"A meeting place for storytelling, celebration and dance": DanceRites releases 2024 program

The Sydney Opera House has announced the full program of competing dance groups, hosts and special guest performances for DanceRites 2024.

This year the free celebration of First Nations dance, song and culture will welcome nearly 300 performers to the Opera House Forecourt.

Set to take place on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 October, the Forecourt will see 20 dance groups representing more than 40 nations and clans take to the Sand Circle to perform in Australia's only national competition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups.

Half of this year's entrants are making their DanceRites debut.

Striving to artistically celebrate the richness and diversity of their cultures, each group will showcase their local storytelling and language in the Cultural Dance and Song cycle, competing in heats on Saturday and finals on Sunday.

Many groups will also perform an optional 'Wild Card' dance to demonstrate their unique style.

Groups will be marked on dance skills and engagement with culture, language and song.

The judging panel includes Berthalia Selina Reuben (Peiudu and Samsep, Darnley Island), Gary Lang (Larrakia), Rosealee Pearson (Yolngu, Manggalili, Yirrkala), Sani Townson (Koedal, Dhoeybaw, Samu Saibai Island Zenadth Kes) and Tara Gower (Yawuru).

The free weekend of family-friendly events will be hosted by singer-songwriter Naomi Wenitong (Dauwarbara – Gubbi Gubbi), best known as one-half of Shakaya, and hip-hop pioneer Shannon Williams aka BrothaBlack (Yiman – Ghungalu).

The event will also include performances from Maruku Arts Dance Group, Mui Mui Bumer Gedlam – the winners of DanceRites 2023 and Native Pride Productions – led by two-time World Champion Fancy Dancer Larry Yazzie.

The American group will make their DanceRites debut, sharing Native American cultural traditions following performances at past Olympics, The Kennedy Center and the Smithsonian Institute.

Sydney Opera House head of First Nations programming, Michael Hutchings said that he is eager to see the popular dance event return to the Sydney Opera House yet again.

"We can't wait to welcome mob back to the Sydney Opera House Forecourt next month," Hutchings said.

"DanceRites continues the traditions of Tubowgule as a meeting place for storytelling, celebration and dance, on the Opera House's most spectacular outdoor stage.

"DanceRites creates a truly special space for community to gather, connect and share their cultures with each other and audiences, on site and online across Australia."

NSW Minister for the Arts, Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, John Graham, shared his excitement about the events return, saying DanceRites is a special moment on the nation's arts and cultural calendar.

"DanceRites is a special moment on the nation's arts and cultural calendar – a powerful opportunity to celebrate and learn about diverse First Nations cultures as they perform on the iconic Sydney Opera House Forecourt on Tubowgul," he said.

"Ten groups will make their debut in front of thousands of people - spectators and competitors, locals and visitors, and those watching the broadcast across the country."

Recognised as a significantly important cultural event for the broader Indigenous community, this year DanceRites is set to impress and entertain patrons once again.

DanceRites is free for all to attend at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt.

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