HOU 2013

ATAMIRA DANCE COMPANY (AOTEAROA/NEW ZEALAND)

Programme:

Nancy Wijohn - Mahi Waewae

Cathy Livermore - He Maunga: He Kohatu

Jack Gray - Mitimiti

Friday 8 and Saturday 9 March, 2013

Shed 1, Corban Estate Arts Centre, Henderson

NEW ZEALAND PREMIERE

Audiences can experience the freshest Māori contemporary dance at Auckland Arts Festival 2013 by joining Atamira Dance Company for HOU 2013 - Choreographic Development Season. In HOU 2013, three of the country's best Māori contemporary choreographers will thrill audiences with the ihi, wehi and wana (energy, power and awe) of contemporary dance theatre at this special event at Henderson's Corban Estate Arts Centre. Auckland Arts Festival 2013 is helping to bring Atamira's growing annual creative development programme, Hou (new), to the widest possible audience.

In Mahi Waewae, Australian-based, New Zealand born dance artist Nancy Wijohn will explore a new choreographic idea - interpreting the physical and psychological elements of sport, Māori warfare and athletic ability through dance. Nancy, a gifted movement artist and athlete, is interested in team strategy, attack, defense, and unity.  This is a highly physical exploration of culture, physicality, strength, weakness and mental prowess.

Cathy Livermore's new work He Maunga: He Kohatu plants itself within a Māori world view to try and uphold what has always been known in contrast to the consumerist society we are allowing to rule us. This is a call to remember and to take action - for all Māori to stand as kaitiaki (guardians) and protect the land, Papatuanuku, from pollution and policies that threaten environmental well-being and connection. Using popular music, chant and song, the work references overseas land sales, early land protests and mighty hikoi journeys.

Te Atatu Penninsula-born choreographer, and founding Atamira member, Jack Gray will continue his provocative theatrical exploration of relationships to pepeha - where and how we identify ourselves - in this next chapter of his full-length work Mitimiti. Inspired by the land, culture and people of the North Hokianga, Mitimiti is an innovative work-in-progress that has received wide acclaim in previous development seasons.  Using spoken word, a live sound score, microphone and pedal choreography, Mitimiti is an exhilarating and edgy performance that responds to urban Māori experiences of separation, dispossession and loss.

Atamira Dance Company is one of New Zealand's leading Māori contemporary dance companies, comprising New Zealand's top Māori dancers and choreographers. Atamira creates professional dance works inspired by Aotearoa's history, legends and contemporary issues; drawing from the artists' own personal stories and whakapapa. Critically acclaimed, the company is renowned for their precision and poignancy. Through their work, Atamira evoke a full world experience of diversity through generational platforms that unite today's Māori and non-Māori viewpoints.

HOU is a highly successful annual creative development programme that develops both the individual skills of Atamira's choreographers and dancers, while extending the company's creativity and community networks under the guidance and influence of Kaumatua, Noho marae and Tikanga Māori. The initiative is intended to encourage participants to think more strategically and critically about their own work.

Audiences can also learn about the choreographic process by attending a creative Q & A session following each performance.

www.aaf.co.nz

Atamira is an exciting, assured company. - NZ Listener

New Zealand contemporary dance at its most innovative - KAHA

Atamira mix the traditional with the now, to take the solid grounding of their culture and make it speak in new ways and forms - NZ Theatreview

SEASON DETAILS

Show HOU

Where Shed 1, Corban Estate Arts Centre, Henderson

When Fri 8 and Sat 9 March, 8pm

Duration 1hr no interval

Schools Matinee Friday 8th March- bookings through info@atamiradance.co.nz ($8 per student)

Price Pre-sale: $25/Pre-sale concession $15

Limited door sales: $30/ Concession $20

Bookings Book at THE EDGE: www.buytickets.co.nz / 09 357 3355 / 0800 289 842

Group bookings: groups@the-edge.co.nz / 09 357 3354

Information www.aaf.co.nz or www.atamiradance.co.nz

Social Media Facebook: www.facebook.com/Aklfestival  or www.facebook.com/atamiradance

Twitter: @Aklfestival

Media enquiries Siobhan Waterhouse, Publicist.P: +64 (0)9 374 0317 | M: +64(0)22126 4149 | E: siobhan.waterhouse@aucklandfestival.co.nz

CREATIVE CREDITS

Artistic Director: Moss Patterson

Choreographers: Jack Gray, Nancy Wijohn and Cathy Livermore.

Lighting Designer: Vanda Karolczak

With support from Creative New Zealand