MUSTER IS BACK

Tasdance and Junction have brought back together our powerhouse choreographic team - Caitlin Comerford, Gabriel Comerford, Bec Jones, Rikki Mace - to dust off our 2020 dancing blues, to get back on the saddle, and get ready for an even bigger and badder MUSTER at Junction 2021. We even invited Adam’s daggy moves back!

Last year 80 community legends danced in the sun and the rain (literally) to bring Launceston to its knees - This year we want 120 of YOU!!!!!!!!!

Emily Sanzaro delighted audiences with her exquisite Johnny Cash, loop peddling score. Look out for what we have in store in 2021.

We have a few other surprises lined but you’ll need to register to find out more.

No matter your age, ability or performance experience MUSTER is for you. All you need is a love for meeting people and being part of something special.

MAPALI - DAWN GATHERING | Ten Days on the Island

Image: Brodie Weeding

Once more, our North West community will unite to celebrate the break of day with mapali – Dawn Gathering. This stirring Welcome to Country will mark the opening of our 2021 Festival as the sun rises over the Burnie foreshore.

Created and narrated by artist and cultural leader David mangenner Gough, mapali – ‘gathering’ – will celebrate our palawa creation story: how moinee, the great creator, made lutruwita/Tasmania.

Movement director Adam Wheeler (Tasdance), music director Yyan Ng (percussionist) and the Goldberg Aberline Studio work with hundreds of local artists, community groups and schools to create a special event bringing together performers from our Tasmanian Aboriginal community and beyond – elders, singers, dancers, drummers and visual artists.

Share the dawn with us. Connect with your lutruwita/Tasmania community as together, we celebrate the spirit of our heart-shaped island.

This is a free event however bookings are required.

This is a smoke-free event.

WHERE DO WE START? | Ten Days on the Island

Image: Mel De Ruyter

A dancer and a musician meet for the first time – over Zoom. Together, they dream up a project that merges their creative visions. Into their microphones they ask: “Where do we start?”

From there, the conversation continues, resulting in a celebration of human connectedness and the joy of live performance from lutruwita/Tasmania’s own Tasdance. Four new duets from four creative collaborations forged during periods of social isolation will premiere in the lush surrounds of the Tamar Valley.

Tasdance performers led by Adam Wheeler have been paired with a drummer, a saxophonist, and a harpist to create an intimate and evocative live performance experience enhanced by the beautiful acoustics of Rowella’s historic wooden hall.

Concept and Curation: Adam Wheeler

Collaborating Artists: Jenni Large, Emily Sanzaro, Amber McCartney, Yyan Ng, Kyall Shanks, Spike Mason, Gabriel Comerford

Lighting Design and Production Management: Chris Jackson

OPEN CALL FOR TASMANIAN ARTISTS

Photo by Gabriel Comerford of Reactor Development 2019

Tasdance is excited to announce an Open Call for Tasmanian based artists to work with the company. We are looking for a Dance Artist for a project in April 2021, and artists for future opportunities. Dancers interested in the April project must be available from mid-late April.

DETAILS
The Open Call will take place on Wednesday January 20th, 1pm-5pm at Tasdance, 197 Wellington St, Launceston. On the day, applicants will work with current Tasdance artists through class, and then improvisational and choreographic tasks.

COVID SAFE PRACTICE - This Open Call will operate under current covid safe guidelines as suggested by the Tasmanian state government. If cancellation of the Open Call occurs due to restrictions, applicants will be notified immediately.

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS: FRIDAY, JANUARY 15th 5PM
Please note that places are limited. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by email on Monday the 18th.

If you have difficulty with online applications, Tasdance will accept a video application in lieu of the online form. If submitting a video application, please include your name, age, relevant training and experience and answer the following questions:

Why do you want to work for Tasdance?

What does the term ‘Collaboration’ mean to you?

Please email a link to your video application to adam@tasdance.com.au

TASDANCE SPRING INTENSIVE

The year 2020 will not stop us from coming together and dancing. We are delighted to launch the Tasdance Spring Intensive dedicated to getting young Tasmanians dancing. Join Artistic Director, Adam Wheeler and special guests for one action packed week of learning skills in: contemporary dance, palawa dance, break, hip hop, improvisation and acro. If you are 14-20 years old and want to learn from some of the country's most experienced dancers and teachers, this is the intensive for you.

DETAILS

Monday 28th of September - Friday 2nd of October (first week of holidays)

10am - 4pm Daily

Tasdance, 197 Wellington Street

$199 for the week

$50 day passes - Timetable out soon and guest teachers announced shortly.

COVID-19 Safety Plan

Tasdance has in action a thorough Covid-19 safety plan.  We are dedicated to keeping our dancers and community safe throughout this uncertain time and please do not hesitate to contact us with further questions.

IT'S TIME TO MUSTER

IT’S TIME TO MUSTER

Tasdance and Junction have brought together a powerhouse of choreographic talent - Caitlin Comerford, Gabe Comerford, Bec Jones, Rikki Mace - to offer Tasmanians a dance event for the ages.

