A-Live Entertainment is proud to present to you the full release of their education department - EVOLVE.

As part of their first phase of development, A-live Entertainment has released 5 different tuition / performance packages specifically designed for dance studios, as well as programs for Primary and High Schools, soon to be released.

We here at A-Live Entertainment want to take this opportunity to give a quick shout out to all the studios/institutions that we have had the pleasure of appearing at including:

L.A. Talent School (Concord)

Harlow School of Dance (Hurstville)

Academy of Performing Arts Macarthur (Macarthur)

P.A.W.S (Penrith)

A-Class Studio (Kurri Kurri)

Auburn Public Primary School

Dance Addict (Cairns)

Julie Ross School of Dance (Coffs Harbour)

Kick Academy of Performing Arts (Menai)

We love you all and can’t wait to come back and see all the evolution you guys have endured!!!!

To all other studio owners and institutions, if it’s a workshop you’re looking for, A-Live Entertainment is the place to go with 5 completely worked workshop options to choose from, available all year round (potentially), just reserve your dates a.s.a.p

Just confirmed, The A-Live Entertainment team are coming to Perth and Talia (So You Think You Can Dance Season 2 Winner) is coming with us!!!
Register now for your spot, as they are limited by sending an email to sean@a-liveentertainment.com.or  Tickets are $200

1. 1 DAY (HALF) WORKSHOP

Teachers + Class Length

- 2 (1&1/2 hrs) or 3 (1 hr) teachers (3 hours tuition)

- Styles covered: Jazz, Hip-Hop, Contemporary, Tap & Breaking

Performance

- 5 min A-Live Entertainment performance (30 min show).

Notes

- Can be squeezed into after school hours.

2. 1 DAY (FULL) WORKSHOP

Teachers & Class length

- 5 teachers, 1 hour classes = 5 hours per group of 30

- Styles covered: Jazz, Hip-Hop, Contemporary, Tap & Breaking

Performance

- 15min A-live Entertainment performance

- 1 hour show length including class performances, autographs and photos

Notes

- Only available on a full day

3. SCHOOL DAY DODGER

Teachers & Class Length

- 3 x 1 hour classes 3 teachers - Day 1, same day 2, day 3 Show. 6 teachers total.

- Ten & 1/2 hours total

Performance

- 15min A-live Entertainment performance

- 1 hour show length including class performances, autographs and photos

Notes

Good for school periods, or a less intensive average sized workshop.

4. EVOLVE (CLASSIC)

Teachers & Classes

- 2 day, 15 hours, 5 teachers 1 and a half hour classes

Performance

- 15min A-live Entertainment performance

- 1 hour show length including class performances, autographs and photos

Notes

- More intensive average sized workshop

5. A-LIVE CAMP

Teachers & Classes

- 5 Day, 40 hours, 6 - 10 teachers

Performance

- 30min A-live Entertainment performance

- 1 and a half hour show length including class performances, autographs and photos

Notes

- Most intensive program available

- Venue will need to be addressed

For more information please send your enquiry to sean@a-liveentertainment.com or bj@a-liveentertainment.com. We hope to see you at your studio very soon and joining forces in making dance EVOLVE!!!!!

www.a-liveentertainment.com

The A-Live Entertainment Team xox

Sean Robinson

sean@a-liveentertainment.com

The JabbaWockeeZ Live in Australia!
JabbaWockeeZ is an all-male dance crew, established in 2003 by Joe Larot, Kevin Brewer and Phil Tayag. The group first gained World-Wide fame by appearing on the MTV hip hop dance reality series “America’s Best Dance Crew” on March 27, 2008, which earned the crew $100,000 and a touring contract. They are known for their intricate, synchronization and precise dances, mime and kabuki-styled theatrics, and for wearing masks and gloves during most of their performances
MELBOURNE
Date: Friday August 28th
Venue: Festival Hall
Contact: www.ticketmaster.com.au
SYDNEY
Date: Saturday August 29th
Venue: The Forum, Entertainment Quarter
Contact: www.moshtix.com.au
Brought to you by Undefeated Ent, Delacruz Ent and in association with MTV Australia. www.undefeated.com.au www.mtv.com.au

Hey guys,

I am in the process of finishing a television show and a movie based on dance…two projects I am putting my heart and soul into. My mission now is to start creating a musical in Japan and then go to whatever is next. I work with a company that wants to help me get my own studio, with the aim of creating new artists for a new entertainment industry.

