Dance in the Wild 2026

Dance In The Wild - Join us for our 4th annual Community Dance Festival for people of all ages and stages.

We are so excited to invite you to join us all again this SPRING!

Together we will gather on Wurundjeri bush-land to celebrate our dancing community and the special inter-connectedness we share. Consider this an opportunity to immerse yourself in the grounding medicine of good music, nourishing food, camping, morning meditation & yoga, nature play, deep ecology, and of course a weekend of DANCING! 

We warmly invite you, your friends and family to share in the richness of embodiment, the heartbeat of the land, and the vibrant spirit of a community of like-minded humxns. 

DATES: Oct 16th - 18th 2026

TIMES: Gates open 12.30pm Friday / Gates close 5pm Sunday

ADDRESS: GATE 9

Gilwell Park, 2555 Gembrook-Launching Pl Rd, Gembrook VIC

LINE UP:

• Welcome to country w/ Wurundjeri Woman Stacie Piper

• Open Floor Dance w/ Jo Woods from 'Dance in the Hills'

• 'Dharma Dance' w/ Aladdin Jone (Zen Mindfulness) & Jo Woods (Open Floor Dance)

• Morning meditation w/ Anna Davies

• Morning yoga w/ Lucy Lawes & Chris Mazraany

• African drumming & dance w/ Odai Affotey (Ghana)

• Contact Improvisation w/ Ned Nicholson (Spain)

• Deep Ecology w/ Dr. Mel Birtchnell

• TaKeTiNa w/ Justin Holland & Charlotte Roberts

• 'Forest Country' documentary screening w/ filmmaker Lewi Haskins and Warburton Environment Group

• Evening sound baths w/ Ali Hamoud 'Nectar Of Sounds'

• Kids all-ages bush-craft workshops

• Kids all-ages clay play workshops

• Leather craft and woodwork workshops for kids/teens

• Night-time games/stories for kids/teens

• Kids yoga w/ Elanor Franklin

• Steampunk Sauna

• Wellness and Massage space

• Franklin Coffee van and Veggielicious food stall

• Chai and treats w/ Steve Bakkamoona

• On site camping (BYO gear)

• Shower & toilet facilities with access for all abilities

• Community kitchen access  

• Waterhole for swimming/cold plunges (children must be supervised)

SHARE: this event with your tribe: https://www.facebook.com/event...

TERMS & CONDITIONS: purchase of a ticket indicates you agree to the following terms and conditions - 

• Inclusivity & Respect - Event organisers reserve the right to refuse entry or to remove anyone for antisocial behaviour. We ask that all participants behave in a respectful manner with regard to each other's personal beliefs and practices. LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC safe space.

• Sober space – This is a drug and alcohol free, family-friendly event.

• Leave no trace - Participants agree to take all rubbish with them & use their own plates, cups, bowls and cutlery etc.

• Self-responsibility - Camping, swimming, bush play and all onsite activities are at your own risk. 

• Camp safe - Please make sure you consider hazards from falling branches when you camp. Keep an eye out for snakes, bull ants, etc. 

• Kid safe - Please supervise your children throughout the event. All children must be supervised whist swimming or playing at the waterhole (unfenced). 

• No pets please - Dogs are prohibited unless you have a certified assistance dog.

NO REFUNDS: Tickets are only transferable via DITW organisers. Please contact us if you need to gift your ticket to someone. 

TESTIMONIAL: “One of the most dynamic facilitators, breathing with the hum of emotion as it moves through the collective mind on the dance floor. I don't doubt that this event will encompass that all-inclusive vibe I've come to know and love from the Dance In The Hills w/ Jo Woods events thus far.”

- Amanda, DITW event participant

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: DITW acknowledges the traditional custodians of the shared land on which we will gather the Bunurong and Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation, whose sovereignty was never ceded

CONTACT: jowoodsevents@gmail.com