Dancenorth Australia will celebrate four decades of contemporary dance with an immersive new work, A Live Moment, premiering on the opening day of the 2025 North Australian Festival of Arts (NAFA) tonight, 24 September.
In 2025, Dancenorth celebrates its 40th anniversary with A Live Moment, a new work inspired by the Company’s rich legacy. Presented within the historic School of Arts building, Dancenorth’s longtime home, the immersive, choose-your-own-adventure-style experience invites audiences to journey through the space as it comes alive with more than 40 unique light, sound, and performance installations.
Co-Artistic Director Amber Haines says A Live Moment offers a unique opportunity to honour the past while looking ahead to the future, and for audiences to feel genuinely included in the experience.
“Thousands of artists and arts workers have passed through Dancenorth since its inception,” said Haines.
“It’s undeniable that the walls are imbued with the energy of that continual flow of new ideas, artistic expression and creative exchange. A Live Moment is about cultivating all that past energy to create one powerful, present moment of celebration and togetherness,” Haines said.
By engaging local collaborators Wulgurukaba Walkabouts, Aunty Rosalind Sailor, Costa Hagiaglou and Naomi Jean, and several Dancenorth office staff members, the performance extends beyond Dancenorth itself – becoming a reflection of the broader community in which it is deeply embedded.
“The Wulgurukaba Walkabouts and Aunty Ros’ depth of wisdom, spirit, and connection to Gurambilbarra have influenced the work and stirred our cells in profoundly powerful ways,” said Co-
Artistic Director and Co-CEO Kyle Page.
“The work celebrates 40 years of Dancenorth, but also 65,000 years of dancing on this Country. It’s been an honour to co-create the show with local First Nations dancers who we continue to learn from and exchange dance with.
“The unity between ancient and new dance practice is deeply moving; and, really, we’re seeking to unite everyone in the building through the sheer joy and wonder of dance,” Page said.
Member of Wulguruklaba Walkabouts, Ashley Saltner Jnr said the group has built a strong relationship with Dancenorth over a number of years and several projects now.
“A Live Moment is a continuation of sharing a space together, of mutual respect, of open-mindedness and of genuinely wanting to work together,” said Saltner.
“I truly believe we’re leading by example for our community and for the nation to demonstrate what can happen when we work together on meaningful, impactful projects.
“Some of our dancers have never danced beyond their cultural practice, so to be invited to collaborate with Dancenorth full-time for four weeks has been a bit of an eye-opener. It’s been a mutual exchange, and I think that spirit of everyone being equally involved will spill out of the performers and into everyone who comes along.” Saltner said.
Presented as a one-time-only season, audiences are encouraged to experience A Live Moment while they have the chance.
“A Live Moment is a rollicking ride through the archives of Dancenorth. It is a reminder that the present is always informed by the past, and that the future is born from the seeds we sow today,” Page said.
“This show will never tour, and it will never be seen again. It is an ephemeral expression of now, to be shared in this place, at this time, with utter presence and joy,” said Page.
A Live Moment runs 24-27 September at Dancenorth Australia. With the season almost sold out, only a handful of tickets remain. For more information, and to book tickets, visit www.dancenorth.com.au/calendar or www.nafa-tsv.com.au.
Image credit: Dancenorth Australia ‘A Live Moment’ 01 – Sabine Crompton-Ward, Aleeya McFadyen-Rew and Tiana Lung IMAGE Tszar 2025