Dance has been fundamental to human life and culture since the time of our earliest ancestors; a form of self-expression, communication and celebration of life and community.
The arts in community as a performance based model of recovery, supports mental health by providing an opportunity for people to participate in life with meaning and purpose, as a way of reconnecting to self and society with renewed inspiration and identity.
Expressions of interest are welcome, for groups or individuals to participate in co-created therapeutic performance. Also available as an onsite service at organisations supporting mental health for various groups in the community.
This is a shared participatory experience which explores the relationship between inner landscapes of words, feelings, movement, bodies, sense of self and environment. A process of empowerment which involves collaboration from start to finish, in planning, creating, reflecting and performing, makes it a meaningful process for the people involved.
To enquire contact: info@dancetherapymelbourne.au
A selection of community performances and dance rituals inspiring connection, healing, harmony and wellbeing:
Global Water Dances 2023 with Ethnologic Dance Company. Celebrating international languages of dance, ritual and sacred body movement. Promoting awareness and behavioural shift toward solutions for water preservation and conservation. Artistic Director Kathleen Gonzalez Photographer: Alejandra fontecilla Saieh
Ethnologic Dance Company U T E R O Sacred Waters, about the piece: Tribute to the sacred waters of Naarm, to the birth force of all life, and to the Mothers of all times, guided by their waters and for whom its currents aided their flow. All life emerged from the lands uterus through the provision of sacred nourishment and primordial memory, to the gestation of all existences, a gift from the universe. Photographer: Alejandra fontecilla Saieh
Ethnologic Dance Company : U T E R O Choreographic & Artistic Director Kathleen Gonzalez. Dancers: Carolina Snow; Esperenza; Kathleen Gonzalez; Marce Ospina; Meagan Otu. Photographer Alejandra Fontecilla Saieh
As part of PAN-orama PAVILION Festival, Ethnologic Dance Co. Presenting P R I M O R D I A L Artistic Director Kathleen Gonzalez Photographer: Cuerpo Negro
P R I M O R D I A L by Ethnologic Dance Company, Tunjos Y Cantaros, as part of PAN-oramic PAVILION, City of Melbourne's Creative Spaces program, curated by Tony Yap. Dancers: Carolina Snow; Esperenza; Daniela Cordoba; Sara Disegna; Karen Pinaibarra; Marce Ospina; Meagan Otu Photographer: Cuerpo Negro
T U M B I C H U C U E The children of the wind ___ Ancestral Ritual thinking of Nasa People. Music of Nasa Nation from Northeast of Cauca Colombia Musical Interpretation by Chicha y Guarapo Musical Flute Group. Director & Choreographer: Kathleen Gonzalez. 2019
C O R A L - Movement of matter and energy. Inspired by marine body plants, this performance is about the underwater eco systems being Earth's most diverse community of living organisms, raising awareness to ecological preservation. Tunjos y Cantaros Ethnologic Dance Company. Choreographer & Director: Kathleen Gonzalez. 2021. Photo Credit Frankston Arts Centre
T U M B I C H U C U E Musical Arrangement: Omar Romero Sound Production : Sebastian Barahona Fashion Design: Tamara Leacock Dancers: Jeniffer Castillo, Meagan Otu, Laura Varón, Kathleen Gonzalez Director & Choreographer: Kathleen Gonzalez. 2019
W A S S A W U M B A of Melbourne Djembe Buddha's Day & Multicultural Festival 2018
W A S S A W U M B A of Melbourne Djembe Buddha's Day & Multicultural Festival 2019
W A S S A W U M B A of Melbourne Djembe at White Night Festival 2017
A D Z O G B O- A Traditional West African Dance with Kwame Tosuma 2019
W R A P P E D by Hiromi Tango as part of Public Art Melbourne Biennial Lab: What happens now? Curated by Natalie King. Photography Credits: Tatanja Ross, Commissioned by City of Melbourne for Queen Victoria Market, as part of Mebourne Festival 2016
W R A P P E D is a site-responsive collaborative project inspired by the landscape of the Queen Victoria Market when the space is packed up each day and stalls are wrapped in hessian and rope.
W R A P P E D To the artist, Hiromi Tango, this space is reminiscent of the sleeping brain, the subconscious, and genes which carry the memories of the market.
W R A P P E D Exploring the relationship between the wrapped Queen Victoria Market landscape and brain health and development, the artist, in consultation with neuroscientist, Dr. Emma Burrows of the Florey Institute and Psychiatrist, Dr Patricia Jungfer presents an undulating sculpture made from bound fabric that extrudes from a market stall.
