Tempo Launch Party A Classical Night In Auckland

Tempo Launch Party A Classical Night In Auckland

With only one month to go before the Tempo New Zealand Festival of Dance begins on September 30th and boasting 50 events across Auckland, dance aficionados both young and old were wined, dined and treated to live performances as the festival’s launch party held on the 15th of September was an overwhelming success.

Artistic director MJ O’Reilly opened the proceedings in the Wallace Trust, Queen Street thanking both the performers involved and the funding partners of the event, including SKYCITY Auckland Community Trust, who have helped in the creation of the ‘Golden Ticket Initiative’, allocating 1000 free tickets for Auckland’s elderly population and their companions. O’Reilly also at this time introduced both the festival’s General Manager, Frances Turner, and the announcement that the festival’s website, www.tempo.co.nz, became live that night.

Don McGlashan’s performance opened the artistic aspects of the night, with a moving solo rendition of “Bathe in the River”, a song made popular by Hollie Smith which featured on the soundtrack for New Zealand movie ‘No. 2’. Politician Rodney Hide made sure not to drop the ball (or the dancer either) as he showed his new found passion for dancing with his new partner/tutor to those in attendance, further proof how the art form is reaching out to a newer audience. Though the partner maybe new for Hide, she surely isn’t a novice – Yu Fen Wang is a highly experienced dancer and a qualified ballroom teacher.

The performances were rounding off by the stunning, stylish and incredibly loud dancing talents of Boyzdance; a combination of the classical Fred Astaire style routines with the modern day hip hop style, the all boy group showed that age has no bounds regarding dance- young or old, everyone can dance to a beat.

To further highlight that point, the festival kicks off on the 29th of September with a day of free dance classes at the home of Tempoº New Zealand Festival of Dance – The Auckland Performing Arts Centre in Western Springs. With classes ranging from Salsa to Ballet, these 60 minute sessions suit all age ranges, with TAPAC easily accessible from town and ample parking opportunities.

Following on the day after (30th September) celebrated urban dance artist Gandalf Archer leads Aotea Square through a Les Mills BODYJAM© session on the 30th of September, with a weeks worth of free workshops at the home of the Tempoº New Zealand Festival of Dance; The Auckland Performing Arts Centre.

ENDS

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