Tempo NZ Festival of Dance 2009 Awards

Tempo NZ Festival of Dance 2009 Awards

Such was their incredible performances throughout the tenure of this year’s Tempo NZ Festival of Dance, that judges could only award the “Best Male Performer” to both Jeremy Poi and Simon Watts.

Within the theatrical setting of Auckland’s Shanghai-Lils last night, the 2009 Tempo NZ’s Festival of Dance Awards once again celebrated another fantastic season of dance, where the benchmark was set yet again in terms of quality dance programming – Poi and Watts’ equal win a testament to this feat.

Watt’s win, who performed in TMC’s Under The Influence, in particular highlighted the shift this years programming had towards the more “urban” trends of dance, with hip-hop prevalent in 2009. TMC’s meteoric rise this year saw their choreographer Richie Cesan pick up “Best Choreography by an Emerging Artist”, “Best Scenography” and another big award on the night; the “Best Production – Evening Length Work” gong. Andrew Cesan also became one of six recipients of the “Stole the Limelight” award.

Claire Lissaman picked up the “Best Female Performer” award for her stellar performance in ADZE, as part of the Footnote Forte Solo Series 2009 and choreographed by Kristian Larsen – who picked up “Best Choreography by an Established Artist” himself for this work. Gabrielle Thomas’ beautiful contemporary piece HAPU, as part of the Prime Cuts programme, earned her the award for “Most Inspiring Performance” while the Shona McCullagh choreographed work Those Left earned UNITEC the “Best Tertiary Ensemble Award” and John Purcell Puleitu, Jeremiah Faitala & Leroy Lakamau’s The Remedy Collection aptly picked up the “Most Innovative Choreography” award.

Elsewhere in the production category, Eden Mulholland once again picked up a “Best Music” award for his sound score for Waiting For Violet, Cat Ruka’s satiric Playing Savage earned the “Best Production – Short Work”, Bubble won “Best Youth Production” and the spectacular outfits that featured in Birds Of Paradise earned Morag Magnolia Brown the “Best Costume Design – Most Spectacular”.

Monisha School of Dance performance item in The Kids Show was voted the “People’s Choice” for this year’s festival, while two young and talented dancer/choreographers were awarded “Spirit of the Festival 09”; Rosalie van Horik and Zahra Killeen-Chance. These two dancers epitomise what makes Tempo work really well as a local festival, they were a pleasure for everyone to work with and their hard work was a large part of what made Fresh Cuts such a huge success.

The Awards night rounded up Tempo 09 with a flourish and style that was indicative of the 09 programme, Artistic Director Mary -Jane O’Reilly stated – “I look forward to Tempo 10!”

A full list of winners appears below.

For more information or the past season or to read Mary Jane O’Reilly’s blog, visit www.tempo.co.nz

PRODUCTION

Best Male Performer
- Jeremy Poi in STEALTH choreographed by Ross McCormack (from Footnote Forte Solo Series 2009)
- Simon Watts in UNDER THE INFLUENCE choreographed by TMC

Best Female Performer
- Claire Lissaman in ADZE choreographed by Kristian Larsen (from Footnote Forte Solo Series 2009)

Most Inspiring Performance
- Gabrielle Thomas in HAPU choreographed by Gabrielle Thomas (from Prime Cuts)

Best Tertiary Ensemble
- UNITEC – THOSE LEFT choreographed by Shona McCullagh (from Tertiary Colours)

CHOREOGRAPHY

Best Choreography by an Established Artist
- Kristian Larsen for ADZE (commissioned by Footnote Dance Company for Footnote Forte Solo Series 2009)

Best Choreography by an Emerging Artist
- Richie Cesan for UNDER THE INFLUENCE… GETTING TO NEXT LEVEL

Most Innovative Choreography
- John Purcell Puleitu & Jeremiah Faitala & Leroy Lakamau for THE REMEDY COLLECTION (danced by GHOST Dance Crew, from HOT showcase)

PRODUCTION

Best production - Short work
- PLAYING SAVAGE by Cat Ruka (from Late Show #2)

Best production - Evening length work
- UNDER THE INFLUENCE by TMC

Best Youth Production
- BUBBLE choreographed by Geordan Wilcox for Dance Unlimited, East Auckland Performing Arts (from The Teen Show)

Best Music
- Eden Mulholland – music for WAITING FOR VIOLET (choreographed by Mia Mason, from Fresh Cuts)

Best Scenography (combo lighting, set, costumes, music)
- UNDER THE INFLUENCE by TMC

Best Costume Design – Most Effective
- SIEMPRE SANTANA – Jacqui Cesan, The Dance Studio (from The Teen Show)

Best Costume Design – Most Spectacular
- BIRDS OF PARADISE - Morag Magnolia Brownlie

The Tempo awards Panel also acknowledged those who went above and beyond their way to make the festival the great experience it was: Diana Mailata, Sian Tucker, Ed Jenner, Mitchell Turei, Matt Gillanders, Kathrin Simon and the Tempo Volunteers (Elisabeth Degremont, Shannon O’Sullivan, Kerry Ann Stanton, Catherine Ockenden)

ENDS

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