Analysis: Freestyle Dance and Multiculturalism in Sydney, Australia

This essay explores the burgeoning freestyle dance scene in Sydney, Australia, examining its deep roots in the nation's multicultural society. Sydney has emerged as a hub for international dance, fostered by government support, marketing opportunities, and the renowned Australian Dance Festiv...Read More

Running Head: FREESTYLE DANCING IN SYDNEY
FREESTYLE DANCING IN SYDNEY
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Dance has its own roots in the society of the Australia nation since inception. There are a
number of dances or art forms that are practiced in the country nowadays. In this regards, Sydney
is considered to be the hub of freestyle dance in Australia (Fogarty 2016). In fact, there are a
series of dance festivals and events organised in the region that bolsters the culture of dance as a
performing arts in the local communities. As a matter of fact, a number of influences are played
pivotal role in creating Sydney the hub of contemporary international dance platform in various
ways. For example, the government sponsorship, marketing opportunities, international dance
festival, tourism and the existence of multiculturalism in Sydney are considered to be the
possible means of growing trend of the international dance practice across the region. In addition
to this, it can be ascribed that the Australian Dance Festival is identified as an impetus for the
dance lovers across the world (Australian Dance Festival 2018). As a result of that the September
month is always crowded in Sydney because of this festival. People from different country with
different cultural background get assembled in the festival and thus creates a cultural hybridism
that personifies Sydney as an important place for international dance culture. In this regards, this
essay is going to discuss the reason and the way international dance has been taking shape in the
Sydney region. In addition to this, a major focus has been set on the multiculturalism existed in
that region. The purpose of this essay is to perceive an idea about the growing trend of
international dance practice in Sydney and figured out the pivotal factors that are responsible for
it.
The essence of multiculturalism bestows in the society of Australia. In fact, the local
communities of Sydney are a best example of prevalence of diverse culture in the region. Since a
colony of the British till today Australia witnesses a broad spectrum of multiculturalism. In fact,
it can be sated that Australia was one of the countries in the world that adopt the policy of

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multiculturalism firstly (Williamson 2015). Moreover, since 1970 the multicultural trend has
been supported by the mainstream political parties (Wise and Velayutham 2014). Amidst of
these violence and uneasiness was coexisted in the region and in 1990s the Asians were targeted
in the practice of social cohesion (Ho 2014). However, in Sydney multiculturalism has been
prevailed with the notion of cosmopolitanism. The advent of globalisation facilitated the practice
of harmony in the diverse culture of Sydney. In this regards, the dance, music and other types of
performing arts played a pivotal role in order to maintain the collaboration (Clyne and Jupp
2013). As a result of that the cultural diversification becomes enriched with cultural hybridism.
The introduction of pop culture in the form of freestyle dancing became so popular among the
communities of Sydney that helped to shape the social cohesion as well. it can be argued that
performing arts in the form of free style and hip hop dancing is getting very popular among the
local youths of Sydney irrespective of their cultural differences. In other words it can be opined
that the freestyle dancing turns into a common art language of the diverse culture in Sydney.
Therefore, the freestyle dance forms inevitably have taken root in Sydney.
The tourism industry of Australia has a promising future and is growing in a healthy
manner. In fact, there are a number of events and festivals are taken place in the country that is
very popular among the international tourists. It can be argued that Sydney is considered to be
one of the important tourist destinations across the world. The Australian tourism industry is
identified as one of the lucrative industries in the nation with sharing the GDP of 2.4% by the
international tourists only (Forsyth et al. 2014). In fact, the overall international arrivals have
been escalated to 0.7% per year which is very optimistic for the future of the tourism industry in
Australia (Chong 2014). Keeping in mind of these facts, it can be asserted that the dynamic
approach of the Australian tourism industry helps to facilitates the opportunity for a gathering of

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people belong to diverse culture. It ushers a new perception among the local communities as
well. As a result of that the freestyle dance culture also germinates into the taste of the local
youths. Influenced by the international spectrum the local youths and kids become very
interested in practicing freestyle moves homely and professionally.
In fact the growing dance market in Australia is identified as the major factor behind the
increasing demand of freestyle dancing in Sydney. It can be argued that the growing dance
market in Sydney is intertwined with various event shows organised in Sydney. These event
shows have international reputation and it attracts a large number of foreign visitors. In this
regards, the dance artists and the choreographers have keen interests in the modern marketing
initiatives that can render a great deal of impetus to the dance culture and business industry in
Sydney (Cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au 2018). The marketing opportunity for the dance industry and
business is very optimistic in Sydney. The growing demand in the local communities and the
increasing aspirations in the international market are highly responsible for turned Sydney as the
core dance market in Australia (Zaggelidou et al. 2013). In addition to this, it can be argued that
the market orientation is influenced by the market trend. Based on this assumption, the Sydney
dance market is shaping its course more intensely on the freestyle dancing forms (Fogarty 2016).
The empirical evidences and further researches have advocated that the nature of dance industry
of Sydney is heavily depended on the freestyle dance practice. The reason behind this escalating
trend can be identified as the very nature of the freestyle dance form and its acceptability. It can
be stated that the older version of freestyle dancing was developed in the 1970s as a street dance
move (Attias, Gavanas and Rietveld 2013). Later in course of time and with the help of
improvisations it shapes the modern form of freestyle. Form the foundation of this dance style
young and teenagers have appreciated the liberal approach of the freestyle dancing (Mohr and

