International Dance Day
International Dance Day
Sunday
1st May 2016, 10.30am – 4pm
Te Papa
Free event
As part of UNESCO’s global celebrations of International Dance Day, there will be a day of FREE dance workshops and performances in Wellington. Celebrations have been held around the world since 1982 when UNESCO dedicated 29th April International Dance Day. This is the 16th year the event is being held in Wellington and it gives the public an opportunity to watch and participate in a diverse range of dance styles and dances from different cultures.
Performance and
Welcome, 10.30am
A stamping of feet and ringing
of bells, we kick off the day with a performance of Morris
Dancing outside the entrance to Te Papa. This is followed by
a welcome from Anton Carter the new CE of DANZ (Dance
Aotearoa New Zealand) who will read the official Dance Day
message.
Workshops, 11.00 –
2.30
Have-a-go and learn a new dance, there will
be nine workshops to choose from. Try something new with a
Polish folk dance workshop led by Lublin Dance; grab a
partner and get into the swing with a Lindy Hop workshop; or
be creative with hoops in a dance workshop for the whole
family.
Kids love to dance and this year we have a series of workshops just for them. From 1.00 – 2.30 in the PlaNet Pasifika Discovery Centre they can experience Madagascan dance from African, Samoan Sasa and a Zumba class with a medley of moves from around the globe.
Performance, 3 -4pm
The
performance on the Marae is a celebration of Wellington
dance. Enjoy the percussive rhythms, sound and dances of
Africa with Moringa Dancers and Kubatana; experience Indian
classical dance with the vibrant Mudra Dance Company; the
Wellington Chinese Friendship Association will perform a
Tibetan style dance celebrating a passion for life and love;
and Cook Island youth group Tamariki Kuki Airani join us for
the first time; other cultures being celebrated include
Scottish, Polish, Samoan, and South American, there will
also be some hip hop, swing, contemporary and jazz dance!
ENDS