URBAN CONDITION Choreography By Leonie Douglas

WPAC - Wellington Performing Arts Centre, 36 Vivian St February 9th: 8pm, 10th: 2pm & 8pm, 11th: 2pm & 8pm Bookings: Ticketek 04 384 3840 www.ticketek.co.nz

Urban Condition is a striking new dance theatre work about aging, indigenous culture and the beauty of the female form.

A fabulous Fringe Festival dance show driven to support the growth of New Zealand's multi cultural identity where contemporary dance theatre and Pacific Island dance intertwine together with dancers, live music and original music compositions.

Urban Condition is an intriguing blend of ballet, contemporary dance and hula - expressions of Western urban culture integrated with original music. Inspired by the rhythms and tides found in nature, revealing the freedom from restriction and cultural separation with raw, abstract representations of ethnic celebration.

"I want my choreography to reveal my developing dance lexicon, which is designed especially for the female dancer, based on dance forms from the Pacific Islands" says Kiwi/Fijian choreographer Leonie Douglas.

Douglas started classical ballet at six years old and since graduating from the New Zealand School of Dance (2000) she has become a freelance dancer and choreographer creating two shows Native I (2002), Native II (2003). She went through a professional development process Workshop Island Fusion (2004) and has performed for Mary Jane O'Reilly, the Auckland Dance Company, Merenia Gray, Opera New Zealand and many grass-roots companies.

Also starring German dancer Doreen Heidrich a dancer with experience from high profile companies in Europe, Natalie Hona an NZSD graduate (2005) and has performed, toured with Black Grace, and performing artist, tap dancer Wendy Westwood from the USA.

The work includes original music compositions by Richi Singleton (Phoenix Foundation), new music collaboratively arranged by Isaac Smith, Charley Devenport and new Pacific Island artists.

A fresh cutting edge dance theatre work, crossing performing arts boundaries to create an intriguing and unique experience. Working across cultural and artistic boundaries, Condition Urban appeals to families and individuals any age over 15 years, from any cultural background and brings together a broad range of theatrical and contemporary entertainment.

ENDS

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