We are on the hunt for 100 local community members to participate in a large scale dance work performed at Prince’s Square to a suped up version of a Johnny Cash classic composed and performed by Emily Sanzaro.

No matter your age, ability or performance experience MUSTER is for you. All you need is a love for meeting people and being part of something special.

KEY DATES:

September 12th - First Muster, meet the creative team and MUSTER cast

September 14th to November 26th - Rehearsals are once a week for 11 weeks

November 27th - MUSTER Stage 1 performance

July to September 2021 - Remount rehearsals

September 2021 - MUSTER Stage 2 performance at Junction Arts Festival

MUSTER will offer special online rehearsals and catch ups with Adam every TUESDAY for those living outside of Launceston who still want to dance with us.

MUSTER will be choreographed and made with you and for you. All are welcome to be part of this massive dance event.

If you have any concerns or require support filling out the registration form, please call 03 6331 6644 or email info@tasdance.com.au

MUSTER couldn’t happen with the generous support of the following people

Graphic Design by Studio Bacon

NEW PRO CLASSES AT TASDANCE

We are so excited to be offering pro class every Monday morning with some of Tassie finest alongside guest artists.

Week one will be with our very own Artistic Director, Adam Wheeler - Time for some Daft Punk, body rolling and floor work.

Mondays | 9:30-11:00 | Entry by Donation

ENROLMENTS FOR TERM 3 ARE NOW OPEN

That’s right folks, ENROLMENTS for Term 3 are now open. 
NEW TIMETABLE!
COVID SAFE!
READY TO DANCE WITH YOU AGAIN!

CONTEMPORARY with KYALL SHANKS

The super gooey, mega robotic moves from the delightful Kyall Shanks are back. 

TUESDAY 23.06.20 | 10am-11am

Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/97642764332?pwd=Q1d6VHpwc0J2K3ZXTEFBVzljeFVDZz09

Password: TDcontemp

WE'RE BACK - ADULTS CLASSES BACK IN THE STUDIO

WE’RE BACK IN THE STUDIO

WEDNESDAY NIGHTS | 7:15-8:15pm

ADULT CONTEMPORARY with RIKKI

THURSDAY NIGHTS | 6:45-7:45pm

ADULT BALLET with ALISON

$16/ $11 card only - TASDANCE 197 WELLINGTON STREET

Pro Contemporary with Jenni Large - Tuesday 02.06.20 | 10am-11am

Image by Amber Haines

PRO CONTEMPORARY CLASS with JENNI LARGE

Join us TUESDAY 02.06.20 | 10am-11am for a Contemporary class with the amazing Jenni Large.

Zoom Contemporary dance class for professionals/tertiary level is designed for practicing in small spaces and will move systematically to warm and integrate the whole body. Class will focus on accessing internal spaciousness and complex co-ordinations with ease, opening the channels between our centre and extremities.

“Lately I am enjoying these thoughts from Nick Strauss-Klien (Feldenkrais teacher)… “The roots of your spine are in your pelvis”… and “you don’t have to succeed to improve”…”

ZOOM LINK: https://zoom.us/j/91651280190?pwd=TXN0Y01CSC9oK09TeUFhd2pHTkNtQT09

Password: TDcontemp

Email shannon@tasdance.com.au for more information.

REACTOR at Mona Foma 2020

Enter - Explore - Choose – Play

Tasdance + Stompin together for the first time to offer a performance experience where you as the audience decide on the action. Stay for as long as you want, interact and make choices for this work to exist.

See video for credits.

Public Program Online Term 2

We may not be able to use our studio but we will keep you moving.

For all of Term 2 we have classes in Contemporary, Hip Hop and Ballet for all ages and its all 100% FREE.

Click on the button below for more info or email shannon@tasdance.com.au

2020 TRIP PROGRAM NOW OPEN

Photo by Gabriel Comerford of Trà Mi Dinh in residence, 2019

TRIP celebrates everything Tasdance, a leading provider of choreographic opportunities; and, celebrates everything Tasmanian, the bespoke state of Australia.

Tasdance has up to 10 weeks to offer artists in 2020 starting from May 11th.

Artists who apply will be assessed by the Artistic Director and the Artistic Advisory Committee on their answers to the questions found in the application form.

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS: FRIDAY, MARCH 6th MIDNIGHT

2020 SECONDMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Pic by Gabby Martin of Declan Galagher from MAKE 2019, facilitated by Jenni Large

2020 Secondment Opportunities NOW OPEN

Have you always wanted to visit Tasdance and spend time in Tasmania?

We have a number of exciting secondment opportunities now on offer. Click on the button below for all the details.

For more information please email info@tasdance.com.au

COLLECTIVE BEHAVIOUR HOBART

COLLECTIVE BEHAVIOUR HAS HIT HOBART AND ITS FREE

Led by Artistic Director Adam Wheeler, this one hour class requires no previous dance experience but rather people who want to enjoy moving without the pressure of learning phrases or routines and with the safety of dancing altogether.

Adam leads a progressive class which allows all movers to move and enjoy moving at the pace that suits them on that particular day. Listen to the instructions provided or offer your own movement ideas to the room.

