This year’s Darwin Festival features a special treat for dance fans – a one-off performance by Ekosdance Company from Indonesia before they head off on a European tour. The festival also includes performances by Darwin’s Tracks Dance and by independent local artists Jess Devereux and Kris Keogh.
Indonesian dancer and choreographer Eko Supriyanto of Ekosdance Company has worked with local men from the tropical paradise of Jailolo in eastern Indonesia’s North Maluku islands to create Cry Jaliolo, a contemporary interpretation of traditional dance, to highlight the plight of a once picturesque tropical paradise now ravaged by environmental degradation. Inspired by the traditional Legu Salai dance from the Sahu tribe and Soya-Soya dance from North Maluku, Cry Jailolo is an expression of hope and optimism. Cry Jailolo gives voice to a remote community and captures the life of their coral reef in dance. Performers glide around the stage in endless patterns evoking the shimmering rhythms of schools of tropical fish and other underwater wonders. Cry Jailolo will be presented at the Playhouse, Darwin Entertainment Centre, 7-8 August.
Tracks Dance will be presenting Last Light, a work which plays tribute to the Darwin sundowner – ending the day outside and watching the sun slip beneath the horizon. Audiences move around Myilly Point Park through the twilight and into the night, surrounded by the parkland setting, the view across the harbour to the Arafura Sea, and the blood red sun hitting the horizon. Last Light’s season is 7-18 August.
Last but not least, dancer Jess Devereux and musician Kris Keogh have joined forces to create Beautiful Noise. Drawing inspiration from the movements and sounds of musical conductors, Theremin players, Balinese Legong dance and soundscapes in natural and man-made environments, this piece explores the “beautiful noise” paradox through experimental choreography. Originally conceived as a “listening party”, Beautiful Noise seeks to compose the space, the audience and the performers into a choreographic sound installation. Beautiful Noise plays Brown's Mart Theatre 15-16 August.
For more information about all works, including bookings, head to www.darwinfestival.org.au