Bangarra Dance Theatre to Bring PATYEGARANG to Sydney Opera House, 13 June

Bangarra Dance Theatre will take to the Sydney Opera House stage from 13 June with the world premiere of its new work Patyegarang. Choreographed by Artistic Director Stephen Page, Patyegarang commemorates the story of a young Eora woman who shared her culture and language with one of the first settlers Lieutenant William Dawes in this place we now call Sydney.

Bangarra Dance Theatre draws its inspiration from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Patyegarang is a Sydney story, and marks Bangarra paying homage to the land and people that the company has called home since it began 25 years ago.

During the Sydney season of Patyegarang, Bangarra will host a series of events specifically for Sydney's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to honour the Eora nation, celebrating this milestone together.

A Community Night performance of Patyegarang will be held on Friday 6 June at 8pm with discounted tickets made available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander audiences, supported by BHP Billiton. As with previous Bangarra Community Nights in Sydney, this will be a special experience for audiences as well as the artists of Bangarra themselves. The atmosphere is always electric and celebratory.

Bangarra will be also be hosting Koori Kids Day this year at the Sydney Opera House on Wednesday 25 June from 12:30pm until 1:40pm. With thanks to BHP Billiton, Bangarra is able to offer heavily discounted tickets to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander secondary school students from the city and outer metropolitan areas to attend this special event.

Photo by Tiffany Parker