ATAMIRA DANCE COMPANY WELCOMES YOU BACK TO THE LIVE SPACE TO EXPERIENCE DANCE BORN OF LOCKDOWN

Atamira Dance Company presents

KAHA – Tripleboost

Q Theatre Loft

7 - 9 July

Continuing their unwavering commitment to develop emerging artists and new work, Atamira Dance Company are proud to combine the energies of young artists, senior practitioners, and new technologies to present KAHA – Tripleboost, playing for a limited season at Q Theatre from 7 - 9 July.

KAHA – Tripleboost offers audiences three ways to connect with Atamira. Esteemed dance visionary Sean MacDonald leads the charge opening the stage presentation with a solo performance, STILL, painting a self-portrait through physical movement. This is followed by KAHA - five short premiere dance pieces, episodic in nature, by five emerging Māori choreographers. Meanwhile downstairs in Vault, between 6-7pm, limited audiences can immerse themselves in the world of the celebrated dance work TOMO through an all-new Virtual Reality film experience.

KAHA is a vital component of Atamira’s annual programme and is inspired by kaupapa Māori and contemporary identity. The 2022 performance is the culmination of two separate HOU research journeys, a platform where emerging Atamira artists develop fresh concepts, seeds, and provocations with a self-development focus. KAHA is the place where audiences are invited into the Atamira whare to experience new ideas, new artists and the development of dance that may go on to become full length works. KAHA will be like returning to the marae after some time away.

The intensity and challenges of artists working during the pandemic has given birth to some incredible ideas. As choreographers worked over Zoom and researched independently it is only recently that they have been able to come together and connect physically. What has emerged is something new: carefully researched and meaningful ideas that have gained momentum with physical connection as we remember the power of the body.

“KAHA is about the strength of the collective, inspiring the ihi of the individual. We stand behind our young artists, many of whom transitioned between tertiary and professional dance career pathways during COVID-19. Atamira plants the seeds for choreographic visionaries of the future, continuing a great tradition of our company which fosters the many sides of a dance artist to excel in the world. It is difficult as a freelancer to sustain a practice and we are so happy to provide the stability and assurance that their voice matters!” says Artistic Director, Jack Gray

Laying at the heart of KAHA is the precious relationship between teina and tuakana. Renowned dance luminaries Jack Gray (Atamira Artistic Director), Kelly Nash and Nancy Wijohn (Assistant Directors) guide choreographers artists Caleb Heke, Oli Mathiesen, Dana Moore-Mudgway, Abbie Rogers and Sherrick Martin (Atamira debut) in their work with collaborating performers Cory-Toalei Roycroft and Madi Tumataroa. The aroha and respect for both generations of artists make for stunning and innovative contemporary dance performances.

atamiradance.co.nz

KAHA – Tripleboost

Three events across two venues

KAHA

opened by Sean MacDonald

Loft, Q Theatre

Thursday 7th July 7.30pm

Friday 8th July 7.30pm*

Saturday 9th July 2pm* & 7.30pm

*Followed by post show Q&A

Duration: 60 mins

TOMO VR

Vault, Q Theatre

Thursday 7th July 6pm / 6.45 pm

Friday 8th July 6pm / 6.45 pm

Saturday 9th July 12.30 pm / 1.15 pm / 6pm / 6.45 pm

Duration: 15 minutes + 10 minute kōrero with choreographer & film maker

Tickets:

TOMO VR:  $15-$20^ (capacity of 40 over 2 sessions per night)

KAHA:  $28-$38^ (capacity of 100)

BOTH SHOWS: $38 -$53^

Book at qtheatre.co.nz

> booking fees apply

For more information, images and interviews contact:

Michelle Lafferty at Elephant Publicity

michelle@elephantpublicity.co.nz | 027 295 6450

KAHA TEAM

Artistic Director: Jack Gray

Executive Producer: Marama Lloydd

Assistant Directors: Nancy Wijohn, Kelly Nash

Producer: Alana Basile

Marketing Co-ordinator: Abbie Rogers

Production Design: Vanda Karolczak

Sound Design: Rachel Shearer

Brand Campaign: Osborne Shiwan