Footscray Community Arts Centre

News

Polytoxic Workshop

Together with our good friends at Arts House and Kultour, Footscray Community Arts Centre hosted the artists from Polytoxic in a dance theatre workshop. With amazing support from community leaders, Grace Vanilau and Emeretta Cross, ten young people from the islander communities of the west were given a rare opportunity to spend time working with two of the artists from this award-winning Brisbane company.

Efeso Fa’anana and Lisa Fa’alafiin took time out from performing their hit show Teuila Postcards to lead young islander talent in this very special professional development opportunity. And what an experience it was. Over two hours the Basement Theatre pumped with everything from from sa-sa to hip-hop, as together the workshop participants and artists explored an exciting fusion of traditional Polynesian dance and contemporary moves.

Of course you can’t have a gathering for the islander communities without food! So, in true Polynesian style, Grace and Emeretta cooked up a feast for all participants and artists to share, including taro, raw tuna, coconut milk and beautiful salads.

After rolling out of lunch, all workshop participants jumped in the Footscray family fun bus to attend the performance of Teuila Postcards at Arts House. It was really important for the workshop participants to experience the artists at work both in a workshop setting and onstage in a professional performance – and all in a day!