Find out what’s happening in New Zealand dance news!
The start of August finds the Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) mid-tour with the ground-breaking three-bill programme Home, Land & Sea, an historic first-time collaboration between RNZB and The New Zealand Dance Company. Audiences in Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch are being given the rare opportunity to see the return of The Way Alone by master choreographer Stephen Baynes, along with two world premieres – Chrysalis by RNZB choreographer-in-residence Shaun James Kelly and the groundbreaking Home, Land & Sea, created by acclaimed artistic director Moss Te Ururangi Patterson (Ngāti Tūwharetoa).
Another highlight for RNZB dancers this season is the opportunity to step into the role of choreographer and explore new creative concepts. The annual Voyages Choreographic Season is an exciting space for dancers to stretch their skills and work with their colleagues as they explore not just movement, but the full scope of artistic storytelling – through choreography, music, costume and concept. Earlier in the year, RNZB Artistic Director Ty King-Wall invited dancers to submit applications around the ideas they’d like to explore along with proposed music, preferred cast and concepts. A two-week rehearsal period will take place mid-August, followed by three performances at the end of the month. “The path of a choreographer is a brave step into the unknown,” says King-Wall. “It is driven by a sense of adventure and a search for expression and understanding.”
The New Zealand Dance Company (NZDC) and the Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) wrap up their collaboration, Home, Land and Sea, this August, with the final performances in Christchurch from 8 – 9 August. Home, Land and Sea is a programme of three powerful works, inspired by journeys in unknown seas and what it means to come home. For the first time, RNZB joins forces with NZDC to present a groundbreaking collaboration featuring some of the country’s finest dancers and choreographers.
At the heart of the season is the world premiere title work Home, Land & Sea, choreographed by NZDC Artistic Director Moss Te Ururangi Patterson (Ngāti Tūwharetoa), with original music by legendary musician Shayne P Carter. Chrysalis by Shaun James Kelly is a poetic reflection on his evolution from young dancer to choreographer, set to music by Philip Glass. Completing the programme is Stephen Baynes’s The Way Alone, a contemplative response to music by Tchaikovsky. Find out more and book your tickets now at rnzb.org.nz/show/home-land-and-sea.
The New Zealand College of Dance (NZSD) returns to Whirinaki Whare Taonga with UNBOUND, a spectacular showcase that includes performances of classical ballet and modern dance. This well-loved occasion guarantees to captivate audiences with its eclectic programme, that includes each celebrated items from the classical ballet repertoire and state-of-the-art works created by the subsequent era of choreographers.
As NZSD Director Garry Trinder says, “The New Zealand College of Dance has loved a protracted and extremely valued relationship with Whirinaki Whare Taonga. This yr, UNBOUND provides audiences a diversified programme of traditional and newly created works, one which highlights the expertise and keenness of our younger dancers.”
Showing yearly at Whirinaki supplies pre-professional college students of dance the chance to realize important efficiency coaching and discover their private voice. Trinder provides, “This showcase is the end result of weeks of coaching and rehearsals. We hope you’ll be dazzled!”
UNBOUND will happen at Whirinaki Whare Taonga, a cultural hub which has lengthy been valued as a group setting showcasing the daring creativity of Aotearoa. Performances will run for a restricted time solely, from 14-16 August. Tickets can be found for buy on-line on the New Zealand College of Dance web site www.nzschoolofdance.ac.nz.
Later this month, Trinder can be in Singapore, Tokyo and Manila, judging the Worldwide Ballet Grand Prix, Japan Grand Prix Worldwide Ballet Competitors and the Asian Grand Prix. He can be strengthening world ties, whereas contributing experience and proudly representing NZSD throughout the worldwide dance group.
Footnote New Zealand Dance will current Choose: Footnote, a curated assortment of iconic choreography, on 12 September at Regent on Broadway, Palmerston North. Choose: Footnote provides audiences an opportunity to expertise excerpts from the corporate’s newest works, together with the critically acclaimed MODERN GOD, Skinny Paper, and never-before-seen solos. Introduced alongside the DanceNZmade programme, be a part of a few of Aotearoa’s freshest dance artists for a night that may encourage younger dancers as to what’s attainable for his or her futures in skilled modern dance. Particular provide: all dance academics attending will obtain a free dance schooling useful resource created by Footnote New Zealand Dance.
Footnote may even provide a college vacation workshop, One Day with Footnote, on 22 September, from 9am-5pm on the Footnote Dance Studios in Wellington. This full-day dance workshop is tailor-made for youth and younger dancers aged 13-18 and can provide members an immersive expertise into the world of up to date dance, with a singular alternative to study from seasoned professionals in a supportive surroundings. Members can count on to be swept up within the boundless creativity and infectious vitality of the Footnote firm dancers. Via a sequence of dynamic workshops, attendees will discover present artistic practices and efficiency strategies which can be shaping the panorama of up to date dance at this time. From revolutionary choreography to expressive motion, this workshop is designed to encourage and problem younger dancers of all ranges. For extra info and to register, go to www.footnote.org.nz/events/one-day-with-footnote2025.
Footnote is celebrating 40 years of daring, world-class, trailblazing modern dance, with Revelry – Have a good time Footnote at 40 on 18 October at New Zealand Portrait Gallery in Wellington. In 40 years, Footnote has created 100 works, and employed 100 firm dancers. Footnote invitations all for an evening of boisterous festivity and merrymaking to have a good time. The occasion features a silent public sale, leisure by Chocolate Field (Vanessa Stacey and Lisa Tomlin), a money bar and treats. Early fowl tickets can be found till 14 August. For extra, head to www.footnote.org.nz/events/revelry.
By Laura Di Orio of Dance Informa.
