1994 Grey Panthers

Brown's Mart Community Arts, Darwin City

Throught the year, 1994

In 1994 the Grey Panthers (aged between 50 and 78) looked at how and why women ‘gather’. They created a ‘decrepit’ dance complete with sticks, shawls, handbags and other sundry props. This was a display of stereotypical community attitudes to older women. The dance progressed as they threw off the trappings of age and moved into an abstracted lawn bowls game, showing the energetic fiery nature for which these women are getting a reputation. Finally they displayed their range by letting loose in a rap style dance. These women inspire our community as they refuse to become invisible and believe that if others do not give you a chance, then you have to make your own opportunities.

They were seen in both Open House (2) and Gathering Ground (2) a Bougainvillea Festival Event,  and were guest performers in Bronwyn Calcutt’s Skeleton Woman.

Additional performances took place at the Evergreens Club, University of the Third Age (U3A), Chan Park, Salvation Army and Juninga Christmas Party.

Creative Team

Program Leaders: Sarah Calver, with David McMicken
Guest Tutors: Bronwyn Calcutt
Choreographers: Sarah Calver, David McMicken

Participants

Inger Andersson, Kath Baldwin, Adie Bruce, Audrey Gorring, Glad Morris, Marie Porter, Lila Prochazka, Greta Quong, Frida Staats, Hanna Stamm, Audrey Svara, Pamela Tibbits, Joyce Tickell, and Jean Young Smith

Tracks Dance Collective 1994

Collective Members: Sarah Calver, David McMicken, Tim Newth, Berenice Franklin, Lisa Campbell
Brown’s Mart Community Arts Dance Development Offices: Sarah Calver, David McMicken

[Under Brown's Mart Community Arts – Executive Officer Ken Conway]