Street Dance Groups
What sort of Dance Groups?
The National Folk Festival engages several street dance groups as volunteer performers. These can be any sort of traditional dance group that is happy to perform on an asphalt, concrete or paved street surface.
Dancing in the streets is one of the most enduring, cross-cultural, folk customs celebrating the joy of life, found in virtually every major traditional festival across the world. There is no other folk custom which so completely transcends language and cultural barriers and includes people of every age, shape, size and culture. The National Folk Festival is proud to welcome street dance groups to enrich and enliven our festival. Street dancers contribute enormously to the Festival ambiance, enrich the Festival experience for passers-by and expose everyone to a range of the all-year dancing opportunities out there in the community.
Application Due Date?
Performer applications open online from 20th June each year until 20th July.
What are the expectations?
Each group dances four, 30 minute sets in exchange for up to 10 season tickets (with a free camping pass for interstate groups). One of the sets may be scheduled at a 9-10am or 5-6pm slot to a captive and longing-to-be-entertained, ticket queue.
- Groups perform their preferred repertoire.
- Groups dance at a location in one of a number of outside spaces.
- The encouragement of audience involvement is highly valued.
- In 2012, priority goes to Queensland groups.
Ideally, ACT groups would be available for a couple of their times on the Friday and/or Monday (due to interstate groups often having to travel on those days).
Due to audience request, the street dance groups schedule will be published in the Festival Program.
This model provides street dance groups with an opportunity to dance in a busking environment and to play with attracting and engaging passing audience with their dancing. This gig appeals to groups that enjoy getting off the stage, out from behind microphones and up close with their audience. Those groups preferring an indoor or staged performance venue should apply to the formal performance program described on the Performer Application page of the website. Volunteer street dance groups are encouraged to negotiate for a performance spot at one of the gala dances or afternoon tea dances.
How to Apply
To apply for the Street Dance program, please fill in thePerformer Application Form. Make sure you select the box marked Street Dance on page 2 of the Application Form.
Fees
The Festival does not pay fees for the street dance program.
