Freedance

Presented by Abbotsford Convent and Dancehouse

Put your dancing shoes on, grab a friend (or three), and head down to Abbotsford Convent for 10 weeks of energetic dance classes in the open air, led by local artists from Dancehouse.

There’s three class styles to choose from, including: an Action Lab for professional contemporary dancers; a Street Dance series for all levels; and a Family Freedance series for the whole family. So you can select what suits you the best!

To keep it COVID Safe, all classes will be held outside across the Convent’s outdoor spaces, gardens and basketball court.

And to top it off, the classes are FREE. Yes you read that right, FREE.

We’re excited to sweat it out together after such a long time apart. Let’s do this!

Your safety is our priority

We take your safety seriously and have put in place the following COVID safety measures to ensure you are able to feel free and have fun whilst dancing. 

• The capacity of each session is 30 to ensure social distancing and to comply with the government directions (please note: we will continue to adhere to government restrictions, and will notify you directly if this affects this program); 
• Each group/ family will be provided with their own markers to mark out their dance space to ensure safe distancing;
• The workshop area will be demarcated for the event to ensure members of the public are aware and ensure social distancing;
• You are encouraged to bring your own water bottle and water as the site water fountains have been switched off to reduce contamination; and
• Markers and any other equipment will be thoroughly cleaned with disinfectant between each session.

Freedance is a Tier 3 COVIDSafe Event and has been registered with the Department of Jobs Precincts and Regions (DJPR). Read the full COVIDSafe Event Checklist here.

About the classes

Family Freedance
Ages 5+

Family Freedance classes are specially designed for children aged 5+ and their accompanying adults to get bodies a-movin’ and those endorphins flowing! The classes are for everyone (pooches can sit on the sidelines) and no dance experience is necessary. Incorporating movement, rhythm, creative dance and body awareness—you’ll be led by Josh Lowe, founder of Drill Youth Dance Company and former Artistic Director of Yellow Wheel; and Shamita Sivabalan, one of Australia’s leading Bollywood educators. So get ready to shake, shuffle and sashay upon the Convent’s rolling hills!

Please note, all children must be accompanied by a parent, carer or guardian.

Street Dance
Ages 16+

Suited for beginner to intermediate street dancers, Wednesday night’s Street Dance series will be led by choreographer Trevor Santos and Sister Sessions co-founder and waacker, Marnie Newton. Join us as we bring the flavour and energy to get everybody moving again—from foundations, to grooves and choreography. You do not have to do that Tik Tok dance in your room anymore!

Contemporary Action Lab
Ages 18+

For the professional mover yearning to travel in space, Monday night’s Action Lab is for contemporary dancers. Classes will range from a movement  to facilitating an ‘express’ choreographic exploration or action. Curated and led by Keir Choreographic Award 2018 winner Melanie Lane and Yellow Wheel Artistic Director Kyall Shanks, this sunset dance class will help you find the freedom in your body as we all liberate ourselves from dancing in our homes.

Access

Freedance aims to work around a variety of access requirements. If you have access requirements (i.e. Auslan), please email development@dancehouse.com.au three business days before your class and it will be arranged. Please email directly so we can ensure all your access requirements are met. 

The Basketball Court can be accessed via wheelchair or mobility device.
Please note the space for the Family Freedance series at the Heritage Gardens is on a slight slope of grass, therefore may be tricky for a wheelchair or a mobility device.

What to wear on your feet!

Please note, the Basketball Court surface is astroturf. Please wear tennis shoes or any sneakers with white soles.

What about the weather?

Classes will be cancelled due to extreme weather including rain or extreme heat (over 35 degrees).

We will make a call 30-45 minutes before the class, depending on the severity of weather.  Please keep an eye out on our social media channels for announcements.

Get it while it’s hot!

While you’re waiting for your class to start, or for some post-class sustenance, grab a meal, pastry  or coffee at one of the Convent’s eateries.

Thank you!

Freedance is supported by City of Yarra