NAISDA Dance College will wind up its week-long End of Year Performance on December 5, following a week of celebration held at the college’s Central Coast Campus on Darkinjung land.
The performance was directed by NAISDA Head of Dance, Deon Hastie, guided by Elder and NAISDA Cultural Artist-in-Residence Uncle Gavi Duncan, and performed by the NAISDA student cohort.
The program featured a week-long celebration of cultural and contemporary dance, physical theatre performance, film screenings, an exhibition remount, community presentations and school workshops.
Centring around the four elements of air, land, water and fire, the program showcased NAISDA Developing Artists’ skills, stories and rich diversity of movement.
Hastie explained the importance of celebrating the students’ creative achievements during a year of significant challenge and change.
“Usually at this time of year our developing artists showcase the strength of their talents as choreographers and dancers on stage in Sydney,” Hastie said.
“Of course, sadly this year we were unable to do this.
“As on so many occasions in 2020, we’ve adapted to change and have grown with our experiences.”
In lieu of a Sydney Season, the director took the opportunity to dance and perform on Darkinjung Land, transforming the celebration into a collection of intimate indoor and outdoor events which engaged Cultural Elders, Community, visual artists and musicians, visiting cultural dance groups, school children and invited audiences.
“The Wunda Yulagi has guided us through this year and grounded us here on Darkinjung Country,” Hastie said.
“This is where we dance, sing and celebrate our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
“Uncle Gavi connected us to Wunda Yulagi which watched over us from our launch Sunrise Ceremony on Monday morning through to our closing Sunset Ceremony on Saturday.”
Featuring choreography by NAISDA’s trainers and artists, the program also comprised visceral and original works by NAISDA developing artists.
Source:
Media release, Nov 27
NAISDA Dance College