Dead Singers Dance Society 2024
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Join the Dead Singers Dance Society
Love to dance to great music with others?
Back again in 2024 the ever-popular “DSDS” is a 4-week dance course where participants learn a fun and achievable dance routine that celebrates the incredible music of a legendary, dearly departed singer.
Open to all, Society Meetings (dance classes) are held in an inclusive and supportive studio space led by Tracks' experienced teachers. At the end of the course, there will be an optional performance opportunity to show off the dance in front of an audience, or just bust out your new moves, anytime, anywhere.
Anyone can join DSDS, 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.
Course Calendar
Each series is announced via our Tracks E-news. Sign up now to get all the details as they are released!
DSDS #3 Maurice White (Earth, Wind and Fire)
The Dead Singers Dance Society (DSDS) boogied to the vibrant world of Maurice White from Earth, Wind & Fire! With an epic discography, the song possibilities were endless! One of our Society founder's Jenelle Saunders, guided the participants through an playful dance journey, moving to the magical sounds of a true music icon, while celebrating his influence on disco pop culture. The group performed on Halloween night at the Trailor Boat Club as part of the Darwin Fringe Fundraiser.
2 - 23 October
Facilitator: Jenelle Saunders
When: Wednesdays 5.30 - 6.45pm
New and familiar faces are always welcome at the Dead Singers Dance Society, so book a spot, come for a dance, and... GET FUNKY! Be quick, tickets will sell out. 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.
DSDS #2 Bon Scott
10 April - 1 May
Facilitator: Kelly Beneforti
When: Wednesdays 5.30 - 6.45pm
Pop Up Performance: Seabreeze Festival Dance Stage - Saturday 11th May
With each Dead Singers series, we embrace the feeling and style of the artist we are celebrating. DSDS Bon Scott was no different with an infectious rock n roll energy filling the studio. In fist pumping, air-guitar playing, wild rhythmic freedom, we danced through 4 weeks of classes and onto a performance at Seabreeze Festival. Sharing the stage with the fabulous Grey Panthers, the inspiring Tracks youth dancers, and many of Darwin's dance schools and community groups, our Bon Scott routine brought the big, hard rock vibes to this delightful local festival by the sea.
Performers: Flynn, Mandy Trueman, Thevi Chelliah, Melissa Reid, Amanda Ah Toy, Evi Supriyati, Heather Docker, Marian Patterson, Carolyn Knutsen, Kelly Beneforti
DSDS #1 Wonder Women
31 Jan - 21 Feb
Facilitator: Kelly Beneforti
When: Wednesdays 5.30 - 6.45pm
Pop Up Performance: City of Darwin celebrations for International Women's Day - Saturday 2nd March
In the lead up to International Women's Day, we started our year in the Dead Singers Dance Society with an eclectic medley of songs from four incredible female artists - Sridevi, Chrissy Amphlett, Aretha Franklin, and Marie Fredriksson. The studio was buzzing with Society Members catching up and diving in enthusiastically to learn the routine that took us through lightness, a little bit of rage, a lot of rhythm and some heartfelt abandon. A group of 19 fabulous performers came together to share our spectacular dance moves with the crowd at Civic Park, gathered there for the City of Darwin celebrations. Amongst the magnificent trees and the swirls of purple, we danced alongside the Grey Panthers and embraced the energy of the day.
Performers: Christine Watson, Kate Bourchier, Melissa Reid, Cecile Schnitzler, Kate Dixon, Heather Docker, Natalie Kew, Meeta Ramkumar, Jocelyn Nathanael-Walters, Severine Meunier, Gillian Jones, Helen Treacy, Kirsti Abbott, David McMicken, Marian Patterson, Amanda Ah Toy, Anita Lakatos, Natina Demetriou, Kelly Beneforti
Pop Up Performances
Dead Singers Dance Society pop-ups are optional to participants and held in public spaces at the end of each course, enabling the community to celebrate their dancing achievements.
Creative Team
Lead Artists: Kelly Beneforti and Jenelle Saunders
Previous Dead Singers Celebrated
Tina Turner, Olivia Newton-John, John Lennon, Prince, Whitney Houston, George Michael, Donna Summer, Michael Hutchence, Aretha Franklin, Bollywood stars Sri Devi and Rishi Kapoor, TLC Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes, David Bowie, Amy Winehouse, Marie Fredriksson, Elvis Presley, Chrissy Amphlett, Freddie Mercury, Nina Simone
There are currently 200 members of all ages and backgrounds in the Dead Singers Dance Society.
Company Partners
Tracks Inc is proudly sponsored by the Northern Territory Government.
Tracks 2024
Artistic Director: David McMicken
Company Director: Sean Pardy
Associate Artistic Director: Jess Devereux
Production Manager: Duane Preston
Dance Animateurs: Kelly Beneforti & SJ Spillett
Creative Producer: Britt Guy
Administrator: Debbie Micairan & Jocelyn Tribe
Bookkeeper: It Figures
Auditors: AMW Audit
Committee Members: Chairperson: Max Dewa Stretton/David Taylor. Treasurer: Glenn Bernardin. Ordinary Members: Andrea Wicking, David Taylor, Max Stretton, Lachlan Peattie, Rachael Wallis, Anna Lindsay, Venaska Cheliah, Sarah Rennie. Ex-Officio: David McMicken, Sean Pardy
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