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Multicultural Arts Extravaganza- Friday 19 July 2013

The Community of Morisset PCYC felt the rhythm during 3 toe tapping workshops for the “Multicultural Arts Extravaganza” on 19^th of July – with dance, drums and music.Marie-Claire of ‘Voyage of Irish Dance’ started the event with Irish Step Dancing teaching. She spoke to us a little about the background of Irish Dancing, and had the kids and myself leaping and bounding with steps broken down for us to understand. Benjie Williams of ‘Earthen Rhythm’ held a colourful and dynamic drum workshop. He had the kids and I drumming broken down beats of bass and snare on Djembe drums. We then used hollowed bamboo Jungle Sticks, dancing in circles clapping the sticks on the bamboo poles decorated with feathers, leaves and colourful ribbons. As we took a short break in between, ‘Busy Baking’s cupcakes certainly were popular with the kids! The Bollywood Tutors of ‘Chakra Performing Arts’ class taught us how to portray animals with our hands, Bollywood style dance moves, about different parts of India and how each area told stories of their land in different ways. It was a cultural, educational and physical experience all packaged into one huge ‘Multicultural Arts Extravaganza’. The event ended with kids going home exhausted and happy. Art2264@morissetpcyc is free for participants, however it is expected for attendees of the program to become a member of Morisset PCYC. A once time fee is required for yearly membership: For juniors (under 18), it is $10 - and for 18 and over it is $20. To sign up, people may sign up at the PCYC venues or head online to http://pcyc.org.au/. Report prepared by Bernadette Gambrill.

Voyage of Irish Dance Workshop Photos

Earthen Rhythms African Dance and Drumming Workshop Photos

Chakras Performing Arts Bollywood Dance Workshop photos

Lakes Mail Newspaper Article 18 August 2013

Art2264 2013 August Program

IRISH DANCE ACADEMY

with Voyage Of Irish Dance 4.30pm– 5.30pm

In 2006 principal Marie claire de Wit--‐Beekmans (ODCRN), established the Irish dance academy “Voyage of Irish Dance” by teaching its first class in Morisset, NSW.

Currently classes are conducted in Morisset, Ourimbah, Wallsend and Hamilton, offering dancers the opportunity to perform, compete and do exams. Dancers from as young as age 4 to adults included will be taught traditional group (Ceili--‐pronounce Kaylee) dances, modern figure dances, soft shoe dances and hard shoe dances.

Irish dance is for everybody, it’s fun, social, diverse and challenging, while keeping the Irish traditional culture alive. In the workshop we will explore Irish dance by learning:

1. The basic Irish dance steps

2. An old style traditional Céilí dance

3. A few modern soft shoes steps

4. A few stamping beats in hard shoes work.

We would love to see you there!

Find us on the web: www.voyageofirishdance.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Voyage.of.Irish.Dance

AFRICAN DRUMMING & DANCE

with Earthen Rhythms 5.30pm– 6.30pm

Benjie Williams has trained in West African Drumming and Percussion for more than 14 years. He drums with great joy and high energy, conveying a mix of traditional rhythms fused with modern beats.

He started his own drumming group in 2002 called Earthen Rhythms. Now based in Newcastle NSW he has performed in many venues and festivals in NSW, QLD and overseas. He has worked with many organisations and schools, after hours care groups, universities, children’s groups and charities and performed at numerous festivals and parties.

He is been trained by some of the worlds leading djembe (African drum) masters, Mamady Keita, Epizo Bangoura, Mohamed Bangoura & Sibo Bangoura. His dynamic drumming is married with songs and movement that brings the vibrancy of rhythms to life. For workshops, Benjie’s teaching style reaches into the roots of Africa and provides participants with an uplifting experience that encourages freedom of expression and fun.

BOLLYWOOD DANCE WORKSHOP

with Chakras Performing Arts 6.30– 7.30pm

Chakra Performing Arts will perform an exciting BOLLYWOOD style dance workshop at Morisset PCYC following a colourful dance performance by their talented dance tutors from 6.30pm– 7.30pm.

CHAKRAS PERFORMING ARTS opened its doors in 2010. Based in Newcastle, the core focus is on nurturing and sharing both Indian Classical dance and traditional folklore of India while at the same time providing opportunity for cross cultural collaborations in a creative environment of respect and integrity.

The Academy hosts a range of workshops exposing participants to a variety of artistic experiences, cultural traditions and the divers Indian heritage through the medium of dance.

CHAKRAS has been actively involved in cultural community projects, many fundraising charity events, outreach programmes and stage productions. Always staying true to our motto, “to watch us dance is to hear our hearts speak.”