ACT DANCE DOINGS, DECEMBER, 2025
Another year has flown by here in the ACT for the ZEST team, as we conclude our term of dancing to ideas and memories of HOME SWEET HOME. Our music has included The Coffee Dance, Sadie the Cleaning Lady, Gravy for my Mashed Potato, Blueberry Pie, On the street where you live, Take me home – Country Roads, and Bold New Buildings by The Robert Lloyd Ensemble. This last score has inspired some rather stunning “Grand Designs”: using our bodies as the building blocks of architectural splendour! We have also learnt much about each of our dancers lives, and the many places they have called home – including many an exotic location overseas.
Late in September we were very excited to welcome the wonderful and talented Liz Cornish from WA – who is one of the fabulous dance teaching artists working with seniors in the Perth region. It was a total delight to have some wonderful new cool moves and grooves with a western flavour to them in our classes. Thanks Liz – and please come again soon!
On December 3 we were delighted to join in with some 12 other local ACT dance groups, to mark I Day. Presented by the every visionary Liz Lea and the Stellar Company, the event took place at Woden Town Square, and we were blessed with perfect weather – and a fabulous and supportive audience. People of all ages, abilities, experience, ethnicities and mobilities made for a brilliant celebration of the role that dance can play in everyone’s’ lives – with the many resultant health and wellbeing benefits.
With a much valued partnership with the Canberra Symphony Orchestra (CSO), our weekly class at Tuggeranong Arts Centre was delighted to have violinist Pip Thompson join in us in December, and thrill us with her musical magnificence! Thank you to Pip and the CSO!
And we were thrilled for one of our fabulous teaching team – Debora di Centa – who received an award for Community Service. This came from the Ginninderra Rotary Club who supports one of our weekly classes in Charnwood. Congratulations Deb, and thanks GRC!
Our classes conclude the week of December 15 – with many a celebration morning tea, lunch or afternoon tea being planned.
Most of our classes re-start on January 30, and we will be growing our ZEST experience to some 18 regular groups across the ACT then . We are starting our first all standing class in partnership with Canberra Dance Theatre, and we also welcome LDK Amberfield to the ZEST family. Our plan to have the whole territory dancing by the end of the decade looks promising!!
With the ongoing support of The Hospital Research Foundation Group, Belconnen and Tuggeranong Arts Centres, Canberra Dance Theatre and Ausdance ACT, dance life in the ACT continues to be full and fun, and all visitors to town are welcome to join us at any time. Check out all our classes here.
ZEST: Dance for Wellbeing Team
(Jacqui, Jane, Debora and Philip)
Grand Designs @ Tuggeranong Arts Centre Photo: Jane Ingall
Grand Designs @ Belco Arts Centre Photo: Philip Piggin
Class at Tuggeranong Arts Centre with violinist Pip Thompson, from the Canberra Symphony Orchestra. It was WOW!!