Magic Dance

Round up the troops and dust off your dancing shoes, because Milkwood Steiner School's annual Bush Dance extravaganza is back, bringing good food, good company and good ol’ fashioned family-friendly fun. 

By Kate Conway

Festivities kick off with a Welcome to Country featuring traditional dance and music from Larrakia Nation dancers and musicians. There’s a jam-packed line-up of entertainment, including headline act singer/songwriter Leah Flanagan, bush band Four Bars In, and singalongs led by Milkwood staff and students. 

The Bush Dance celebrates the role communities play in sustaining oral traditions through music, dance and storytelling. Principal of Milkwood Steiner School Netanela Mizrahi says the event is an important one.

“The Bush Dance is a source of pride and a statement of social justice and contribution by our community on Larrakia Country,” she says. 

“It’s a reminder that we all seek experiences of cultural pride and community connection, and when we come together, we can nourish, entertain and care for one another.”

The school grounds transform into a festive dance floor with fairy lights, hay bales and decorations, lovingly hand-crafted by Milkwood students. There’s a raffle with great prizes up for grabs, plus stalls with craft, commemorative Bush Dance t-shirts, homemade cordial and preserves for sale. 

Throughout the evening, traditional dance caller Mara is on hand to teach the audience steps to three sets of cultural dances, with everyone encouraged to join in. It’s a school disco, Milkwood style!

“We’re all learning the songs and dances for the first time, a dance where no one is performing and everyone is participating. It’s a special opportunity to be part of something truly joyful with your whole family, and to spread that joy with everyone around you,” Mizrahi says.

“We think Milkwood is a really special place and we want to open our doors to share some of this magic with our community.”

Milkwood Bush Dance
WHEN SAT 2 SEP | 5.30-9.30PM
AT MILKWOOD STEINER SCHOOL
COST $10 | FREE U13
INFO milkwood.nt.edu.au