'PRACTICE AND PLAY' with Leigh-Anne Vizer and Alya Manzart

PRACTICE AND PLAY

• Share your practice: provide a platform for artists to showcase their unique styles and methodologies.
• Foster creativity: encourage experimentation and innovation within their own communities.
• Build connections: strengthen the local dance network by engaging with fellow dance artists and collaborators.
• Enhance visibility: increase the visibility of independent artists and their work within the Northern Rivers region.
• Respond to sector needs: addresses the needs identified in the Dance Sector Uplift report. 

The aim of PRACTICE AND PLAY #1 in Tyalgum is to unite artists through movement, dance, and creative expression, fostering connections both as individuals and collaborators. Designed for dance makers, including First Nations artists and contemporary practitioners from diverse life experiences, we will explore our personal artistic practices and discover potential synergies for future projects. With local artist, Mark Cora (Migungbal) kicking off the day, it will begin with an immersive, site-specific movement workshop set amidst the natural beauty of the bushland property. This will be followed by a shared meal and enriching conversation around a fire.

Participants are welcome to stay for sunset over the Border Ranges and camp overnight.
Additional activities include swimming in the creek and a bush walk, offering further opportunities for connection and relaxation.

What to bring:

• Comfortable warm clothes for outdoor movement (shoes optional)
• Hat/sun protection
• Cup/container for drinking (we’ll provide water, tea and coffee)
• Swimwear and towel for a creek dip
• Contribution for a shared “chatter platter”
• Any other refreshments you’d like
• Picnic blanket
• Camping gear if staying overnight (we’ll supply firewood).

There are 15 places available for this FREE event.

Directions from Murwillumbah: We are 14.24kms down Tyalgum Road from Kyogle Road on the right side. 50m before our driveway you will see a sign "1424 50m” on a post on the left side. As you turn onto our driveway, you will go over a cattle grid, and down the hill to a bridge passing a small shed on the left. After crossing the bridge you will drive up the hill, as the road begins to turn right, you’ll be looking for a light crushed rock road on the left. Take that road, and head to the top of the hill (end of the driveway) and you’ll find yourself on Champagne Hill!

Express your interest today and become a part of this dynamic series, enriching our region with your artistic leadership and innovation. For more information contact Philip Channells Tel: 0432 073 304 or Email: philipchannells@gmail.com

BIOGRAPHIES

Leigh-Anne Vizer is an accomplished industry professional with a diverse background in various performance arts, ranging from small-scale independent theatre projects to circus and vatieté, musical theatre, oratorios, ceremonies, and large-scale events. Her career has been driven by a passion for crafting interdisciplinary physical performances while discovering seamless incorporations of modern technologies, such as projection and automation.

As a lead creative Leigh-Anne’s current projects include reimagining 'Hot and Heavy', a site specific multidisciplinary work with the Ironing Maiden’s curated by the Tanks Arts Centre for the opening of Cairns Arts Festival 2023, SAGA Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the 53rd UAE Union Day Celebration Official Event. Leigh-Anne is ever eager to expand her practice of celebrating culture, elaborative storytelling and transforming tradition, blending current technologies with a modern movement vocabulary.

Alya Manzart is a renowned performance artist, creator, and teacher. Growing up in Northern New South Wales, he began dancing at 17 and then studied at the Victorian College of the Arts (2008-2010). With Chunky Move, Alya toured globally with Anouk Van Dijk’s productions like Complexity of Belonging, 247 Days, and An Act of Now. He also worked with Great Southern Dance, Tasdance, Opera Australia, BalletLab, 2nd Toe Dance Collective, Drill Performance Company, Fling Physical Theatre and independent choreographers, including Helen Herbertson, Phillip Adams, and Kylie Minogue.

Alya explores the intersection of film, projection, and dance in his work. He choreographed Invert for Transit Dance and starred as Newton in Lazarus, by David Bowie and Edna Walsh directed by Michael Kantour and Natasha Pincus. His dance film Subliminal Mind was featured at festivals in Europe and Australia, including Reel Dance and NEO/NOW. Excelling beyond dance, Alya topped the state of NSW in Year 12 with his Bamboo De-brancher, earning recognition on ABC’s 'The New Inventors.' His multidisciplinary approach includes choreographing for music videos, commercials, and promotional videos. Alya’s teaching spans international venues like Marameo Dance Studio and Danceworks (Berlin) and The Henny Jurriens Foundation (Amsterdam), as well as Australian institutions such as Chunky Move, VCA, Tasdance, Transit Dance, Elevation Dance School and The Space.