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  • 31/03/2022

    Kyle Walmsley is our new Artist In Residence at Tracks. We caught up with him recently to pick his brain to find out a little bit more about how he feels about: Tracks, Darwin, mentors and power tools..! 

    Thanks for joining me. You applied for a Creative Fellowship and Arts Residency under the NT Arts and Culture grant program with Tracks. What is it about Tracks that inspired you for this residency?

    I've only had few interactions with Tracks through some programs, like Dead Singers Dance Society, Choreolab, or Space Time Residency. Even though in the scheme of Tracks, they're tiny pebbles in the ocean, they've been really significant experiences for me on my art practice. My background is theatre and I guess my identity as a practitioner is theatre. So it's actually quite surprising how significant an impact Tracks has had. As I thought about applying for the residency through the Arts NT program, I was keen to try and step into some beginning journey of being an arts leader in Darwin or learning more from the art leaders of Darwin. 

    With a theatre background and you've been involved with companies like Browns Mart and Corrugated Iron here in Darwin, as a local artist myself, I'm curious, how has Darwin influenced your creative practice?

    It really has! In a non naff way it has shaped me as an artist, because of so many reasons. Networking (whatever that means) is something that makes me feel ill and I don't want to do [it] and I feel like, you don't have to do it in Darwin because just living in Darwin is networking. It's just such a weird, great, interesting, bizarre melting pot of all levels of industry together. 

    So I think, how it shaped me is it's kept me humble, and hasn't allowed me to be too precious about art practice and feeling like I'm on some pedestal or better than anyone else. And I feel like it's just the kind of collaborations and opportunities that have been given here, I would never have been given or maybe if I had, if I was down south, I may have had access to them, but it would take maybe three times as long to be exposed to the same interesting, amazing kind of diverse array of artists and platforms. The communities are smaller, but a little bit more blended and less isolated, than maybe elsewhere.

    Yeah. I imagine for me, at least it keeps you a lot more grounded as well. Which leads into my next question. I believe elders and mentors are really important, to keep you grounded for professional and personal development. What are your thoughts on mentoring? And have you had any mentors and how they impacted your life?

    I would say, Sean Pardy, former Artistic Director of Browns Mart has definitely been a mentor to me, [he is] someone who is a champion of giving people a chance and allowing them to flourish, or fail as well as needed, but to ultimately learn and grow. I'm forever grateful to him for he's unequivocal kind of ‘have a go’. 

    The other person that comes to mind for me is Kate Weibel, who's a local theatre-maker, writer, director, performer, and is someone who I've been a part of processes that Kate has produced and have also been lucky enough to yet perform alongside Kate and have a really lovely moment was being able to direct her in something in 2020, at Browns Mart. 

    Lastly, curveball question. If you had to be a power tool, which one would you be and why? So for example, I would be a whipper snipper because it's whippy, it's snappy, and it keeps things neat.

    And do you feel like you are a whipper snipper or you aim to be a whipper snipper?

    I think there's just qualities about a whipper snipper that I relate to. 

    Okay. Okay. Okay. So I think an electric sander. It's because sometimes I think I don't have any ideas. I've never thought of an original idea in my life and I have nothing to offer. But what I sometimes think I'm good at is just a little helping smooth some things around the edges. I reckon I might not know how to like jackhammer something in, but I think I'm helpful in working with other power tools.

    Buffing out the rough.

    Yeah and I'm really buff.

    Thank you so much, Kyle. Amazing interview.

  • 23/02/2022

    We’re over the moon to be welcoming two new staff to Tracks!

    Stephanie Spillett as Dance Animateur, and Mikaela Earnshaw as Administrator.

    Both of these wonderful humans bring a wealth of experience, passion, and expertise to the company, we’re thrilled to have them on board.

  • 09/11/2021

    Tracks wins 'best experimental film'  for Hombodies at the 2021 Fist Full of Films Festival Awards Night.
    The award was excepted by Duane Preston and Jess Devereux on Saturday 6th November at the Deck Chair Cinema.

    The award was supported by Darwin Visual Arts Gallery, as a result their multimedia gallery space was awarded to Tracks to show the Homebodies film during the gallery's members exhibition.

    The Gallery Installation includes the winning film, accompanied by the six films of each of the duet pairings.

    Darwin Visual Arts - Opens Friday, 26 Nov at 6 pm, and run until Saturday 11 Dec at 2 pm

    Homebodies Film

    Concept and Curation: Kelly Beneforti & Jessica Devereux

    Videography: Duane Preston

    Choreographer / Dancers: Cj Fraser Bell, Kelly Beneforti, Ricky Borg, Venaska Cheliah, Jessica Devereux, Maari Gray, Alex Jordan, Kristi Renfrey, Sheila Rose, Jenelle Saunders, Bryn Wackett, and Kyle Walmsley 
     
    Music: James Mangohig and Paper Toy
     

    Watch Homebodies the film

    Explore Homebodies the project

     

  • 15/10/2021

    “It was important to me to program a range of voices, who display a passion for working warmly and collaboratively. The people in this program are carving their own unique style in dance. In a platform like Fresh Tracks, they can push at the possibilities of movement to present unique, bite-sized experiences for an audience.” Jessica Devereux, Tracks Animateur & Curator of Fresh Tracks 2021

    Fresh Tracks 2021 features new works by Mave Ward, Stephanie Spillet, Marita Smith, Nicky Fearn and Sita Valadian: each artist selected for their fierce artistry and flair, and their dynamic, poetic, punchy and sensitive dance styles. 

    Mave, Steph, Nicky and Sita all participated in Tracks Choreographic Development Program 2021. Marita is a long-standing Darwin dance artist & teacher living and working in Darwin.

