13 Apr 2010
From Wellington to Waitaki to Shanghai, the year 2010 will be a Footnote in history when the world sees the best of New Zealand contemporary dance courtesy of Footnote Dance Companys 2010 programme.
Fresh from its debut performance at the New Zealand International Arts Festival of the acclaimed MTYLAND, Footnote Dance returns with new seasons of Made in New Zealand, the art gallery performance fusion Watch This Space, and the highly successful revamped Footnote Forte Series.
Undoubtedly the significant event of the year is Footnote Dances voyage to Shanghai, China on July 9 where they will perform Malia Johnstons new work Purlieu on New Zealand Day at the World Expo. The company plans to stay on in Shanghai for a residency at Tong Ji University.
2010 Made in New Zealand
On the home front, Footnote Dance is excited to be performing in even more places in 2010. The Wellington-based company is set for an extensive tour of their perennial favourite Made in New Zealand, which has enthralled audiences all over New Zealand with its celebration of original homegrown contemporary dance set to New Zealand music -- of course timed for NZ Music Month.
The 2010 Made in New Zealand tour will being in Nelson (April 20, 21) before travelling to Christchurch (April 26), Oamaru (April 28), Dunedin (April 29, 30 and May 1), Invercargill (May 8), Auckland (May 17), concluding in Wellington (May 26). Full tour details are included next page.
Dance lovers are in for an additional treat with encore performances of MTYLAND in Christchurch, Oamaru, Invercargill and Auckland. In Nelson, Dunedin and Wellington new works by Malia Johnston and Sarah Foster take the stage alongside solo works by Michael Parmenter and Ross McCormack.
Since its inaugural season in 2007, Made in New Zealand has emerged as a sparkling highlight on the countrys dance calendar. The brainchild of the fiercely devoted and passionate director of Footnote Dance Deirdre Tarrant, the series was initiated to celebrate New Zealand culture through matching original New Zealand dance works with homegrown music.
This year will be no different, with 2010 Made in New Zealand offering a captivating line-up of newly developed work and two works returning from the 2009 Footnote Forte series.
Leading New Zealand choreographer Malia Johnston presents a brand new work Purlieu, which progresses an earlier work Miniatures and explores the bodys relationship to small, precious and confined spaces. Sarah Foster choreographs the other new work, called i changed which is a must see -- a sexy piece that expresses the emotions around touching, and sometimes inappropriate touching!
Returning to 2010 Made in New Zealand are two works that featured in last years well-received and sold out Footnote Forte Series. Celebrated choreographer Michael Parmenter, one of our most prominent dance figures has created Somebodys Darling, a uniquely touching work featuring the music of Douglas Lilburn and inspired by historical headstones in Central Otago.
And Ross McCormack presents Stealth, inspired by urban street art and the graffiti of Aotearoa hip hop legend DLT. Both these works present a unique look at two historical ends of New Zealand dance and music culture.
World Expo: Shanghai
From a celebration of New Zealand in April / May to the world in July. One of the most exciting opportunities in Footnotes rich history is the chance to perform in front of the world when they travel to Shanghai to participate in World Expo 2010. The Company has been to Expo before, both in Brisbane and Seville but Shanghai promises to top both experiences.
Footnote Dance performs as part of a production of leading New Zealand cultural ambassadors, including Moana and the Tribe, NZTrio, and Aivale Cole and incorporates Malia Johnstons Purlieu.
"It is great to perform on such a significant stage and be a part of the presentation of our New Zealand identity which we are so passionate about at Footnote Dance," said Deirdre Tarrant, Director of Footnote Dance.
The Footnote Dance Company travel to Shanghai on July 5 and will also take up the Tongji University Residency from July 12 to July 19.
Museum Hotel Watch This Space - Maatakitakihia Mai Tenei Waahi
Footnote Dances unique fusion of movement within the confines of art galleries and inspired by current exhibitions continues in 2010 with performances at Christchurch Art Gallery (April 25), Dunedin Art Gallery (May 1), and City Gallery Wellington (June 5) coinciding with the Companys Made in New Zealand tour.
In 2009 the first Footnote Forte Series was a delightful site-specific dance experience that took the audience on a journey between multiple venues. It was a case where dance literally jumped out of the box. Scheduled for around September 2010, please stay tuned for an announcement about the next stage of this fresh and exciting dance event.
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