Dance is Bourne in Melbourne

It is always a joy to photograph dance for me, bringing together my two favourite things!

On this occasion I photographed two parts of an upcoming July performance – so you could get to see the full outcome of this wonderful work!! See this link for more information. Also check out my photo of Rain Francis and Simon Storey in Dance Informa magazine as you scroll down the page.

With a theme of ‘Balance’, DanceBourne Arts will soon treat you to a programme of work by three choreographers. I have featured Rain Francis’s work.

I found such amazing shapes taking place in her work and was excited to be there to capture some of that magic unfolding in Rain and Simon’s interactions.

Be sure to see the full piece, it should be a treat!

Meanwhile enjoy a taste test of the creative process….

 

 

‘Whatever You Do, Don’t panic!’

You may remember a dancer I photographed in an earlier blog, Rain Francis.

She has her own dance company Rain and Lucky Dance Theatre. They recently performed at the Short and Sweet Festival in Melbourne.

I was delighted to be asked to take some photos at one of their rehearsals and see the work come together in it’s final stages.

Rain’s dancers, Erynne, Jessica and Hanna worked hard  – and some of these stills capture the incredible work that happens in SECONDS,  in a dance piece.

All the talent and hard yakka that went into this piece, is evident in it’s powerful result. It was inspiring to be present for this convergence of experience with expression.

And the audience must have agreed, as Rain and Lucky Dance Theatre won the People’s Choice Award. Congratulations!!

Here’s a glimpse into a choreographer’s work of art, with the help of 3 dancers.

And if you missed it, you still have a chance to see it at the Variety Gala on Dec 9th! Book now!

Breakdance 110% Abc Open

In collaboration with Michelle Dunn Photography, I have now completed this short doco on Ballarat breakdancer, Jami Blomeley.

This was made for Abc Open’s project called 110%.

If anyone is 110%, Jami is. He lives, breathes, dances, teaches and competes Hip Hop.

He owns and runs Ballarat’s first Hip Hop specialty school, Existdance encouraging all ages to celebrate and enjoy the skills of Hip Hop, Break and other street styles.

Although his own skills are impressive, he also has the patience and passion to nurture beginners.

Jami got into the Top 100 in Australia’s first season of So You Think You Can Dance, but it’s not just about his own career.

He creates events, competitions and battles to give all his students experience and expertise to drive them forward.

See if he doesn’t inspire you!

Thanks to Marc Eiden at Abc Open, for his guidance and patience on this project.

Body Electric Megapixels live!

Body Electric put on another great show in April 2012 at The Palace Theatre, Melbourne.

Ever wondered what goes on backstage at one of these epic performances?

Well see the video below for a glimpse into the preparation of one group…. The Megapixels.

It was  a night of vibrancy. Characters, colour and charisma.

What else would you expect from the Body Electric crew?!

And check out the super cute song on the clip ‘Girl looks like a robot’,  by jjj unearthed group, Tricksters

Dancing forward

You could say that I am back to where I started.

If you have been with me from my first post, you may remember some images of a fabulous dancer/choreographer and teacher, Helena Yuk.

I have just finished hanging a series of artwork featuring Helena, at the Art Gallery of Ballarat.

Dance is often described as a series of snapshots that you are asked to create. Going beyond that, it is also the transition between those snapshot moments that really creates the story and draws us in as an audience.

In this series I wanted to show a sense of the transitions as well as the arrived at places.

I feel as though that’s where half the magic is.

To see the rest of the series, you’d have to swing by the Art Gallery of Ballarat, Victoria!

Leaping for life

It’s a new series about LEAPING FOR LIFE!

It’s about the joy, the hard work, the play and the fun of being a dancer.

And who better to give you a taste test, than dancer/performer Danica Lani.

She can outlast a room full of bouncing children leaping off tables and dancing the night away. I’ve seen it with my own eyes.

She’s a life coach too, so she can guide you in how to get more out of YOU!

So step forward into this lively world with me, it will become an exhibition of shots you have not seen yet!!

Love life.

Rain and Shine

Recently I attended a Choreographic workshop at Chunky Move studios.

There I met a dancer by the name of Rain Francis.

I had an idea for a portrait and after seeing Rain perform in Melenie Crowe’s ‘Duality’, it seemed that she might be just the right person for the shoot.

So as dark as they are, it was Rain’s shine that inspired these images.
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

Body Electric Dance Off 2011

Well you’ve gotta be in it to win it, as they say.

And if you don’t happen to win, you have a hell of a ride getting there. And after-all OTHER people say that it is the journey that counts.

No regrets for these Body Electricians!

These pictures are just a sneak peak at the backstage preparation and fun that goes into the full show that is Body Electric.

‘Fright Night’, Body Electric Dance Off  2011

The Palace Theatre, Bourke St, Melbourne.

180 odd dancers (in more ways than one!)

Sell out show.

Where else would you want to be?

Nowhere.

A dance parade to bade farewell

It’s true, I am working backwards. My last day in New York City involved a colourful and joyous celebration of the love of dance.

2011 New York Dance Parade

This is why I love New York! And if you check out the faces of most of these dancers, you will have a glimpse in to why I love dance!

Thank you NYC for the fabulous send off.

Bodyelectric!….can you feel it?

If you haven’t yet experienced the BODYELECTRIC, it has been known to cause quite a sensation. Led by choreographer and teacher Jade Duffy, 6 to 9 groups of dancers are taken through their paces for a term of priming them for a final competitive performance between the groups.

But the main focus in this arena is fun. There is no shortage of colourful characters, costumes and choreography. It was my own involvement in Bodyelectric that sparked my interest in photographing this unique group of performers. See the Bodyelectric website for some of my previous images of costumed groups.