Smokefree Arts Season of... If Skin Could Talk

The Smokefree Arts Season of... If Skin Could Talk

Dates: 24 -28 June

Times: 8pm, with a 2pm matinee Saturday 28 June

Venue: Te Whaea: National Dance and Drama Centre,

11 Hutchison Rd, Newtown Tickets: Adults $20, Concession $12

Bookings: 04 389 9056 (this is an automated booking line)

Website: http://www.tewhaea.org.nz

Contemporary vision meets percussive minds

New Zealand's outstanding percussionists, STRIKE, and second and third year contemporary dance students from the New Zealand School of Dance are creating a brand new work, the Smokefree Arts season of If Skin Could Talk. This work is an integration of original choreography, percussion and dance, rarely seen in New Zealand.

"This is a unique experience for the students and for our culture," said Wendy Wallace, Head of Contemporary Dance at the School. "The 2003 choreographic season, promises to be a powerful mix of high energy dance and music. A feast for all your senses." The members of STRIKE have composed original music for six of the eight new dance works. Murray Hickman, one of the founding members of STRIKE comments, "Everything is coming together well and we're all really excited about the show."

Yasmine Ganley, third year contemporary dance student, has based her piece on birds, after being inspired by New Zealand painter Bill Hammond. Eric Baldwin from STRIKE has composed the music for her piece.

"I have always been intrigued by Bill Hammond's bird-like people paintings," said Yasmine. "I think the Latin type mambo piece of music Eric has composed, will give the dancers a sexy and fluid bird-like appearance, to a fast tempo piece of percussion."

Two acting students and two Entertainment Technology students from Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School will also be involved in the production. The Entertainment Technology students will collaborate with the dance students to design the lighting and create a performance environment for the show.

"Inviting professional artists to work alongside emerging student talent is a true reflection of the diverse training the New Zealand School of Dance has to offer," said Ms Wallace.

This creative journey is made possible thanks to the support of Smokefree Arts and The Performing Arts Foundation of New Zealand. Smokefree Arts is a major sponsor of the New Zealand School of Dance, Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School and STRIKE. STRIKE is also supported by Massey University.

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