Dead Singers Dance Society 2021
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Tracks Dance Studio, Harbour View Plaza, Darwin
Love to dance to great music with others?
Join the Dead Singers Dance Society.
During the course, 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 space led by an experienced teacher. At the end of the course, there will be an optional opportunity to show off the dance in front of an audience, or just bust out your new moves, anytime, anywhere.
Anyone can join but numbers are limited for each course. Don't miss out! Only Members truly know what it means to be in the Dead Singers' inner circle.
What you need to know
· The course costs $40, whether you attend 1 class or all.
· You need to sign up before the course starts (places are limited so grab your friends and sign up today).
· The Dead Singers Dance Society is for 18 years or above.
· All are welcome, from no dance experience right up to trained dancers.
· Wear comfy clothes that you can move in
· Dance barefoot or wear dance shoes
2021 Society Gatherings
Dead Singers Dance Society performances are optional to participants and are held in public spaces at the end of each course, enabling the community to celebrate their achievements. The performers' names listed below do not include everyone involved in the course.
Lets Dance - David Bowie
2 - 23 Feb
DSDS kicked off with a bang, honouring the legends! Who better to dance to, than possibly the greatest rockstar of all time? Bowie. Society members performed a joyous and glam-rock-inspired routine, decked out in high fashion at Lucky Bat Cafe in Nightcliff, as part of the joyous closing night celebrations at Accomplice’s Sweat Season.
Choreographer: Jess Devereux
Performers: Marg Lee, Jenelle Saunders, Janet Phillips, Hugh Bond, Jess Devereux, Cassie Ellis, Jemima Saunders, Tim Fitzgerald, Katy Moir, Saskia Strange, Jenny Sanderson
DSDS Extra - Prince, Lisa Left-Eye Lopes, George Michael & Whitney Houston
6 Apr - 4 May
We celebrated the music of the 80s with a mega-mix of amazing artists, re-visiting Prince, Lisa Left Eye, George and Whitney. Society members frocked up and performed at a special Friday night gig at Nightcliff Seabreeze Festival, on the much-loved Dance Stage in Sunset Park.
Choreographer: Jess Devereux
Performers: Jenelle Saunders, Jess Devereux, Saskia Strange, Janet Phillips, Marilynne Kirshbaum, Jay Stevens, Sally Tierney, Teresa Helm
Amy Winehouse
2 - 23 Sep
DSDS celebrated beloved British soul singer Amy Winehouse. With her mix of highly expressive and heart-smouldering vocals, she infused a mix of genres such as rhythm and blues, jazz and soul. Society members were treated to a fun set of dance manoeuvres that embraced her public image, her sass, pride and style with a touch of Broadway flair and playful pizzazz. A pop-up showing at the appropriately atmospheric and cosy Dom’s Bar & Lounge in Nightcliff treated the after-dinner cocktail crowd to a pop-up performance - complete with Amy-inspired wig-wearing and kitted out soul stylin’ dancers.
Choreographer: Jenelle Saunders, assisted by Venaska Cheliah
Performers: Jenny Sanderson, Toni Vine Bromley, Marge Duminski, Teresa Helm, Lucy Found, Kyle Walmsley, Bridget Riggs, Janet Phillips, Marilynne Krishbaum, Venaska Cheliah, Jenelle Saunders
Roxette - Marie Fredriksson
9 - 30 Nov
Rounding out a year of big energy and even bigger dance moves, we celebrated the music of Marie Fredriksson, the much-adored Swedish pop singer from rock duo ROXETTE. With a dance routine abundant with power shoulders, drama and 80s flair, we danced to Listen To Your Heart, Dangerous and The Look. Led by Jess Devereux, the group performed a sunset flash mob at the 'Christmas with a Cause' Eco Market at Cullen Bay.
Choreographer: Jess Devereux
Performers: Piper Mules, Shenagh Gamble, Bridget Riggs, Saskia Strange, Teresa Helm, Katrina Wong, David McMicken, Jenelle Saunders, Jess Devereux, Jenni Sanderson, Toni Vine Bromley, Janet Phillips, Maari Gray
Previous Dead Singers Celebrated
Prince, Whitney Houston, George Michael, Donna Summer, Michael Hutchence, Aretha Franklin, Bollywood stars Sri Devi and Rishi Kapoor, TLC's Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes, David Bowie, Amy Winehouse, Marie Fredriksson.
There are currently 166 members of all ages and backgrounds in the Dead Singers Dance Society.
Company 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 2021
Artistic Co-Directors: David McMicken and Tim Newth
Company Director: Adelaide Wood
Production Manager: Duane Preston
Dance Animateur: Jess Devereux
Administrator: Jo Shearn
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
Photos
Dance Classes
Tuesdays 5:30 - 6:45pm
Venue
Tracks Dance Studio, Darwin
Cost
4-week course costs $40
Responses
“Being part of the Dead Singers Dance Society is a hoot! It's a fun and enjoyable way to learn some dance moves in a sociable, open and welcoming environment while also paying tribute to iconic music stars who've sadly left us.” - Henry Parham (Society Member)
“I had the greatest time with DSDS. Loved the fellow dancers' acceptance of everyone, the music, the choreography that tested my brain constantly, our fun, animated ‘teachers’ and the pleasure after the performance with what I had achieved.” - Jenni Sanderson (Society Member)
"This is the best thing I have done since moving to Darwin." - Sally Tierney (Society Member)