Norpa News

Get into the groove

Local young people will discover what it's like to be a professional groover this spring.

NORPA Dance Action is offering a work experience placement for one week in October, Into The Groove 05, which will give girls and boys from years 9, 10 and 11 intensive dance training in a professional dance company setting.

The company will work on a new piece, to be performed at the end of the week, so while lots of dance experience is not needed, commitment, focus and discipline will be essential.

One of the artistic directors for the project will be Michael Hennessy, a former member of the Sydney Dance Company for almost a decade. He taught at NAISDA and is currently the Head of Dance at the Northern Rivers Conservatorium.

Another, Daniella Finkenauer, will be a familiar face (and physique) to locals who have attended NORPA Dance Action events like Aussie Battlers, Big Feet Little Feet, and the Lismore Herb Festival Hip Hop Dance Off.

One important goal of Into the Groove 05 is to give local young people knowledge, skills and most importantly experience of the performing industry, to help them develop career pathways in the arts beyond school.

Artistically, the project aims to create a dance piece with local young people which reflects their interests and their regional identity. 

To get involved, students need to apply through their school's career advisor or work experience coordinator.  They need to submit an application by August 12. Applications will be assessed by NORPA Dance Action. For further information and application forms, phone Emma Newman on 6622 3279 or email emma@norpa.org.au.  There are also more details on line at www.norpa.org.au/danceact.

Events and giveaways

• Get a ticket now to one, two or all three of the shows of NORPA's midwinter Music Weekend, presented in conjunction with Southern Cross University, and be sure of a hot night out. The acts are as diverse and fabulous as our own folk: on Friday July 22, cabaret star Paul Capsis will present Capsis Live; on July 23 Ruby Hunter, Archie Roach and the Australian Art Orchestra present Ruby's Story, a memoir in music of being an Indigenous woman in Australia; and on July 24 world music act H'Sao will fill City Hall with the vibrant cultures of Africa. For tickets phone 6621 5600 or go to www.norpa.org.au.
• As Brisvegas cracked it's carapace of conservatism in the 80s, the Go-Betweens rose in the Oz music scene as part of Queensland's growing indie music scene. The band are coming to Lismore as part of an extended bout of gigging. They will be on at the Star Court Theatre on Friday, August 5. Book on 6621 5600.
• Win a double pass to the Go-Betweens - just name one of their songs. Put the answer on the back of an envelope with your name, address and phone number and slip an Echo masthead inside. Mail it to "I wanna go to the Go-Betweens", NORPA, PO Box 225, Lismore, 2480.