September Friends Night with GOLD | The Red Dress

Join us this month for a special performance from GOLD, Canberra Dance Theatre’s senior dancers. The dancers will perform a short excerpt from Red Dress, developed by dance artist Katrina Rank as part of an intensive creative dance program last January. The piece is an artistic interpretation of the colour red and the iconic garment - Red Dress - here explored through collective, choreographed movement.

"Every second somewhere in the world a truckload of clothing goes into landfill. Through this work we consider our relationship to clothing and fashion. We explore our relationship to the special clothes we keep hold of and the clothes that can't possibly last. We reflect upon the ways in which we use clothes to attract, provoke, warn and intimidate; potentially inferring a quiescent glamour, mystery, wildness or sexuality than might otherwise be construed. We also explore the flip-side. Without clothing, who are we? Are we enough?  Vulnerable and defenseless, at the mercy of those looking at us, we suggest that maybe, just maybe, we are. If you are kind and seek something or someone real, honest and true."  Katrina Rank

Choreography: Katrina Rank in collaboration with the dancers
Music: Adrián Berenguer 1. Witness 2. Red Dress 3. Aware (presented in that order)
Rehearsal director: Philip Piggin

Dr Katrina Rank is a leading Australian educator and dance artist, contributing to national and international movement education outcomes. A ballet and contemporary dancer by training, Katrina maintains a performance and teaching practice and received an Australian Dance Award for Services to Dance Education in 2018.

Canberra Dance Theatre's GOLD (Growing Old Disgracefully) was originally part of a ten week performance project for over 55s in early 2011, in association with the National Library of Australia and Belconnen Arts Centre, and supported by the ACT Government under the ACT Health Promotion Grants Program. But everyone had such an excellent time they continue to explore movement and choreography to stimulate heart, mind and soul.