Presented by Metro Arts from 22 May – 1 June, Dance24 serves as a celebration of the transformative power of dance, and is set to ignite inspiration and connection among industry professionals, dancers, and audiences of all ages.

Offering an immersive experience beyond the stage – the festival program includes mainstage performances, interactive workshops, dance classes, engaging discussions, industry networking events and more.

Genevieve Trace, Executive Director of Metro Arts, emphasised the festival’s goal of fostering connections within the dance community:

“Dance24 reflects Metro Arts’ dedication to cultivating Queensland’s up-and-coming dance talent and strengthening connections within Brisbane’s vibrant arts landscape.”

“The festival has been created to provide an opportunity for dancers, choreographers, and the broader arts community to explore, develop professionally, network, and showcase their work. We’re thrilled to introduce this exciting new arts festival to Queensland, made possible with support from Arts Queensland,” Ms Trace said.

Highlighting Australian talent and emerging voices, the mainstage performance program includes the world premieres of two brand-new contemporary works created by up-and-coming dancers Olivia Adams and Amy Zhang.

Delving into the ancestral echoes of Indigenous womanhood, Matriarchs by Olivia Adams is an intimate contemporary dance work that reflects on the lived histories of past generations of First Nations women.

Reflecting on the work, Adams shares, “Dance has been the catalyst for me to connect with my community and was the first step in a long journey of finding security in my Aboriginal identity. I want people to be able to experience the power that dance can have to connect, reconnect, and heal.”

[gameboy], conceived by Amy Zhang, draws inspiration from Japanese game shows and internet culture, offering a unique commentary on competition and endurance.

“In creating this work I was inspired by video game culture – it  struck me how much we reveal about ourselves when we’re in the familiar setting of our homes, hidden behind a character avatar we’ve crafted. In [gameboy] we delve deeper into this phenomenon, exploring the choices we make online versus those we make in real life,” Ms Zhang said of the work.

In addition to the mainstage line-up, Dance24 provides abundant avenues for learning and networking within the dance community.

Renowned local industry leaders Lisa Wilson (Studio1), Nerida Matthaei (Phluxus2 Dance Collective), and Wania Serce (Pink Matter) will contribute their wealth of insight to a panel discussion exploring how to shift dance practice into a viable business; while Ausdance Queensland is set to host a panel focussed on providing greater opportunities for diverse voices and dance styles within the sector.

One-off dance classes tailored for both seasoned dancers and enthusiastic beginners will also run during the festival – providing a unique opportunity to engage with acclaimed performers and teachers.

The dance class program includes Vogue Fem – an exploration of Ballrooms most hyped category led by Joshua Taliani, Heels Choreography with Kim Smit (Mad Dance House), Bollywood Dance with Andrea Lam (Dance Masala), and B-Girl Breakdancing Basics with Leah Clark (Elements Collective).

Thomas E.S. Kelly, co-founder of Karul Projects, is also set to lead a Contemporary Dance Workshop exploring movement, technique, and choreographic processes of contemporary dance and First Nations traditional dance.

Studio1 will also serve as a satellite venue for the festival, hosting two events: Exchange and Sandpit, which focus on the creative development process.

“Dance24 provides an invitation for audiences of all ages to immerse themselves in cutting-edge works, discover new talent, and experience the boundless creativity that thrives right here in Queensland.” Genevieve Trace, Metro Arts.

Dance24 runs at Metro Arts from 22 May – 1 June 2024. Tickets to all events are now available from metroarts.com.au