KOWHITI DANCE 2011
15/09/2011 - 17/09/2011
Production Details
Last year’s inaugural Kôwhiti Matariki Festival of Mâori Contemporary Dance held at Te Papa in June, was awarded the 2010 All Star Dance Award by the Listener.
Building on this success, Kôwhiti Dance 2011 is returning with a unique showcase of dance works created by leading Maori and Pacific Island choreographers.
Thursday 15 September: 7.30pm
Friday 16 September: 11.00am (Schools) & 6.00pm
Saturday 17 September: 2.00pm
Performers: Nkosinathi’s Cultural Group, Louise Pôtiki Bryant, HINE, Future Fame, Pasifika Sway
Tanemahuta Gray, Merenia Gray Dance Theatre, excerpt from Maui - One Man Against The Gods, Tupe Lualua
An evening of dedication and dance
Review by Greer Robertson 16th Sep 2011
Kowhiti is the well thought through brainchild of Wellington based Merenia Gray and her brother Tanemahuta Gray. Both as dancers, directors, producers and choreographers, these talented siblings set about bringing contemporary indigenous dance to the stage.
Launched only last year, Kowhiti gained instant public recognition by winning The NZ Listener 2010 All Star Dance Award.
With this acknowledgement, it is therefore quite fitting that Kowhiti 2011 awards were presented onstage after the current seasons’ opening night.
Following the performance, The Ice Breaker Award for the most innovative choreographer in the Maori Contemporary Dance genre was presented to Louise Potiki Bryant. Bryant, wearing an eye catching scarlet dress performed Tumutumu, a solo work accompanied by an original sound track with video installation. On such a large stage, Bryant still managed to command a presence with her inventive style, technique, energy and passionate delivery.
The penultimate Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Taiaroa Royal as one of Aotearoa’s outstanding Maori Dancer and Choreographer. Not performing this evening however, Royal had flown from Auckland especially for the occasion. His acceptance speech was both heartfelt and humble. With a true outward display of emotion in uplifting ritualistic chants, the cast of over 30 performers and the audience acknowledged his achievement.
But, the evening is also about a series of short and not so short pieces spanning years of tradition yet presented in a contemporary way. Either as a solo, duo, or group ensemble, a colourful, cultural combination of Maori, Pacific Island and African dance is celebrated. From the graceful garland adorned hula of Hawaii, to the traditional Maori kapa haka; there is something for everyone as dance, a universal language, exchanges an emotion, possessing an energy that requires no dialogue.
Opening the programme with excepts from Maui – One Man against the Gods- Te Ao Marama Tapui, a lone Maori warrior proudly commands his territory and sets the scene before gravity defying aerialist entwine centre stage.
Ritualistic, often aggressive, passionate and dynamic; the many choreographers speak through their performers. A wide range is presented. There’s slap dance, long poi, ti-ti-torea [stick games] all delivered with a contemporary twist. Some pieces are heavy and dark but light relief is balanced by way of Australaia’s top boogaloo hip hop duo Future Fame and Mase Boog.
The guest appearance of The Nkosinathi Cultural Dance Production Group from South Africa delight the audience with several styles of traditional dance. Along with zulu and pantsula, a style creating a tap and glide form of movement, the explosive infectious rhythms made me imagine the clay dust erupting from the ground. Their zest for life and commitment in everything they do is very evident. Drumming resounds and their lithesome limbs and at times gum booted- feet, dash and dart explosively.
Binding all the dancers together is a common thread; a shining dedicated love of dance, a consummate pride in their colonized countries heritages; a vibrant and very alive spirit.
_______________________________
For more production details, click on the title above. Go to Home page to see other Reviews, recent Comments and Forum postings (under Chat Back), and News.
_______________________________
For more production details, click on the title above. Go to Home page to see other Reviews, recent Comments and Forum postings (under Chat Back), and News.
Copyright © in the review belongs to the reviewer
Comments