Te Auaha – the performing arts jewel in the heart of Te Whanganui-a-Tara has been groaning over the past week, not from effort but from the sheer weight of talent creating magical dance moments.
Wow!! Tautoko the Pōneke Festival of Contemporary Dance – Rere ana te whakamiharo.
What a way to cap it all off, a Dance Battle from the Projektteam – superb.
This crew know how to make s***t happen – with 30 teams globally and all over NZ and fresh back from a stomping tour of the Pacific, they facilitate Outliers.
A 2v2 Experimental Dance Battle.
It is: a red square on the floor to delineate the ‘battle’ space; audience on four sides; three judges (Malia Johnston, Matua Myke and Kimi Young bringing the cred and the stoke); several signed up duos; special guest battlers; steezy MC Nay Nay aka Renee Sharp; champion hoofer Happy Feet aka John Vaifale on experimental decks – ready, set, GO . . .
‘This is more than a battle. It’s an experience. A platform for the outliers — those who don’t fit the mould, who move with instinct, purpose, and unpredictability. Outliers brings together movers in a high-stakes freestyle clash, set to experimental soundscapes.
It’s not just a new event. It’s a statement.
Let the battle begin.’
Preliminary round is a mix of contemporary dance folk and street hoofers. The blend fascinates. Brave people putting themselves out there. Only one minute each, not long, to stake a claim in the next round. They all deliver in multifarious fashion.
The judges (don’t envy them) then make a brutal cut.
Next round: survivors face off, until a remaining four couples face the invited guest.
Semi-final showdown:
The guests are: $CENTA; BAREFOOTER; NZSD and THUNDERKATZ.
Facing off against: BABY BAM BOO; JAN & GRACE; TOI BOIS and GARA
The format is led by a series of randomly delivered prompts: ice cream melting in the sun; superheroes; etc.
Decision, audience countdown 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 then the judges must point to the chosen team, every time their opinion is split, so close!!!
Down to the final.
Happy Feet comes out from behind his stellar job on decks to loosen his skill on the dance floor, cavorting with ease through different styles thrown at him by MC Nay Nay – she’s excellent throughout the night BTW.
Killer Final:
$CENTA VS TOI BOIS. Two solos, then a duet: one person in a massive world; invisible string; slow mo, the prompts
A blast, too close to call, nothing in it.
Decision, audience countdown 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 then the judges must point to the chosen team, every time their opinion is split, so close!!!
$CENTA, Sefa Tunupopo and Sheldon Rua take the top prize.
On this night though ‘everyone is a winner as the old saying goes’.
Every crew has a different take on the challenges thrown at them, they’re thinking on their feet and dipping into the cosmic vastness of improvisatory space.
An exhilarating watch – a privilege to be viewing this creative power.
For a moment in this realm anything seems possible, the walls bounce with aroha and wicked humour and good natured, healthy competition – a kind of utopia where competitors hug and support one another until everyone is wrapped in one big warm embrace.
This kaupapa ain’t The Hunger Games. This is a poem for a better world. Exhilarating, funny, warm fuzzy night! The Best!
Granny Whitey signing out – thanks crew!