RIPE Dance

21/10/2026

Had a great day sharing and connecting at the Sunshine Coast Parkinson’s Conference.

21/10/2026

If you’re in Townsville get along and support this community performance.

Dancenorth is hosting a free community dance performance this month celebrating mature movers and those living with Parkinson’s disease alongside their carers. See the details 👉 https://bit.ly/4jXLubA

11/10/2026

A stunning film celebrating community, creativity, connection through dance

09/10/2026

Dancing is so good for the body and brain.
NeuRA's Senior Research Scientist Dr Craig Sinclair, explains why dancing is so effective: "When a person is singing along or clapping along or dancing in some way, it does seem to show higher overall activation in the brain and higher connectivity between different brain areas."

Gold Logie winner Sonia Kruger has spoken out about the importance of dementia prevention after witnessing the impact of the disease on close family members. The former professional dancer and television host is now taking her own brain health seriously, paying close attention to lifestyle changes that can reduce her risk. Through her advocacy for news.com.au and The Australian's Think Again dementia campaign, Kruger is helping to raise awareness that 43 per cent of dementia cases in Australia can be attributed to six modifiable risk factors: being overweight or obese, physical inactivity, high blood sugar, high blood pressure in midlife, smoking and impaired kidney function.

Kruger's approach to prevention centres on a Mediterranean diet, regular exercise including strength training, dancing, social connection and cognitive stimulation. She was particularly inspired by a 2003 breakthrough study showing that frequent dancing significantly lowered dementia risk more than other physical activities. NeuRA's Senior Research Scientist Dr Craig Sinclair, explains why dancing is so effective: "When a person is singing along or clapping along or dancing in some way, it does seem to show higher overall activation in the brain and higher connectivity between different brain areas."

Kruger has even tailored her Strictly You fitness program to incorporate the research-backed benefits of dancing as a dementia prevention tool. Her message is clear: simple daily practices like a five or 10-minute piece of choreography at home can help reduce dementia risk, just as cognitive exercises do. By sharing her personal journey and championing campaigns like Think Again, Sonia Kruger is helping Australians understand that preventing dementia starts now, with the lifestyle choices we make today.

08/10/2026

We had a very fruitful and fun time in Melbourne recently. Lifelong learning is so important through sharing and exchange.

02/10/2026

Know someone in the Arana Hills area? Please share with them. A great class and community to keep you moving and connected.

25/09/2026

Join us for a special in-person session and networking with guest researcher Naila Kulhmann and members of the Arts Health Network Queensland.

23/09/2026

If you’re in Townsville get along to see and support this wonderful event.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗨𝘀 | 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲

The mature movers in our Dancenorth community invite you to share in all their joyous expression with 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘔𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘜𝘴, a celebratory performance this 24 October.

Participants from our Still Dancing and Vital Dance classes will set the Dancenorth stage alight with an afternoon of dance performances, reflections, and heartfelt connection.

Friends, family and fans are invited to join the revelry.

Check out our website for all the details - https://dancenorth.com.au/events/experiences/what-moves-us

~

Image by Amber Haines

18/09/2026

Friends please sign this parliamentary e-petition. Sport is not the only beneficial physical activity. Kids can benefit just as much if not more from attending dance classes. Let’s support equality of access.

Every child deserves the chance to do what they love.

For months, the dance community has been raising concerns that while dance is included in the PlayOn! voucher program, many dance studios still aren’t able to accept the vouchers in practice 🩰

That means kids who choose dance can miss out on valuable support that is available to children participating in other activities ⚽️ 🏉 🏀

I will never forget my early years of dance that culminated in being cast as a lettuce in our Peter Rabbit showcase - to say dance wasn’t my gifting may be an understatement, but I loved it! 🥬

Every child should have that opportunity.

That’s why we’re calling for equal, practical access to PlayOn! vouchers for Queensland kids who choose dance 💃🏼

📝 Sign our petition and help make sure dance kids aren’t left out:

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Petitions/Petition-Details/4674-26

This E-Petition closes on 2/10/2026.

18/09/2026

Lovely sequence from our colleague Veronica Shum in STH Australia and beautifully performed by the participants. Well done all! Hard not to be inspired by ‘The King’.

Here the dancers show the torso stretch we have been learning for t...