Around Darwin and Lajamanu

Throughout the year, 2005

Our Leaders helped train and teach choreography to our 92 youth performers. Commissioned by the NT Government, Tracks conceived and directed the Main Act. A 30-minute dance spectacular featuring 419 performers aged between 10 and 85 including youth, seniors, cultural dancers and martial artists. A huge celebration of the human energy found within Darwin’s population of diverse cultures. The main themes were: Preparing the Ground, preparing Mind and Body, Cultural Explosion, and Lighting the Universe.

Youth Dance Leaders   

Jessica Rosewarne, Maxi Gonzales Finestone, Marko Taopo, Erwin Fenis.

Performances and Projects

Milpirri - Jessica Rosewarne, with Nick Power. This was the first Milpirri where the strength and hopes of the elders and youth of Lajamanu come together in a powerful performance. Milpirri draws together the oldest and the most recent of Warlpiri Culture in a promise of growth and rejuvenation. It comes from a long term artistic collaboration between Tracks Dance Artists and the People of the Lajamanu Warlpiri community in the North Tanami region. The performance draws on the oldest of the old through Warlpiri Ceremonial styles of dancing, and the newest of the new with hip-hop and contemporary dance for the youth.

27 workshops were held in Dondale Correctional Services - Marko Taopo and Erwin Fenis

Arafura Games Opening Ceremony

Milpirri - Jardiwanpa

Tracks 2005

Artistic Directors: David McMicken and Tim Newth
Company Manager: Sue Mornane
Dance Animateur: Julia Quinn
Bookkeeper: Julie Stark
Development Consultant: Suzanne Fermanis

Committee Members:  Jackie Wurm (Chair), David Taylor (Vice-Chair), Glenn Bernardin (Treasurer), Sonia Brownhill (Secretary/Public Officer), Ken Conway, Donna Quong, Jill MacAndrew (Ordinary Committee Members), David McMicken and Tim Newth (Ex-Officio Members)

Public Fund Trustees: Rev. Steve Orme, Dr Anita Toth, Paul Wan