Atamira: Mapunapuna

Following the success of Whakairo in 2007, New Zealand’s leading Maori contemporary dance company are back with a new season of inspired work called MAPUNAPUNA at TAPAC Theatre from Wednesday 1 October.

Inspired by the pearly trail of the pacific, MAPUNAPUNA means rippling outwards, and is a segue-way from previous succesful full-length theatre productions towards the developement of fresh, innovative, entertaining and accessible short new works by Atamira. Through MAPUNAPUNA, Atamira explores the connection between Maori and the age of ukuleles, goddesses, spoken word, community dances, traditional music and show-bands. With a line up of four short new works by Atamira choreographers Maaka Pepene, Jack Gray and Dolina Wehipeihana with Director Waimihi Hotere and guest Choreographer Moana Nepia.

MAPUNAPUNA promises something for everyone.

MAAPUNA by Jack Gray
Inspired by Atamira's recent tour to Hawaii, Maapuna explores the beauty and delicateness of Hawaiian Hula Dance with sensual bodies moving like ocean breezes.

TE KORE by Maaka Pepene
Maaka creates a poignant duet based on the whakatauki 'Ka mate he tetekura, ka ora he tetekura' - 'From death comes life, from life comes death'.

THE STARLIGHT BALLROOM by Dolina Wehipeihana and Waimihi Hotere
Inspired by the era of the show-bands. The Starlight Ballroom is a window into the timeless optimism of youth, aroha, and above all having a good time.

WAIATA POI by Guest Choreographer Moana Nepia
Waiata Poi draws the rhythmic and percussive intricacies of short poi into a new work for five dancers set to an original soundscape of poi, breath, piupiu and song.

“Atamira Dance Collective goes from strength to strength and is now the hotspot of contemporary dance in Auckland” - New Zealand Herald, 2006

Founded in 2000, Atamira Dance Collective have presented work to critical acclaim in New Zealand and internationally including ‘Ngai Tahu 32’ (Best Contemporary Dance Production 2004, NZ Listener), ‘Memoirs of Active Service’ (Best Work by an emerging Choreographer 2006, NZ Listener), and ‘Whakairo’ (Best New Work by an Emerging Choreographer 2007, NZ Listener, Winner of 3 Tempo Awards for Best Choreography, Best Music and Best Set Design).

Choreography Maaka Pepene, Jack Gray, Dolina Wehipeihana with director Waimihi Hotere, Guest choreography Moana Nepia.

Dancers: Jack Gray, Maaka Pepene, Justine Pepene-Hohaia, Nancy Wijohn, Gaby Thomas, Dolina Wehipeihana and Louise Potiki Bryant.

Event listed by Elephant99

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