Black Grace: Best Of New Works

BLACK GRACE DANCE COMPANY PRESENTS

Best of NEW WORKS
On tour 2001

“Black Grace continues to be New Zealand’s most refreshing and dynamic dance company. Under the direction of Neil Ieremia its members create dance that is a superb mix of the commonplace and the spiritual…”
NATIONAL BUSINESS REVIEW, December 2000.

If you didn’t see Black Grace in their inaugural New Works season in 1996, and you didn’t see New Works 1999 - Staying Alive, or New Works 2000. Don’t miss your opportunity to experience this unique and highly successful research and development project, on tour for the very first time. Come and enjoy an exhilarating evening with the boys in the Best of New Works, a fresh and intimate showcase of short dance works from the Black Grace stable. The Best of New Works tour, will feature’ choreography from Sam Fuataga, Simon Fa’amoe, Neil Ieremia, Moss Asher-Patterson, Tai Royal & Mala Tevita.

*PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION (some repertoire not listed)

MINOI (1999)
Choreographed by Neil Ieremia
This new work is based on an old traditional Samoan song about ants. Minoi reflects the trademark work of Black Grace, where movement produces sound through the union of contemporary dance styles, traditional Sasa and Fa’ataupati (Samoan slap dance). Premiered November 1999 (The Famous Spiegeltent, The Edge).

KORU (2000)
Choreographed by Moss Asher-Patterson
A dreamlike contemporary work, based on the choreographers experiences as a child of awakening on the family marae and seeing the kowhaiwhai (traditional Maori pattern art) panels above him on the ceiling. Set to the music of Baroque composer Teleman, Andante from Concerto for Viola.

UNDERSTAND THE CIRCUMSTANCE (2000)
Choreographed by Tai Royal
A highly sophisticated work that combines contemporary and Latin American dance styles. This svelte and witty dance piece grows out of the lyrics of the music that talk about taking off the shackles so they can dance. Set to the music of gospel duo Mary Mary.

MESSING AROUND (1999)
Choreographed by Mala Tevita
Drawing on his early years as a Porirua Street Rocker in Cannons Creek, Mala has fused various techniques he has learnt throughout his career as a dancer to make Messing Around. A physical and challenging work with loads of street cred. Set to Michael Jackson’s You Wanna be Starting Something. Premiered April 1999.

UP IN GLORY (2000)
Choreographed by Sam Fuataga
This contemporary work is a touchingly personal narrative of the choreographer’ experience of losing his father. Up In Glory is a solo piece, danced by candle light to a gospel song sung beautifully by Sam Fuataga.

ENTER THE FU (1999)
Choreographed by Neil Ieremia and company.
Straight off the movie screen and on to the stage comes the action packed Enter The Fu. A side splitting, high kicking, salute to the Kung Fu cult heroes of our youth. Premiered in Auckland November 1999.

TOUR DATES & VENUES
Wellington – Te Whaea Theatre, Ntnl Centre for Dance & Drama: 3 – 13 Oct
Book Ticketek; (04) 384 3840
Porirua – Pataka Porirua - Museum of Arts and Cultures : 16 – 20 Oct
Bookings; (04) 237 1511
Hamilton – Wel Energy Trust Academy of Performing Arts : 25 – 27 Oct
Bookings; (07) 838 6600
Whangarei – Northland Polytechnic (Barn) : 7 – 10 Nov
Bookings; (09) 430 5838
Auckland – Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre : 13 – 25 Nov
Book Ticketek; (09) 307 5000

*TICKET PRICES
Adult $25
Concession $15

“Energetic, young and innovative, the Black Grace Dance Company speaks a dance language that is unique to the South Pacific and wonderfully its own.”
SUNDAY STAR TIMES, November 2000

“It is an amazingly eclectic mix, delivered with huge style, sincerity and humour.”
NZ HERALD, November 2000

NEW WORKS PHILOSOPHY/ BACKGROUND

New Works is a Black Grace research & development project. It gives members of Black Grace the opportunity to make work about their own personal experiences and ideas, and enables them to develop their own unique creative voice. New Works is also about Market Development, by presenting this work in an informal environment we are able to make contemporary dance more accessible to new audiences.

The New Works format is intimate and relaxed and designed specifically for small venues. Because of the mix of work, subject matter and varying experience of the chorographers, New Works is both challenging and accessible. It has loads of personality, creating an engaging dance experience that appeals to a wide cross section of our communities. The New Works programme has a strong education focus both for the company as well as the audience, providing the perfect introduction to the company and its philosophy as well as contemporary dance in general.

Featuring some of the ‘stand out’ works from previous New Works seasons (1996 – 2000), the Best of New Works tour is extensive with seasons planned for Wellington city, Porirua City, Hamilton, Whangarei and Auckland. This is the first time that this particular project will have toured to centres outside Auckland, providing a great opportunity for company members to show their work and develop as emerging choreographers.

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