WE BRING: One stage. One hour. One dance company.
YOU BRING: One request (music, prop, image, instruction).
THE SHOW: We see/hear your requests for the first time on stage and create a spontaneous performance on the spot with them.
“Any Requests?” is a fun, creative and completely improvised performance built around material provided by the audience. Audience members are invited to bring a request with them to the show – a piece of music, a prop, an image, a direction, or anything else they would like to see in improvised dance form. The performers see/hear each request for the first time on stage, creating the work around the material as it’s presented.
Next shows:
Saturday Sep 13, at Dancehouse, 150 Princes St North Carlton
Matinee 3:00pm (requests from 2:30) *family friendly performance*
Evening 7:00pm (requests from 6:30)
Drawing on a range of traditional Chinese and Japanese ink painting techniques, these workshops explore the meditative aspects of working with the four treasures - ink stick, ink stone, brush, and paper - and the beautiful tonal qualities of black ink and water. Suitable for complete beginners, as well as more experienced ink painters keen to reconnect with the fundamental elements of this art form, no previous painting or meditation experience is required.
Beginning with the ritual of mixing the ink, we will explore different approaches to brushwork as well as some gentle body and breath awareness to help cultivate a sense of grounding, peace of mind and creative flow. All materials will be provided on the day, and you will leave with paintings to take home with you, although this practice is as much about the state of mind you attain during the process as it is about the finished work.
Held at the beautiful Singing Wok (Elwood), the Red Door Studio (Heidelberg West), or the Centre for Creativity and Consciousness (Ballarat), places in each workshop are limited to 6 participants, and pricing is tiered - you are welcome to choose between $50, $60 or $70 according to your financial situation. There is also one place available free of charge in each workshop, so if you would like to attend but finances are a barrier, please reach out to Meah at travelartdance@gmail.com.
Please note two of our studio spaces are accessed via stairs. Online enrolments are open until the day before each workshop.
About the teacher
Meah Velik-Lord has been studying traditional ink painting since childhood under the instruction of Richard Liddicut of Behold Art Melbourne. Meah is also the Artistic Director of Travel Art Dance Company, and leads the company's program of public classes and workshops with a particular focus on creativity in aesthetic expression and exploration. Meah holds a Diploma in Teaching Creative Dance from Mangala Studios, a Diploma in Dance Movement Therapy from Dance Therapy NZ, and is a Veriditas-trained labyrinth facilitator.
Upcoming workshops:
Tuesday July 8th, 1:00-3:30pm at the Centre for Creativity and Consciousness (Ballarat)
These weekly adult classes are a collaboration taught by rotating teachers Julie Aares (the Red Door Studio), Meah Velik-Lord (Travel Art Dance Company) and Mien Tan (Meanderful Movement)
Each teacher brings a different approach to their offerings - but common to all classes in the series is the carefully curated use of physical props and inspiring music, inviting participants to explore expression and interaction through movement in a joyful, supportive environment. No previous dance experience required.
Thursday evenings 7:15-8:30pm at the Red Door Studio, 5 Blackwood Pde Heidelberg West.
$25 per class or $80 per block of four - enrolments via the Red Door Studio
Next series dates:
August 28 - Meah Velik-Lord
September 4 - Mien Tan
September 11 - Meah Velik-Lord
September 18 - Mien Tan
Bookings here: https://www.thereddoorstudio.com.au/creative-dance-adults
Suitable for complete beginners as well as dancers of all levels keen to revisit the fundamentals, this introductory class draws on principles from a range of creative dance methodologies - making use of music and props to facilitate creativity, imagination and physical expression.
Each class has a focus on aesthetic as well as physical exploration, and is designed for anyone wanting to extend their creativity in a new direction or broaden their experience with dance and movement-based improvisation in a safe and friendly space. No previous experience required.
Prices are tiered - you are welcome to choose $20, $30 or $40 according to your financial situation - and there are also two places available free of charge in each workshop. If you would like to attend but finances are a barrier, please reach out to Meah at travelartdance@gmail.com.
