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The Australian Dance Awards celebrated a night-of-nights in Perth on Saturday 1 September, shining a light on the nation's dance stars.
"Congratulations go to all our 2012 Australian Dance Award winners," enthused Ms Saunders, Director, Ausdance WA and host organisation for the event. "The Awards ceremony is presented in ten categories and this year's winners are outstanding and exceptional."
Nanette Hassall was presented with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for her extraordinary contribution to Australian dance that spans decades.
Bangarra Dance Theatre won Outstanding Performance by a Company for Belong, a performance described as “a powerful and theatrical portrayal of character, story and emotion.”
Daryl Brandwood was awarded Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancerfor his extraordinary artistry, grace and athleticism in HELIX. Together with Barry Moreland, they were presented with the Award for Outstanding Achievement in Independent Dance, also for HELIX.
Natalie Weir, Artistic Director of Expressions Dance Company,was duly acknowledged for her contemporary and dynamic interpretation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet through “innovative story-telling, complex partnering and seamless transitions.” Her award was for Outstanding Achievement in Choreography for R&J.
Elise May received the Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer, for herperformance in R&J, described as brave and memorable, and one that showcased her impressive physical strength.
The award for Services to Dance was presented to Lucinda Sharp for her outstanding work in “changing the culture of elite dance training” through her study of psychology.
Sarah Calver received the Services to Dance Education award for her commitment to fostering dance activity for over 30 years in the Northern Territory.
Outstanding Achievement in Youth or Community Dance was presented to Shaun Parker and Company for The Yard, a performance project described as both transforming and influential.
Bryan Mason and Sophie Hyde crafted the beautiful and moving film, Life in Movement that captured the essence of Tanja Liedtke and her work. They were fittingly presented with the award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance on Film.
Robina Beard OAM, chair of the Selection Panel said "The performance line-up was exceptional and I am sure audiences were enthralled with the evenings showcase of dance, together with the announcement and celebration of the 2012 Australian Dance Award Winners."
Congratulations to winners of the 2012 Australian Dance Awards.
Lifetime Achievement Award Nanette Hassall
Services to Dance Lucinda Sharp
Services to Dance Education Sarah Calver
Outstanding Achievement in Youth or Community Dance Shaun Parker and Company for The Yard
Outstanding Achievement in Choreography Natalie Weir for R&J, Expressions Dance Company
Outstanding Performance by a Company Bangarra Dance Theatre for Belong
Outstanding Achievement in Independent Dance Barry Moreland and Daryl Brandwood for HELIX
Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer Elise May for R&J, Expressions Dance Company
Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer Daryl Brandwood for HELIX
Outstanding Achievement in Dance on Film Bryan Mason & Sophie Hyde for Life in Movement
For more information, about the Awards visit the Australian Dance Awards website.
Nanette Hassall will be named the winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2012 Australian Dance Awards.
This Award honours the achievements of an outstanding senior figure in the Australian dance community who has dedicated at least 40 years to dance as a performer, choreographer, advocate, educator, administrator or visionary.
"Nanette Hassall's contribution to Australian dance has been extraordinary," states Ms Saunders, Director, Ausdance WA. Her career spans decades and she has excelled in many different roles - as performer, choreographer, director and teacher."
After a distinguished career overseas with Merce Cunningham Company and Richard Alston's Strider in London, Ms Hassall returned to Australia and was one of the exciting young choreographers at the 1976 Armidale choreographic seminars, along with Graeme Murphy. With Russell Dumas she formed Dance Exchange where they did some of the earliest practice-based dance research in Australia. Nan then formed Danceworks in Melbourne to encourage younger choreographers and to nurture their talents.
Ms Hassall has choreographed over forty works and is currently the Head of the Dance Department at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts where she continues to employ and nurture young choreographers and to train outstanding dancers who are in demand both in Australia and abroad.
"Ms Hassall's legacy is incalculable," states Ms Saunders.
"It is truly wonderful that she has been honoured in this way and at a time when the Australian Dance Awards are being held in Perth for the first time."
Nanette Hassall will be presented the Award at the Australian Dance Awards ceremony at the Heath Ledger Theatre, State Theatre Centre, Perth on Saturday 1 September 2012.
The Australian Dance Awards presents Awards in ten categories. It is the one night of the year when dance creators, performers, educators and enthusiasts gather together to acknowledge and honour their peers.
All dance-lovers are invited to attend the gala event and tickets can now be purchased through BOCS Ticketing http://www.bocsticketing.com.au/whats-on/1378/australian-dance-awards/.
For more information, about the Awards visit the Ausdance WA website: www.ausdancewa.org.au .
Ends.
Media Contact: Sharon Squires-Hansen 041 8320 165
Community members, get ready to celebrate dance across the country.
Ausdance WA is delighted to announce that the Australian Dance Awards will be live-streamed to major cities across Australia.
After much organising and collaboration, audiences who visit the Perth Cultural Centre, Federation Square in Melbourne and The Concourse in Sydney, on Saturday 1 September, will have the opportunity to be a part of the 2012 Australian Dance Awards celebrations.
The Australian Dance Awards will take place at the Heath Ledger Theatre, State Theatre Centre, Perth on Saturday 1 September 2012 with live-steaming commencing at 7.30pm WST and 9.30pm EST.
It is the very first time that this national event can be viewed simultaneously at major city precincts.
"Although the Awards ceremony is a ticketed event, it is exciting that members of the community will now have the opportunity to be part of this annual event which celebrates the best of dance over the past year," states Ms Saunders, Director, Ausdance WA.
"The performance line-up we have is exceptional and all audiences who attend will not be disappointed."
Dance-lovers are invited to attend the gala event and tickets can now be purchased through BOCS Ticketing.
Ends.
Media Contact: Sharon Squires-Hansen 041 8320 165
Ochre Contemporary Dance Company is now confirmed to perform Treading Lines, which will open the Australian Dance Awards on 1 September 2102.
"The concept of Treading Lines comes from the inspiration of song-lines," states Simon Stewart, Contemporary Indigenous Choreographer and Artistic Project Manager, Ochre Contemporary Dance Company.
"Song-lines are used as navigational systems to identify important aspects of the land to Indigenous people. It is an important part of creation stories or dreaming stories that have been handed down from generation to generation and are still present in the land today."
Treading Lines is represented through a contemporary indigenous dance style of how the physical form moves within the material form. Elastic is used within the piece to create a two-dimensional image of what we see in the landscape and how we move in a contemporary world of streets and maps, which are used as a network of navigational systems.
"I am sure the audience will be absolutely delighted with the performance program of this year's Australian Dance Awards," says Ms Saunders, Director, Ausdance WA.
The Australian Dance Awards presents Awards in ten categories, including the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. It is the one night of the year when dance creators, performers, educators and enthusiasts gather together to acknowledge and honour their peers.
"The Australian Dance Awards, is a not-to-be-missed opportunity for dance lovers to sample some of the best works of the last twelve months," comments Ms Saunders.
"I would encourage members of the community to attend this event as it is the first time the Awards have been held in Perth."
The Awards take place in conjunction with the MoveMe dance festival, which aims to showcase dance during the celebratory week.
Tickets for the Australian Dance Award can now be purchased through BOCS Ticketing http://www.bocsticketing.com.au/whats-on/1378/australian-dance-awards/.
For more information, about the Awards and the MoveMe dance festival, visit the Ausdance WA website: www.ausdancewa.org.au .
Media Contact: Sharon Squires-Hansen 041 8320 165
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