Sydney Square Dance
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In April 2021, Darling Harbour’s public spaces were energized through epic dance performances and interactive classes during the Sydney Square Dance.
This free event was part of the first ever Festival of Place, a year long celebration of our connection to our incredible public spaces - and to each other.
The Sydney Square Dance was all about getting everyone out having fun with one another and promoting an active, healthy lifestyle through dance and movement. Busting a move at this family-friendly and Covid Safe festival was definitely one of the best things to do in Sydney during the April school holidays.
But it wasn't your average square dance. To help keep Sydney open, all interactive classes were ‘socially dis-danced’ using square grids drawn on the floor, and each dancer will get their own square to move in.
As well as fun interactive dance classes there were:
- Dance battles at the Pier Street Underpass
- Dance Cinema featuring dance related films and videos at Darling Square
- Arcade dancing featuring Dance Dance Revolution
- Incredible dance classes and performances
- Impromptu flash mobs
Supporting Sydney’s creative community
During 2020 and early 2021, lockdowns and COVID-19 precautions meant that many in the local creative community couldn’t earn a living doing what they love. The Sydney Square Dance was conceived by Andrew Hoyne (Principal of strategic consultant and place brand agency Hoyne) and his team, who came up with the idea as part of the Public Space Ideas competition. It aimed to help provide an opportunity for vibrant local dance and music communities to perform again in a safe, ‘socially dis-danced’ environment.
That included dancers and musicians, young and old from all over Sydney and NSW. To show your support, all you had to do was come down to Darling Harbour and get your groove on at one of many events and classes.
The project was part of the Summer in the City program, proudly funded by the NSW Government.
What's on
The Sydney Square Dance featured a wide range of performances and interactive classes with some of Darling Harbour’s best movers and shakers.
Dance Cinema
A series of dance-related movies and videos curated by Dance Cinema Organisation curator, Melissa Ramos in the open air at Darling Square.
Meet the Sydney Square Dance performers and artists
We’ve assembled Sydney’s best performers and artists to transform Darling Harbour into one massive dance floor during the Sydney Square Dance event. These are just a few of the legends you can expect to see around this April.
COVID-19 safety at Sydney Square Dance
Your safety is important to us so the Sydney Square Dance was designed to be 100% COVID-safe. From day one, we worked with NSW Health to make sure that all activities were in line with their COVID-19 guidelines.
Each event had strict conditions to keep you safe with all interactive events held in physically distanced squares to ensure attendees were able to participate safely.