Skycity Ups The Tempo For Auckland's Elderly

September 15, 2007

Skycity Ups The Tempo For Auckland's Elderly

On Sunday (October 14, 2007) more than 100 members from Auckland's elderly community got swept up in the magic of Cinderella thanks to a SKYCITY Auckland Community Trust grant.

The $37,000 SKYCITY Trust grant was awarded to the 2007 New Zealand Festival of Dance, Tempo, to run a 'Golden Ticket Initiative' where 1000 free tickets were allocated to Auckland's elderly population in rest homes and retirement villages.

Those that registered for free tickets could attend any Tempo performance of their choice from the Festival's vast offering.

Yesterday's ballet performance Cinderella proved to be one of the most popular choices with 10% of the Golden Initiative Tickets used for the sold out matinee performance alone.

Beverley McKay, from the Hibiscus Coast Village, says the Golden Ticket Initiative is a fantastic concept that really excited those from the Village.

"The twelve members from the Hibiscus Coast Village that attended Cinderella thoroughly enjoyed their outing and thought the music, dancing and costumes were marvellous. We are appreciative to the SKYCITY Auckland Community Trust and Tempo for making the opportunity possible."

Tempo Artistic Director Mary Jane O'Reilly says that the beauty of dance is that it appeals to a wide range of people regardless of ethnicity, sex and age.

"We are excited to be bringing such an outstanding festival programme to Auckland and thanks to the SKYCITY Auckland Community Trust grant our shows have been more accessible and attractive to the elderly community of Auckland."

SKYCITY Auckland Community Trust Chairman Jock Irvine says the Trust is proud to support New Zealand's largest dance festival.

"The Golden Ticket Initiative is a great way to involve the community in the festival while also supporting New Zealand's dance scene."

The retirement villages and rest homes that attended Cinderella on October 14, 2007 include: * Metlife Care Highlands, Highland Park, Auckland * St Patricks Rest Home, Remuera, Auckland * Eastcliffe on Orakei, Orakei, Auckland * Edmund Hillary Retirement Village, Remuera, Auckland * Fairview Retirement Home, Albany, North Shore * Hibiscus Coast Village, Red Beach, Whangaparaoa * Metlife Care Powley, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland * Norfolk Apartments, Mairangi Bay, Auckland

To find out more about Tempo and the shows on offer go to www.tempo.co.nz

ENDS

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