Well that was nice.
Or in dance speak — totally HAWT.
The props were bigger, the moves were funkier, the costumes were racier and the joy in the room was palpable.
THANK YOU TO ALL THE DANCERS for all the effort you put in over the winter months. HMNP is nothing, nothing, nothing without you beautiful people.
THANK YOU to Tim and Tom at Boomtown again you hosted us with style and we probably drank you dry. In a good way.
THANK YOU to DJ Edd Selectah Talk about double duty. Did y’all spy Eddy not only behind the decks but strutting a turn as Tay Tay in Big Yeti Shake Off? He loves it all! (And props to Dance Mom Shera for hopping on the decks when Edd was shakin it off.)
THANK YOU to Madame of Ceremonies RazzBerry Beret Again she brought her big beautiful smile and dulcit tones to kept us to time. She had the most difficult job of the night listening to the very fully unautomated totally unscientific clap-o-meter to detemine the winners of the battles.
THANK YOU to Justin Andrews Have you watched yourselves on repeat yet on YouTube shakin’ your thang? Well that’s cause Justin stood in one spot all night with his camera eye trained on you. Thanks Justin.
THANK YOU to Penny Ryan Photography Thanks so much Pen. You’re a genius at capturing spangly whirling dervishes in low light. Loved your Love Boat Entertainment Director sashay on the night. xx
SHARING IMAGES
Please credit Penny Ryan Photography.
Remember Dance Mom Loves You
Shera Blaise, Lisa Cant, Sarah Day, Rhani Dean-Talbett & Elizabeth Geddes
The Dance Moms
The Flaming Circus Tents
Consists of the wonderful trainers and staff from the Castlemaine Circus. They are here to dance at HMNP because HR says it’s good for “team morale”. And they all want that good mid year performance review. They are bringing their flaming hot dances moves, and their hottest costumes to combat the mid-winter chills. Their performance is gonna be lit, so let this be your safety warning. [The Flaming Circus Tents will not held accountable for spontaneous combustion of any minds blown due to impact of their flaming hot moves]
Girlz II Women
We’ve all dreamt of having a 90s subculture vending machine, and now this dream is a reality! Girlz ll Women will bring you the morbid lows of Goth prance-dance, the dizzying highs of coke-soaked club culture, the weed fuelled flailings of grunge drop-outs, and the intense beats of a rave, where everybody’s shufflin’! So fish your 20 cent coins out of your bum bags, and get ready to chow down on the 90s!
The Suzis
They’ve come together in multi-generational love and respect for the legendary Daytona Demon herself, rock and roll hellcat SUZI QUATRO, to perform a song released 50 years ago this year. Let’s do it one more time for Suzi, bust out some original 1974 choreography, and GO DOWN TO DEVIL GATE DRIVE!
Magic Book Boogie
Magic Book Boogie invites you to join in celebrating the spirit of exploration and discovery at 212 Barker Street. This performance tells a magical story about the assumed soul-less library scanners and a humble library visitor connecting through the beats of Azealia Banks & a mysterious magic book. You will never look at the book scanners quite the same again.
Fab 5
The year is 2040 and nuclear power plants dominate this strange new world. All artistic expression has been outlawed, except for a tightly controlled ballet routine that must be performed daily by all citizens. The workers at the Castlemaine nuclear power plant prepare to perform the mandatory routine. Suddenly, from the dystopian darkness emerges one of the workers. His name is Giovanni Georgio. With his help, the workers will summon the spirit of disco through the Moog synthesiser. They are the Fab 5! Free your minds, and dance to survive!
The Udder Ones
All seems peaceful at the Castlemaine Dairy Farm. Big Mamma Calhoun and Daisy McDonald are pleased; all their working girls have been out earning. But not all are content to go with the herd … First, there’s Kitty Moogerlein. An artist at heart, Kitty dreams of painting the next Moona Lisa. Then there’s Jeremoo Brandy, connoisseur of fine grasses. Jeremoo yearns to sample the grazing plates of Harcourt wineries. Next, is the thrill seeking Lucky Charmz. Restless in the paddock life, Lucky dreams of playing the Moolette tables of Vegas. Last, is San Franciscow. Alchemist and aspiring magician, Franciscow seeks to unravel the secrets of turning bulldust to gold. Disgruntled by a life of indentured servitude, this breakaway group of bovines churn up a plan for liberation. With surprising results … This is the story of THE UDDER ONES.
Miscellaneous Groove
Introducing Miscellaneous Groove. Where every step is a homage to their teenage selves – those carefree days of making up random dance routines in the comfort of their bedrooms. Now, for the first time, they’re leaving the bedroom and taking to the Hot Moves stage, where they will blend nostalgia with zero fucks, infusing their routine with the same spirit that fuelled those performances they forced their families to sit through all those years ago. Get ready to be swept away by flailing arms, uncoordinated legs and a body roll or two. They’re all grown up now, but still scared shitless so please clap loudly and tell them you’re proud. It’s Miscellaneous Groove!
The Nooks and Crannies
They met out the back of the op shop sorting through dirty socks and white-washed jeans. They quickly realised that they all loved to have a good joke, to discuss hot flushes, and imagine how they’d fix it all if they were rulers for a day. This dance is a gift to you all, to take you away, for 2 minutes, to a place where love is in the air and all species are holding hands, together, as one.
