‘La Soirée’ Dances into Liberation and Joy

WORDS: Natalie King PHOTOGRAPHY - The Marketing House, Photos by Mon, Kit Wise Photography

Last month, dancer and creative director Brie Quartermaine brought something truly unique to the Broadbeach Cultural Centre: La Soirée—a bold, adults-only dance performance that celebrated feminine power, play, and transformation.

A sold-out crowd of over 120 guests witnessed the magic as non-professional dancers took the stage to share their journeys of self-discovery through movement.

These women were graduates of Centre Stage, a 10-week performance program created by Brie to empower women—most over 40 and many mothers with families to look after—to reconnect with their inner spark. Through dance, they explored confidence, sensuality, and joy, shaking off layers of societal conditioning and self-doubt.

“Women our age don’t usually get an opportunity like this to share our joy with the world on a stage,” shared one performer. “This was about remembering who we were before life got serious. We explored our limits and traded stories like ‘I’m too old’ , ‘Who am I to do this’ or ‘People might judge me’ for joy, connection, and self-love.”

Another performer expressed: “We are liberating ourselves to unlock the pieces in others that need to be let go. The way we are showing up is rewriting the paradigm of how society sees and objectifies women, and how we want to express ourselves in the new world – without shame, guilt and judgement.”

“The transformation of these women was truly inspiring,” said Brie Quartermaine. “They signed up for a dance performance but walked away with so much more. Rehearsals were filled with laughter, growth, and deep connection. The friendships that formed, the way they supported each other through fears and self-doubt—it was incredibly healing to witness. When women drop the competition and lift each other up, magic happens.

On performance night, every woman stepped into her spotlight, turning vulnerability into power. Their joy was contagious—you could feel it light up the entire room, with the audience dancing right along with them.”

The night showcased everything from cheeky burlesque and confident struts to soulful silhouettes and powerful group routines. Standout performances included the playful ‘Espresso’ number in bold bodysuits by sponsor Barr Body & Swim, a sultry piece behind sheer curtains set to The Weekend’s ‘Earned It’ , and a heartfelt solo performance by Brie Quartermaine. The show’s finale—a hip hop mashup—had the audience on their feet, celebrating women who, in many cases, had never performed before.

Hosted by Nicole Joy of She Speaks Movement, the night blended celebration and vulnerability, complete with nostalgic childhood clips, candid chats with Brie and the dancers, and an electric energy that filled the room.

Guest performers also wowed the crowd—Kurtis from GC Elite brought fierce Queen energy, while roller skater Kimmy Grace from Rollerfit lit up the stage with infectious joy.

“This was more than a performance,” Brie said. “It was about liberation. Feeling alive.

Free. Proud. Happy. And I want every woman on this planet to be able to feel that!”

With heartfelt thanks to sponsors Dance Desire, Barr Body & Swim, On Brand Events, Nicole Joy, and media support from The Marketing House, Photos by Mon and Kit Wise Photography, the Centre Stage movement is only growing.

Centre Stage 2.0 is already underway, and the next performance is set for September 5 at Broadbeach Cultural Centre. Tickets go on sale in June—follow @dance_with_brie to stay in the loop. Want to join the next wave? Centre Stage 3.0 is open for expressions of interest, and Brie’s Friday night dance classes are welcoming new faces.

If you’re feeling the call for liberation—this is your invitation.