Find out what’s happening in New Zealand dance news!
Footnote New Zealand Dance is proud to present the international premiere of Thin Paper, Autonomous Synapses, Nomads, Tokyo(ing) 薄い紙、自律のシナプス、遊牧民、トーキョー(する) in Nagoya and Tokyo, Japan this October, followed by the Aotearoa NZ premiere at Tempo Dance Festival. Thin Paper, Autonomous Synapses, Nomads, Tokyo(ing) reveals a new sense of space and time – intersecting people, cultures, landscapes and moments. With choreography as poetic as its title, this work evokes deep emotion through attention to detail.
Japanese choreographer Kota Yamazaki and Footnote explore the changing and fluid nature of human identity, freeing it from socially preconditioned notions of self. Throughout the work, words float and scatter, collected from the scenery of Wellington and young people’s hang-out spots in Tokyo. Yamazaki returns to Footnote New Zealand Dance, drawing on his previous 2020 piece, Fog, Nerves, Future, Ocean, Hello (Echoes), to develop this striking new work. Performance dates include 5 – 6 October (Nagoya, Japan), 12 – 13 October (Tokyo, Japan), and 19 – 20 October (Tempo Dance Festival). For more information, visit www.footnote.org.nz.
The biennial Tempo Dance Festival – Te Rerenga o Tere returns with a full programme of immersive, innovative and exciting dance, running from 10 – 20 October at Q Theatre. The 2024 programme is teeming with established and emerging dance creators with more than 200 performers slated to take to the stage for 20 shows across 10 days. This year’s festival will include performances by The New Zealand Dance Company, The Royal New Zealand Ballet, Identity Dance Company, Atamira Dance Company, Footnote New Zealand Dance and internationally renowned choreographer and dancer Anne Plamondon.
Plamondon, a Canadian dance creative, will make her first visit to Aotearoa, opening the festival with Myokine. In this two-act presentation, Plamondon is joined by Tūrongo Collective who will present Wai Taketake for a powerful evening of contemporary dance that bridges ancient wisdom with modern exploration.
Tempo Dance Festival Executive Lead Aaron Huata wants to open the festival to all lovers and supporters of dance, creativity and storytelling. He says, “Tempo is a multi-genre dance event committed to showcasing all dance forms, from all cultures, communities and backgrounds.” For more information, visit www.tempodancefestival.co.nz.
The New Zealand School of Dance (NZSD) Performance Season, to be held 20 – 30 November at Te Whaea: National Dance & Drama Centre, is a highlight of the School calendar and a showcase of the extraordinary dedication and passion the students apply to their training throughout the year. Students from both the classical ballet and contemporary dance streams will showcase their talent in a series of performances allowing audiences of family, friends, supporters and dance enthusiasts the opportunity to see the rising talent of the future.
This eclectic programme features a bold selection of works showcasing the technical prowess and artistry of the School’s students. This season celebrates the breadth of the art form – highlighting the next generation of choreographic voices in a series of new works while paying homage to the timeless foundations of classical ballet. For more information, head to www.nzschoolofdance.ac.nz.
The NZSD Summer Intensive is now open for registrations. This esteemed course runs from 21-24 January 2025. Dancers will choose to join either the contemporary dance or classical ballet classes, and will participate in daily technique and repertoire classes. Daily complementary classes will be designed to develop technical and creative aspects of dance for classical ballet and contemporary dance. Classes will be taught by NZSD faculty and both classical and contemporary guest tutors. For more information and to book, go to www.nzschoolofdance.ac.nz/courses/summer-intensive.
The New Zealand Dance Company (NZDC) will present double bill Rua at Tempo Dance Festival 2024, with two performances on 17 and 18 October at Q’s Theatre Rangatira. Rua features two acclaimed works by some of New Zealand’s finest choreographers, Louise Pōtiki Bryant and Ross McCormack.
In Transit, created by Pōtiki Bryant (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Mamoe, Waitaha) and AV designer Paddy Free, is a captivating exploration of Māori rituals and cultural memories. With evocative design elements from Jo Kilgour and Kasia Pol, this piece immerses audiences in a vivid reflection on heritage and identity. Having toured the world to great success, from Paris to Nelson, In Transit continues to resonate deeply with global audiences through its seamless blend of movement, sound and visual storytelling.
McCormack’s Matter, which premiered in 2016, takes viewers on a surreal journey through a dystopian landscape, where order and chaos collide. Also lauded internationally, Matter has captivated audiences with its haunting soundscape by Jason Wright and dynamic lighting from Kilgour. McCormack’s work explores human obsession and purpose through multidisciplinary artistry. For bookings and more information, visit nzdc.org.nz/stage/works/whenua.
By Laura Di Orio of Dance Informa.
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