God bless all those with their hopes and dreams. I have love for my Aussie family.

One Love, Swoop

Represented by Clear Talent Group in LA, Jamal Sims is constantly in demand within the Hip Hop world and may be recently remembered for his role as choreographer in Step Up 2 The Streets. Jamal has worked with the likes of the Jabbawockeez and Madonna and provides insight to Dance Informa!

Whilst Jamal considers Madonna to “know exactly what she wants” and the process in which to get there, it is important to “learn the personality” of the different artists you are working with and the approach they are to take. Jamal says that you are to ensure choreography is “tailored to them” throughout the process.

For an Australian who aspires to become a back-up dancer for performers including Britney Spears, Jamal encourages dancers to “train with choreographers” whose style you are interested in. As the audition process in the States may appear to be quite foreign at first, Jamal suggests coming to America and seeking training at institutions including Edge and Millennium Dance Complex. This will allow you to become accustomed to the different styles choreographers are after. With teachers providing industry experience in the States, Jamal says you can “never have too much information” and be “open to the repertoire of styles” on offer.

Jamal Sims is currently working on the third installment of Step Up. Check out his impressive CV below!

http://www.cleartalentgroup.com/pdf/JAMAL%20SIMS%20Chor%20Res.pdf

Expressions Dance Company will soon reveal its latest triple bill performance The Dance Makers to dance enthusiasts when it debuts in August at the Judith Wright Centre.

The Dance Makers is a collection of three evocative, individual creations by talented choreographers Timothy Brown, Vanessa Mafé and Natalie Weir.

Expressions Dance Company’s six dancers will take the stage to perform the ensemble creations – Message Me, Skin Graft and The House Project.

Message Me, created by Timothy Brown, is a poignant and poetic exploration of the age of technology. The dance focuses on the prevalence of messages and communication in the world today.

Vanessa Mafé’s multi-layered visual work Skin Graft is reminiscent of a dream and takes the audience through a succession of images using the dancers’ alluring movements within their surrounds.

The House Project is an emotional and visually stunning dance by Expressions Dance Company’s Artistic Director Natalie Weir. It focuses on the memories and feelings that people carry throughout their lives.

The Brisbane season of The Dance Makers will run from 27 August to 5 September. The collection of three performances will also tour regional Queensland from 17 to 31 October.

The Dance Makers performance dates - Brisbane:

Date:                Thursday 27 August – Saturday 5 September 2009

Venue:              Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts

Times:              11:30am, 6:30pm and 8pm

Bookings:          Call 07 3872 9000

Cost:                From $20

www.judithwrightcentre.com.au

Three exciting young Ballet dancers, Lachlan Monaghan, Serena Green and Kimberleigh Cowly from The McDonald College, North Strathfield competed in the finals of The McDonald’s Ballet Scholarships held on Sunday night at the Sydney Opera House.

Sixteen-year-old Monaghan was crowned the Winner and joined a celebrated list of Eisteddfod winners including the renowned Ballerina Marilyn Jones, Elaine Fifield later a principal with the Royal Ballet and Kathleen Gorham a star of the Borovansky Ballet.

In an electric atmosphere, Monaghan dancing Don Quixote, out danced a highly talented and competitive field of seven other finalists to thrill the audience with his precise movements and classical style consolidating his winning position.

Serena Green also sixteen was awarded the 2^nd Scholarship reinforcing her position, along with Monaghan, as one of Australia’s most promising young Ballet dancers.

Among a record number of 153 entrants from all over Australia and New Zealand Monaghan, Green and Cowly excelled from the first round gaining the Judges attention and dancing themselves into the finals with style and grace.

