Dancenorth takes Queensland dance across the nation

Queensland’s only professional regional-based contemporary dance company is set to show its talent to the nation with tomorrow night’s opening (25 Sept) in Townsville of its first national tour of Australia.

Arts Minister Rod Welford said Townsville’s Dancenorth was making a name for itself nationally and internationally.

“Dancenorth will visit nine locations across the country on this inaugural tour, spanning almost 13,000km and exposing thousands of people to their renowned physical style and cutting-edge technique,” Mr Welford said.

“Their touring production, Underground, is an explosive dance-theatre show which explores the landscape of a metropolitan subway during rush hour.

“The tour comes on the back of Dancenorth’s invited residency in Vienna earlier this year at the Impulstanz International Dance Festival.

“Underground incorporates innovative and world-first techniques the dancers perfected in Vienna.”

Mr Welford said Dancenorth was a great example of a company receiving funding under Arts Queensland’s s2m (small to medium) program and successfully responding to program priorities.

“Dancenorth, with a commitment from the Bligh Government for triennial funding from 2008 to 2010, is creating innovative and accessible arts for Queenslanders and demonstrating real artistic and financial growth,” Mr Welford said.

The performance dates for the Underground national tour are: Townsville: 25-27 September; Cairns: 1-3 October; Brisbane: 8-11 October; Lismore: 14-15 October; Bathurst: 18 October; Sydney: 22 Oct-1 Nov; Hobart: 5-8 Nov; Melbourne: 12-15 Nov; Perth: 19-29 Nov.

Underground is toured by Performing Lines for Mobile States, a national touring initiative of the Theatre Board of the Australia Council. It has received support from the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, and through the national performing arts touring program, Playing Australia.

For more information visit www.dancenorth.com.au

Media contact: Marnie Stitz on 3237 1000