Nexus

1.     connection; tie; link
2.     connected series or group
3.     core; centre; focus

Nexus offers a unique opportunity for dancers to celebrate and express who they are and what they have to say. For audiences it’s a rare chance to witness and share in a deeply personal exchange. Connecting styles such as contemporary dance, physical theatre and hip hop with Butoh, Flamenco, circus and puppetry, Nexus features work by leading and emerging dancers.
In two new works devised for the season, Phunktional presents internationally acclaimed Flamenco dancer Tomas Arroquero in Pasodoble; and Circus Oz performer Rockie Stone in Facet. These works, performed as duets with dancers from other styles, collapse the boundaries between movement disciplines and explore the multifaceted and very personal relationships that spring from artistic collaboration.
Jacob Boehme, a Melbourne-born artist of Narangga (Yorke Peninsula, SA) and Kaurna (Adelaide, SA) heritage, presents an excerpt from his contemporary dance and puppetry work-in-progress, Lu’arn, which is based on a traditional Boonwurrung story as told by senior elder, Aunty Carolyn Briggs. While from Queensland comes a short work by students of the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts, exemplifying the centre’s passion to develop new work that connects with Australian Indigenous culture while using a contemporary aesthetic that speaks to the current generation.
Melbourne’s Tony Yap Company, Australia’s leading culturally diverse movement ensemble, presents Lumière, a work that extends upon the company’s aim to develop internationally significant work within a context of contemporary Asian arts practice.
Guest performers include Carlee Mellow presenting an excerpt from Prologue, a work-in-progress that blends original music composition and choreography with movement improvisation.
Devised and curated by Gerard Veltre and Phunktional, audiences are invited into the private worlds of artists to share in the dancers’ passion for exploration and creative expression.

Presented by Phunktional, Midsumma Festival, Yalukit Willam Ngargee and Gasworks

Dates: 3, 4, 5, 6 February
Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
8.30pm
Duration 1 hour
Prices: Full $30, Concession $20, Group 8+ $25