'EveryBody Dance' documentary premieres
The inspiring 30-minute documentary follows members of the local disability community who participated in a six-week dance project earlier this year which culminated in a public performance at Ukaria Cultural Centre.
We initiated and funded the project which was a joint collaboration with contemporary dance company Australian Dance Theatre (ADT) and local disability services provider Community Living Australia (CLA).
Council Community Development Officer Egon Loh said it was uplifting to see people cheer on participants, and their support workers, as they arrived for the screening in a stretch Hummer limousine.
“The happiness on everyone’s faces as they got out of the limo makes everything we do for the community worthwhile,” Egon said.
CLA Client Services Manager Sam Trabilsie described the premiere as ‘a special night’ and thanked council for treating participants with the dignity they deserve.
“We appreciate everything Council has done, and the partnership we have, to make initiatives like this a possibility for people who live with a disability to showcase the beautiful and amazing things they can do,” Sam said.
ADT Dance Practitioner Adrianne Semmens, who facilitated the workshops, said ‘Everybody Dance’ celebrated ‘collaboration, self-expression and acknowledgement of place’.
“Exploring movement possibilities and co-creating dance with the participants to then share with the community has been a delight,” Adrianne said.
A highlight for dancer DJ Stone was seeing themselves ‘on the big screen’.
“My Mum, Dad and family came and that made me feel proud – I am proud.”
Council Arts Officer Sally Hardy said she’ll always be proud of being part of ‘EveryBody Dance’.
“Every aspect of this project, from the first workshop through to the gorgeous performance at Ukaria and finally the film premiere, has been pure joy.”
The ‘EveryBody Dance’ documentary was produced and broadcast by Adelaide community television station Channel 44.
It’s also available to view on council’s YouTube channel.