Next workshop:
Tuesday Sep 30
10:30am-12:00pm at the Centre for Creativity and Consciousness, Ballarat
*please note this studio is accessed via a flight of stairs
About the teacher:
Meah Velik-Lord is the Artistic Director of Travel Art Dance Company, and has been teaching, choreographing and performing with the group since 2003. She runs the company's program of public classes and workshops for adults and children, with a particular focus on creativity in artistic expression and exploration. Meah holds a Diploma in Teaching Creative Dance from Mangala Studios of Yoga and Creative Dance, where she has been dancing herself since early childhood, a Diploma in Dance Movement Therapy from Dance Therapy NZ, and is a Veriditas-trained labyrinth facilitator.
In these workshops we will learn to work with the four treasures of traditional Chinese and Japanese ink painting - ink stick, ink stone, brush and paper - and the beautiful tonal qualities of black ink and water.
Beginning with the ritual of mixing the ink, we will explore a different natural or imaginative theme each workshop. We will learn a range of approaches to brushwork in a process that helps cultivate a sense of grounding, calm and free creative expression. All materials will be provided on the day, and children will leave with finished paintings to take home with them. Small class sizes allow the content to be tailored to different levels of familiarity with the work - all are welcome, no previous painting experience required. Classes are primarily tailored to children 7-12 yo, but if your child is older or younger please don't hesitate to contact us to discuss.
Our workshop prices are tiered, you are welcome to choose $40, $50 or $60 according to your financial situation. There are also two places available free of charge in each workshop, so if your child would like to attend but finances are a barrier, please reach out to Meah at travelartdance@gmail.com.
Suitable for beginners as well as more experienced students keen to revisit the fundamentals, these workshops draw on principles from a range of creative dance and movement methodologies. Each workshop incorporates individual, small group and ensemble work, and makes use of music and props to help extend creativity and physical expression.
These sessions include aesthetic and design-based exploration as well as physical movement, and no prior dance experience is required. Designed for anyone wanting to extend their creativity in a new direction or broaden their experience with movement-based improvisation in a welcoming and friendly space. Taught by Artistic Director Meah Velik-Lord.
$25 full / $20 conc
(online enrolments are open until 3 hours before class time)
Workshops run on Saturday afternoons at two locations - Dancehouse, Carlton North, and Garden of Yoga, Northcote.
Next workshop dates:
August 16 - 4:00-5:30pm at Dancehouse, Carlton North
August 30 - 4:00-5:30pm at Garden of Yoga, Northcote
October 11 - 4:00-5:30pm at Dancehouse, Carlton North
November 8 - 4:00-5:30pm at Garden of Yoga, Northcote
November 22 - 4:00-5:30pm at Dancehouse, Carlton North
December 6 - 4:00-5:30pm at Dancehouse, Carlton North
A mini community jam we started as a way to try and reconnect with acro practice ourselves after lockdown life... And realising others out there are probably in the same boat we thought we'd extend the invitation!
Mostly designed for those with a little previous acro experience, but you definitely don't need to have done much (or have done much recently!) to still come along, we'd love to see you there.
Attendance is free of charge, but please make sure to register so we know you're coming - and if you're able to make a small contribution towards studio hire you'd be welcome to, but not required :)
Jams run every 6 weeks (approximately!) on a Friday night - 7:30-9:30pm at the Red Door Studio, 5 Blackwood Pde Heidelberg West
Do you have a small person in your life you want to dance with? If so, we hope you can join us for our next Sunday morning series!
These fortnightly classes are designed for young children (walking to 12 years) and a parent, caregiver, relative or friend. Each class is built around a different theme - using a designed space, music and selected props to facilitate physical exploration, skill building, creativity, connection and cooperation in a shared experience for adults and children. Taught by Artistic Director Meah Velik-Lord.
