ARAFURA DANCE ASSOCIATION GALA PERFORMANCE Words: LESLEY TANKARD Photos: ESTHER RIKA OUR Arafura Dance Association (ADA) students showed off their talented twinkle-toes recently, for the ADA Gala Performance. The performance was held partly in preparation for the Showcase Australian Dance Championships being held in Darwin on October 6, which 13 ADA dancer will be competing in. The gala dance showcase was on
Sunday September 22 at Nhulunbuy Town Hall, where the students performed all the dances they would be doing in Darwin. The 13 students heading to Darwin are Siena Stubbs, Katelyn Rika, Emily Tankard, Ashley Verrall, Ashleigh Ogg, Denver Shine, Patrick Walker, Tayla Edwards, Tayla Miegel, Milly McDonald, Hayley Dunn, Maddy Slatter and Charlotte Piper. The students are entered in group dances and some taking part in solos, duos
and trios, in all different styles of dance including jazz, hip-hop, classical ballet, contemporary, lyrical, tap, Broadway jazz and Highland. In all, they are entering 38 dance routines, with many students doing over 10 routines each. The students have been preparing very hard over the last three months, with many hours of extra dancing on weekends. All this work culminated in the wonderful gala performance at the Town Hall.
It was a chance to show the community of Nhulunbuy what they have achieved and also to thank them for all their support. The students would like to thank their dance teachers Rachael Wallis, Sharlene Cardilini, Ineke Wallis and Alix Betts for all the extra time and effort they have given in making sure the students are ready for competing in this competition. ADA would also like to thank the community of Nhulunbuy, who always support the students fantastically, and in
particular Esther Rika, Lynne Walker, Maria Slatter, Woolworths, Rachelle Matthews, the Arnhem Club and Gove Peninsula Tennis Club. Showcase Australian Dance Championships are national dance championship with over 20 regional competitions. It is the largest dance competition in Australia. This year is the 20th anniversary season of the championships, and only the second time they have come to Darwin.
DANCERS ON THE DAY: Tayla Edwards, Ineke Wallis, Sharlene Cardilini, Rachel Wallis, Patrick Walker, Denver Shine, Maddy Slatter, Hayley Dunn, Milly McDonald, Ashley Verrell, Emily Tankard, Charlotte Piper, Taylor Miegal, Siena Stubbs, Katelyn Rika and Ashleigh Ogg.
Dancer Katelyn Rika.
A group of dancers lift Ashley Verrall sky-high.
ADA Gala 2013 Artwork created by artist Djarrami Yunupingu.
Maddy Slatter and Hayley Dunn.
Dancers showing-off their talented twinkle-toes.
ALL CLASS AND STYLE: Ashley Verrell, Maddy Slatter, Hayley Dunn, Milly McDonald, Tayla Miegal, Tayla Edwards, Emily Tankard and Ashleigh Ogg.
Dancer Siena Stubbs.
Arafura Times
2 - 8 October 2013 – 17