DANZ QUARTERLY Issue No. 9

October, November, December 2007

Editorial

A defining characteristic of being ‘Kiwi’ is the passion and drive to achieve great things. Despite being a very young country with a small population and limited resources, we have a formidable energy that seeks, and achieves, remarkable creative goals.

DANZ Quarterly celebrates the creative spirit that we take for granted, exemplified by the 40th anniversary of the NZ School of Dance (NZSD), which came out a burning desire by returning dancers in the 1950s to put NZ ballet on the map, and has since been developed into an outstanding internationally recognized training school. Touch Compass Dance Trust, reaching its 10th birthday is this year, is testimony to artistic director Catherine Chappell’s talent and determination. That drive fuelled her from concept to reality for integrated dance in New Zealand. These two organisations, each with a unique character, have provided the local dance world with a sense of pride and joy.

We also meet wonderful dance personalities; Adam Hayward - the man behind Christchurch’s Body Festival - a former child star with seemingly boundless energy; Wendy Wallace, previous head of contemporary dance at the NZSD now finding new challenges as rehearsal director with Black Grace, and Tim Fletcher, choreographer and dancer, who returned from Europe to mount a work-in-progress installation in Invercargill. Also, dance educationalist Jenny Cossey outlines the determination needed to overcome the complexities of becoming a dance teacher in the education sector.

Wishing you happy reading.

Francesca Horsley
Editor

Contents

• Touch Compass turns Ten by Francesca Horsley
  Anniversary of integrated dance company Touch Compass.
• Another Right Royal Gala by Lyne Pringle
  Success and growth of an ‘eclectic’ show creating opportunities for mature performers in Wellington.
• Wendy Wallace Moving on Gracefully by Sue Cheesman
  From Associate Director and head of contemporary dance at the New Zealand School of Dance to Rehearsal Director for Black Grace.
• Dance Language in a New Land by Shona Dunlop MacTavish
  Stepping towards multi-cultural inclusiveness.
• Whirlwind Energy in Christchurch by Carolyn Cairns
  An interview with Body Festival Director Adam Hayward.
• Tenacity and Frustration by Jenny Cossey
  The battle to get your private sector dance teaching experience recognised in primary schools.
• Southlanders Glimpse inside the Dance by Laura Turner
  Contemporary dancer Tim Fletcher returns home to Invercargill from Europe to make dance in a public space.
• Happy Anniversary to the NZ School of Dance by Francesca Horsley - A celebration of 40 years of pioneer spirit.
• DANZ in Schools – New Zealand Primary & Secondary School Dance
  • Moving Image: NZ dance film resources
  • Choreographic Skills – An extract from the book ‘Creative Dance in New Zealand Primary Schools’ (1998) by Jan Bolwell, Jenny Cossey, and Liz Oliver
  • Some Practical considerations for Teaching Dance in Schools – Part 2 by Suzanne Renner, Senior Lecturer, University of Otago College of Education

• Lament for LNC by Francesca Horsley
  Late Night Choreographers final season marks the end of it’s four year run  
• A Creative Producer by Lyne Pringle
  Farooq Chaudry fromm Akram Khan Company discusses investment and subsidy
• Dancing Yr’rr Socks off in Southland by Francesca Horsley
  A review of the inaugural Dance Your Southern Sox Off
• Reviews
  • I Want to Dance Better at Parties (Chunky Move), reviewed by Anna Chapman
  • Fuerza, Y Compas (Danza Cuba), reviewed by Anna Chapman
  • To Dance, reviewed by Jennifer De Leon
  • Works in Progress (Ann Dewey, Shona McCullagh), reviewed by Raewyn Whyte
  • National Dancesport, reviewed by Brian Jones
  • Book - Light Fantastic (Georgina White), reviewed by Raewyn Thorburn
  • Floor Play (Burn the Floor), reviewed by Brian Jones
• DANZ Resource Pricing Dance and Developing Audiences

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