Carla's Korero - 29/01/13

Kia ora koutou, talofa lava, n�mén hǎo, Namaste, gidday and Goeiendag.

Hasn't the weather been fabulous?  Hope all the Aucklanders had a good anniversary day - I swam, ate pippis and enjoyed being at home with my husband.

It reminded me of my childhood of hot endless summers, and I thought back to those days in West Auckland when I lived in Titirangi and my Mum had a dance school that spread all over this city, from Papatoetoe to the North Shore and Henderson.

My Mum would have loved Babel (words) an extraordinary dance theatre work from Belgium that is on the last weekend of the Festival. Choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkoui is one of my absolute favourite choreographers. He speaks to me, he makes me think and he gives me hope as my soul lifts with BABEL's heartbreaking beauty. He is working this time with Damien Jalet who has danced in almost every one of Larbi's works over the last 10 years, and with British visual artist extraordinaire Anthony Gormley. Google Anthony. Babel shows us how dance and music are universal languages, breaking down barriers and divides that separate us. I took my niece Hana to Sidi Larbi's work in Antwerp and she adored it (following in her Oma's footsteps.) With a live world music band and a set that defies definition, this work is a must see.

I also think about West Auckland when I think about Atamira - their performance of HOU will takes place at Corban's Estate, while MOKO will be in rehearsal at Q Theatre. This contemporary Maori dance by some of our leading young next generation artists.

Take a step back to look at how our dance artists are performing all over the world... Don't miss award-winning choreographer and filmmaker Sue Healey's film Virtuosi. It features some of our luminary international artists, like Mark Baldwin, ex-Limbs and now director of Rambert Ballet in the UK; Lisa Densem who opened a Sasha Waltz show in Palais des Papes at Avignon Festival (I felt shivers down my spine when I watched her dance alone on this massive stage in front of 5,000 people); and Raewyn Hill who is now director of Dance North in Australia. Others in the movie include dancers Craig Bary, Sarah-Jayne Howard, Jeremy Nelson, Ross McCormack and Claire O'Neil - all of whom have made their name overseas.  The music is by Sydney-based NZ jazz luminary Mike Nock.

There is more dance with the RNZB's tripe bill Made to Move, and of course URBAN has hip hop from Latin America that rocks.

And on Family Day on 24 March everyone can participate in what we're calling our  "Boy-E" flash mob. The dance is the wonderful "Poi-E Thriller haka", made famous in the movie Boy and choreographed by our own Dolina Wehipeihana who works as a Programme Manager for the Festival.  This is a great opportunity for kids to learn the dance and be in a flash mob - come down to Aotea Sqaure and join Dolina (and the Festival staff - only a few of whom are dancers!).

And for all parents, its back to school for the children as the year rapidly moves on.  Don't forget to remind your school to participate in our great school's programme, SmartsFest.  There are wonderful opportunities and shows just for schools. Tell your local school at the 'For Schools' section on our website.

Keep on dancing to the rhythm of life.

Nga mihi mahana Carla