DANZ QUARTERLY

DANZ QUARTERLY ISSUE No 13 – October, November, December 2008

Editorial

At the time of writing we are in the closing stages of the Beijing Olympic Games. I have loved the diversity of sports, the commitment to perfection by athletes, amazing performances and well honed bodies of the world's best. It has been impressive viewing! Dance, which harnesses the body towards different types of performance and artistry, sits alongside this array of prowess; is no less spectacular, is equally diverse and engaging.

We are now in the Festival season and I am amazed by the enormous range of works, performances, workshops, films and forums presented in the five festivals around the country. Such energy, commitment and talent from the dancers and organisers - they should all be awarded gold medals.

This issue's lead story on Wellington's hip hop group, Legacy, is a case in point. Not only do they produce outstanding dance, they made it into the World Hip Hop Dance Championships in 2006 and were awarded the Best Newcomer and Highly Commended Dance at the 2008 New Zealand Fringe Festival. They have gone on to compete again in the US where New Zealand crews consistently impress with their skill and creativity.

Another remarkable Wellingtonian is Irish dancer Aislinn Ryan who cracked the almost impossible goal of three times being a top place getter at the World Irish Dancing Chamionships in Dublin, and also made it into the show Riverdance.

There is an important article on the new Dance Industry Strategy; an interview with Romeo and Juliet ballet stars, Cameron McMillan and Amy Hollingsworth; and Lyne Pringle's interviews with celebrated dancer Kilda Northcott, recently awarded The New Zealand Order of Merit, and Jenny de Leon, in her continuing series on mature dancers, 'Gnarly Feet'.

Francesca Horsley
Editor

Contents

A Legacy for the Ages by Phil Reed
Legacy Dance Crew, a Pacific-flavoured blend of high energy hip hop dance, street acrobatics, breakdancing, krumping and clowing

Suzanne Cowan Interrogates the Grotesque by Francesca Horsley
Choreographer Suzanne Cowan explores the history of the perception of the disabled body for Touch Compass integrated dance company

Gnarly Feet – Part II by Lyne Pringle
Interview with two of New Zealand’s contemporary dance pioneers Kilda Northcott and Jenny De Leon

Maximising Potential by Susan Jordan
Choreographic mentoring exchange with US visitor Larry Lavender.

Aislinn Ryan – Taking on the World by Francesca Horsley
New Zealand Irish dancer comes second at The Worlds and takes a lead role in Riverdance

New DANZ LEOTC Focus
Terry O’Grady and Piripi Christie deliver dance curriculum support for DANZ in Northland and Rotorua

Strong Swift and Light by Francesca Horsley
A brief visit to New Zealand by Chinese dancer/choreographer Junna Long

A Romeo & A Juliet by Francesca Horsley
Interview with Royal New Zealand Ballet guest artists Cameron McMillan and Amy Hollingsworth.

Teaching Dance in New Zealand Schools by Julie Cadzow
Research and resources on teaching dance in New Zealand schools.

New Zealand Dance Strategy by Stephen Bradshaw
A participant’s view on the consultative forums and resulting New Zealand Dance Industry Strategy

Conditioning Intervention: To prepare young dancers for better performance.

Pacific Arts Festival by Sefa Enari
The 10th Pacific Arts Festival held in Pago Pago, American Samoa, during July 2008

Reviews

• Book: Dance for Senior Students (Barbara Snook), reviewed by Liz Melchior
• Incarnations (Vivek Kinra and Mudra Dance Company), reviewed by Ann Hunt
• Tango Fire, reviewed by Brian Jones
• The Great Royal New Zealand Ballet Costume Auction, reviewed by Ann Hunt
• Mareikura – Messengers of Io, reviewed by Terri Ripeka Crawford

Spring Festivals by Francesca Horsley
Wellington’s Dance Your Socks Off, Christchurch’s the Body and Tempo, Auckland’s Festival of Dance.