Cairns Civic Theatre proudly present Bangarra Dance Theatre's Kinship on Thursday 30 & Friday 31 October 2014.  As part of its 25th anniversary celebrations in 2014, internationally acclaimed Bangarra Dance Theatre will present Kinship, a breathtaking theatrical experience of contemporary dance by award-winning choreographer Stephen Page, at the Cairns Civic Theatre on Thursday 30 October and Friday 31 October 2014.

 
Presented in 2014 as part of the largest ever Australian regional tour conducted by the company, Kinship brings together two of Bangarra’s most loved dance works: Brolga and ID.

Brolga is a creation story inspired by the totemic systems in Australian Aboriginal culture, where every person is assigned a totem related to their clan. Set in
North East Arnhem Land, a young girl ventures out before sunset and finds herself on a brolga feeding ground. As she is challenged by her totemic temptation, she takes us on a journey of exploring relationships between humans and creatures, reflecting on the intrinsic spirituality of the natural world.

ID investigates what it means to be Aboriginal in the 21st century, asking important questions of identity. In a series of dramatic and humorous observations, Stephen Page contemplates human nature in modern society where skin colour can drive perceptions rather than embracing differences.

This bold dance theatre work celebrates the resilience of Australian Aboriginal culture in both its traditional and contemporary forms.

Performing as part of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance ensemble is Bangarra’s artist in residence and respected elder from Yirrkala, North East Arnhem
Land, Kathy Balngayngu Marika. Kathy’s traditional knowledge and spirit is at the heart of Bangarra, informing the skills, culture, language, music and storytelling
that come together to create the company’s distinctive work. Kathy Marika received the Deadly Award for Dancer of the Year in 2011.

Bangarra’s 14 member dance ensemble comes from various Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander regions of Australia. A number of Bangarra’s artists come from northern QLD regions including dancers Elma Kris, Waangenga Blanco, Luke Currie-Richardson and Nicola Sabatino who all share Torres Strait Islander heritage.

Dancer Jasmin Sheppard is also a northern QLD descendant from the Aboriginal people of the Savannah country; the Tagalaka and Kurtijar peoples from Normanton and Croydon in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Ahead of the performances and as part of Bangarra’s community outreach program, the dancers will lead dance workshops to Cairns students including the 2014 QLD Rekindling program participants.  Rekindling is Bangarra’s youth program designed to connect the new indigenous generation to their culture through dance.

In 2014 the program was delivered to over 80 participants in QLD.
Bangarra creates a truly Australian theatrical experience that connects the spirit of traditional culture with our contemporary lives, producing inspiring dance
theatre productions of integrity and excellence that resonate with people throughout Australia and the world. Artistic Director Stephen Page has long been recognised for his phenomenal ability to create milestone productions in the Australian cultural cannon.

“Striking, layered, surprising….absolutely transporting” The Sun Herald
“Beautiful and gut-wrenching” The Age
“A Bangarra hallmark” Courier Mail

BOOKINGS: Ph: 1300 855 835 or online at ticketLiNK.com.au