Funnily enough, Common People Dance Project began because Brisbane-based Neridah Waters and her friend and co-founder Fez Faanana wanted to attend the Tasmania Circus Festival – for free.

In 2009 they offered to run a dance workshop in exchange for entry to the Tassie festival, outside of Launceston. At the time, one of Waters’ favourite songs was Common People, by alt-rock band Pulp. The pair created a playful, gestural dance that followed the lyrics. The workshop quickly became popular, particularly among circus artists who usually performed their own tricks but suddenly had the chance to come together as a group.

When Waters and Faanana wheeled a speaker onto the main festival grounds and started the song, people came running from all directions. Unintentionally, they had created their own flash mob.

What began as a cheeky way to attend a festival soon caught the attention of event organisers in Australia and overseas. And that playful beginning continues to shape Common People Dance Project today.

Led by creative director Waters, the project welcomes people of all ages, abilities and levels of dance experience. This includes complete beginners, people returning to dance after many years, and experienced performers looking for somewhere they can loosen up and have fun.

That strong community interest eventually saw Common People Dance Eisteddfod’s first Brisbane Festival, in the Spiegeltent in 2019, with this year’s event at Chandler Theatre, Capalaba, on September 19.

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Humour now sits at the centre of everything Common People Dance Project does. Waters believes dancing does not always have to look serious, attractive or technically perfect. It can also be funny, playful and a little ridiculous.

She teaches almost “like a stand-up comedian”, using humour to break down the barriers people may feel when entering a dance class. She wants to be the silliest person in the room because it shows everyone else that they can relax, have fun and be silly too. Over time, Waters watches people grow in confidence. 

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‘There’s nothing like moving your body in sync next to a complete stranger and laughing as well’

The choreography keeps everyone involved. Beginners can follow basic movements while experienced dancers add extra flare, such as a body roll, cartwheel, split or something more theatrical. Waters also asks participants about their individual skills and finds ways to give them their “own moments” without making beginners feel left behind.

For Waters, there is something powerful about moving beside someone you may have never met before. 

“There’s nothing like moving your body in sync next to a complete stranger and laughing as well,” she says.

That shared experience creates an immediate connection. Getting onstage in a sparkly leotard may feel terrifying but doing it with a team gives people the confidence to attempt something they may never do alone.

At this year’s Common People Dance Eisteddfod seven teams will compete for one trophy and, as Brisbane Festival puts it, “unlimited glory”. Held at Chandler Theatre’s Sleeman Sports Centre on September 19 at 5pm, the 90 minute program is suitable for all ages and is Auslan interpreted and wheelchair accessible.

Each team presents a five-minute routine developed over six months. The performances combine dance with costumes, comedy, characters and stories inspired by the teams’ local communities. One Northside routine, for example, tells the history of Toombul Shopping Centre and its flooding.

Being part of Brisbane Festival gives everyday participants the pride of performing within a major arts festival. Instead of only inviting the community to watch professional performers, it gives regular people the chance to see themselves in the program. Some dancers have never opened a Brisbane Festival program before joining classes.

The Eisteddfod is far from a quiet night at the theatre. Waters compares its atmosphere to a sporting event, where audiences dance, cheer and fiercely support the team representing their part of Brisbane.

The competition becomes surprisingly addictive. In previous years, grandmothers arrive with signs teasing rival teams, while husbands turn up in hot pink outfits to support their partners. Audience members are encouraged to dress in team colours, make some noise and defend their side of the river. As Waters explains, it is about the West Side beating the South Side, or vice versa.

Of course, no competition is complete without a trophy, and this one has plenty of personality. Waters affectionately describes it as a “giant craptastic trophy”. The ever-evolving prize is made from objects found at Reverse Garbage, hot-glued together and covered in gold spray paint and glitter. It resembles a tiered wedding cake, with each winning team adding another piece to it.

The trophy then passes between winning team members. It travels to schools, hospitals, and even the beach. One team has taken Christmas photographs with it and sent cards to their rivals, just to remind them who won. 

For anyone wanting a taste of the fun, Waters will run a Common People Dance Project workshop on September 26 at Brisbane Festival Village, South Bank. The free 60-minute workshop invites people of all ages and abilities to learn an energetic routine and dance together on the day. Common People Dance Project will also appears at Brisbane Festival’s Family Fun Day on 20 September. The free events allow you to jump in and experience the joy of dancing for yourself. But the ticketed Eisteddfod on September 19 is where you receive the full entertainment of Common People Dance Project.

It is a joyful suburban battle filled with comedy, costumes, local stories and some seriously addictive rivalry. The audience becomes part of the fun by dancing, cheering and backing its local team all the way to glory. Wear your best dancing shoes, bring your loudest cheer and join in for a celebration of dance, laughter and wonderfully unserious competition.

Common People Dance Eisteddfod, Chandler Theatre, Old Cleveland Rd, Capalaba, September 19, 5pm, (book tickets); Common People Dance Project at the Family Fun Day on the Village Green, Festival Village, September 20, 2,30pm-3.30pm (free); Common People Dance Project Workshop, Village Green, Festival Village, September 26, 5pm (free).

brisbanefestival.com.au/events/common-people-dance-eisteddfod-26

This article was written as part of  The Critical Writing Program, run in partnership with Queensland Writers Centre and InReview Queensland, supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, part of the Department of Education.