Bangarra Dance Theatre Presents World Premiere Australian National Tour of BLAK, May-July 2013

Internationally acclaimed Bangarra Dance Theatre heads boldly into 2013 with an inspiring and poignant new dance theatre production, Blak.

Tickets for the world premiere season at Arts Centre Melbourne, 3 to 11 May and the Sydney Opera House, 7 to 22 June are now on sale. Tickets are also on sale for limited seasons of the Blak national tour at Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, Wollongong; Canberra Theatre Centre and Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Brisbane.

Choreographed by Bangarra's Artistic Director Stephen Page and emerging choreographer and dancer Daniel Riley McKinley, Blak places culture at the heart of our existence. It reaffirms the powerful experiences of rites of passage for young people as they transition to adulthood. By embracing their responsibilities, these young people become a critical link in the songlines that connect our future with our ancient past. Based on the myriad of stories told by Bangarra's young artists, their personal appreciation for traditional customs and practices drives the central themes of Blak. Culture, language and survival are intrinsically linked in the urban world of changing social behaviours.

2012 was an extremely successful and busy year for Bangarra with 123 performances in 19 cities across Australia and around the world. The company also received numerous awards including Helpmann, Arts Hub and Australian Dance Awards.

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Stephen Page, Bangarra Dance Theatre has built a strong global reputation, touring throughout Australia and performing in New York, Washington, Paris, London, China, Mongolia, Switzerland and Germany. Named NSW Australian of the Year in 2008 and NAIDOC Artist of the Year in 2012, Stephen Page has long been recognised for his efforts to bring cultures together through the performing arts and also for his commitment to developing the next generation of Indigenous storytellers by mentoring emerging artists. Continuing this commitment, Page has commissioned emerging choreographer and dancer Daniel Riley McKinley to work alongside him in creating Bangarra's 2013 production Blak.

Joining Bangarra in 2007, Daniel Riley McKinley has toured and performed nationally and internationally in Clan, True Stories, Mathinna, Fire - A Retrospective, of earth & sky and Spirit. Daniel has been nominated for numerous awards including Dancer of the Year at the Deadly Awards in 2012. In 2010, Daniel made his choreographic debut for Bangarra with the acclaimed work Riley, from the production of earth & sky which was revered for its exceptional technique, strong ensemble work and powerful portrayal of character, story and emotion.

Bangarra Dance Theatre is Australia's premier national Indigenous performing arts company. Under the brilliant and inspirational artistic direction of Stephen Page, Bangarra has strived to maintain the cultural integrity and spirit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tradition, combining it with contemporary expressions of stories, dance and music. Bangarra creates dynamic, moving theatrical experiences and delivers these experiences to audiences across Australia and around the world.

Artistic Director: Stephen Page
Choreography: Stephen Page & Daniel Riley McKinley
Music Composers: David Page & Paul Mac
Set Design: Jacob Nash
Costume Design: Luke Ede
Lighting Design: Matt Cox

BOOKINGS

Melbourne
Arts Centre Melbourne, 3 to 11 May
Bookings HERE or by phone: 1300 182 183
Ticket prices : $29-$89 plus transaction fees

Sydney
Sydney Opera House, 7 to 22 June
Bookings HERE or by phone: 02 9250 7777
Ticket prices : $29-$89 plus transaction fees

Wollongong
Illawarra Performing Arts Centre (IPAC), Wollongong 17 & 18 May
Bookings: merrigong.com.au or by phone: 02 4224 5999
Ticket prices : $41 - $67 plus transaction fees

Canberra
Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra 11 to 13 July 
Bookings: canberratheatrecentre.com.au or by phone: 02 6275 2700
Ticket prices : $40 - $63 plus transaction fees

Brisbane
Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), Brisbane 18 to 27 July
Bookings: qpac.com.au or by phone: 136 246
Ticket prices : $34.50 to $65 plus transaction fees

For more about Bangarra Dance Theatre, visit the website at www.bangarra.com.au, join the group on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Bangarra?, or watch Bangarra on YouTube: www.youtube.com/bangarradancetheatre.

Pictured: Daniel Riley McKinley, Waangenga Blanco. Photo Credit: Greg Barrett.

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