Pacific Dance Artist in Residence Launch 2014

Pacific Dance Artist in Residence Launch 2014

Tuesday, 22nd April

Pacific Dance New Zealand in association with DANZ (Dance Aotearoa NZ), Pataka Art & Museum and Creative New Zealand with the support of the Porirua Cook Islands Association are proud to launch the 2014 Pacific Dance Artist in Residence.

Tuaine-Nurse Tamarua Robati will be launched in his two-month residency by Cook Islands High Commissioner His Excellency Mr Tekaotiki Matapo at Pataka Art Museum on Saturday 26th April, 230pm – 400pm.

The launch will see members of the Cook Islands Presbyterian Church and the Porirua Cook Islands Association give their blessings through devotion and song while members of Whitireia Performing Arts will dance in celebration.

This celebratory event will be followed with afternoon tea and an open public workshop, 430pm - 600pm.

The Pacific Dance Arts Residency is the only one of its kind in the country and is now in its fifth year.

Tuaine plans to use his residency to investigate ideas around the concept of PUERA, to blossom or to bloom:

P Peu Maori - Culture
U Ura - Dance
E Evangelia - Spirituality
R Rakei – Costuming and Adornments
A Akateni – Music and Instruments

PUERA - to foster and encourage pride in Cook Islands culture and dance.

Tuaine will focus his residency on teaching youth/high school students from the Porirua area.

As part of this two-month residency Tuaine will mentor several young apprentices - Julien Lameka Nehemia (Meka), Te hau Winitana and George Teinakore George. These apprentices are graduates of Whitireia New Zealand, previously tutored by Tuaine and will assist him in teaching during the residency.

The arts residency is also being overseen by another Whitireia graduate – Tupe Lualua, who is completing an internship with Pacific Dance NZ as part of her masters degree with Victoria University. Tupe was also the 2013 Pacific Dance Artist in Residence.

Tuaine and the Arts Residency team will be delivering free workshops for high school students on

Wednesdays 4pm – 6pm
Te Akapua'anga Hall (Cook Islands Hall)
Porirua

Saturdays 4pm – 6pm
Pataka Art & Museum
Porirua
ends

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