Sunday mornings fortnightly:
9:00-10:00am walking-3yo
10:30-11:30am 3yo-5yo
12:00-1:00pm 5yo-8yo
1:30-2:30pm 8yo-12yo
Term 3 dates:
Sunday August 3
Sunday August 17
Sunday August 31
3 class series $66 full / $54 conc (part-series enrolment available on request).
Classes are held at La Vérité Dance Projects, 61 Fallon St, Brunswick
Do you have a small person in your life you want to dance with? If so, we hope you can join us for our next Sunday morning series!
These fortnightly classes are designed for young children (walking to 12 years) and a parent, caregiver, relative or friend. Each class is built around a different theme - using a designed space, music and selected props to facilitate physical exploration, skill building, creativity, connection and cooperation in a shared experience for adults and children. Taught by Artistic Director Meah Velik-Lord.
Sunday mornings fortnightly:
9:00-10:00am walking-3yo
10:30-11:30am 3yo-5yo
12:00-1:00pm 5yo-8yo
1:30-2:30pm 8yo-12yo
Term 3 dates:
Sunday August 3
Sunday August 17
Sunday August 31
3 class series $66 full / $54 conc (part-series enrolment available on request).
Classes are held at La Vérité Dance Projects, 61 Fallon St, Brunswick
Do you have a small person in your life you want to dance with? If so, we hope you can join us for our next Sunday morning series!
These fortnightly classes are designed for young children (walking to 12 years) and a parent, caregiver, relative or friend. Each class is built around a different theme - using a designed space, music and selected props to facilitate physical exploration, skill building, creativity, connection and cooperation in a shared experience for adults and children. Taught by Artistic Director Meah Velik-Lord.
Sunday mornings fortnightly:
9:00-10:00am walking-3yo
10:30-11:30am 3yo-5yo
12:00-1:00pm 5yo-8yo
1:30-2:30pm 8yo-12yo
Term 3 dates:
Sunday August 3
Sunday August 17
Sunday August 31
3 class series $66 full / $54 conc (part-series enrolment available on request).
Classes are held at La Vérité Dance Projects, 61 Fallon St, Brunswick
Do you have a small person in your life you want to dance with? If so, we hope you can join us for our next Sunday morning series!
These fortnightly classes are designed for young children (walking to 12 years) and a parent, caregiver, relative or friend. Each class is built around a different theme - using a designed space, music and selected props to facilitate physical exploration, skill building, creativity, connection and cooperation in a shared experience for adults and children. Taught by Artistic Director Meah Velik-Lord.
Sunday mornings fortnightly:
9:00-10:00am walking-3yo
10:30-11:30am 3yo-5yo
12:00-1:00pm 5yo-8yo
1:30-2:30pm 8yo-12yo*
*Please note our 8-12yo class in Term 3 will also include some contemporary dance and choreographic work, in collaboration with Travel Art Dance Company performer and teacher, Kelly Way :)
Term 3 dates:
Sunday August 3
Sunday August 17
Sunday August 31
3 class series $66 full / $54 conc (part-series enrolment available on request).
Classes are held at La Vérité Dance Projects, 61 Fallon St, Brunswick
The labyrinth is an ancient archetype, dating back thousands of years in many cultures around the world. Unlike a maze, it has only one path, leading in a circuitous and meandering way from the outer edge to the centre. There is no right or wrong way to walk a labyrinth. It can be used as a moving meditation, an opportunity to reflect on questions, to quieten the mind, open the heart or ground the body. It can be a physical, spiritual or creative practice, or anything in between.
"There are many ways to describe a labyrinth. It is a path of prayer, a walking meditation, a crucible of change, a watering hole for the spirit and a mirror of the soul." - Veriditas
Our labyrinths are temporary installations created in beautiful studio spaces and gardens around Melbourne and regional Victoria. Walks are lightly guided for anyone new to labyrinth walking, but of course you're more than welcome to follow your own practice if you prefer. Please feel free to come any time within the two hours to walk, sit, reflect, rest or create.
