DANZ Quarterly Issue 25 - October, November, December 2011

Dear Readers

Dance in a time of motion

It takes little to remind us that we live in seismic times. Globally and locally, there are continuing reminders of the planet’s turbulence. Geo-politically and economically, old forms of order are under scrutiny, and culturally we continue to negotiate other ways of seeing and engaging with our shared world. Accompanying this momentum, there is dance; a changing, turbulent art form that interprets and responds to these shifting realities.

The response to the Christchurch earthquakes is a useful indicator, with Festival works such as Tilt and Move, A Seismic Journey, offering creative insights into the way we deal with turmoil and instability. Atamira’s new work, Te Houhi, asks us to rethink the tumultuous events of history and their resonance in contemporary Aotearoa.

At another level, we see the pervasiveness of dance and performance crossing into national identity. The Rugby World Cup - RWC - opening ceremony features mass choreography with an unmistakable New Zealand flavour. We take pride in the haka and relish the impact of dance performance on other rugby-playing national teams. The Real New Zealand Festival which accompanies the RWC tournament around the regions has a strong dance element, with companies such as Footnote using this platform to showcase our unique dance culture.

The energy and force of dance throughout the country is palpable, and its many roles –  celebrating our place on the planet; posing creative questions; interrogating ideas and beliefs; social cohesion; appraising the notions of culture and identity – are no better illustrated than in this September edition of DANZ Quarterly.

Happy reading, and enjoy our great dance festivities! 

Francesca Horsley, Editor

Cover photo:

DANZ Quarterly Issue 25 - October, Novemeber, December 2011

Contents

Catherine Chappell – Exploring the Bungee Heights
by Jenny Stevenson

Arangetram – Classical Dance Graduation Indian Style
by Tania Kopytko

ThereThere – Being alive to ‘the present’ provides opportunity for the unexpected
by Francis Christeller

Engaging with Your Audience – The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s Use of Social Media
by Francesca Horsley

Embedding Literacy and Numeracy in the Dance Curriculum
by Jan Bolwell

Surviving and Flourishing in the Dance Industry
by Susan Jordan

Dancing Over the Seismic Shifts – How the Christchurch dance community have survived the quake
by Francesca Horsley

It’s Not Just About the Rugby – Dance on the Rugby World Cup Stage
by Francesca Horsley

Reviews

Rapt – reviewed by Francesca Horsley
Shine Lady – reviewed by Suzanne Cowan
Stravinsky Selection – reviewed by Ann Hunt
Nga Hau E Wha – reviewed by Ann Hunt
Angle Poise – reviewed by Greer Robertson
Brancott Estate World of WearableArt Awards Show – reviewed by Jan Bolwell
Book Review – Dance and Politics, Alexander Kolb (Editor) - Reviewed by Raewyn Whyte