WA’s first ever Common People Dance Eisteddfod a slam dunk
15 Apr 2025
A FITTING FINALE FOR A FABULOUS FESTIVAL
In the dying hours of Joondalup Festival 2025, 500 rowdy fans filled the bleachers at Craigie Leisure Centre with palpable anticipation. Tensions were high and the hair was even higher as four teams of dancers decked in 80s athleisurewear transformed the basketball courts into a retro fever dream.
The sold-out extravaganza starred dozens of dance debutants who had put their hands up to be part of something extraordinary. After three grueling weeks of rigorous rehearsals, conquering choreography, plotting and scheming, the big night brought all the hard work to a head in a flurry of lycra and hairspray.
Ringmaster and Common People creator, Neridah Walters, called for rock eisteddfod rejects to rejoice. The rules were simple: cheating, bribing, and sabotage were not only allowed but encouraged. With that, the metaphorical ribbon was cut and the competition was on.
The infectious score to Technotronic’s Pump Up the Jam meant only one thing, The Hightop Crew were about to bring the party like it’s 1989. Then, doing Ms Parton herself proud, The Boot Scootin’ Dollys whipped home-baked cookies out of their holsters to bribe the judges.
The largest of the lot, The Legwarmers leapt onto the stage, stepping in sync like maniacs! Finally came Perm Power with an ominous ode to the Australian magpie, featuring swooping, pecking and the ultimate disemboweling of rival coach Fez Faanana… set to a Metallica soundtrack, naturally.
The precious trophy, adorned with a mishmash of op-shop treasures, along with the champion title was only mere nail-biting moments away from being announced. Diehard fans bellowed from the bandstand, showing support for their friends, co-workers and grandmothers.
After painstaking deliberation from the judges, the winner of WA’s inaugural Common People Dance Eisteddfod was finally announced to be… The Legwarmers! The crowd erupted in whoops and howls in equal measure, with Legwarmer die-hards jubilant while others jovially called out “we were robbed!” (we’re looking at you, Dolly fans).
Congratulations to every single awesome participant who made this courageous community campaign possible. WA’s first Common People Dance Eisteddfod was everything we hoped for, and more.
Bring on the rematch in 2026! Make sure you’re subscribed to our newsletter so you’re the first to hear about it.
