The Inaugural Dance Affair

Bundanon Local has delivered high quality experiences to the Shoalhaven community for over a decade. This year, an evaluation report undertaken by consultants Patternmakers found that the program made a positive impact on overall wellbeing to 91% of participants. In 2018-19, the program worked with arts companies to build on the understanding that active participation

in the arts leads to well-being and a strong sense of belonging. Bundanon Local made extraordinary things happen across our region.

B-SIDE

Produced by Urban Theatre Projects

August 2018

‘When is Dreamtime not Dreamtime’ was the proposition put to four young First Nations residents Kaitlen Wellington, Kryton Stewart, Connor MacNamara and Bee Cruse. Broadcaster and journalist Daniel Browning and writer/director Andrea James guided the team through an immersive process of deep listening, known as ‘Gulpa Ngawal’. This intensive mentoring program saw the selected participants walking on Country, writing, recording sounds and reflecting on questions posed by visiting Elder, Uncle Max Harrison. Each artist wrote a short piece in response to the question drawing on personal and cultural stories and then came together to edit and weave each of the pieces into a group work. The result was a powerful

15-minute podcast.

THE INAUGURAL DANCE AFFAIR

Presented by Everybody Now

23 & 24 November 2018

Part theatre performance, part invitation to get up and dance, this was an all ages performance event that immersed everyone in an evening of old time and new

time dance floor magic. The artistic team Ian Pidd, Kate Baggerson and Bec Reid visited the Shoalhaven and researched through local community consultation the history of dance in the Shoalhaven. Taking place in the magnificent art deco School of Arts building in Nowra, this intergenerational project involved over seventy dancers covering everything from ballroom to Irish dancing. A local band formed for the occasion and MC, Ian Pidd, delighted everyone with local anecdotes and historical facts about this joyous and timeless pursuit.