2021 ARTISTIC PROGRAM
MAJOR PRODUCTIONS
A Tracks’ full-length work has a relatively large cast. An engaged community and a diversity of participants are central to the creative process. Site and place are used as fundamental anchors to the work while combining professional creatives and performers with passionate amateurs of different ages and backgrounds. Tracks’ performances celebrate the magical combination of people, their place, and the spirit of that place.
Seasons of Skin and Bark
Darwin Botanical Gardens, Darwin City
In rehearsal - June / August
Performance Season - August 8 - 15
We look at the human connection to the natural world as a thinking intelligent environment. Visitors know that Darwin has a Wet and a Dry Season, but locals are aware of the subtle changes over the year. Tracks will draw on rhizome philosophy, exploring the connection of any point to any other point, the Territory’s geographic location, and the seven seasons locally recognised in the Larrakia country of Darwin.
Milpirri - Yinapaka
Lajamanu, Northern Territory
In development and rehearsal - May and September
Performance Event - September 18
Yinapaka is a significant Warlpiri sacred site. In the Jukurrpa (Ceremonial Law - Dreaming) it is where the birds went to learn to fly. In Warlpiri, the level a bird flies can be related to law and achievement - Yankirri (Emu) the teacher; Winyiwinpa (Spotted Harrier) being a smart hunter; Wirntiki (Stone Curlew) helping others; and Karnka (Crow) strategically working things out.
Milpirri works across the community – from Lajamanu school to organisations from youth to rangers, as well as male and female elders. With up to 100 performers and over 300 audience made up of residents and visitors, this remote performance is a cause for Australian celebration of our 60,000 year dance heritage.
PARTICIPATION PROGRAM
The Tracks Participation Program is about engaging in dance as a whole of life activity and presenting it publicly. This program provides diverse opportunities to be involved in a project at Tracks, including everything from large-scale events to smaller pop-up performances.
The Grey Panthers
Darwin and Batchelor
Classes and performances - February / November
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 as the longest continually running seniors community dance group in Australia.
The group has a weekly class in Darwin and Batchelor and regularly performs in Darwin and surrounding region’s presenting a mixture of repertoire and new works. Classes are now both live and on zoom enabling past Grey Panthers to remain connected, interstate and remote attendance, and for those that staying at home is a safer place to be involved.
Dead Singers Dance Society
Tracks Dance Studio, Darwin City
First 4 Week Course - Feburary
Be a part of Darwin's most 'inclusive', 'exclusive' Dead Singers Dance Society.
In the series of 4-week courses you will learn a fun and achievable dance routine that celebrates the music of a legendary ‘dearly departed’ singer. Society Meetings (dance classes) are held in an inclusive and supportive dance spaces led by experienced teachers
Dead Singers Dance Society performances are optional to participants. They are held at the end of each course enabling the community to celebrate their achievements, and are often held in outdoor public spaces.
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
With no tertiary dance courses in the Northern Territory, there is limited skill development or networking opportunities for our independent artists, or beginners interested in the art of choreography. Tracks’ Development Program seeks to fill this gap. Further support for independent dance practice is through the Space Time Studio Residency program.
Space Time Studio Residency
October 2020 - March 2021 and October 2021 - March 2022
Space Time Studio Residency provides local independent dance or movement artists with access to development time in a studio space, and mentorship from the Tracks staff. Open by Application.
Choreographic Program
Program: March 6th Intensive start course
Showing: May 29/30
The Choreographic Program provides an opportunity for emerging movement artists and dance-makers to explore the mechanics and creative scope of choreography in an artistically rich environment. Open by application
Homebodies
Arts Installation: July 9/10
Developed in 2020 as a COVID safe way to maintain engagement with local independent artists. 'Homebodies' is a collection of solo works that have been created and filmed within the artists’ home environments. It has created a platform for the continuation of artists’ individual development and reflects the diversity of people, ideas, and movement practices that come through Tracks’ Choreographic Program over many years. Homebodies has compelled us to think differently about how we might connect as a dance community.
Fresh Tracks 2021
Sep / Oct - Development
5 - 6 Nov - Performance Season
Fresh Tracks features original choreographic works by local artists working in a range of contemporary dance and movement practices and dealing with a diversity of conceptual and physical ideas.
This year's showings will include new works from choreographers who have been involved within Tracks Choreographic Programs and Space Time Studio Residences.
We3 PERFORMING ARTS ALLIANCE
Through their strategic alliance (We3), Brown’s Mart, Tracks Dance Company and Corrugated Iron Youth Arts wish to publicly recognise and celebrate the value and achievement of the individuals who contribute to the Performing Arts in the Northern Territory.
NT Territory Performing Arts
The next Northern Territory Performing Arts Award Night is scheduled for the end of 2021. We would love to see you there to celebrate our wonderful community and people.
Tracks 2021
Artistic Co-Directors: David McMicken and Tim Newth
Company Director: Adelaide Wood
Administrator: Jo Shearn
Production Manager: Duane Preston
Dance Animateur: Jess Devereux
Bookkeeper: It Figures
Committee Members: Venaska Cheliah (Chairperson), Andrea Wicking (Vice-Chairperson), Glenn Bernardin (Treasurer), David Taylor, Michael Grant, Ken Conway, Max Dewa Stretton, Rachael Wallis. David McMicken, Tim Newth, Adelaide Wood (Ex-Officio Members)
Public Fund Trustees: Maari Gray, Will Crawford, and Lachlan Peattie
Patron: Her Honour the Honourable Vicki O’Halloran AM, Administrator of the Northern Territory