An Evening of Vaudevillian Delights

What Do Powdered Wigs, Gum Boots, And Frére Jacques Have in Common? NZDC’s Annual Fundraiser Offers Evening of Vaudevillian Delights

The New Zealand Dance Company presents
CLUB MYSTIQUE III: A Masquerade Supper Fundraiser
Sunday 11 November

The New Zealand Dance Company’s (NZDC) annual evening of comedy and indulgence returns in 2018, hosting a full-scale gala to cap off an incredibly successful season. Dancers, comedians, thespians and musicians alike will take over the magnificent Wintergarden of Auckland’s iconic Civic Theatre on Sunday 11 November for a hilariously quirky fundraiser, offering all in attendance the chance to kick up their heels for a celebration of the Company’s incredible work.

The theme of the third annual offering invites guests to travel through time from 2018 back to the splendour of King Louis XIV’s Versailles. The Civic’s Wintergarden is transformed into an opulent palace showcasing the marvellous creations by the stellar artistic team of Michael Hurst, Shona McCullagh and John Gibson complemented by a play within the show scripted by the raucous (and Billy T nominated) comedian Tom Sainsbury. Channelling the luscious style of ‘The Sun King’ – credited as the inventor of ballet, degustation dining, fashion and indoor taxis – and being played by talented actor Arlo Gibson, this evening promises to be a veritable feast of extraordinary belly ballet laughs.

Joining the incredible talent of the NZDC dancers as Louis’ “etoiles” are a host of celebrity actors, singers, and comedians, with confirmed talent including luminaries Dame Lynda Topp, Monsieur Michael Hurst, and Madame Jennifer Ward Lealand. Phenomenal performances in elaborate style will be paired with gastronomique delights – with wine thanks to Astrolabe, beer thanks to McCleods and supper thanks to Collective.

Offering friends and supporters of NZDC the chance to raise funds for the various outreach programmes that the Company offer, a spectacular line-up of auction items will also tempt guests. The evening will end with a glorious live auction, led by Lotto television presenter and skilled auctioneer Jordan Vandermade. Auction prizes have been contributed by supporters of NZDC to help in the fundraising efforts – many being visual artists and other arts organisations themselves. Sculptor Jim Wheeler, photographer Emma Bass, painter Josh Lancaster, and designer Luke King are among the many who have donated their unique works for lucky bidders to take home, with more prizes including luxury experiences to go under the hammer.

Also this year, in a brand-new initiative for the company, those unable to join at the event, and those in attendance who want to get a jump start on proceedings, have access to bidding in the auction with NZDC launching a dedicated online bidding platform. GalaBidallows anyone to support the Company from locations near and far, sending in their bids digitally to their heart’s content. A favourite moment at the culmination of the evening and live auction is the opportunity for an individual to stand up and pledge their support for one of NZDC’s elite dancers through a donation, as a part of the NZDC “Perfect Partners” programme – another chance for supporters to directly contribute to the Company.

An annual philanthropic event, Club Mystique is NZDC’s largest fundraiser to generate funds to cover the operations of its Youth and Community Engagement Programmes. Currently, those programmes receive some support from sustaining funders, but $150,000 still needs to be raised in addition to cover costs. Their funding goal of the evening is $100,000, which allows NZDC to deliver such activities including its annual Tāmaki schools’ tour of performances and workshops, Youth Seasonal Schools, Feisty Feet classes for seniors, professional Company Classes, pre-professional Contemporary Classes, whole whanau workshops and more.

In its third year running, Club Mystique promises to be a fresh and enchanting journey for attendees, splashed with the same splendour and outrageousness of years past that has made this event an annual Auckland must-see.

CLUB MYSTIQUE III
An Evening with Louis XIV – A Masquerade Supper Fundraiser

Sunday 11 November 2018
Wintergarden, The Civic
8pm until late

nzdc.org.nz/clubmystique
galabid.com/auction/nzdc18/

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