Our global society is responding to the Covid-19 challenge in a variety of ways, but Australian health authorities with the support of the Australian Parliament have clearly said that we can no longer gather in groups and we need to practice social distancing. This has meant the suspension of many joyful activities in our community, including the suspension of dance classes in all dance studios including CDT.
 
This does not mean that CDT is going away, but it does mean that we are looking at new ways of contacting our dance community and conducting classes. For the moment, many people are working hard to create new ways of dancing on-line through Youtube, Vimeo, or the Zoom meeting app. CDT has successfully conducted trial Zoom classes with the GOLD group thanks to the generous involvement of Philip Piggin, and we have scheduled a Zoom Hilal class with Danielle Cook at the normal time of 6pm on Tuesday. The links will be sent to every Hilal member for whom we have an email address.

You don't need a large device - David from the GOLDs shared how he has been connecting on a tablet. You may also check out new online resources, such as Sydney Dance Company's new online classes, and David McAllister's barre classes on Youtube.
 
Rest assured CDT will come through this with careful financial planning and the support announced by the Federal Government and the ACT Government. It may take many months for the situation to be resolved, and we are hampered by suddenly having no class or hire income, but CDT will be there for you when the curtain again goes up on the arts and we can again enjoy dance class in the studio. Rest assured Dance Cards will be honoured.
 
Dance Artists
While the studio is quiet, we encourage dance artists to contact CDT if they need a safe studio to create and conduct their practice. Including for the new ArtsACT grant program.
 
For Hirers
Hirers are also subject to the same regulations as CDT. The studio is still available for individual hire but hirers must practice all recommended sanitation including sanitising hands on entry and exit. Our greatest concern is the studio being used by someone who is virus-positive.

Concentricity with Ashlee Bye

*CDT's Revel group* performed this extensive new work, created collaboratively under the direction of local choreographer Ashley Bye, at Art Not Apart on Saturday 14 March. Concentricity is a site-specific work using the pathways and waters around the iconic Shine Dome (Australian Academy of Science).

Ashley says: 'My community educates me. It curates what I consume. What I consume affects what I think. What I think becomes what I contribute, what I create, what I affect. I affect you. You and I shape our community.'

Concentricity interrogates our motivations and priorities regarding our relationships and the ripple effects of our actions. Within a world of brand-building and burnout should we be focusing our attention on global
issues or self care? Should it be one before the other? This was CDT's last public performance, squeezed in just before the new closures. Revel was part of a festival of creativity, with a very appreciative crowd.

Look out for more exciting public performances from Revel when community life gets back to normal!