Ausdance ACT has announced its 2026 Australian Dance Week program, opening 29 April on International Dance Day and running through to 6 May, with a wide-ranging calendar of events across the ACT and surrounding region.
What began as a modest series of lunchtime performances in 1982 has grown into one of the country’s most expansive Dance Week programs. This year’s offering includes more than 20 events spanning ballet, contemporary, hip hop, folk, dance fitness and inclusive practice, alongside performances, screenings and community gatherings .
Executive Director Dr Cathy Adamek describes the program as reflective of the region’s identity and its place within the broader national dance landscape. “I love how Australian Dance Week celebrates our member studios and artists while intersecting with national dance stories — truly Kamberri, a meeting place,” she said .
The official opening takes place on 29 April with a community picnic atop Mount Ainslie, featuring a Welcome and smoking ceremony led by Aunty Serena, alongside Minister for the Arts Michael Pettersson MLA and special guests. The week also includes a Networking Morning Tea at Gorman Arts Centre, focused on studio teachers and inclusive practice within the sector.
A central highlight of the 2026 program is the return of acclaimed dancer and educator Floeur Alder, whose work has been recognised both nationally and internationally. Adamek said the decision to bring Alder back to ACT audiences was shaped by both her artistic practice and personal connection to the region.
“After seeing the documentary Pointe Dancing on A Knife’s Edge and meeting Floeur Alder and Director Dawn Jackson, I discovered Floeur’s ACT family dance roots and wanted to share her work more widely here. Her story speaks to the healing power of dance to transcend physical limits,” she said .
The documentary Pointe Dancing on A Knife’s Edge will screen in collaboration with the National Film and Sound Archive, followed by a panel discussion exploring dance and healing. Alder will also present a workshop in her Floorebarre technique at Gorman Arts Centre and perform her solo work Djilba: A Moment in Time at Mirramu Creative Arts Centre.
Her connection to Australian dance history is equally significant. The daughter of Lucette Aldous and Alan Alder, Alder continues a lineage that has shaped training in Australia for decades. Adamek notes the opportunity to engage with this legacy as part of the program.
“Don’t miss a chance to learn this embodied tradition,” she said .
Elsewhere in the program, events range from youth-focused initiatives such as Behind the Scenes with Quantum Leap, to community-driven offerings including the Hip Hop Civic Cypher, Folk Dance Canberra’s World Dance Display, and the Elevate School Dance Competition. Inclusive classes and open sessions remain a key focus, with opportunities designed for participants of all ages, abilities and experience levels.
With its emphasis on participation, performance and connection, Australian Dance Week ACT continues to be shaped by its community of artists, teachers and organisations working across the region.
“The program is ‘chockers’ with opportunities for everyone — young and old, mixed ability, professional, pre-professional, and anyone who loves to move or has always wanted to try,” Adamek said .
More information and the full program are available via Ausdance ACT.