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Dance groups set for first joint performance

25 July 2008 - The Wagambirra and Yarringan Indigenous dance groups will be giving their first joint public performance on the 28th July at 2.30pm, at Cowra High School.

This is the first collaborative show by the dancers, and the first public performance to arise from the Central-West Aboriginal dance development initiative for Cowra school students.

The Yarringan performance is a new Contemporary Indigenous dance work being developed by Jo Clancy in collaboration with three other dancers. The Yarringan dancers are all NAISDA (National Aboriginal Islander Skills Development Association) graduates and talented emerging artists.

The Yarringan performance is an opportunity for regional Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal dancers and the public to be exposed to a professional performance of this kind.

“”Yarringan” which means like clear water in my language group (Wiradjuri) is the impetus for the first stage creative development of this work. I am surrounded by streams, waterholes and creeks. I am inspired and energised by the rolling mist, the softly falling snow and the gentle rain that falls in my country to make clear water.” – Jo Clancy

Performances by the Wagambirra Dancers will also be on show on the 28th, with new dances arising from the skills acquired in performance and presentation development workshops with Jo Clancy.

The Central-West Aboriginal performance development program currently focuses on three communities. These are Cowra, Wellington and Kelso/Bathurst. It has been supported by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Board of the Australia Council for the Arts.

Each community has access to the expertise of Ms Clancy for at least 4 intense two-day working sessions. Participants explore the fusion of traditional and contemporary movement to create exciting new Contemporary Indigenous Dances.

In Cowra the initiative has been substantially driven by Beatrice Murray, David Newton and Cheryl McAllister, and supported by the school who have already established their own dance and performance programs, such as the Wagambirra group.

The general public are encouraged to attend the performance. Any groups from other schools or communities wishing to attend must book with Cowra High School.

Source: Cowra Times

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