International Dance Day
Sunday 1st May 2016, 10.30am – 4pm
Te Papa
Free event
As part of UNESCO’s global celebrations of International Dance Day, there will be a day of FREE dance workshops and
performances in Wellington. Celebrations have been held around the world since 1982 when UNESCO dedicated 29th April
International Dance Day. This is the 16th year the event is being held in Wellington and it gives the public an
opportunity to watch and participate in a diverse range of dance styles and dances from different cultures.
Performance and Welcome, 10.30am
A stamping of feet and ringing of bells, we kick off the day with a performance of Morris Dancing outside the entrance
to Te Papa. This is followed by a welcome from Anton Carter the new CE of DANZ (Dance Aotearoa New Zealand) who will
read the official Dance Day message.
Workshops, 11.00 – 2.30
Have-a-go and learn a new dance, there will be nine workshops to choose from. Try something new with a Polish folk dance
workshop led by Lublin Dance; grab a partner and get into the swing with a Lindy Hop workshop; or be creative with hoops
in a dance workshop for the whole family.
Kids love to dance and this year we have a series of workshops just for them. From 1.00 – 2.30 in the PlaNet Pasifika
Discovery Centre they can experience Madagascan dance from African, Samoan Sasa and a Zumba class with a medley of moves
from around the globe.
Performance, 3 -4pm
The performance on the Marae is a celebration of Wellington dance. Enjoy the percussive rhythms, sound and dances of
Africa with Moringa Dancers and Kubatana; experience Indian classical dance with the vibrant Mudra Dance Company; the
Wellington Chinese Friendship Association will perform a Tibetan style dance celebrating a passion for life and love;
and Cook Island youth group Tamariki Kuki Airani join us for the first time; other cultures being celebrated include
Scottish, Polish, Samoan, and South American, there will also be some hip hop, swing, contemporary and jazz dance!
ENDS