Photo by Dave D’Arcy
WHAT WE DO
We run regular dance classes in Brisbane and dance workshops or performance projects at events, weddings and festivals around the country and overseas. Common People Dance Project welcomes people of all ages and all abilities with no previous dance experience necessary. In the past we’ve attracted whole families, ex-professional dancers, people that that have never danced before, pregnant women, seniors, people with disabilities, non english speaking students, a security guard and his dog and really anyone who just wants to learn fun dance choreography with a group of people and not feel self conscious. We draw on a variety of dance styles, teaching choreographic moves to the best songs ever.
WHY DANCE?
When was the last time you took a dance class?
We danced as kids, we dressed up and performed for our friends and family and then at a certain age we became self conscious and stopped because we thought or were told it was just for those who wanted to pursue dance professionally.
But dance shouldn’t be reserved for those elite few, because dancing is fun and playful and joyful and can be really funny. It helps us connect with other people. It makes our bodies fit and healthy without us even being conscious of working out. It makes us smarter by drawing oxygen to our brains and also exercises our memories as we learn and piece together choreography. But most of all it makes us happier. When you dance your body releases endorphins and reduces our perception of pain. It makes us forget our immediate problems and we lose ourselves in dance.
HISTORY
In 2009 Neridah Waters and Fez Fa’anana wanted to go to The National Circus Festival for free, so they proposed running a dance workshop to Pulp’s song Common People. This workshop was so popular that it lead to a huge flash-mob performance witnessed by the entire festival audience. Thus, the Common People Dance Project was born. Since then they have been invited to run dance projects at Adelaide Fringe Festival, Brisbane Festival, Melbourne Fringe Festival, Perth Circus Festival, Surfers Paradise Festival, Edmonton Street Festival (Canada) and Glastonbury Festival (UK). It has inspired a number of groups nationally and internationally and now they are running regular classes,workshops and projects
“Thank you for the opportunity to participate in your wonderful project. Although I think it’s brilliant to create a universal dance, I cherish the little moments. David’s excitement at the “Michael Jackson” and watching him exclaim “I’m a dancer” to each and every individual that passed as we waited for the train after rehearsals one evening. The joy the English as a second language students had each time the “ass slap” came along in the milkshake dance. Families having fun together. The social outcasts finding a place to belong. Thank you for touching our lives with your positive energy and sense of wonder and joy. ”
Previous Common People Dance Projects
Australian National Circus Festival Tasmania 2009
Adelaide Fringe Festival 2010.
Brisbane Festival 2009
Surfers Paradise Festival 2010
Melbourne Fringe Festival. 2011
Western Australian Circus Festival. 2010
Edmonton International Street Performers Festival. 2010
Glastonbury festival. 2014
Flowstate Southbank. 2018
Supercell Dance Festival. 2018
Vulcan Women’s Circus. 2018
Kids Take Over at HOTA 2018
Valley Fiesta 2018