts at the APEC Australia 2007 Gala Cultural Performance held at the Sydney Opera House on 8 September.
Patrick Thaiday, Jhuny Boy Borja, Elma Kris and Sidney Saltner performed Stick, a spiritual dance vignette from Bangarra Dance Theatre's Bush, choreographed by Stephen Page and Frances Rings.
Presented by The Hon John Howard MP, directed by Stuart Maunder, and hosted by actor Hugh Jackman, the 'My Island Home' gala was marveled by our APEC Australia international guests. |
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| True Stories wraps! |
True
Stories |
 Six cities, an audience of 32 thousand people, and over 600 meters of dancefloor tape later... True Stories wraps!
Bangarra thrilled audiences when it opened its world premiere of True Stories in Melbourne in May. From Melbourne, the company took the True Stories journey to Brisbane, Wollongong, Canberra and Newcastle, before winding up a stellar season with a smashing 5 week performance stretch in hometown Sydney at the Sydney Opera House.
Having captivated audiences all around the country with this special double bill, Bangarra is now preparing to embark on a 6 week regional tour of Frances Rings' acclaimed production, Clan.
Stay tuned for details of a very special one-off tour of True Stories in '08!
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| Clan goes country! |
Clan on Tour! |
 From September to November in 2007, Bangarra Dance Theatre presents Clan to regional Australia.
Clan is a spectacular double bill featuring the company's exciting blend of physical artistry and breathtaking visuals. Created by award winning choreographer Frances Rings, Clan is dance theatre at its most captivating.
Unaipon (pronounced You-nigh-pon) is inspired by the extraordinary passion and genius of Aboriginal inventor, writer and philosopher David Unaipon who is featured on our $50 note. Described as 'Australia's Leonardo Da Vinci', Unaipon (1872-1967) is credited with being the first Aboriginal writer to be published and with developing modern shearing shears. As a passionate scholar of theology and philosophy, Unaipon argued that Aboriginal traditions should be considered equal to those of all the great cultures of the world. Rings' work Unaipon was first performed at the 2004 Adelaide Festival of the Arts and went on to win a 2004 Australian Dance Award for Outstanding Achievement in Choreography.
 "Most Australians recognise David Unaipon's face from the Australian $50 note but know little about this extraordinary man. People like Unaipon have always fascinated me - they straddled Aboriginal and white culture, they lived in two worlds. They were brave enough to walk in a land that had no track and they made a track for us to follow. This is our history, a history shared by all Australians," says choreographer Frances Rings.
Rations explores mission and station life in colonial Australia, depicting a remarkable history of struggle and survival. Rations, Frances Rings' stunning choreographic debut for Bangarra, was first performed in 2002 as part of Bangarra's production Walkabout and went on to win two coveted Helpmann awards for Best New Australian Work and Score.
Don't miss Clan in a town near you!
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| A decade of dance! |
Sidney Saltner |
 Queensland-born Sidney Saltner has danced his way through the Bangarra landscape for his 10th year! Having joined Bangarra in 1997, 2007 marks a decade of dedication to dance for Sidney - congratulations Sidney!
"[Sidney's dancing is] beautifully sinuous, arching and undulating' The Courier Mail
Bangarra Dance Theatre's Artistic Director Stephen Page talks about Sidney's achievement:
"I choreographed/directed Sidney during the Aboriginal Islander Dance Theatre end of year performance back in 1989. Sidney has an innate ability to emulate movement beautifully. In 1997 Sidney joined Bangarra at my insistence. He's been a wonderful muse for myself and for others who have worked with Bangarra, and most notably has been a great mentor to upcoming dancers. Happy 10 years Googs!"
Sidney was born in Theodore, Queensland. Embarking on his dance career from an early age, he graduated from NAISDA College in 1991. Whilst studying he performed with The Aboriginal Islander Dance Theatre (AIDT) and undertook an apprenticeship with the Australian Dance Theatre.
Sidney performed in Harold ('91-'92); River Woman (Bodies '96); Senesino (Mardi Gras Festival '97); and The Pearl Fishers (Opera Australia 2000). He has also done extensive film and television work, appearing in Billie's Holiday, Fish and various commercials.
In April 1992 Sidney joined AIDT and undertook the role of Assistant Director. He danced major roles in such productions as Maralji, Colours, Gelam, Asik, Sanctum, Drums of Mer and Frontier Stories, a collaboration with Side Track Theatre. He also appeared in Cockroach Opera - a collaboration with Company B Belvoir.
 With Bangarra Dance Theatre Sidney has performed major roles in Fish, The Dreaming, Dance Clan, the WOMAD Festivals and Rites, a collaboration with The Australian Ballet, which toured to New York and Washington. Sidney also featured in the opening ceremony of the Olympic Arts Festival, the Opening and Closing ceremonies of the Sydney 2000 Games, Bangarra's Skin and Corroboree (both Australian and US versions).
Sidney was nominated for Best Male Dancer in both the 2003 Australian Dance Awards and the 2003 Deadly Awards. In 2004 he was nominated for a Mo Award. In 2005 Sidney was appointed Rehearsal Director for the company's production Boomerang. In 2006 Sidney performed to critical acclaim in Bangarra's collaboration with The Australian Ballet, Gathering, and this year performed with the company in the world premiere of True Stories.
Sidney shares some thoughts with Songlines readers:
My first production with Bangarra was Fish, choreographed by Stephen Page. It's my most favourite production. I love the music and storyline.
I always wanted to be a dancer, and I feel fortunate to have fulfilled my lifelong dream of working with so many talented choreographers and artists.
A career highlight for me was performing at the Sydney Olympics Ceremony. It was a really important event both culturally and for me, as an indigenous Australian.
I will never forget performing at the Kennedy Centre in Washington. I love touring, it is without a doubt the best aspect of what we do.
I'm really looking forward to taking Clan back to South Australia, Fran's [Clan's choreographer] hometown. It's great that with our stories we can educate and inspire people from remote parts of the country.
Besides dancing, I enjoy the beach, reading books, listening to music and just being with friends and family.
A message from Jasmine: "Souvenez-vous de la connexion de seoul! Je serai toujours reconnaissant pour la connexion d'ame. Les felicitations depuis les dix ans durs avec Bangarra, main d'une maniere plus importante les felicitations a votre, pour une carriere de danse brilliante."
Congratulations Sidney! |
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| Exclusive Songlines Offer! |
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Win one of two double passes to The Eyes of Marege!
Featuring Djakapurra Munyarryun, Rod Smith and Lisa Flanagan
The Studio at Sydney Opera House
Friday 5 October to Sunday 7 October
The sights and sounds of Indigenous Australia and Indonesia are brought to life in a unique fusion of high-powered physical theatre, music, song and dance.
Written by Julie Janson, this show tells the extraordinary story of a young Indigenous man's journey to Makassar at the turn of the 20th Century.
Artists from Sulawesi's top contemporary theatre company (Teater Kita Makassar) and some of Australia's best Indigenous performers unite to re-create the hidden history between the people of Northeast Arnhem Land and the Makassan fishermen of Sulawesi.
To win one of two double passes to the 7.30pm performance on Saturday 6 October simply email studiocompetitions@sydneyoperahouse.com with your name and a contact phone number.
BOOK NOW!
Phone the Sydney Opera House box office on 9250 7777
Sydney Opera House Bookings
A traditional tale with a contemporary edge - not to be missed! |
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