ABSTRACT
Australia, vast and diverse, is a country where an amenable climate, clear light, star-filled nights, expansive landscapes and seascapes can provide an idyllic backdrop for externally sited events. It is therefore not surprising that predominantly outdoor site-specific performances have a history and an identifiable lineage. This chapter provides a personal and partial view of that lineage over four decades and through four phases of author's site-specific practice. These phases can be summarised as: choreographing cities; working with community; multi-site promenade performances; and finally - the subject of this case study - performative engagement with cultural heritage sites in a festival context. All four phases occurred through evolving collaborations with strong communities of dance-led professional practitioners comprising facilitators, performers, choreographers, visual and media artists, composers and directors. Marilyn Wood referred to her process as 'choreograph[ing] cities' through 'site-specific and collaborative celebrations' in urban environments to 'revitalize community spirit' and transform 'the familiar into the magical'.
