Having a good time, we’re having a ball!

Wakatu Dance Theatre is known for its joyful, high energy and diverse performances with everything from ballet to jazz, and contemporary to tap, sprinkled with some musical theatre. The music covers many genres, many you’ll know and love… be prepared for some great entertainment!

This year we welcome Glenna Armstrong School of Tap and Trudy Fargher’s seniors from FADA to join us on the stage. Our dancers are so excited, come join us for a dance extravaganza!!

Gillian Francis’ Academy of Dance presents a charming, funny and comical ballet for all ages.

Doctor Coppélius, a mad scientist constructed a doll named Coppélia who sits on her balcony all day reading and never speaking to anyone. A boy named Franz falls deeply in love with her and wants to marry her, even though he is already engaged to another woman. His fiance, Swanhilda, sees Franz throwing kisses at Coppélia. She decides to impersonate the doll, in order to win the love of Franz. Chaos ensues, but all is soon forgiven. Swanhilda and Franz make up and get married.

As in previous seasons of Nelson Academy of Dance, you will be treated to a wonderful set and stunning costumes, making this a performance not to be missed.

Grooves! is an electric mix of classical ballet, jazz in pointe shoes and contemporary dance, set to the Rock music you love. Performed by six of Aotearoa New Zealand's best professional dancers, Grooves! is designed to entertain and excite with everything from traditional tutus to sequins.

The programme includes a taste of traditional ballet with ‘The Dying Swan’ danced by ballerina Laura Saxon Jones, and a snippet from the ballet Les Sylphides. ‘Captured’ presents a stunning pas de deux to Bic Runga's lyrical, emotional, love song, capturing the hearts of audience members and the New Zealand icon herself. The moving intergenerational duet ‘Smile Lines’, choreographed by RNZB Choreographer in Residence Loughlan Prior, will pull on your heart strings in all the right ways.

We then present a number of original contemporary ballet vignettes, danced to classic rock songs, mixing the familiar with the new, inviting audiences to connect their own stories to the pieces. Moving from one song to the next will have the audience fascinated by the dance, and even the youngest patrons will be inspired by what could come next.

Grooves! welcomes local talent onto the stage to perform alongside professional dancers in several numbers, giving them the opportunity to see the potential of a career in dance.

Bursting with personality and entertainment, Grooves! allows even the most novice dance audience members to feel connected, inspired and moved. It is the ballet you have been waiting for.

The Royal New Zealand Ballet is delighted to expand the company's much-loved regional touring programme in 2020, featuring works tailor-made for the RNZB by trail blazing choreographers at home in New Zealand and on the world stage.

A family programme for all ages, watch the dancers of the RNZB perform some of their favourites works.

Inspired by the goddess of the hunt and of the moon, Sarah Foster-Sproull's Artemis Rising was created in 2019 as a retirement gift for the much-loved former RNZB Principal Abigail Boyle. Remember, Mama is a tender look at the relationships between mothers and sons, from childhood to old age.

Berceuse by US choreographer Penny Saunders, a rapturous, deeply musical pas de deux to a lyrical lullaby by Benjamin Godard, was created in 2011 for the ground-breaking contemporary Hubbard Street Dance in Chicago.

Completing the line-up is a new classical work, Wayward, by young Canadian dancer and choreographer Kiara Flavin, who joined the RNZB in 2018.

Running time: 1 hr 20 min, including interval

Fall in love with the story of Tchaikovsky's favourite ballet.

Director Louise Hawke presents The Ballet Arts Company in a Christmas fairy tale dream of innocence and romance.

Your family will love the storybook narration, enchanting images, cinematic effects and all the entertaining magic of the Russian ballet tradition. Couture costuming handmade in the USA, UK and Australia for this production. A fairy tale dream in music on the theme of childhood from the greatest of ballet composers. Onstage for all your family to enjoy as a Christmas treat.

Featuring Stars of NZ Ballet Full Length Ballet

Proudly Sponsored by Nelson Pine Industries since 2003

http://www.balletartsnelson.com

These performances have been cancelled.

All refunds are processed by Ticket Rocket. For cancelled shows, you do not need to do anything if you have bought your tickets online – the money will automatically be refunded to the card that made the transaction.

If you bought your ticket over the counter or over the phone, you will need to email
[email protected]  and give them

– The name you used to purchase your ticket
– The event(s) you have purchased the ticket for
– Your account name and number for a manual bank transfer to be processed back to. This must be a NZ account and not a credit card number.

Refunds may take up to 60 days due to the large number of cancellations. Thank you for your patience.

Empire Dance Company is proud to bring TRANS4M 2019.

A dance show like never before, showcasing local talent in a fun, vibrant, upbeat extravaganza! With all dance genres including ballet, hip hop and tap there will be something for everyone at this year’s show.
Showcasing our Pre Junior to Senior Students in all 3 shows, and a very special matinee performance including a Pre School and Mini Students

Book your seats today for the family event of the year and TRANS4M your holiday season with the Empire Dance Company 2018 TRANS4M recital.

Please note that only the matinee performance will showcase the Empire Dance Company Pre School and Mini Students.

Wakatu Dance Theatre is delighted to present Let's Dance directed by Peta Spooner. This colourful fast paced performance showcases a wide variety of dance styles and music. Over 100 dancers ranging from pre-schoolers to senior students perform classical ballet, modern jazz, tap and contemporary dance styles in a superbly choreographed and brightly costumed extravaganza. We are also delighted to showcase our young choreographers in this year's showcase performance.

Sit back and enjoy the show!

Beatrix Potter's beloved characters come to life as dancers of the Nelson Academy of Dance perform tales from the famous author. Peter Rabbit, Mrs Tiggywinkle and Jeremy Fisher the dapper frog, take to the stage for a festive performance that will delight children and adults alike.

Squirrel Nutkin, 2 Bad Mice, Pigling Bland, Country Mice, Tabitha Twitchett, and all the other characters will take you back to your childhood memories.

As can be expected from the Nelson Academy of Dance you will be treated to a wonderful set and stunning costumes, making this a performance not to be missed.

The Tales of Beatrix Potter is running as a double bill with The Jewels: emerald, ruby and diamonds.

Both ballets feature music by well-known composers, with Tales of Beatrix Potter arranged by John Lanchbery.

Gillian Francis is delighted to welcome back Jordan Nelson in this year's performances.

Jordan made his way into his first dance class at age 18 and began dancing professionally with The Suzanne Farrell Ballet and Columbia City Ballet. He has since danced with Elements Contemporary Ballet, Madison Ballet, Festival Ballet Providence and has been a guest artist around the world. His career highlights include: performing Tchaikovsky Pas de deux at the Harris theatre, dancing with stars of NYCB in Stars and Stripes and Allegro Brillante, and getting to perform numerous times on the Opera House stage at The Kennedy Center.

Jordan just finished his first season with Saint Louis Ballet under Gen Horiuchi and couldn't be more excited for what is still to come.