Best Dance Performance: Bangarra Dance Theatre

Indigenous performance company Bangarra has won numerous awards including the 2010 Australian Dance award for Outstanding Performance by a Company. Under the leadership of artistic director Stephen Page and the musical direction of his brother David Page, the dance company has explored what it means to be Aboriginal. A good example of its repertoire is the latest show, the thought-provoking Belong now at the Sydney Opera House until August 20. The work includes About by Elma Kris, a piece that involves spirits of the wind as they move through the land and ID by Stephen Page, which explores identity through scenes that include a cheeky depiction of the school-yard amid more sombre presentations of butchery and nature. (Evan Gray) www.bangarra.com.au