2017 Grey Panthers

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

Throughout year, 2017

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.

Creative Personnel

Program Leaders: David McMicken, and Kelly Beneforti
Guest tutors: Bryn Wackett, Jenelle Saunders
Choreographers: David McMicken, Kelly Beneforti, Darryl Butler

2017 Performances

Caravan – a season of dance held at the Godinmayin Cultural Centre – Katherine.

Nightcliff Seabreeze Festival: for this event the Grey Panthers joined in with several local Nightcliff Schools and general public to perform the 2016 Big Dance in a group of 72, choreography by Akram Khan.

The Biggest Moring Tea - Greek Style. The Grey Panthers performed at the largest fund raising event for Darwin's Biggest Morning Tea - held by the Greek Community at the Greek school. The dances performed were: You Don't Own Me - choreography by Darryl Butler, and Jump - choreography by Kelly Beneforti. The women also modelled garments from Antonella's shop - Frock Me.

Darwin High School Dance Department fund raiser: a performance of Balling the Jack (choreography David McMicken) gave the silver hats another outing.

Council Of The Aging Seniors’ Expo. The troupe graced the performance stage with Ballin’ the Jack, You Don't Own Me, Who Can Remember Sweet November - choreography by Joanna Noonan, Alley Cat – choreography Darryl Butler, and Jump (Choreography Kelly Beneforti).

Durack Gardens Retirement Village Launch. As a perfect match for this new retirement village, the troupe was invited to perform at the launch to entertain and enliven the spaces. Two works were chosen - Who Can Remember Sweet November by Joanna Noonan was performed inside the shared community area with new costumes by Catherine McAlpine, and a new version of the Water Ballet choreographed by David McMicken was performed outside on the terrace beside the pool.

Batchelor Council for the Aging Picnic, Batchelor Park. Alley Cat, Lola, Jump, You Make Me Feel So Young. The group ran a physical warm up for locals, taught the Lola Section for the water, performed and enjoyed a shared luncheon.

You Should Be Dancing - Darwin. Joining past Animateur Jess Devereux, and Bec Reid for this Darwin Festival extravaganza, the Grey Panthers wowed the crowd with their rendition of Jump Around, joined by local break dancer Tricky.

Palmerston and Rural Seniors Fortnight Closing Ceremony – Presented at Woodroffe Primary school, this large group of rural seniors was entertained by our renditions of You Make Me feel so Young, Alley Cat, and Jump.

Darwin Pride Festival Picnic Day – Civic Park Darwin – Once again donning their most colourful swim wear, the Grey Panthers shone like a rainbow performing the Water Ballet.

The 48th Annual Firies Christmas Pensioners Party – Kalymnos Club Marrara. The gangsters took to the stage with Jump and then transformed into tinsel wearing dancers for their new dance If Every day was Like Christmas.

Grey Panthers 2017

Antonietta Vanzella, Barry Thomson, Darryl Butler, Dianne Mount, Ellen Hankin, Filomena De Castro, Francisca Kleinebeck, Gwen Varney, Jan Hastings, Janine Sutter, Jenni Sanderson, Jo Parish, Judith Allen, Judy Markwell, Judy Mckerr, Kathleen Elliott, Lillian Mann, Marg Lee, Marge Duminski, Maria Vlastuin, MaryAnn Hinton, Noelene Trinne, Patricia O'Neill, Shirley Somers, Toni Vine-Bromley, Val Hristova.

Government Partners

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 2017

Artistic Co-Directors: David McMicken and Tim Newth
Company Director: Agnès Michelet/Adelaide Wood
Administrator: Clancy Breasley/Jessica Mellor
Production Manager: Mathew McHugh
Dance Animateur: Kelly Beneforti
Bookkeeper: Noya Chong Wah

Committee Members: Mary Durack (Chairperson), Glenn Bernardin (Treasurer), Michael Grant, David Taylor, Ken Conway, Stephanie Cvirn, Venaska Cheliah. David McMicken, Tim Newth, Adelaide Wood (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