In October and November, Tasdance presents two fresh and inventive explorations of what makes us unique and gives us our own, very particular, Australian identity. It does this by presenting the work of two very different artists: Frances Rings, a leading Indigenous choreographer whose reputation was earned during her work with Bangarra; and Anton, from a European background, whose trademark is his highly energised dance works.

Adelaide–born Frances is a descendant of the Kokatha tribe and is also of German descent. She joined Bangarra Dance Theatre in 1993 and in 1995 studied at New York's Alvin Ailey American Dance Centre, focussing on Martha Graham and Lester Horton techniques. She has numerous film and television credits, and starred in Australian Tourism's now famous 'where the bloody hell are you' television commercial. She performed at BAM as part of the Next Wave Down Under in the Festival of New York, performed Corroboree in 2001 at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, has interviewed Gerry Adams (leader of Sinn Fein) for ICAM, and presented live–to–air TV coverage of the Corroboree Walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

As well as this, Frances was named in Bulletin Magazine’s Smart 100, and sits on the Dance Board of the Australia Council for the Arts. Her other achievements include Best New Australian Work at the 2003 Helpmann Awards for Walkabout; the 2003 Deadly Award for Female Dancer of the Year; and the 2004 Ausdance Award for Outstanding Achievement in Choreography for Unaipon.

Anton graduated from QUT in 1996 with an Associate Degree in Dance. He has had engagements with DarcSwan, Dance North, Australian Dance Theatre, Sydney Theatre Company, The Australian Opera, Legs on the Wall and independents Troy Mundy, Shaun Parker, Meryl Tankard and Tanja Liedkte. He has toured extensively through Australia, Asia, Europe and the USA.

Anton’s choreographies and commissions include works for Dance North and ADT in house seasons, AC Arts SA, Quantum Leap, Extensions, South Australian Children’s Ballet, and DirtyFeet at (Dance House Melbourne). He was assistant choreographer for The Actors Company at Sydney Theatre Company, Adelaide Feast Festival, Midsummer, Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and danceTANK 07 for the Sydney Opera House. He has made four dance films some of which have been shown in the USA, Holland, Italy and New Zealand. They were shown as part of Dance Screen in the Sydney Festival 2008, at the first night opening for the Sydney Festival 2009 and at London’s South Bank Centre this year.

These new Tasdance works will be at the Earl Arts Centre in Launceston on October 20–24, with school shows October 20 and 21. The Hobart season is at the Theatre Royal on October 30–31, with a school show on October 30. The Devonport Entertainment Centre has its season on November 5–6, with a school show on November 6.