Solarpunk

Hello, 

You are watching Solarpunk right now…or not. 

This performance is dedicated to many women in my life who inspire me. This is a thank you to them. I believe that if our society were more maternal, many of our global issues would fade away.  Intersectional feminism is the future and is the ‘yes and’ to the ladies who created the Monster Petition of 1891.

I am indebted to the following women who have inspired this work, particularly in the lineage of Skinner Releasing Technique: Joan Skinner and the women she has taught, Wendy Smith, Stephanie Skura, and Janice Florence.  The Releasing technique has helped me free myself to shift from looking at my dance to feeling my dance, feeling the image to perform from the inside out. Wendy began teaching me this work in 2010 as a student at VCA, and it has solidified the way I see dance and, in turn, the world ever since. I aspire to be a teacher like Wendy one day, sharing one of these techniques; in the meantime, please enjoy a performance inspired by Joan Skinner’s essential concepts. Please listen to and read my Solarpunk @ Home, coming out next week, which goes into more detail about the acknowledgements and respect I have for this technique and the women who have shared the form. 

This work is framed by Skinner Releasing Technique, but street dance is how we move. Anna Sarao, who passed away in 2025, inspired Americans and, in turn, the world to create narrative abstracted Hip-Hop dance. If you know about Culture Shock Dance Troupe, then you know the work of Anna Sarao. I dedicate this performance to you, Anna, and the life you led, inspiring many of us. Rest in power Anna Sarao. 

This work is proudly centring Releasing technique and street dance. 

This work also proudly decentres the English language. The following script is shared in the performance and has been translated into English below. 

Thank you to Dancehouse for presenting us. 

Thank you to the City of Melbourne Arts Grants for supporting us. 

Now get off your phone and enjoy this unrepeatable performance!

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Said in chronological order across Bahasa Indonesian, Tagalog, Arabic, Cantonese and Hebrew

Do you know what is punk?

The queen bee.

She grows to adulthood in 16 days.

She lives seventeen times longer than the males.

Where she goes, the males follow.

The queen bee is a femme queen.

I am a femme queen.

Pump the gas!

___________

Do you know what is punk?

Lions

Lions are a matriarchal society.

Lionesses are experts in ethical non-monogamy.

Lionesses collaborate, but they are not bossy.

They lead with pride, and form prides. 

Lions are skilled in community engagement.

Lions understand female power.

Why don’t humans?

_____________

Do you know what is punk? 

Elephants

Elephants communicate with sounds that humans cannot hear, allowing them to connect kilometres apart.

Elephants understand the power of female leadership and collective care.

Why don’t humans? 

_________

Do you know what is punk?

Orca whales.

Orca whales have a matriarchal society

Orca whale mothers are the keepers of memories.

A grandmother orca whale is the bearer of ecological knowledge that will help her family survive.

Their fins are like a mohawk, unique like a fingerprint.

Their vocal calls are like a guitar chord, unique like a fingerprint.

Orcas understand the power of women.

Why don’t humans understand?

________

Do you know what is punk?

All of us are coming together.

We stand up for our communities through our existence.

We honour the ladies who inspired this statue.

We wish humanity to live in peace.

Choreographer Jonathan Homsey
Performers Carmen Yih, Trevor Santos, Mikha Daely, Jonathan Homsey
Music Heather Nation
Outside Eye Wendy Smith

Joan of The Arc garments by Rose Chong

Ensemble garments by Suku

Deepest thanks to the cast/collaborators, and the women who have inspired me to do our best. Special shout of my Alex and Dr.Holly Durant for their constant and care support for me throughout this project. It truly takes a village of friends to make art!