Attendance is free of charge, but registration would be helpful for us to have a sense of how many participants we're expecting on the day (and also to contact you with any updates etc. if needed).
We look forward to walking with you soon :)
Next walks:
Sunday September 21 - Spring equinox walk, 3-5pm at the Red Door Studio, Heidelberg West
Sunday December 21 - Summer solstice walk (details TBC)
Please note our Introduction to Brush and Ink workshops are on hold for 2025 - we look forward to seeing you again in 2026! In the meantime, our Meditation in Motion Brush and Ink workshops will continue through 2025, details here
Experience the beautiful contemplative practice of Japanese ink painting, Sumi-e, in these quarterly workshops with Meah and Jo. Beginners are welcome - no previous art or meditation experience is necessary.
You will learn how to use 'the four treasures' of sumi (ink stick), suzuri (ink stone), fude (brush) and paper (washi), beginning with the ritual of mixing the ink which is a preliminary form of meditation. We will also share different brush techniques as well as gentle movement and breath awareness to help you find peace of mind and get your creative energy flowing. All materials will be provided and you will leave with paintings that you can take home with you, although this art form is just as much about the state of mind you attain as you practice.
Pricing for these workshops is tiered - you are welcome to choose between $60, $70 or $80 according to your financial situation - and we also have two places available free of charge in each workshop. If you would like to attend but finances are a barrier, please reach out via email to Jo (jo@gardenofyoga.com.au) or Meah (travelartdance@gmail.com).
About Sumi-e
Sumi means ‘black ink’ and ‘e’ means painting in Japanese, but this art form actually has its origins in China and was introduced to Japan, via Korea 1500 years ago by Zen monks on pilgrimage.
The practice is imbued with Taoist and Zen philosophy, and is a traditional method of training your consciousness, transcending the ego and aligning with the rhythms of nature. Many people use this practice as a form of meditation, working towards a state of mind rather than focusing on the aesthetics of the artwork produced. As Andre Sollier explains: "The purpose of Sumi-e is not only to understand the unity of life but to experience it. To paint a tree or a flower by a few ink strokes is to realise it’s unity, to make it real. It is to realise one’s self, and to make that real"
Each workshop will focus on one of the "four gentlemen" (bamboo, plum blossom, orchid and chrysanthemum), traditional subjects for beginners to learn foundational mark making techniques. These traditional subjects are a way to learn Sumi-e brushstroke techniques, but also qualities of softness, precision, spontaneity, delicacy and strength. Within this practice we are perpetual beginners and return to these forms continually, learning something new every time.
About Jo and Meah
Jo and Meah have both been ink brush painting since they were 6 - a combined experience of over 70 years!!
They are delighted to offer this introductory workshop in the same studio space where they have learned from their own teacher Richard Liddicut, and where they still attend class together today.
Jo Stewart's creative approach adapts to each practitioner's individual needs, with a focus on body positivity, self compassion and inclusivity. She is excited to share the whole spectrum of yogic experience - from supportive and playful movement in the aerial hammock, to calm meditation in the quiet of a yin style practice. She discovered yoga while studying Visual Art at RMIT in 1998, and since then she has found that practicing meditation and yoga helps her enjoy living and creating to her full potential. She is the founder of Garden of Yoga, co host of The Flow Artists Podcast and is currently writing a book 'Eight Limbs of Aerial Yoga' for publication in 2025.
Meah Velik-Lord is the Artistic Director of Travel Art Dance Company, and has been teaching, choreographing and performing with the group since 2003. She runs the company's program of public classes and workshops for adults and children, with a particular focus on creativity in artistic expression and exploration. Meah holds a Diploma in Teaching Creative Dance from Mangala Studios of Yoga and Creative Dance, where she has been dancing herself since early childhood, a Diploma in Dance Movement Therapy from Dance Therapy NZ, and is a Veriditas-trained labyrinth facilitator.
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