Sydney Dance Company return to Alice Springs to celebrate 50 years in a tour to feature local-born dancer, Luke Hayward

Sydney Dance Company bursts to life at the Department of Tourism, Sport and Culture’s Araluen Arts Centre in a formidable triple bill to celebrate their 50th Anniversary as Australia’s leading contemporary dance company.

The Araluen Arts Centre is proud to host the Sydney Dance Company again with three powerful works by Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela, Australian choreographers and performers Gabrielle Nankivell and Melanie Lane.

Bonachela, Nankivell and Lane have pushed the possibilities of contemporary dance and movement, achieving great success as both performers and choreographers, and this is an exciting opportunity for the Central Australian community to see these works.

Sydney Dance Company’s 50th Anniversary Triple Bill kicks off a big year for the company as they reflect on the last five decades, including 250 new choreographic works from 90 Australian and international choreographers performed all over the world.

The Araluen Arts Centre is delighted that this performance will feature Luke Hayward, a dancer born in Alice Springs who received his early training at Central Dance Theatre and Alice Springs Gymnastics.

Hayward has had phenomenal recent success, dancing as a soloist in the Theater Balet Moskva, and this marks his first national tour with Sydney Dance Company. Araluen welcomes him back to his hometown to perform with this legendary Australian company.

Rafael Bonachela’s Cinco, melds five virtuosic dancers, with the award-winning lighting of Damien Cooper and the imagination and skill of fashion designer Bianca Spender to the achingly magnificent String Quartet #2 by celebrated Argentinian composer Alberto Ginastera.

Gabrielle Nankivell’s Neon Aether, transports dancer and viewer to a vibrant yet ethereal place beyond the clouds, while Melanie Lane’s 2017 New Breed smash-hit WOOF presents a post-human world of primal seduction and belonging, driven by a dramatic musical score by acclaimed British electronic artist Clark.

This gripping triple bill premiered in Sydney earlier this year before commencing its national tour, and provides a thrilling opportunity for audiences to see the works of Bonachela, Nankivell and Lane, share the stage for the first time.

Sydney Dance Company’s 50th Anniversary Triple Bill will be live onstage at the Araluen Arts Centre on Wednesday 31 July, 8.00pm.

Image: Rafael Bonachela’s Cinco, Sydney Dance Company. Photo by Don Arnold (Getty Images)