Multimedia: Black Cockatoo Dance Company Brings Aboriginal Rhythms to New York Stage

Co-presented with the Australian Consulate-General of New York

Australia's Black Cockatoo Dance Company performed at Asia Society New York on May 16, 2014. (Elena Olivo/Asia Society)

Combining Aboriginal song and dance with the drums of the Torres Strait Islands, the troupe fuses the cultural traditions of Australia’s indigenous peoples. (Elena Olivo/Asia Society)

Seated, rear: Sean Choolburra (L) and Smilar Sinak. Standing, foreground: Albert David (L) and Vivian Anderson. (Elena Olivo/Asia Society)

Seated, L to R: Sean Choolburra, Smilar Sinak, and Vivian Anderson. Standing, foreground: Albert David. (Elena Olivo/Asia Society)

Sean Choolburra and Asia Society Director of Global Performing Arts and Special Cultural Initiatives Rachel Cooper. (Elena Olivo/Asia Society)

L to R: Sean Choolburra, Rachel Cooper, Smilar Sinak, Albert David, and Vivian Anderson at Asia Society New York on May 16, 2014. (Elena Olivo/Asia Society)

NEW YORK, May 16, 2014 — The cultural traditions of Australia's indigenous people came to the Asia Society stage in a performance by the Black Cockatoo Dance Company. Troupe members Sean Choolburra, Albert David, Vivian Anderson, and Smilar Sinak infused Aboriginal song and dance with the drums of the Torres Strait Islands, creating a rhythmic atmosphere that further combined with the unique sounds of Choolburra's didgeridoo (yigi-yigi).

Download the program notes (PDF)

Video: Watch the performance highlights (4 min., 43 sec.)

Video: Post-performance Q & A (7 min., 45 sec.)