DanceRites : a spectacular weekend of First Nations culture
Image: Jannawi Dance Clan - DanceRites, Sydney Opera House. Image: Daniel Boud
A national celebration of First Nations music, dance and culture will return to the Sydney Opera House this November. DanceRites is Australia’s only dance competition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups, and this year’s event will be its largest on-site iteration since 2015.
The competition will take place over two days and comprise twenty five dance groups. More than 350 performers from over 30 nations and clans across Australia will be present on the Forecourt.
The competing groups include the AFL Cape York Aboriginal Dance Team (Umpila and Djabugay/Yirrgay, QLD), ANPY Central Desert Mob Dancers (Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantatjara and Yankunytjatjara, NT), the Boigu Island Dance Group (Karbay/Baidham, Torres Strait Islands), and more.
Each group will represent their local storytelling and language by performing across two Cultural Dance and Song Cycle categories. Many dancers will be able to participate in a second ‘Wildcard’ dance to showcase their unique styles.
A panel of First Nations dance experts will judge the participating groups on their skills and techniques. The dancers’ engagement with language, culture, skin-markings and traditional instrumentation will also be assessed.
Elma Gada Kris (Wagadagam Kigus, Kai Dangal Buai, Sipingur), Gina Rings (Kokatha Mirning), Matthew Doyle(Muruwari), Peta Strachen (Dharug), and Sani Townson (Koedal, Dhoeybaw, Samu Saibai Island Zenadth Kes) are the five judges on the 2023 panel. Each of these judges has been professionally trained in dance and is passionate about all aspects of storytelling through performance.
Various prizes worth a total of $36,000 will be awarded this year, including group awards for first place and runner-up. A separate prize for the best ‘Wildcard’ dance will be presented to the winner of this category. Two Rites of Passage awards will also acknowledge outstanding contributions to cultural knowledge and practices.
The DanceRites competition will start on Saturday 25 November, with finals on Sunday 26 November. The event is free for all to attend at the Opera House Forecourt, and a sign-up page for more information can be found on the Opera House website. Join hundreds of performers at this powerful festival of traditional customs and contemporary culture.
November 25 & 26
Sydney Opera House Forecourt, Bennelong Point
www.sydneyoperahouse.com/dancerites
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