The People’s Dance Party

Bring A Plate Dance Company is a not-for-profit community arts organisation, dedicated to changing the perception of who can dance, where to dance and how to dance. 

They specialise in site-specific, interactive and immersive dance experiences that spread the joy of dancing and promote the benefits of movement for the mind, body and spirit. Since 2018, they have been running weekly community dance classes in South East Queensland and regularly perform and run workshops at events and festivals.

With facilitators hailing from all walks of life, with a broad range of experience in dance and movement, creative art therapies and human services. The People’s Dance Party is produced by The Bring A Plate team and is a way for them to spotlight artists outside of their company whom they are inspired by in the ever changing and inspiring city.

Yenenesh Nigusse is a passionate African dance artists and performer with over 20 years of dance experience. Yenenesh has endeared herself to thousands of people throughout Australia, and continues to develop a distinct and authentic community practice, informed by her own experiences and love of moving.

She is a vibrant facilitator who uses the power of dance to bridge gaps across languages, cultures and socio-demographic groups.

@yenenesh.nigusse

Johan Bolivar is a passionate and strong Latin dancer from Venezuela. He can’t remember when he started dancing because he has been doing it since he was a toddler but has more than 12 years professional dance experience. Johan has had very diverse training but is characterised by his urban flavour and specialises in Salsa and Afro-Cuban rhythms.

Johan is passionate about sharing his culture and roots. He loves teaching the dances he grew up with but now with a more technical point of view and extensive knowledge.

@dancewithjohan

Thais Carvalho is a Brazilian fusion dancer based in Brisbane and the owner of Queensland Fusion Belly Dance, an integrative dance crew with a variety of belly dance styles that promotes inclusion and woman’s empowerment within the Brisbane community through its annual retreats.

Thais has danced most of her life, with background in Classical Ballet, Contemporary, Brazilian regional dance and Fusion Belly Dance styles.

@thaiscarvalhodance

Kayah Guenther is a regional New South Wales based artist whose practice crosses dance film and theatre. In 2016 his film “The Battle” with Gavin Webber and HW Collective premiered world wide , Kayah co-choreographed “The Crossing” with Gavin Webber, which he has since co-performed with Webber in Australia, Chile, Malaysia and Hong Kong.

He has also worked with The Farm on his show “Glass Child” which is showing at QPAC 2023. He is currently working on his Triple Bill “Tall Man”.

@kayahguenther

Richie LeStrange is a multidimensional themme fatale that breaks gender boundaries and smashes glass ceilings with their unique brand of drag performance that is highly energetic, deliciously humorous and wonderfully provocative.

Disrupting the drag scene since 2017, Richie delivers visceral performances that entrance audiences. Equal parts sexy, silly, and sultry, Richie serves a buffet of reef and beef energy that you’ll be eating right up.

@richielestrange

Roj Kabalan is a Breakdancer from Lebanon now based in Brisbane. He started breakdancing when he was 16 years old because some school friends were already involved. His main interests were always teaching, performing and battling. He travelled across the Middle East and Europe to learn and compete.

Some of the jams he’s competed in and taken first place include Rise The Top Germany, Ground Hitters jam Cyprus, WBC qualifier Qatar. He has been teaching for 10 years, more intensively from 2017 where he started to incorporate fitness and conditioning.

@roger_kabalan