The 3 talented dancers study under the direction of Josephine Jason and Allan Cross at the Australian International Ballet Academy (AIBA) at The McDonald College, North Strathfield and they all dance with the Premier State Ballet (PSB) a unique Youth Ballet Company.

Josephine Jason said, “This is very rare for one College to produce the Winner, 2nd Scholarship plus a Finalist in an Eisteddfod of this calibre and the results are a testament to the hours of practice each one of them had put into their performances”.

“The outcome demonstrates an excellent example of the ability of the Australian International Ballet Academy to produce outstanding dancers.” Ms. Jason continued.

The McDonald’s Ballet Scholarships provide the most valuable and prestigious awards in the southern hemisphere to encourage students in the study of the art of ballet.  Both Winners will have the opportunity to attend classes with Ballet Companies in Australia and the UK.

The McDonald College is an independent co-educational, non-denominational day and boarding school from Preparatory to Year 12, specializing in providing a performing arts program that supplements the academic program. Open Day September 4 from 10am-noon.  For details, www.mcdonald.nsw.edu.au

Dance legend Merce Cunningham passed away today in New York at the age of 90 from natural causes.

Recognised for his choreographic pieces with his company, The Merce Cunningham Dance Company, Merce revolutionised the world of modern dance. With such an extraordinary life played out on stage, this dance legend performed right through his 80s. His contribution to dance will continue through history with the forming of The Living Legacy Plan, in which his company will undertake a two year tour with a final performance in New York.

From all at Dance Informa we celebrate the works and talent of this artistic genius.

http://www.merce.org/ 

June 8^th
BMW Edge, Melbourne

By Deborah Searle

Melbourne’s BMW Edge had a busy weekend from June 6th to 8th, with the Australian Dance Awards Expo, plus the world premiere of Look Left’s first work, Petrouchka’s Nightmare.

Upon meeting the company’s directors Adrain Dimitrievitch and Robert Kelly at Dance Expo, I was invited to attend Look Left’s opening night, interested to see what this new dance and theatre company had to offer.

Always excited about the emergence of new companies providing work for Australian dancers, I took my seat with great expectation. I was not to know that I was going to laugh the night away. Petrouchka’s Nightmare is a very comical and quirky work, and not quite what I expected.

Look Left has brought together trained ballet dancers, circus performers, a hula-hooping contortionist, and a multi-talented live musician for the production. A narrative piece, Petrouchka’s Nightmare is a modern interpretation of the Michel Fokine classic ballet Petrouchka. The new work continues on from the original story, exploring Petrouchka the puppet’s life after he is abandoned by the ballet.

In a funny twist of fate, Petrouchka, played by clown and circus artist Skye Gellman, finds himself travelling from an antique market in France to Australia where the tale becomes a celebration of Melbourne’s culture, history and unique sights. A comical Brighton Beach scene unfolds, with a fun and energetic beach party dance. There is an AFL football game , the Melbourne Cup and even Ned Kelly!

The music throughout the work is varied, combining Stravinsky’s original scores written for Petrouchka with traditional Australian, French and gypsy music. Live performances by the company’s Musical Director Brian Cousins are a highlight, as he plays the piano, accordion, harmonium and even the bagpipes! Throughout the performance Cousins changes costume to fit the scenes, and is very entertaining. Cousins is not just the musician, but a character in the work with a great stage presence.

The dancers are all talented and quite strong. The choreography is a mix between musical theatre, ballet and jazz. It felt a strange combination at times, but a great deal of fun. The work seemed enjoyed by all and the dancers stayed true to their ever changing characters. I am sure these dancers never thought they would play footballers, beach babes, funeral mourners and outlaws in the same work! The dancers are all ballet trained, with the addition of Jacinta Rohan who joined in the dancing but is stronger as a circus performer, showing feats of flexibility and amazing hula hoop work. Dancers Rachel Decorte and Kate Fitzgerald were stand out performers. Rachel displayed very strong technique whilst Kate, a graduate of VCA and Dance World Studios showed striking dynamics and performance quality.

