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
Extra things to know
Neridah Waters is a choreographer, performer, theatre maker and one of the masterminds behind the Common People Dance Eisteddfod. She has toured 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 Fa’anana 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. Make sure to stick around for 15 minutes after the show to warm down with Dale in a raucus round of camp aerobics!
This event is being held at Craigie Leisure Centre, located at 751 Whitfords Ave, Craigie.
Craigie Leisure Centre will be closed to the public so there will be lots of free parking available at the venue, plus 12 ACROD bays. There’s also a bus stop directly outside if you’d prefer to catch public transport.
For more information about Craigie Leisure Centre, see Plan Your Festival.
Craigie Leisure Centre features a ramped entrance, with the performance space about 20m away on the smooth flat indoor basketball courts.
Audience seating is on a tiered grandstand overlooking the courts, with extra chairs at ground level. Small pillows will be provided for your comfort.
A wheelchair accessible area will be designated in front of the grandstand, with an unimpeded view of the performance.
If you have specific access requirements, please give us a call on 9400 4912 before 5pm on Friday, or speak to one of our event staff when you arrive.
Sessions Café will be open from 6pm – 8.30pm, selling drinks and snacks. You’re also welcome to bring your own food and non-alcoholic drink.
Please note that the Common People Dance Eisteddfod is an alcohol-free event.
For more information about Craigie Leisure Centre, see Plan Your Festival.
Doors open at 6pm, with the performance beginning at 6.30pm. Seating is unallocated, so we suggest arriving early to snag the perfect spot.
The show goes for 1.5hours, followed by a 15-minute ‘camp aerobics’ warm-down.
This performance will feature Auslan interpretation.
The show may feature the use of haze, strobe effects, loud music and mild adult themes.
If you know any of the local legends performing in the eisteddfod, we encourage you to wear their team colour to show your support. If you don’t, just pick your favourite and cheer like crazy!
All audience members are encouraged to rock their best ‘80s outfit to match the vibes! This is the Joondalup Festival GRAND FINALE after all – there’s no better time to go all out!
Program details
05 April 2025
$11 - $19
All ages
