Sydney Square Dance
07
Apr
18
Apr
DANCE 'TIL YOU CAN'T

Sydney Square Dance

Sydney Square Dance was an interactive series of classes and dance shows in public spaces around Darling Harbour.
When
Wednesday,
07 Apr 2021
Sunday,
18 Apr 2021

SSD-Logo-(1).JPGIn April 2021, Darling Harbour’s public spaces were energized through epic dance performances and interactive classes during the Sydney Square Dance. 

This free event was part of the first ever Festival of Place, a year long celebration of our connection to our incredible public spaces - and to each other. 

The Sydney Square Dance was all about getting everyone out having fun with one another and promoting an active, healthy lifestyle through dance and movement. Busting a move at this family-friendly and Covid Safe festival was definitely one of the best things to do in Sydney during the April school holidays. 

But it wasn't your average square dance. To help keep Sydney open, all interactive classes were ‘socially dis-danced’ using square grids drawn on the floor, and each dancer will get their own square to move in. 

As well as fun interactive dance classes there were: 

  • Dance battles at the Pier Street Underpass
  • Dance Cinema featuring dance related films and videos at Darling Square
  • Arcade dancing featuring Dance Dance Revolution
  • Incredible dance classes and performances
  • Impromptu flash mobs 


Supporting Sydney’s creative community

During 2020 and early 2021, lockdowns and COVID-19 precautions meant that many in the local creative community couldn’t earn a living doing what they love. The Sydney Square Dance was conceived by Andrew Hoyne (Principal of strategic consultant and place brand agency Hoyne) and his team, who came up with the idea as part of the Public Space Ideas competition. It aimed to help provide an opportunity for vibrant local dance and music communities to perform again in a safe, ‘socially dis-danced’ environment. 

That included dancers and musicians, young and old from all over Sydney and NSW. To show your support, all you had to do was come down to Darling Harbour and get your groove on at one of many events and classes.

The project was part of the Summer in the City program, proudly funded by the NSW Government.


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What's on

The Sydney Square Dance featured a wide range of performances and interactive classes with some of Darling Harbour’s best movers and shakers.

Dance workshops, classes and performances
The Team at Dance Central, Destructive Steps, Bindi Bosses, Rio Projekt and Royal Academy of Dance hosted dozens of workshops, classes and performances, giving you the chance to experience dance styles from all over the world. That includes hip hop, jazz, samba, brazillian, ballet, ballroom and much, much more. Keen to get involved? Just wear some clothes you can move in, check the event program and show up from Wednesday 7 April!
View Program
Dance Battles
The team behind Australia’s premier street dance festival, Destructive Steps, ran the Darling Square Festival Dance Battle at the Pier Street Underpass. Sydney’s best street dance crews battled it out to be crowned the festival winners on Saturday 10 and Sunday 17 April 2021.
View program
Dance Dance Revolution
Dance Dance Revolution is the ultimate arcade dancing game, complete with flashing floors and over 1,000 tracks to choose from.
View program
Silent Disco
You could dance to the beat of your own drum at the Sydney Square Dance Silent Disco, from 7pm to 10pm, Friday 16 April 2021 at Tumbalong Park.
Flash mobs
To keep you on your toes, a Sydney Square Dance flash mob performed around the Darling Harbour precinct when you least expect it.

Dance Cinema

For those who wanted to attend the festival but didn’t fancy a dance themselves

A series of dance-related movies and videos curated by Dance Cinema Organisation curator, Melissa Ramos in the open air at Darling Square.

WHERE TO USE YOUR VOUCHERS

Dine & Discover

All that dancing will make you super hungry, use your Dine & Discover $25 vouchers to fuel up for free at one of Darling Harbour’s many COVID-safe restaurants, bars and cafes.

Find out more

Meet the Sydney Square Dance performers and artists

We’ve assembled Sydney’s best performers and artists to transform Darling Harbour into one massive dance floor during the Sydney Square Dance event. These are just a few of the legends you can expect to see around this April.

Melissa Ramos - Dance Cinema
Curator Melissa Ramos has exhibited all over the world. With Dance Cinema, she aims to celebrate the artform of Dance Cinema, inspiring audiences by showcasing award winning local and international dance films.
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Bindi Bosses
Bindi Bosses are a dance crew that blend traditional Indian folk dances with street culture. They always entertain and challenge expectations so don’t miss their workshops.
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Dance Central
Dance Central are one of Sydney’s leading dance studios, offering classes and workshops in everything from hip hop to bollywood and ballet. Check out their free lessons at the Sydney Square Dance.
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Destructive Steps
Destructive Steps are a non-profit charity who make a positive difference using hip hop. You’ll find them at the Sydney Square Dance running dance battles at the Pier Street Underpass and teaching dance.
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RIO Projekt
RIO Projekt are a Brazilian entertainment and dance ensemble who have performed at an elite level all over the world. Find them at the Sydney Square dance performing and teaching Brazillian dance.
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Royal Academy of Dance
The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) is one of the world’s largest dance education organisations. They’ll be at the Sydney Square Dance hosting ballet lessons for everyone from two year olds to adults.
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COVID-Safe-badge.jpg

COVID-19 safety at Sydney Square Dance

Your safety is important to us so the Sydney Square Dance was designed to be 100% COVID-safe. From day one, we worked with NSW Health to make sure that all activities were in line with their COVID-19 guidelines.

Each event had strict conditions to keep you safe with all interactive events held in physically distanced squares to ensure attendees were able to participate safely.