    Fresh Tracks features much-loved local performers Kelly Beneforti, Jordan Bretherton, Madeleine Brown, Venaska Cheliah, Jessica Devereux, Nicky Fearn, Maari Gray, Ruttiya McElroy, Jenelle Saunders, Bryn Wackett, Anokai Susi, Sita Valadian, and celebrated musicians Nick Yates and Netanela Mizrahi.

    Fresh Tracks will take place on the 4th of December at Tracks Dance Studio
    Two Shows - 2.30pm and 4.00pm

  • 06/10/2021

    BASS & BURN is an exciting new dance class that was first debuted in the Tracks studio in May 2021. Hosted by dance artist Aimee Chong, and accompanied by Kuya James with a live non-stop DJ set, the series is a fusion of styles such as afro-beat, dancehall, hip hop and reggaeton.

    We're doing it all again!

    This November Aimee Chong and Kuya James are back with a special BUILD UP edition of BASS + BURN!
    Come dance and feel the BURN under the lovely, super fun guidance of Aimee Chong,  with a live non-stop DJ set from Kuya James - expect to bring the heat to these classes, IN AIR-CONDITIONED COMFORT!

    Start your week right with us, 4 classes every Monday starting on November 15th through to December 6th.
    Class level: beginner to intermediate
    Class time: 6-7pm
    Ages: 18+ only

    REGISTER NOW

    Earlier in the year we caught up with Aimee to talk to her about all things dance and what she's looking forward to most about BASS & BURN.

    You live in Darwin right now, how do you like it?
    I'm originally from Sydney and moved up to Darwin about a year ago. I don’t have any relatives up here but I definitely feel like I have found a Darwin family of my own. I love Darwin not only for its sunsets and troppo vibes but also because it has been a place where I have been able to explore my creative interests.   

    What is your background in dance and what do you enjoy most about it? 
    I've been dancing since I was five years old and went to Brent Street and the Australian Performing Arts College in Sydney, and trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Acrobatics and completed advanced foundation in Royal Academy of Dance. I rediscovered dance as an adult when I moved to Canberra and became a member of the Subsdance Queenz – an interstate commercial fusion dance crew based in styles of Hip Hop, Reggaeton, Afrobeats and Dancehall. Now in Darwin, I regularly teach reggaeton classes at Rix Kix Arts and at Viva Nights, and occasionally run fusion workshops. I am excited to see what else Darwin has in store for me and this collaboration with Kuya James and Tracks for BASS & BURN is just the start.   

    What inspires you to dance, and bring dance to others? 
    The feeling of joyfulness when I dance is what initially inspires me. However, now I have found inspiration outside of myself and in others. I am inspired by the space that I can help create for others to dance freely, confidently and with support.  

    How did the concept of BASS & BURN come about and what part of the program are you most excited about?  
    Personally, I love a good bass drop and James knows this all too well. As we began brainstorming ideas for this collaboration, we realised we wanted to emulate a party. A  party to celebrate the connection between dance and music, which gather people and foster an outlet for individual expression. Because of this, our shared likeness to bass in music and my high intensity dance style, BASS & BURN was born.

    I am most excited about discovering the dynamics in the studio between James, myself and the participants.  

    We’re so excited to be collaborating with you and James! Have you worked with Tracks before or danced in our studio?  
    This will be my first time working with Tracks which is exciting! I have danced at Tracks studio a few times as part of Jess Devereux’s studio residency and I love studio space! 

    Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about yourself and/or BASS & BURN? 
    I am excited to meet and dance with you all! Let's party! 

    More about Aimee and James

    Aimee Chong

    Aimee Chong has been dancing since she was five years old at dance schools such as Brent Street and the Australian Performing Arts College in Sydney. Aimee trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Acrobatics and completed advanced foundation in Royal Academy of Dance. Aimee was part of the Subsdance Queenz- an interstate commercial fusion dance crew based in styles of Hip Hop, Reggaeton, Afrobeats and Dancehall. Aimee currently teaches Reggaeton at Rix Kix Arts and is a member of Flow Theory, a Darwin based dance crew.

    Kuya James

    Multi faceted and iconically recognised producer Kuya James (aka James Mangohig) grew up in the tropical and multicultural metropolis of Darwin; the capital of the Northern Territory on Larrakia land in Australia. 

    The first born son to a Filipino migrant father and Australian born Dutch mother, James would earn his stage name early in life simply by being the eldest. “Kuya” in the national Filipino tongue means “older brother”. A term of endearment and respect that he would gain not only from his biological family, but from the families he has made within communities spanning music, dance, culture and theatre; locally in Darwin, nationally and internationally.  

    Combining his natural affinity for rhythm and melody with an obsessive passion of high quality sonic experiences, Kuya James crafted his production talents over years of collaboration in bands and production duos; resulting in a large catalogue of songs and award nominations and wins.

    Although his primary love is for music, Kuya James is not just an artist. From years of experience and leadership, he has created a movement by shining a light on a thriving and important community. He’s building a bridge to highlight the similarities and celebrate the differences of culture by strengthening Australia’s understanding of their place in South East Asia through music, dance, art and live performance. An ongoing pursuit which lies in one-on-one relationships with aspiring and experienced creatives as well as recorded musical releases.

     

Pages

Latest News

Subscribe to Tracks Newsletter and receive it in your inbox.

Get Involved

Find out the many ways you can 'Get Involved' with Tracks Dance Company.

Read about our exciting activities throughout the year. 
Tracks Works.

Latest News

For all of our most updated news and information 'follow' our Facebook & Instagram accounts.

Contact us today to find out how you can get involved with Tracks!

Explore Further

   Iconic Tracks Works