Entertainers Vaughan Curtis and Joshua Hoare joined the cast, playing an assortment of lead male roles. Vaughan is a strong acrobat and circus performer, and very comical. He committed to his characters and was enjoyable to watch. Joshua Hoare acted, danced and performed tricks as a multi-trained physical performer. Skye Gellmann, as Petrouchka, is a very convincing puppet and entertaining performer. He seemed a perfect fit for the role.

Petrouchka’s Nightmare has a crazy storyline, including several counts of murder, a horse race and military funeral. It is unique, to say the least. It was not what I expected but it was a fun mix of dance, theatre and the circus arts, all celebrating the city of Melbourne. I would definitely recommend the work to young audiences as the combination of acrobatics with dance and theatre would appeal to children greatly. As the work does not rely on backdrops, flashing lighting and staging, Petrouchka’s Nightmare would be a perfect work to tour to schools and regional communities and would be well embraced. An ambitious work, I congratulate Look Left on breaking the boundaries between dance, theatre and the circus arts and I hope to see them push the envelope further in the future.

See Petrouchka’s Nightmare in its second season

Date:July 25^th-27^th & 29^th
Time: 8pm
Venue:BMW Edge, Federation Square Melbourne
Tickets at the door!

Dear Dance Informa subscribers!

Well -since it is officially half way through the year already…..eek scary…where did it go?! I figured it was time I wrote to Dance Informa to get the word out about some of our forthcoming projects…

During August, we will be producing well-known Musical Theatre choreographer and performer Veronica Beattie for a cabaret season of WHAT IS JAZZ. Packed with high energy routines, the show will highlight the latest dance trends direct from Broadway and feature some Sydney’s hottest dancers including Veronica Beattie (Guys+Dolls, Candy Man, Moulin Rouge and The Boy from Oz) So You Think You Can Dance Top 100 star Sally Hare, Guys+Dolls star Jordan Pollard, Bootmen’s Shannon Rizzo and spunky Mashum Liberta; AND a live band with two dynamic vocalists Natalie Grace and Steve Hudson. What is Jazz will debut August 14 and 28 at Riverside Theatres, Parramatta and is performed cabaret style within the intimate setting of Rafferty’s Theatre. WHAT IS JAZZ celebrates the movement and music of the most iconic and popular jazz eras and will feature a multitude of dance genres including theatre jazz, tap, lyrical, adagio and cha-cha.

Hope to see some familiar faces in the audiences, as this will be a great way to stamp out the last of winter and support some of Sydney’s finest musical theatre talent! For tickets hit http://www.riversideparramatta.com.au

AND for all those budding young chorographers aged 21/under-it’s your turn to showcase your choreographic talent to the Sydney dance industry…

Western Sydney Dance Action and Riverside Theatres in association with Short +Sweet present

ENTRIES NOW OPEN!

CALLING ALL YOUNG CHOREOGRAPHERS!!!

READ BELOW FOR HOW TO APPLY……

FAST+FRESH DANCE is returning in November 2009 and Western Sydney Dance Action invites all young choreographers and dancer to get involved.

Western Sydney Dance Action and Riverside Theatres, in association with Short+Sweet are proud to present Sydney’s only youth dance festival aimed at showcasing the talent of young and emerging choreographers and dancers aged 21/under. The season will present over twenty dance works choreographed and performed by emerging young artists.

A recent edition to the Short + Sweet dynasty of festivals, FAST+FRESH DANCE presents short, new and innovative dance works, up to five minutes in length, by the dance industry’s upcoming talent. Each performance will go through one of four rounds of Heats, which will be judged nightly by a panel of industry professionals. The heat winners will present their works as part at the Gala Final on Saturday 20 November 2009.

For more information www.wsda.org.au.

 Perform! Choreograph! Get involved and start creating….Apply now!

See you at Riverside! J

Olivia

Western Sydney Dance Action

Director

Watch these videos for all the details and get dancing!

http://www.youtube.com/sydneyoperahouse