For many people, their first experience with contemporary dance can be a confusing one, perhaps something along the lines of “I liked it, but what the hell did I just watch?”
That confusion is exactly what acclaimed Australian dancer Joel Bray seeks to explore in his unique pub trivia show I Liked It, BUT…
I Liked It, BUT… seeks to bring contemporary dance down from the lofty heights and into the pub scene, initiating an interactive discussion about what dance is within the setting of the familiar pub trivia night.
Bray said the idea for the show sprang from conversations with many people, particularly in regional areas, about what contemporary dance is.
“I’ve had lots and lots of conversations with people from all over about contemporary dance, and they say things like ‘Oh, I went to contemporary dance once, it was just really weird’,” Bray said.
“I think a lot of people feel that ‘I didn’t understand it so there must be something wrong with me, maybe I’m not smart enough’.
“So I wanted to take that pressure off people and go, no, it’s supposed to be enjoyed like any other art form, just like when you go to the pub and catch a gig. And then I went, what’s a format that Aussies feel really comfortable in? Pub trivia night.”
The show follows many parts of the typical trivia night, with questions and prizes, but also includes more interactive elements.
“I talk about my experience as a dancer and the art form, I perform dance movements from my own works as a way to illustrate what we’re talking about,” Bray said.
“There’s a moment where people are invited to dance with me, there’s a lot of humour, silly costumes and props, just lots of fun.”
A proud Wiradjuri man, Bray’s works explore both his Indigenous heritage and queer sexuality, an aspect he said was also “incidentally” present in I Like It, BUT…
“I couldn’t be straight if I tried, I’m very queer, so it just kind of seeps into the work, so there’s a lot of campery,” he said.
“A lot of my work is about the intersection of my cultural heritage as an Aboriginal man and my queer sexuality as a gay man.
“So I talk about that in the show as well. I also get into a very snazzy little unitard number that’s pretty queer.”
Bray works with a local musician each time he performs the show, and for the Geelong dates will partner with local indie musician Matilda Hassall.
I Liked It, BUT… is at Furphy Hall, Little Creatures Brewery from May 11-13.
