Common People Dance Eisteddfod
An eisteddfod with a twist… and a step-ball-change!
The fingerless gloves are off! Armed with hairspray, knee pads, and sweatbands, four teams of mighty suburban gladiators will meet on neutral territory to settle the score on the d-floor.
The Common People Dance Eisteddfod is just what it sounds like – a “friendly” dance battle royale… except with cheating condoned, sabotage allowed, and bribing encouraged (by the judges, that is!)
Over the past three grueling weeks, our four fabulous teams of average folk from all across Perth have slogged it out in their various rehearsal halls. A motley crew of mums, dads, grannies, lawyers, receptionists, accountants and council workers have been crumping, pirouetting and heel-toeing their little hearts out ready to put on the mother of all shows – just for you!
They’re not professional performers by a long shot but, for one spectacular night only, they’re set to be stars on the big stage with a legion of adoring screaming fans waiting to see them dance.
So, warm up the hair rollers, hitch up those legwarmers, and get ready for a night soundtracked by your favourite 80s bangers for Joondalup Festival’s grand finale. Call your friends on your long spiral-corded phone to let them know: there’s a party on the basketball courts and it’s gonna be a big one!
Who will take home the precious trophy and all the glory? Whoever brings the biggest moves on the night.
“Redefining who gets to put on a leotard, step onstage, and dance to a sell-out crowd.” – Nothing Ever Happens In Brisbane
Sessions & Times
Saturday, 05 April
6:30pm - 8:00pm
Auslan Interpreted
Extra things to know
Neridah Waters is a choreographer, performer and theatre maker. She has toured her work extensively in Australia and overseas and worked as an actor and choreographer for La Boîte Theatre, Queensland Theatre, Imaginary Theatre, DeBase, Metro Arts, The Brisbane Powerhouse, PlayLab and NORPA. She’s choreographed large-scale community projects across Queensland, performed for The Commonwealth Games, and built ‘Dance Like No-One’s Watching’ for QPAC’s Out of The Box Festival.
Fez Faanana is the co-founder of Common People Dance Project. He is a clown, a drag artiste, a dancer/prancer, a Samoan, an Australian, a legal immigrant, an antagonist, a molly-coddler, an orchestrator, the love child of the bearded lady and ringmaster and the creative director of the multi award-winning all male burlesque outfit, Briefs Factory.
Dale Woodbridge-Brown is an award-winning Kamilaroi man and circus artists from Mugindi. He was awarded the NAIDOC performer of the 2019 and Indigenous circus performer 2021 by the Australian Circus Festival. Dale sports an impressive resume as ensemble member for international powerhouses Circus Oz, Briefs Factory and Casus Circus as well as holding his own as a formidable independent MC and artist.
The Common People Dance Eisteddfod is being held at Craigie Leisure Centre.
For more information about Craigie Leisure Centre, see Plan Your Festival.
The Common People Dance Eisteddfod will be performed on the smooth flat basketball courts at Craigie Leisure Centre.
Audience seating is on a tiered grandstand overlooking the courts.
Wheelchair accessible area will be provided in front of the grandstand, with an unimpeded view of the performance.
Some food and non-alcoholic drinks will be available to purchase from Sessions Café during the performance.
For more information about Craigie Leisure Centre, see Plan Your Festival.
This performance will feature Auslan interpretation.
The show may feature the use of haze, strobe effects, loud music and mild adult themes.
Just because you’re in the audience doesn’t mean you don’t have to sweat it out too!
Stick around right after the eisteddfod for a 20-minute wind-down session to release all that nervous energy. Sweat bands optional!
Program details
05 April 2025
$11 - $19
All ages
