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Asia TOPA guide to dance

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Fearless and extraordinary dance takes centre stage

Lose yourself in world premieres and Australian exclusives that bring the most brilliant new dance from the Asia-Pacific straight to you.

Or, carve it up on our dancefloors as club nights and voguing, hip-hop and more come alive in our very own Club 8.

A bearded person has grey powdered hands, one white eyeball and a dark liquid resembling blood dripping across his forehead from his hair — — Photo: Juzzy Kane

Pulau (Island)
World Premiere
22 - 23 February

Join one of Australia's leading choreographic voices in this world premiere dance work paired with an exclusive private viewing of two major installations by Yayoi Kusama.

U>N>I>T>E>D
World Premiere
27 February - 2 March

Enter an exhilarating speculative future on the stage of the iconic Sidney Myer Music Bowl.

A stellar lineup of six dancers explore machine mysticism and the persistence of spirituality in a post-industrial digital age. Set to gamelan-infused, Javanese trance-inspired techno beats.

— Bunyi Bunyi Bumi Image credit: Tiffany Garvie Photography

BUNYI BUNYI BUMI
World Premiere
20 - 23 February

A ground-breaking new commission bursting with dance, body percussion, syncopated rhythms, and stunning visuals.

Join an award-winning and iconic ensemble of performers in this unmissable performance.

Lapse
Australian Exclusive
6 - 8 March

Experience the brilliance of Indonesian artist Melati Suryodarmo with the Australian premiere of Lapse. Combining captivating dance, absurd imagery, and live music, this bold performance reflects the turbulence of life in our increasingly chaotic times.

Two people in traditional clothing standing on a beach as the waves break behind them. — — Image: Samuel James

Gapu Ŋupan (Chasing The Rainbow)
World Premiere
27 - 1 March

Gapu Ŋupan is a theatrical masterpiece. Experience a powerful cross cultural connection, as song, dance, immersive visuals and sound design combine in joyous alchemy.

Club 8
Pop up club
20 February - 10 March

The beating heart of our nightlife program. Dive into a nine night lineup Club 8, with DJs, performance art, drag, immersive installations and artists from across the Asia-Pacific, plus snacks and drinks to keep you dancing all night long.