What are the details:

FOUNDERS ROOM, SALAMANCA ARTS CENTRE || WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 26th || 6pm-7pm

What do bring:

• Clothes you are happy to get sweaty in and can move in

• A water bottle

• An open mind to try something a little bit different, you won’t be disappointed.

Email adam@tasdance.com.au for more information

Collective Behaviour February

COLLECTIVE BEHAVIOUR is back for 2020

Join Artistic Director Adam Wheeler for an hour of improvisational pleasure.

MONDAY 17th FEBRUARY

7:15pm-815pm at Tasdance

All Welcome | No Experience Required | We’ll Get Sweaty

Collective Behaviour December

MAKE 2018 - Image by Adam Wheeler

COLLECTIVE BEHAVIOUR DECEMBER

We are back for one last time for 2019

Monday 9th of December | 7:15-8:15pm | $16/$11

Inclusive improvisation practice

No experience required

MAKE IS BACK with JENNI LARGE

TASDANCE IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THE MAKE CHOREOGRAPHIC INTENSIVE IS BACK. MAKE WILL CREATE A PLATFORM FOR FOCUSED DANCE MAKERS TO SHARE AND EXPLORE CHOREOGRAPHIC PRACTICE.

We are delighted to welcome Jenni Large back to Tasdance to facilitate this year’s choreographic intensive.

Whether you are a recent graduate, dance teacher, expert dance maker or have a keen interest in the process of choreography MAKE will be the opportunity to enhance, challenge and expand your choreographic practice.

Dates: December 9th - 13th
Venue: Tasdance Studio 197 Wellington Street Launceston
Fee: Tasmanian choreographers $90
All interstate and international choreographers $180

Dianne Reid, Mind The Gap Artist in Residence - FREE WORKSHOP & SHOWING

Dianne Reid, Mind The Gap Artist in Residence - FREE WORKSHOP & SHOWING

In partnership with Dance Hub SA through our Mind The Gap Residency Program. Dianne will be spending a week with Tasdance to work on a new project Yesterday’s Skeleton - a self portrait.

Dianne will be running a FREE workshop on Improvisation and Screendance at Tasdance on Friday 25th of October 4pm - 6pm, all welcome!

Following the workshop, Dianne will share her weeks work at Tasdance 6:30pm - 7:30pm. Join us for a wine, some great dance and fantastic dialogue.

Check out more of Dianne’s work here:

Showreel: https://vimeo.com/286308178

Screendance outcomes: https://vimeo.com/121309934 & https://vimeo.com/259447829

Here is a little bit about the Improvisation and Screendance workshop.

This workshop introduces “screendance” as a way to re-imagine and hold onto our dancing. It takes the dance to new locations, enables new perspectives on the body, while simultaneously becoming kinesthetic information entering the body and the imaginative vocabulary. Drawing on visual, tactile and text-based scores to develop improvisational scores and choreographic materials, participants will also experiment with the notion of 'active witnessing'—of moving through the action as audience/viewer, in duet with the dancer. In this way participants are introduced to the notion of the duet of screendance: the relationship of the moving camera and the moving body, looking at the interaction between cinematographer and dancer and how this creates new choreography in a screen context.

 (Recent deliveries: The Moves festival, Moonah Arts Centre, Hobart, 2018; Dancing between two worlds project, Deakin University & Wyndham Shire, Melbourne, 2018; A Woman’s Place, Mornington Peninsula, 2018; Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company Summer School, Utah, 2014)

Here is a little bit about what Dianne will focusing on while at Tasdance

“Yesterday’s Skeleton—a self portrait
—Here lies a burden lifted, under a blanket of fables”

My project will focus on developing recorded materials for a documentary/bio pic—a physical etching on dance as a life practice and life as a dance/screen practice. Through an interrogation of my current practice and a historical unpacking of my dance trajectory, I hope to bring issues of body, sustain/ability, independence and community cooperation to the surface.

Over the week I will gather materials of self-portraiture—filming of scored physical practice, audio recordings of interviews (questions gathered from previous collaborators and/or local community), traversal of the local landscape as camera/viewer, interactions between live body and projected imagery. These materials could be edited into a screendance or “bio pic”, or inform a future live work, or develop into a community project.

I would invite the local community to engage with the process via participation in a screendance & improvisation workshop. This workshop introduces “screendance” as a way to re-imagine and hold onto our dancing. It takes the dance to new locations, enables new perspectives on the body, while simultaneously becoming kinesthetic information entering the body and the imaginative vocabulary. Drawing on visual, tactile and text-based scores to develop improvisational scores and choreographic materials, participants will also experiment with the notion of ‘active witnessing’—of moving through the action as audience/viewer, in duet with the dancer. In this way, participants are introduced to the notion of the duet of screendance: the relationship of the moving camera (viewer) and the moving body.

For the end of the week outcome, I would present an installation of recorded and live materials—a play between performance and projection as a live edit, and opportunities for audience interaction and reflections in the form of live interviews and written exchanges.