What is Bangarra Dance Theatre known for?
Bangarra Dance Theatre is one of Australia’s most successful Aboriginal performing arts companies, fusing Aboriginal culture with contemporary dance. Carole Johnson, an African-American arts administrator who came to Australia in 1972, founded Bangarra in 1989.
Who founded Bangarra Dance Theatre?
founder Carole Y. Johnson
We have been making our indelible marks on the Australian theatre landscape for 32 years. We were born in 1989 from the energy of NAISDA (National Aboriginal Islander Skills Development Association) founder Carole Y. Johnson, along with NAISDA graduates, and Rob Bryant and Cheryl Stone.
What is the Aboriginal traditional dance called?
corroboree
The term corroboree is commonly used to refer to Australian Aboriginal dances, although this term has its origins among the people of the Sydney region. In some places, Aboriginal people perform corroborees for tourists.
Where is Aboriginal dance performed?
Ceremonies, or rituals, are still performed in parts of Australia, such as in Arnhem Land and Central Australia, in order to ensure a plentiful supply of plant and animal foods. They contrast in different territories and regions and are an important part of the education of the young.
Where has Bangarra performed?
All have been successful within Australia and some have toured the United States and the United Kingdom. The group also made significant contributions to the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. The company has received the Helpmann Award for Best Ballet or Dance Work a number of times.
Why was Bangarra created?
Johnson, established Bangarra Dance Theatre. The company was forged from a dream to create a world-class dance company that provided “opportunities for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to explore, express and present the identity of Australia’s Indigenous cultures through dance and theatre”.
What happened David Page?
Page died on 28 April 2016 at the age of 55. His family declined to reveal the cause of death. A memorial was held at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre with tributes from Wesley Enoch, Christine Anu, Ursula Yovich and Dan Sultan, before he was buried in a private family ceremony.
What are the characteristics of Aboriginal dance?
Aboriginal Dance Dancing was done with set arm, body and foot movements with a lot of foot stamping. Today this is called “shake a leg”. The best dancers and singers enjoyed wide reputations and high respect. Dances often imitated animals or birds.
What is the purpose of Aboriginal dance?
Storytelling through dance One of the major purposes of traditional Aboriginal dancing was to tell stories, which were passed down through generations. These stories would be about the land, animals, dreamtime, and Aboriginal people.
What happened Russell Page?
Russell Page – acclaimed dancer, choreographer and one of a trinity of talented Aboriginal brothers – has died. He was 34.