Tracks Dance Studio, Harbour View Plaza, Darwin

Throughout the year

Jan/Feb - Completed
June - Completed
August - Completed
Nov/Dec - Completed

If you missed out on DSDS this time make sure to sign up to our newsletter for updates on the next DSDS, scheduled for early 2021

You want to dance to great music?

Join the Dead Singers Dance Society.

In the 4-week course you will learn a fun and achievable dance routine that celebrates the music of a legendary ‘dearly departed’ singer.

Society Meetings (dance classes) are held in an inclusive and supportive dance space led by an experienced teacher. At the end of the course, there will be an optional opportunity to show off the dance in front of an audience, or just bust out your new moves, anytime, anywhere.

Get Involved

The Dead Singers Dance Society is Darwin’s most inclusive Secret Society. Anyone can join but numbers are limited for each course. Don't miss out! Only Members truly know what it means to be in the Dead Singers inner circle.

Previous Dead Singers celebrated: Prince, Whitney Houston, George Michael and Michael Hutchence

There are currently 125 members of all ages and backgrounds in the Dead Singers Dance Society.

2020 Society Gatherings

Fallen In Love - Dead Singer: Michael Hutchence

(Jan/Feb) Taught by Kelly Beneforti and assisted by Jenelle Saunders.
The Dead Singers Dance Society kicked off 2020 with a heartfelt celebration of the INXS lead singer. Society Members flocked in for the punchy rock n roll vibes and the chance to pin a routine to an Australian music legend. On Valentine's Day, we performed the dance thrice as a Love Letter to the Universe, offering passers by on the Nightcliff Foreshore the opportunity to see the Dead Singers in full flight. 

Performers: Jenelle Saunders, Kelly Beneforti, Jordi Rust, Marge Duminski, Gretchen Ennis, Roddy Balaam, Jenni Sanderson, Janene Mendez, Saskia Strange, Kerry Barker, Tania Lawrie, Kathie Rea, Caitlin Conway, Bernie Murray, Marita Albers, Roma Dainius, Charlie Marengo, Linda Weatherhead, Cherrian Eecen, Anna Lucas, Ainslie Corridon 

Virtually Dead - Dead Singer: Aretha Franklin

(June) Taught by Kelly Beneforti and Jess Devereux.

"Music does a lot of things for a lot of people. It's transporting, for sure. It can take you right back, it's uplifting, it's encouraging, it's strengthening." - Aretha Franklin

In the first ever online version of DSDS, the soulful music of Aretha Franklin filled the homes of our dedicated Society Members as we danced together over Zoom in the presence of each other's absence. In lieu of a public performance, we used the final week of the series to radiate  the routine across the digital space, acting as performers and our own audience in the same instance. We were even joined by a couple of special guests! 

Performers: Ellen Hankin, Jenni Sanderson, Janet Phillips, Ainslie Corridon, Caitlin Conway, Nancy Henderson, Marge Duminski, Gretchen Ennis, Roddy Balaam, with special guests Serge Balaam and Gus Fitzgerald. 

Bollywood Awakening - Dead Singers: Sri Devi and Rishi Kapoor

(Aug) Taught by Jenelle Saunders, Ricky Borg, Venaska Cheliah and Madeleine Brown.

Shifting gears, this season of Dead Singers Dance Society (DSDS) departed western pop culture and dove into the world of Bollywood. Society Members learned a joyous dance routine, performed along the Nightcliff Foreshore. A special edition of the project aimed at activating public spaces, Bollywood Awakening popped up all over Darwin with fun, community workshops. Supported by City of Darwin, Tracks offered free Bollywood classes at Cypress Community Centre in Marrara, Dripstone Cliffs with Royal Darwin Hospital’s Allied Health team, on the Esplanade with Karibu Collective, in the CBD with Grey Panthers, and last but not least, a series in the studio with Tracks’ Dead Singers Dance Society! 

Performers: Jenelle Saunders, Ricky Borg, Venaska Cheliah, Madeleine Brown, Marge Duminski, Joyce Sant, Jenni Sanderson, Bernie Murray, Marilynne Kirshbaum, Alice Chipkin, Ellie Rodda, Cris Edmonds, Emily Lawson, Anokai Susi, Alana NC, Fiona Ray, Mega Point, Maya Chakrabortty, Bill Searle, Mary Searle, Lucy Found.

Crazy Sexy Cool - Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes

(Nov-Dec) Choreographed and Taught by Jess Devereux.

For this DSDS our society members learnt some slow jam, CrazySexyCool dance moves to the music of Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes. One-third of the much-loved girl group TLC, our dance routine featured chart-toppers 'Waterfall', 'No Scrubs' and 'Creep'. 

What you need to know

·  The 4-week course costs $40, whether you attend 1 class or 4.
·  You need to sign up before the course starts (places are limited so grab your friends and sign up today).
·  The Dead Singers Dance Society is for 16 years or above.
·  All abilities welcome, from no dance experience right up to trained dancers.
·  Wear comfy clothes that you can move in
·  Dance barefoot or wear dance shoes

Company Partners

Tracks Inc is assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body; and is proudly sponsored by the Northern Territory Government.

Tracks 2020

Artistic Co-Directors: David McMicken and Tim Newth
Company Director: Adelaide Wood
Administrator: Jessica Mellor / Jo Shearn
Production Manager: Duane Preston
Dance Animateurs: Kelly Beneforti and Jess Devereux
Bookkeeper: It Figures

Committee Members: Venaska Cheliah (Chairperson), Andrea Wicking (Vice-Chairperson), Glenn Bernardin (Treasurer), David Taylor, Michael Grant, Ken Conway, Max Dewa Stretton, Rachael Wallis. David McMicken, Tim Newth, Adelaide Wood (Ex-Officio Members)

Public Fund Trustees: Maari Gray, Will Crawford and Lachlan Peattie

Patron: Her Honour the Honourable Vicki O’Halloran AM, Administrator of the Northern Territory