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Dance is an integral part of Australian culture, with a variety of dance styles ranging from traditional Indigenous dances to contemporary western styles. The country's dance scene reflects its diverse cultural influences, from Indigenous ceremonial dances to European-influenced bush dances and ballroom styles. Additionally, Australia has given rise to unique dance forms such as the Melbourne Shuffle and The Waves of Bondi. With a thriving dance culture, Australians continue to embrace and innovate various dance styles, contributing to the country's rich artistic landscape.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dance styles with indigenous origins | Ceremonial dances, Corroboree, Aboriginal dances, Torres Strait Islander dances |
| Dance styles with European origins | Bush dance, Quadrille, Céilidh, Ballet, Ballroom |
| Popular dances with Australian origins | The Nutbush, Waves of Bondi, Melbourne Shuffle, New Vogue |
| Popular dance styles from other countries | Hip-hop, Jazz, Tap, Belly dancing, Contemporary, Folk, Irish, Modern, Swing |
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Ballet
The roots of the Australian Ballet can be traced back to the Borovansky Ballet, a touring repertory company founded in 1940 by Czech dancer Edouard Borovansky. After touring Australia with the Covent Garden Russian Ballet, Borovansky decided to stay and established a ballet school in Melbourne in 1939. This school eventually evolved into the performance group known as the Borovansky Ballet. Following Borovansky's death in 1959, the company faced disbandment in 1961. However, with federal subsidy and the support of organisations like J. C. Williamson Theatres Ltd and the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust, the foundation for a new national ballet company was laid.
In 1962, the Australian Ballet was born, with English-born dancer and teacher Dame Peggy van Praagh as its inaugural artistic director. The company's first performance was Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, staged at Her Majesty's Theatre in Sydney on 2 November 1962. The principal dancers of the inaugural season included Kathleen Gorham, Marilyn Jones, and Garth Welch. Over the years, the Australian Ballet has showcased the talents of principal dancers like Swedish-born Caj Selling and artistic directors such as Sir Robert Helpmann and Maina Gielgud.
Based in Melbourne, the Australian Ballet has a busy performance schedule, presenting approximately 150 to 200 shows annually across Australia and the world. The company's repertoire includes classical ballets and contemporary works by renowned Australian and international choreographers. Regular venues include the Arts Centre Melbourne, Sydney Opera House, Sydney Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre, and Queensland Performing Arts Centre. The Australian Ballet also tours internationally, showcasing their talent on a global stage.
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Ballroom dancing
Australia has a diverse range of dance styles, from traditional Indigenous dances to contemporary Western ones. Ballroom dancing is one of the popular dance styles in the country.
History of Ballroom Dancing
The roots of ballroom dancing can be traced back to 14th-century Spain, where "dancing pairs" or couples would face each other in various formations. Over time, it spread throughout Europe and eventually reached North America during the colonial era.
DanceSport Australia
DanceSport Australia is an organisation that promotes and organises ballroom dancing events and competitions across the country. It has a presence in various states, including New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia.
Other Popular Dance Styles in Australia
In addition to ballroom dancing, Australians enjoy a variety of other dance styles. Traditional Aboriginal Australian dance, closely associated with song, often involves imitating animal actions as a form of storytelling and bringing the Dreamtime to life. Ceremonial dances, including the corroboree, play a vital role in Indigenous cultures, combining dance, song, rituals, and elaborate body decorations.
The Melbourne Shuffle, or Rocking, emerged in the late 1980s in Melbourne's underground rave scene and is characterised by fast heel-and-toe actions. The Nutbush, typically performed to "Nutbush City Limits" by Ike & Tina Turner, became popular in the 1980s and has seen a recent resurgence through TikTok.
Australia also has a renowned classical ballet company, the Australian Ballet, based in Melbourne, which performs classical and contemporary works.
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Indigenous Australian dances
Dance is an integral part of Indigenous Australian culture, with ceremonial dancing playing a particularly important role. These dances vary across different Indigenous communities, but they typically combine dance, song, rituals, and elaborate body decorations and costumes.
The term "corroboree" is commonly used by non-Indigenous Australians to refer to any Aboriginal dance, although it specifically refers to the dance traditions of the people of the Sydney region. Corroborees are performed by Aboriginal people in certain places for tourists. They involve participants expressing themselves through dance, music, and costume to connect with their culture and history.
Indigenous dances are also used in initiation or coming-of-age rituals and play a significant role in marriage ceremonies and the education of Indigenous children. They hold great importance in the preservation and transmission of oral history, particularly for the Torres Strait Islander people, where songs and dances serve as their "literature".
The influence of Indigenous Australian dance traditions has been recognised in the development of contemporary concert dance. Organisations such as the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts (ACPA) and the National Aboriginal Dance Council Australia (NADCA) have been established to promote and protect the cultural rights and intellectual property of Indigenous Australian dancers.
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Melbourne Shuffle
The Melbourne Shuffle, also known as Rocking, is a dance style that emerged in the late 1980s in Melbourne, Australia, from its underground rave music scene. It is a fast heel-and-toe action with a style that matches various types of club music. The dance is improvised and involves "repeatedly shuffling your feet inwards, then outwards, while thrusting your arms up and down, or side to side, in time with the beat". Dancers also perform 360-degree spins, jumps, and slides, and it is often associated with another style of dance called "cutting shapes".
The underlying dance moves involve the T-step, combined with a variation of the running man. Some dancers even sprinkle talcum powder or apply liquid to the floor beneath their feet to help them slide more easily. Those who dance the Shuffle are commonly known as Rockers.
The Melbourne Shuffle has also influenced popular culture. In 2009, the German hard dance group Scooter released the single "J'adore Hardcore", with its music video featuring dancers Pae (Missaghi Peyman) and Sarah Miatt performing the Melbourne shuffle on the streets of Melbourne. Two years later, the American dance duo LMFAO also referenced the shuffle in their hit song "Party Rock Anthem".
The Melbourne Shuffle is an authentic Australian dance style that has gained popularity and recognition, not only in Australia but also internationally, with its energetic and unique moves captivating dancers and audiences alike.
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The Nutbush
The exact origins of the Nutbush dance are unclear, but it is believed to have been developed as a teaching aid in the mid-1970s by the New South Wales Department of Education. It may have been based on the existing Madison dance or evolved from schools' attempts to teach the Madison. The dance is named after Tina Turner's place of birth, and while she never performed it herself, there are similarities between the Nutbush and her dancing with her backup singers (The Ikettes) in the 1970s.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia has a diverse range of dance styles, from traditional Indigenous dances to contemporary western styles. Here are some of the most popular ones:
- Ballet: The Australian Ballet, based in Melbourne, is recognised as one of the world's major ballet companies.
- Ballroom Dancing: This includes popular dances like the Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, and Quickstep.
- Contemporary Dance: This style combines classical, modern, and jazz influences and is known for its emphasis on torso and legwork.
Ceremonial dancing holds great significance in Indigenous Australian cultures and varies across different communities. One well-known term used to refer to Indigenous dances is "corroboree," which originates from the people of the Sydney region. These dances often involve animal imitations to tell stories and are accompanied by songs, rituals, and elaborate body decorations.
Australia has its own unique dance styles that have gained popularity:
- The Melbourne Shuffle (also known as Rocking): This dance emerged in the late 1980s in Melbourne's underground rave music scene and is characterised by fast heel-and-toe actions.
- The Nutbush: This classic Australian line dance is typically performed to the song "Nutbush City Limits" by Ike & Tina Turner.
- New Vogue: Created in the 1930s, it has become an essential part of Australia's ballroom scene.
