Tasdance today officially launches its 2017 program, the first program that is completely the work of new Artistic Director, Felicity Bott who has been with the company since late 2015.

Of launching the program, Felicity says “In the national ecology, Tasdance operates from a regional setting to produce and present fully realized innovative Australian contemporary dance, both inbound and outbound from the state of Tasmania. 2017 programme potently reflects that Tasdance exists for professional contemporary dance expression. We are committed to great depth of artistic exploration and discovery for all of the artists we engage – be it for our professional performances or through our dance artist residencies.”

“In 2017”, Felicity says, “There’s a new international partnership with Greek dance company Jukstapoz; fresh dance making from our in-house ‘distillery; statewide touring to an intimate venue near you; festival performances north and south; choreography for a river; dancers-in-residence from other planets (yes, well, this is contemporary dance); and dance mashed with literacy and numeracy to set in motion the cast of thousands in our schools.”

2017 will commence with Greek contemporary dance company, Jukstapoz arriving at Tasdance for phase one of a new multi-year international partnership. This phase will see Tasdance remount Jukstapoz’ exhilarating work Fragile Matter, based on Charlie Chaplin’s The Great Dictator. Fragile Matter will have its Australian premiere in Tasmania as part of Ten Days on the Island in March, having previously played in Hong Kong and Salzburg.

The pure talent of Tasdance’s company dancers will also take centre stage next year through new works collectively titled Brew. Tasdance company dancers will be given free rein in the studio to create, develop and stage the work that has been ‘brewing’ in their minds and bodies, culminating in an intimate performance to be toured to six locations around Tasmania.

Artistic Director Felicity Bott is excited about the quality and talent of the Tasdance company ensemble, many of whom have been with the company for a number of years. Felicity describes them as “jaw-droppingly-good dancers, all of whom commenced their adventure in contemporary dance many years ago and now resemble X-men and X-women – beautiful mutants, every one of them. Our 2017 program really puts them at the forefront – pushing them to continue honing their powers”

Tasdance is also excited to announce their inaugural Indigenous professional dance residency, with Tasmanian Aboriginal dancer Craig Everett. Everett will take his traditional dance practice into contemporary dance territory, mentored by nationally esteemed director and cultural interlocutor Setefano Leilua Tele. “I’m pleased that the first Tasdance Indigenous residency is going to a Tasmanian dance artist.” said Felicity Bott of the residency.

Tasdance will also continue its work in dance education through schools residencies, performances and workshops, and through their in-house dance tuition – Tasdance Studio Classes.

There are many more exciting works, residencies, education projects and workshops happening right throughout the year. For full information, download the 2017 Tasdance program here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/aajpefzvoh72afn/Booklet%20PP%20Tasdance.pdf?dl=0
Jane Forrest