Tracks Dance Studio, Frog Hollow Centre for the Arts, Darwin City

Throughout year, 2015

Over 60's Dance Troupe and Classes

Tracks believes in dance as a whole of life activity. The Grey Panthers dancing troupe for the over 60's is a prime example of this.

Performances: Seabreeze Festival, 13th National Rural Health Conference Convention Centre, Council Of The Aging Coomalie Region Adelaide River Railway Heritage Precinct, Palmerston Seniors Month Closing Event, Portrait of a Senior Territorian Parliament House, Firemen’s Pensioner Christmas Party Kalymnian Club.

Creative Personnel

Program Leaders: David McMicken, and Kelly Beneforti
Choreographers: David McMicken, and Kelly Beneforti

Program

Seabreeze Festival

May 2nd - Nightcliff. The troupe performed two numbers - Sway (originally choreographed by Julia Quinn, with a new reworking by David McMicken), and then Jump Around, choreographed by Kelly Beneforti. For this entertaining dance they were joined by the Tracks Pop Up Dance Mob

13th National Rural Health Conference 1

Monday May 25- Darwin Convention Centre. Seven Grey Panthers from rural backgrounds performed a remount of Joanna Noonan's work - Swings and Flings, originally choreographed in 2013 for Future Age. This work was presented as an enquiry into their lived experience of rural Territory life. The choreography, and supported film made from still photos of the women both young and older, was based on personal stories of their culture, lifestyles, empowerment and circumstance.

Performed by: Marg Lee, Lillian Mann, Shirley Somers, Judy Markwell, Pam Smith, Jenni Sanderson and Marge Duminski

Presenters: David McMicken and Owen Allen

13th National Rural Health Conference 2

Tuesday May 26 - Darwin Convention Centre. (Attendance by conference delegates only)

As per conference program: This invigorating group is preparing a 1 hour show as part of this conference, to be held in Darwin in May, 2015. They  demonstrate what keeps the batteries going in this group of senior performers as they take us on a journey that evokes the humour, courage and beauty of living in their later years. The Grey Panthers share their wisdom and experience and their willingness to go on learning as they help keep the trees of life blossoming. Old age is not just about wearing purple, knitting, and false teeth. Through these elders we are challenged to live our lives to the fullest.

Joined by a few of their “younger” friends, they take their audience on an intergenerational journey that shows Dance as a whole of life experience, as well as a great activity for the senior. It maintains a level of health and fitness, assisting in counteracting many conditions that come with age and also helps to keep the brain sharp, providing this within a creative environment of socialisation.

Cast: Antonietta Vanzella, Carmel Alderson, Darryl Butler, Diane Lucas, Dianne Mount, Gwen Varney, Jan Hastings, Jenni Sanderson, Judith Allen, Judy Markwell, Judy McKerr, Lillian Mann, Marg Lee, Marge Duminski, Maria Vlastuin, MaryAnn Hinton, Pam Smith, Patricia O'Neill, Shirley Somers, Val Hristova, Zenaida Ballesteros
Friends: David McMicken, Kelly Beneforti, Chloe Lauverjon, Ruttiya McElroy, Leanne Eltagonde, Venaska Chelliah, Tully Doole, Danica Walker, Donna Grossule, Christopher Kocksch, Aallyson Malpartida

Dances: Sway, Fly Me to the Moon, Who Can Say Sweet November (Only Time), Let's Get Physical, Cabaret, Fever, Uptown Funk (Tracks Pop Up Dance Mob),  Ballin' the Jack, One, Librarians, Jump Around (joined by the Tracks Pop Up Dance Mob), 60 Shades of Grey
For More Information

Council Of The Aging (COTA) Coomalie Region Seniors Month

August 7th - Adelaide River Railway Heritage Precinct. Underneath the trees in the rural setting of Adelaide River, the Grey Panthers performed:  Physical, Ballin, Enya, You Dont Own Me (Premier), Sinatra Medley. You Don't Own Me is the first work choreographed by a Grey Panther - Darryl Butler

Palmerston Seniors Month Closing Event

August 23rd - Maulden Primary School. Palmerston Seniors Month final event has become an annual event. With approximately a third of our participants living in Palmerston and the outer regions of Darwin, this is a great place of belonging. Performed was Who Can Say Sweet November and The Sinatra Medley.

Portrait of a Senior Territorian

October 30th - Parliament House. This event would not be the same without the entertainments of Darwin's oldest running Seniors Dance Troupe. Hosted by the Speaker of the House, the dancers performed Ballin the Jack, You Don't Own Me, and Jump Around to a great reception.

Firemen’s Pensioner Christmas Party

December 13th - Kalymnian Club. What a way to end the year - performing for the Firemen's Christmas party with all of our nearest and dearest Seniors. The Annual Party is one of the highlights of the year for a lot of senior Territorians living in and around Darwin. This year we performed You Don't Own Me, Fever, and Shades of Grey (I'm Too Sexy).

Grey Panthers 2015

Antonietta Vanzella, Carmel Alderson, Darryl Butler, Diane Lucas, Dianne Mount, Ellen Hankin, Francisca Kleinebeck, Gwen Varney, Helen Haritos, Jan Hastings, Janine Sutter, Jenni Sanderson, Judith Allen, Judy Markwell, Judy Mckerr, Kay Brown, Lillian Mann, Liz Gammon, Marg Lee, Marge Duminski, Maria Vlastuin, MaryAnn Hinton, Mavis Waddell, Patricia O'Neill, Rosemary Findlay, Shirley Somers, Toni Vine-Bromley, Val Hristova, Zenaida Ballesteros

Sponsors

Dreamedia, Southern Cross TV, Bequest from the Greta Quong estate.

Funding Bodies

Tracks Inc is assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body; and is proudly sponsored by the Northern Territory Government.

Tracks 2015

Artistic Co-Directors: David McMicken and Tim Newth
General Manager: Susan Congreve
Administrator: Clancy Breasley
Production Manager: Kelly Blumberg
Dance Animateur: Kelly Beneforti
Bookkeeper: Heather Van Anholt
Geek in Residence: Jeffrey Withaya Campbell

Committee Members: Michael Grant (Chairperson), Glenn Bernardin, (Treasurer) David Taylor, Ken Conway, Stephanie Cvirn, Mary Durack. David McMicken, Tim Newth, and Susan Congreve (Ex-Officio Members)

Public Fund Trustees: Rev. Steve Orme, Dr Anita Toth, Ippei Okazaki

Patron: His Honour, The Honourable John Hardy OAM, Administrator of the Northern Territory