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Hosen 2013). In fact, the easy to pick nature of this dance form increases its acceptance in the
local communities. In this regards, the Sydney community is also followed the same line and the
kids and teenagers are loved to learn the freestyle dance forms than any other style of dancing.
The culture of performing arts is deeply rooted in Sydney. A possible reason behind this
growing trend is the social media fuelled clubs and bar circulating around Sydney. Since the
middle of the 2000s, with the increasing activities of social media people are also looking for
entertainments that are easily available. As a result of that the bars and clubs provides low costs
digital music and helps to provide platform for the DJs and musicians to come forward and grab
the opportunity. In this regards, the remix contests and EDM practices are increasing in a drastic
manner because the young people love remix music (Karpetz 2014). As a matter of fact, the
change in the music is also transformed the taste of entertainment. In course of the discussion it
is obvious to have a question about dance and the remix music. While looking back to this topic,
it can be argued that EDM is the acronym of Electronic Dance Music. In other words, it can be
argued that this Electronic Dance Music is designed with the purpose of stepping up with the
beat. This pop culture has a long drawn impact on the aesthetic taste of the Sydney residents as
well. In fact, the recent researches showed that in Sydney the club and bar culture is growing
rapidly and it has an inclination towards the fondness in dance (Attias, Gavanas and Rietveld
2013). In addition to this, several surveys have taken place in order to study the growing fashion
of visiting clubs and bars. Astonishingly, most of these surveys ventilated that keeping aside the
addiction to alcohol many of the responders expressed their fondness in dance and clubs and
restaurants are considered to be the best place to express their passion.
The government initiatives are also considered to be an important facet in this regards. It
can be argued that there is no direct relation between the dance practice and the official

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announcements of the local government. However, like other performing arts dance is also
identified as a key factor for extra curriculum in the school levels. In fact, no one can deny the
positive impact of dance in the society. Most of the medical researches and studies have
articulated that dance has an exercising outlook that helps to stay healthy and fit (Ashley and
Nikolai 2013). Besides this, personal enjoyment and professional orientation of dance is also
important. Keeping in mind of this philanthropic approaches of the dance most of the schools
and universities have incorporated dance in their academic curriculum framework. Moreover, in
the university level there are some certificate courses that are being provided on popular dance
forms like freestyle dancing. In fact, the practice of freestyle dancing has a resemblance in the
aboriginal culture of Sydney as well as Australia. There are two aspects in this regards that are
served by the practice of freestyle dancing. Most of the medical surveys and reports opined that
freestyle dancing is very helpful to reduce depression. Based on this research, in the indigenous
community of Australia depresses ion and act of suicide are becoming an alarming factor.
According to the study, 18% of the Australian indigenous male and 10% of the female are
suffering with depression (Katitjin 2016). As a result of that the government is taking steps by
introducing popular freestyle dancing practice in the aboriginal community. In addition to this,
this leads to a process of cultural assimilation between the mainstream society and the native
community of Australia.
In this regards, the Australian Dance Festival is quiet relevant to discuss. The Australian
Dance Festival is a three day event generally held in the month of September. The festival is
conveyed in the famous Sydney Olympic Park in Sydney every year and witnesses an
international dance festival where dancers and choreographers from the rest of the worlds are
participated in the competition (Australian Dance Festival 2018). This event is very important for

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the local dance lovers of Australia. In fact, in these three days the Sydney Olympic Park has
become a hub of international platform for dance. As a result of that the Sydney youths get the
flavour of various trends of contemporary dance forms (Teaiwa 2014). Besides this, there are
workshops and exhibitions for the dance lovers that are conducted by best choreographers in the
world. This opportunity makes Sydney a perfect ground for contemporary dance forms. As a
matter of fact, the hip hop or the freestyle dance forms are one of the main attractions of the
Australian Dance Festival. Naturally, a cultural exchange among the visitors paves the way for
Sydney to be a hub for freestyle dance form.
From the above discussion it can be derived that the dance culture in Sydney is very
popular and rich enough to influence the local youths. Performing arts in the form of freestyle
dances is a very common practice among the communities in Sydney. Besides its dynamic tourist
attractions and famous destination, the cultural interchange also identified as a major factor that
influences the culture of Sydney. Government initiatives and the market orientation further
provide impetus in this regards. Therefore, it can be concluded that all the factors in the name of
government responsibilities, tourism, market opportunities, and major events like the Australian
Dance Festivals are enriched the Freestyle dance practice in Sydney. Hence, it can be argued that
Sydney becomes a hub of international freestyle dance forms and it will remain the same in the
long future.

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