Filled with aroha / alofa / ‘ofa (love) the team at Pacific Dance New Zealand have curated a programme of full length works, workshops, seminars, screenings, fashion shows, matinees and our anticipated Moana Showcase that will be featuring the Annual Choreographic Lab showing of emerging Aotearoa based Pacific choreographers.
International, local, emerging, established, contemporary and heritage artists from across Moana Nui a Kiwa bring to the mat their stories, their worlds and their mana to suit and enrich the journeys of our diverse audiences.
Pacific Dance NZ will hold its Festival opening on Wednesday, 1 June, at the ASB Waterfront Theatre in central Auckland with the NZ Premiere of MANU MALO direct from Hamburg, Germany, by Aloali’i Tapu, featuring a star-studded cast during the 3-night season.
The eclectic international offerings this season feature:
- KARUL Projects from across the Tasman region focussed on increasing First Nations’ voices, visibility, and stories through a master workshop and talanoa.
- S.P.A.C.E (Samoa Performing Arts and Creative Excellence) from Apia with aerial workshops. The directors will be attending the festival and available for interview.
- RAKO Award-winning dance director and climate change warrior Letia Mitchell returns with her Rotuman troupe for a full-length show, workshop, and screening.
- ‘TAU TAHI by Tongan dance master and academic Sisiuno Helu brings her full-length traditionally inspired contemporary dance show about Tongan legends with an outstanding cast of Sydney-based dancers.
The MOANA showcase is shaping up to be another locally anticipated presentation for the first time in Rangatira, Q Theatre. It will feature several works, including those developed at the 2023 Choreographic Lab and community collabs.
Please see the website for more details.