Get into the groove

THE Dancing Ground Festival at Gembrook’s Gilwell Park later this month is sure to get local residents up off their couches and moving to the beat.
The not-for-profit festival – held from 22 to 25 February – will feature a varied line-up of workshops designed to inspire the community to maintain an active lifestyle through dance and movement, and a healthy diet.
The first Dancing Ground Festival was held at Gilwell in 2011. A groundswell of support and enthusiasm from those attending the event saw it double in size in 2012.
“We aim to create an environment where people feel free to express themselves through dance and movement, while feeling nourished by being surrounded by good people, natural beauty and delicious food,” festival founder River Jade said.
Dancing Ground encourages people to dance with freedom – within a judgement-free and an inclusive environment.
The festival is family-friendly and is strictly drug and alcohol-free. There is a range of activities to entertain children, including dance workshops and a dedicated ‘kids space’.
All told, more than 35 different dance and movement workshops will be held over the weekend, aimed at people of all dancing abilities.
All meals are catered for but tickets for the event in Gembrook’s iconic bushland are limited. Organisers say the festival aims to “create a healthy community environment for ‘anyone who likes to move’.”
Weekend passes to the event are available for $220 for adults. They include access to each workshop, full vegetarian catering, and camping accommodation with options to upgrade to bunk beds.
The passes also include a host of extras, such as a movie and cabaret evening, musical performances and access to hot tubs.
Participants can expect to take part in a wide range of dance classes, including: ‘5 Rhythms’, ‘Swing and Blues’, ‘Hoop Dance’, ‘Afrofunk’, ‘Contemporary Improvisation’, ‘Brazilian Zouk Dance’, and ‘African Drumming’.
For more information, visit www.dancingground.org.