Witness an historical occassion as BlakDance and the Australian Ballet bring together seven of our Aboriginal ballet dancers for the first time in Australian Dance History.
Co-hosted by the inspiring founders of BlakDance, Marilyn MIller, and the Australian Ballet Artistic Director David McAllister, this panel will journey through history, friendship, generosity, and hopes. Immersed in colonialism, these indomitable human beings rose up from the stolen generations, cultural genocide, assimilation policies and missions, forged extraordinary careers as artists, trailblazing pathways for future generations.
Witness this historical event and what they now want to impart on future generations. This panel was the culmination of a dream by Roslyn Watson, to bring all the ballet dancers together.
This historical panel is titled "Aboriginal Ballet Dancers of Australia, Now and Then; Our Forgotten Heroes". Held at the Melbourne City Hall on the 7th May 2017 and kicking off at 6:30pm - 8pm, but get there early to enjoy some tea and sandwiches when the doors open at 6pm.
Speakers include the amazing Mary Miller, Noel Tovey, Roslyn Watson, Lillian Crombie, Damian Smith, Ella Havelka and Evie Ferris. Here's a little about the panelists and conveners...
Mary Miller is a Noongar woman, a descendent of the Yued, Ballardong and Wagyl Kaip Souhtern Noongar people of Western Australia. From the Gnowangerup mission, Mary Miller auditioned for the WA ballet in 1959, becoming the first Aboriginal ballet dancer in Australia.
Noel Tovey AM the first Australian Indigenous Male ballet dancer is also an actor, menotr director and choreographer. In 1961 he had become a principal dance with Sadler's Wells Opera Ballet, London.
Roslyn Watson is an Aboriginal Australian ballet dancer and choreographer of international renown. Born in Brisbane of Biri descent, she has danced with Queensland Ballet, Australian Dance Theatre and Theatre of Harlem.
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