A second stage to showcase ballet

Ballarat’s own: Ballerinas Piper, Jaimee, Ruby, Tara and Romi will compete across classical and more contemporary genres of dance at the first Ballarat Ballet Eisteddfod. Photo: EDWINA WILLIAMS

FOR more than one hundred and thirty years, Ballarat has mostly been a one-eisteddfod city, but that’s about to change.

The inaugural Ballarat Ballet Eisteddfod will be staged in June this year at FedUni’s Founders Theatre and performers of all ages are invited to compete across classical, neo classical, lyrical, demi-character, contemporary and jazz dance genres.

Sallee Caldwell is treasurer of BBE, a not-for-profit organisation which has been established by a local group of friends.

“There’s such a large dance community in Ballarat, but it is unusual that we’ve only ever had one eisteddfod, so we decided we would start a new one,” she said.

“We all have children that dance, but all at different dance schools around Ballarat.

“Our vision for the eisteddfod is for it to be fair and equitable, professional, but mainly enjoyable. We want people to feel welcome, included and inspired, whether they win or not.”

Two hundred dancers from across the city are expected to compete, from the seven and under age bracket, to 16 and over.

Seventeen-year-old Tara McHenry is looking forward to stepping on stage at the eisteddfod in the jazz, contemporary, lyrical and neo sections.

“I really enjoy dancing and it’s been a long time since we’ve been able to go to comps because of COVID, so I’m really looking forward to it,” she said.

“I’ve missed competing with other dance schools and enjoy the chance to make new friendships with girls from outside Ballarat.”

The Ballarat Ballet Eisteddfod will be held from Saturday, 25 to Tuesday, 28 June. In covering their venue, operation, and adjudicator costs, BBE has been supported by a City of Ballarat Community Impact Grant.

Registrations are now open via the myStage entry platform at bit.ly/3tR8TQy.