Archive - Sydney Powerhouse Museum

Tea Dances

Between 1992 and 1993, I hosted and facilitated a series of ballroom tea dances at the Sydney Powerhouse Museum, activating the museum’s Turbine Hall as a live social dance space for members and visitors. These events were formally programmed by the Powerhouse and regularly attracted large public audiences, transforming the industrial hall into an inclusive and participatory cultural environment.

The program was delivered in collaboration with dancer Kerrie Shrimpton. Together, we taught social dance steps to attendees and presented live dance demonstrations and performances throughout each event. Kerrie had already appeared in Strictly Ballroom, playing the role of Pam Short. The film was made in 1991 and released in 1992, and I had personally recommended her for the role to casting director Faith Martin. This connection reflected the close relationship between contemporary Australian film, professional ballroom culture, and public engagement programming at the time.

Dancers: Ron Panto and Therese Clark (front), Raymond Mather and Julie McGraw and Michael Plemming

The tea dances were documented in official Powerhouse publications, including Powerhouse What’s On, the Powerhouse Museum Guide, and the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences Annual Report, where I am named as host. The program formed part of the museum’s public engagement strategy, blending dance, heritage, and participatory experience within a national cultural institution.

My primary contact and supporter within the Powerhouse Museum was Rosemary Allison, whose warmth, energy, and commitment to audience-focused programming were instrumental in bringing the series to life.

Annual Report 1991-1992 with Dancers Raymond Mather and Julie McGraw

 

Dancers: Raymond Mather and Julie McGraw (front), Ron Panto and Therese Clark, and Michael Plemming

This page forms part of the ART1 Archive, documenting professional work and cultural contributions prior to the launch of ART1.

See more performances, projects and professional experiences in Selected Credits.