In this series on culturally specific dance styles, Dance Informa interviews young dancers about what makes them move in the way they do, their influences, and their passion, to find out what links traditional dance styles have with popular and contemporary forms.
Creedence, can you tell us about your background in life and in dance?
“My name is Creedence Josiah Yaspatu Blanco. I do traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dancing. I also do hip hop dance and Indigenous Fusion dancing. I started dancing as soon as I started walking (so my Mum tells me), with my Mum and my Dad. I am Aboriginal from my Dad’s side, we are Yugambeh/Mununjali people from the Gold Coast and Beaudesert area. I am Torres Strait Islander from my Mum’s side, we are from Darnley Island (Erub) and Coconut Island. I love doing these dances because I connect to it and it’s the only thing I can really connect with. People have their own things they can connect with, like sports or singing maybe, but for me, it was always dancing – it runs through my family.
Creedence Blanco playing the didjeridoo. Photo courtesy of Blanco.
I work in my Mum and Dad’s dance company called the Jaran Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Dance Company. I was given the honour by our Elder Uncle Magpie to be the custodian of the songs, so I am also the songman and the didjeridoo player and the lead cultural dancer. I also joined a hip hop crew based in Brisbane called M&B Entertainment and another hip hop crew in Melbourne. With the one in Melbourne, I go to remote Aboriginal communities around Australia and teach kids hip hop dance.”
What are five words that describe indigenous dance for you?
“Amazing, Connection/Belonging/Identity, Passion, Spiritual, Strength.”
That’s 7 words! But what great words and so evocative. What links do you think indigenous dance has with other more mainstream types of dance?
“I feel that there is no link between traditional Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander dance to mainstream styles of dance because traditional Indigenous dance is completely different to any type of mainstream dancing so it does not really draw on any mainstream technique.
But, there definitely is a link between Indigenous Fusion dance and mainstream forms of dance. In Indigenous Fusion dance, we incorporate contemporary, hip hop and fuse it with traditional Indigenous styles and movements. We also draw on ballet for strengthening the core. Contemporary dance movements can be incorporated because they’re free flowing which connects well with Indigenous Fusion dance.”
What can you express in Indigenous dance that may not be able to be expressed in other dance forms? What is special about it?
“I can express myself, my connection to my country – this is who I am because I am Aboriginal and Torres Strait. When I am dancing Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander dance, I feel I can capture the true essence and spirit of the dance, our country and identity. It is this that captivates the audience. The audience can see our passion and spiritual essence radiating from within us.
I know the dances I am doing are thousands and thousands of years old, my Ancestors would have been dancing these same dances and it makes it so special to me. I feel very privileged to be able to dance it and I know I can pass it onto my children, and their children and so on and so on.”
I think that connection to country you talk about is something everyone can learn from. What would you say to someone who was thinking about taking up this form of dance? What are the best things about it? How do you train for it?
“To learn traditional Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander dancing properly, you have to be spiritually connected to country, connected to family, be passionate, be open minded with a good heart as these dances have been taught for thousands and thousands of years and handed down by Custodians/Elders of song and dance.
Creedence Blanco. Photo courtesy of Blanco.
The best thing about dancing traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dancing is when I am feeling down or having a bad day, it lifts me back up. It keeps me grounded and humble because these dances are sacred. I feel free on stage. I also feel like I am educating people in a positive and artistic way about my people that they won’t learn in school.
The best thing about dancing hip hop/Indigenous Fusion dance is that I can incorporate mainstream dancing into Indigenous styles of dance. I feel absolutely excited, happy and that nothing can stop me, when I am dancing. It is dynamic and super energetic.”
Where has it taken you and what do you hope to do with it?
“My first ever trip overseas was when I was 15 and I went to Dubai to perform traditional Aboriginal dance. That was huge and I was a bit scared but I loved dancing and people loved it. After that, I knew and I felt there would be more to come. In the next two years I travelled to Los Angeles, San Diego, New Zealand, Singapore, Hawaii (three times) and Italy.
My highlight was when I toured Italy last year as I was really scared because I travelled by myself with a traditional Italian choir. But they looked after me and they became like family. It was the first time I held a show together by myself, dancing and talking about Indigenous Australia. I visited the Coliseum, heaps of museums, churches and toured old castles. I loved the food and all I ate was pasta and pizza for the whole week!
My dreams are to continue what I am doing, keep travelling overseas, introduce Indigenous Fusion overseas and to teach my children our traditional dancing so that we keep our culture alive. I also want to one day become a back-up dance for hip hop artists like Chris Brown and tour with them. I also wouldn’t mind pursuing an acting career later on.”
Who has been an important mentor for you and why?
“The most important mentor in my life is my father. He has taught me traditional dancing for as long as I can remember. I feel like I am following in his footsteps. He has also taught me everything I know. He taught me to believe in myself, to never give up, to never hold negativity in my life (and if I do, go back to dancing and culture, and to release it on stage), he taught me to be proud of who I am and where I come from. He is my role model.”
By Tamara Searle of Dance Informa.
Photo (top): Creedence Blanco. Photo courtesy of Creedence Blanco.
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