Melbourne’s Dance Massive is living up to its name. Taking place over 10 days from March 12 to 24, the biennial contemporary dance festival will present no less than 18 productions over 10 days as well as a national dance forum.
Curated by the Dance Massive consortium – Arts House, Dancehouse and Malthouse Theatre, much of the program has been chosen from a national call for submissions, and aims to present a mix of works by established and emerging artists.
Among the established artists is Russell Dumas, who founded his Dance Exchange company in 1976. He is presenting dance for the time being – Southern Exposure, performed by eight dancers. Lucy Guerin Inc will present the Melbourne premiere of her Conversation Piece, while Chunky Move will present 247 Days, the second work for the company by new artistic director Anouk van Dijk. Jo Lloyd, Tracie Bettina Mitchell, Sandra Parker, Antony Hamilton, Larissa McGowan and Stephanie Lake (the inaugural recipient of the Dame Peggy Van Praagh Choreographic Fellowship 2012 and resident director of Lucy Guerin Inc in 2013) are also presenting new works.
The indigenous company Marrugeku is presenting the premiere of Gudirr Gudirr, choreographed Dalisa Pigram, and Lee Serle, the recipient of a Rolex Fellowship in 2010, is premiering his P.O.V. Independent artists Natalie Abbott, Tim Darbyshire, Matthew Day, Ashley Dyer and Atlanta Eke are also featured, while Korean dancer Soo Yeun You and Indigenous dancer Albert David will explore the comparisons between South Korean shamanism and Australian Indigenous culture in [Gu:t].
This is the third outing for Dance Massive, which is hosted by three venues: Arts House, Dance House and the Malthouse Theatre, all in the inner city area. The National Gallery of Victoria is also getting in on the act, and will host WeTubeLive, conceived by Ben Speth, in the Great Hall.
The National Dance Forum is being held in the middle of the festival, from March 15 to 17, and will focus on the question, “Why Dance?”
See www.dancemassive.com.au for the full program. See danceaustralia.com.au for updates on individual shows.
247 Days, Chunky Move. Photo: Stuart Geddes.
Skeleton by Larissa McGowan. Photo: Stuart Geddes.