Indigenous dancers from the Blue Mountains will be among those competing in a national dance competition in November.
Madhu Yinaa is a group of Wiradjuri, Darug, Gamilaroi, Ngunnawal and Dharawal women and girls from Cowra, the Blue Mountains and western Sydney who have been dancing together for the past six months in preparation for Dance Rites at the Sydney Opera House on Sunday November 26.
Dance Rites is Australia’s national Indigenous dance competition which aims to ensure important cultural knowledge including language, dance, skin markings and instruments is shared from one generation to the next.
The Dance Rites competition is inspired by Pow Wow Circuit in North America and Canada, and by the Kapa Haka in New Zealand.
The Madhu Yinaa dancers have worked with choreographer and dancer Jo Clancy since 2007 through her dance development programs with the National Aboriginal Islander Skills Development Association Dance College, Arts OutWest and the Wagana Dancers.
They have also worked with Darug Song Woman Jacinta Tobin and Darug Elder Corina Marino to develop their songs and dances for November event.
Dance Rites heats will take place Sunday morning (10am-1pm) with the finals taking place in the evening (5-7pm). The event is free.
For more details visit: https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/events/whats-on/first-nations/2017/Homeground/dance-rites.html
