Adelaide - This year’s ANZAC DAY, April 25, was as perfect as any autumn day can get and the evening was just plain glorious – clusters of stars, thousands of them, brilliantly lighting up an otherwise blanket of blue-black sky. The weather was just right for those sensitive to slightly wintry temperatures not to boycott chic fashion with wraps and beanies.

Amelia Apolinario-Mart could not have chosen a better day for the opening of her Adelaide dance studio.

Initially opening the dance studio under the nomenclature – Allegro Dance Arts Centre of Adelaide (ADACA), she later altered the ‘Allegro’ into Ăapol following a claim to ‘Allegro’ as a trademark by some other Adelaide-based entertainment outfit.

The venue at 510 Goodwood Road, Daw Park was officially opened with an afternoon ‘cocktail soiree.’

Night of multiculturalism and celebrities

The opening which was scheduled from 5 – 8 PM was attended by a host of Adelaide Art-Scene figures and Multicultural Education Committee (South Australia) personalities. Vincencio Andreacchio brother to Aussie film- director Mario (his latest, “ Paradise Found”), himself an artist-musician and MEC senior Officer was seen sipping brut Barossa Chardonnay while in ‘tete-a-tete’ with other arty guests.

Professor My Van Tran with her vivacious and contagious laughter was seen perking up a group engrossed in musical conversation in the lounge behind the studio. There were John and Helen Maualaivao of the Samoan Community who were seen engaged in an animated chat with Filipino community leaders. Miriam Cocking, Maria Barredo and Violy Leslie, who came with hubby Albert, were caught on camera catching up on community events. Filipina Lawyer Aida Garcia, business operator Mike with wife -Sonia Eguia were on hand to show support. Dance enthusiast Maynes sisters were perfect guests with their lively conversant selves. Among the many other genteel ‘party hounds’ were Shonee and Bob Gardiner, Geoff and Rose Howland, Jeff and Louella Wilson, the Mart Clan and Jim and Brenda Digance.

Party hosts Amelia and Mila, along with the ‘Man of the House’- Derek Mart warmly received guests as they arrived at different times.

There was exotic food galore under candle light in a white marquee pitched outside the studio. Trays of crispy chicken bits, dimsums, spring rolls, adobo, pansit, cheese, cold cuts and other savories were arrayed alongside macaroni salad, cakes and sweets. Wines and drinks flowed as guests chatted and savoured the glorious evening weather.

The studio’s reception room contained a photo-journal exhibition of Amelia Apolinario – the Dancer and her original Allegro Dance Group. On the wall were framed still photos of her 1996 Dance Extravaganza project – the FOLKLORICO (Evolution of Philippine Folkloric Dance). It was a Dance Extravaganza that was the first and only one of its kind to be ever shown in Australia. It was also the first world-class Filipino Folkloric Dance Extravaganza of its type to be shown internationally. Not only was it an explosion of artistic talent but also significant in its cultural pride. The performers were second-generation Filipino Australians (most of whom were from mixed marriages) who were born and bred in Australia.

The videotapes taken of this 1996 show were ran continuously in the main studio on a 30 inch television screen. The photo-journal exhibit trailed off into the present with a recent photo shot of Amelia and husband –Derek Mart. Reflective of her dedicated allegiance to both her art and family, there always was, in the scheme of her every move, special spots reserved for both.

Ăapol Dance Arts Centre of Adelaide

For this new studio, she had initially decided to carry her trademark –Allegro. It was after all the label that she has always been identified with not only in the Philippine Entertainment Industry but also in the Asian and International Performing Arts Scene from the 60’s through to the mid 80’s. It was also the same trademark that she used for the school she established in Sydney in the early 80’s. The trademark however was being currently claimed by an Adelaide entertainment outfit formed during the early 90’s. Deciding that it was hardly the right time to get into some legal wrangle for a trade name, Mila and Amelia decided to forego the ‘Allegro’ name issue for a while. The priority was to get the school up and running. It was in the midst of this addle that the two sisters thought of coining Ăapol- from ‘Amelia Apolinario.’ Thus, Āapol Dance Arts Centre of Adelaide came into being.

The studio revival is a joint venture of Amelia and her younger sister Mila Apolinario. Mila, a Sydney resident handles the business economics while Amelia does what she does best – create and direct the ‘aesthetics’.

The school will feature a wide range of dance repertoire from basic ballet, jazz, contemporary interpretative, reggae, modern (including break dance), folk to ball room. There will also be exercise routines such as yoga and tai-chi as well as other fitness programs.

The Philippines’ Allegro Dance Group

Amelia Apolinario- Mart was the founder-choreographer of the Philippines’ Allegro Dance Group that started in the 60’s. The dance group became a household name when the group gained permanent time slots in major lunch- time shows on Philippine national TV. The name became a fixture in the Philippine television and film industry for years.
When Amelia moved to Sydney, Australia in the early 80’s, she entrusted the management of the Allegro Dance Group to her brother – Cesar. The outfit has since expanded to include entertainment production.

She established a dance studio in Sydney but was forced to abandon the business due to other more pressing considerations. It was during her stint in Sydney that she became guest-instructress for ‘Bengara Dance Company’ which was at the time in its initial stage of operation. (Bengara Dance Company grew to become a leading artistic entity. It was the main ‘architect’ of the world acclaimed opening presentation at the Sydney World Olympics 2000).

When Amelia moved to Adelaide in the mid 80’s, she established an experimental studio under a new name with the intention of introducing an innovative jazz-dance genre that was at the time sweeping across the American Continent. However, Adelaide’s conservative preference for the classics rebuffed the New York dance trends and she decided to shelve the idea for a while.

Love for the arts

Today, her strong instincts for the arts and life-long love for dance stirred once again, goading her to start up this new dance school. This time, her dance studio has an added nostalgic element. A wisp of sentimental wisdom has attached itself to love for the arts.

“I’d like to leave as legacy to my grandchildren the dignity of having made the most of myself in my lifetime – that I took full use of the creativity which I have been blessed with. I’d like them to remember me as their ancestor who, in my lifetime, have passed on useful expertise in my field. I certainly continue to make myself useful and share my know-how in dance and performing arts until my ‘use by date’.”

Wisdom aside, she also knew that the only way to be at peace with her self was to let go of that aesthetic energy that was raring to be let out. She is after all an artist and a dancer. And true to being a slave of perfection, just as true artists are, she remains an idealistic innovator of elegance.

In her world, that dynamic elegance is art- in- motion.

To the rest of the world it is called Dance. /NORMA HENNESSY