Black Grace to Grace our Shores: Waka

Media Release – Monday 11 June 2012
BACK TO GRACE OUR SHORES

Black Grace presents
WAKA
by Neil Ieremia

Following a sell out tour of Germany, Black Grace’s place as a world leading exponent of Pacific contemporary dance is further cemented as Waka debuts in a five centre North Island tour from July 24th.

“Powerfully elegant and possessed of technical finesse of almost archaic rawness” –
Nahe-Zeitung, Germany, 2012

Met with a standing ovation and rapturous applause upon its performance in Europe, Waka’s initial 35 minute showing has now evolved in a stunning 60 minute masterpiece since its return to New Zealand and further demonstrates the incredible choreographic work of Neil Ieremia.

Exploring the idea of a raft as a metaphor for hope, Waka is inspired in part by The Raft, video installation by Bill Viola, as well as a response to The Arrival of the Maoris in New Zealand by Louis J. Steele and Charles F. Goldie 1898, influenced by Theodore Gericault’s famous The Raft of the Medusa depicting the terror of a shipwreck.

“Intensive dance imagery – a powerful demonstration of strength and battle readiness” –
Mainpost, Schweinfurt, Germany 2012

Black Grace has been at the forefront of New Zealand dance for the past 17 years; however their international acclaim has been anything but recent. The group have toured North America and Canada, playing to audiences of thousands and making their mark at prestigious venues such as the Kennedy Centre in Washington DC (Short Works, 2008) and New York’s 42nd Street. The company have also toured to Noumea, New Caledonia, Guam, Mexico, Sydney, Tokyo and Switzerland.

Now, Aotearoa – the birth place of Black Grace – will be able to experience the full length version of this international sensation, as Ieremia unleashes a torrent of physicality and beauty with dancers Sarah Baron, Thomas Fonua, Sean MacDonald, Daniel McCarroll, Amy Moxham, Carl Tolentino and Zoe Watkins.

Don’t miss what is set to be an incredible night of spectacular New Zealand dance.
NELSON – Theatre Royal, 24th and 25th July, 7:30pm
(bookings through Ticketdirect – www.ticketdirect.co.nz or 0800 224 224)
WELLINGTON – Te Whaea: National Dance & Drama Centre, 27th – 31st July, 7:30pm
(bookings through Te Whaea – www.nzschoolofdance.co.nz or 04 481 9250)
WHANGAREI – Forum North, 4th August
(bookings through TICKETEK – www.ticketek.co.nz or 0800 TICKETEK)
HAMILTON – WEL Trust Academy of Performing Arts, 8th – 11th August
(bookings through TICKETEK – www.ticketek.co.nz or 0800 TICKETEK)
AUCKLAND – Maidment Theatre, 25th – 29th August, 7:30pm
(bookings through Maidment Theatre – www.maidment.auckland.ac.nz or
09 308 2383)

Tickets: $35 - $40. Special $32 price for groups of 10+)(booking fees may apply)
For more information on Black Grace, visit their website - www.blackgrace.co.nz

ENDS

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