Fister Sisters
Born in lockdown, the feminist bookclub ‘Fister Sisters’ — or just ‘Fisters’, if you’re in the know — began as gatherings over Zoom, providing a much needed outlet from the daily grind of motherhood, iso and Pepper Fucking Pig. Today, Fisters meet each month to clink their glasses; share their latest feminist epiphany; and bond over complex women with a penchant for reckless behaviour. More than a bookclub, Fisters is the place where you can have your main character moment, say the quiet part out loud, slam down your drink and shout over the din: anyone got a ciggie. Following the natural arc from book club to dance troop, Fisters is BACK with a bespoke megamix paying homage to one of the biggest pop stars of our times. May it speak to the woman in you.
The Spangled Drongos
After their sensational debut last year as the Godivas, this talented troupe is flocking to the stage with a mesmerising performance inspired by the natural world. They will captivate you with their stunning portrayal of the dazzling bird, the Spangled Drongo. Shroud in glossy black plumage with iridescent spangles, this bird is known for being noisy, conspicuous, and frequently aggressive to other species. Bringing these attributes to life on stage, the group evoke a sense of wonder and admiration that would make David Attenborough proud. Whip out your binoculars to see them execute the can-can and the fancy grapevine. Turn on your inner twitcher to witness their intricate feather-like formations and agile flight-inspired sequences. Having migrated south from the warmth of the tropics, watch as the Spangled Drongos display their hot moves and dispel this winter chill.
Big Yeti Shake Off
Wwwelcommme to Suuuper Bowwl 2024.5! Due to the overwhelming popular opinion that NFL is actually Suuper Boring, and the Halftime Show is the absolute best thing about Super Bowl Monday, there will be no game today. Just entertainment! However, event organiser have been hit with some real bad luck and headliners Miley Cyrus, the Smokin’ Hot Dolly’s and the Cluster Thrusters can no longer perform. Wringing in the assistance of little known NFL groupie T-Swift, some of her ex-lovers and now out of work athletes, the show has been saved… and will go on… and go off! Kicking off proceedings for the Halftime Show, give it up for Big Yeti Shake Off!
Nudibranch Crew
Nudibranch crew are a bunch of local mates with a will to dance. Forming for the first HMNP dance off they are back with a few fresh faced members. They’re hoping to give you some SWEET DREAMS tonight!
Pizza Night
Hot like pepperoni with a fair layer of cheese, Pizza Night is bringing you a thumping heart to the Boomtown arena. Forged in the flaming oven of a regular Friday night pizza party, this debut dance ensemble is giving it a red hot go. Nine fun-loving dancers each add their own whimsical toppings, to make one family sized super supreme special. Bon appetito!
The Boners
They share the same passion and know rejection. Truth be told, they have all auditioned for the musical CATS at some point, and not a single one of them has made the cut … not one!So, what do you do when life gives you lemons? You band together, go hard, and bring you the Boners. They’re kinda like CATS — but DOGS!
The Booty Scooters
The Booty Scooters have exploded onto the dance scene, boldly pioneering their own genre by seamlessly blending boot scootin’ with booty shaking to become the unstoppable force known as the fierce and fabulous Booty Scooters! Every electrifying performance is a dazzling spectacle of precision, style, and irresistible charm, turning every stage into their personal playground. This dynamic group not only captivates, but commands attention with every sultry step they take. From the smoky saloons of Nashville to the dazzling stages of Vegas, they set the stage ablaze, fusing country twang with urban chic like never before. Their routines light up the night brighter than a Texas starry sky, igniting the senses and leaving the audience mesmerised. Get ready to step into a world where sequins meet soul, and country flair meets urban glam — the Booty Scooters are here to dazzle and delight!
Delicious Gagalicious
Distinguished guests, hold onto your cards and get ready to raise the stakes because the dance floor is about to get hotter than a Texas Hold’em showdown. Introducing the sizzling, the stunning, and the at times downright dirty dance crew– Gagalicious! They’re here to pop, lock, and drop it like your oestrogen levels through perimenopause. They’ll hook you with their hypnotic grooves and show you moves that’ll have you bluffin’ with your muffin and stunnin’ with their love-glue-gunnin’. Tonight, Gagalicious is the only call you’ll want to answer. Get ready to witness a dance battle like no other, where Gagalicious will leave their hearts—and yours — on the dance floor. So, stop telephonin’ and start applauding, ’cause Gagalicious is about to take the floor!
The Love Muscles
Last year, this group gave us Fauna-cation, but this year they are really going into beast mode! They can clean and jerk, they love a good snatch, and they could squat all day. (Although they may feel quite sore in the morning.) Yes, this is Hot Moves on steroids and we hope you’ve had your protein balls because you’re about to feel the burn!
Rural Hot Bitches
With their eyes firmly fixed on the prize for a third time. Prepare to be awwwwwed, brace yourself to be blushing – the Rural Hot Bitches are back with more peshun, feshun, and crotch thrusting mayhem. With moves hotter than hawt, tighter than tight choree, and a gyrating troupe of hotties, these Rural Bitches are here to blow more than just your mind 😉. The HMNP battle arena won’t know what’s hit it as these hotties strut their 80s humping battle extravaganza. Get ready for a thrusting spectacle that’ll ripple waves of hysteria through Castlemaine once again. It’s the Rural Hot Bitches!
The crowd
This year we had over 110 dancers. We wanted to make sure that each dancer got at least one ticket for their person to watch them dance. Add the Dance Moms and the support crew, then that made for a full house. Thank you to all the dancer VIPs for bringing the energy.
