The Wakatu Dance Theatre’s 2022 show will have you leaping into your seats! Get ready as we embark on this journey through different eras, locations and cultures, all with iconic music from a variety of genres.
Directed by Peta Spooner, this year’s show includes ballet, modern jazz, contemporary, musical theatre and tap.
Peta is delighted to welcome students from Jane Pascoe Academy of Dance, Michaela's Musical Theatre and Glenna Armstrong School of Tap, which just adds to the quality of performance and entertainment on offer. Join us for Travel, Turn and Leap!
Fantasy and reality collude with one another in this spiraling ascension of desire and disgrace.
Dry Spell delves into a shuddering moment in time, blending nostalgia and futurism to create scenes of excitement, fear and pleasure. A mind can be very misleading, especially when we are in close proximity to it. Performed by Footnote New Zealand Dance's team of electrifying dance artists, with choreography by trailblazing choreographer Rose Philpott and sound design by acclaimed composer Eden Mulholland, Dry Spell is a performance for thrill-seekers. Teetering on an edge of hallucination and reality, this full-length show taps into the collective and individual needs of the soul.
After cancellations last year, Gillian Francis’ Academy of Dance is back, presenting 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.
The Nutcracker ballet is a magical, festive, family treat about a Christmas gathering and a young girl’s dream about her gift of a nutcracker transforming into a handsome young man. Her prince takes her on a journey to the Kingdom of Sweets, where they are welcomed by the Sugar Plum Fairy.
I am Lesley Bandy, the Artistic Director of Primarily Dance. I performed the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy for many years, and now I want youngsters here in Nelson/Tasman to experience the magic of Tchaikovsky’s music and the spectacle of this wonderful ballet. In 2020 we had a sold-out season of The Nutcracker and are excited to bring it back again in 2021.
Theatre meets dance meets song meets the immutable power of Janet Frame’s words in award-winning Red Leap Theatre’s energetic contemporary response to Owls Do Cry.
Surprising, poetic and moving, this show delves into the sumptuous world of Frame and the Withers’ siblings — Daphne, Chicks, Toby and Francie — and their lives in small-town Aotearoa following a family tragedy.
Going beyond a direct narrative staging of the book, Red Leap and director Malia Johnston (WOW, Meremere) have created a multi- disciplinary dreamscape of wonder, filled with Frame’s rich imagery and poetry, and an extraordinary cast including Nelsonian Comfrey Sanders, award-winning choreographer/dancer Ross McCormack, and actor Arlo Gibson of Shortland Street fame.
“I’m left with sheer joy of witnessing image of beauty, light and poetry.” – Pantograph Punch
After breaking touring records in 2019 and following a further sell-out tour of Australia in 2021 with A Taste of Ireland, the all-singing, all-dancing, family-friendly treat, A Celtic Christmas by A Taste of Ireland is set to tour New Zealand in 2022!
Watch two star-crossed lovers twirl beneath the mistletoe as award-winning Irish musicians complement the world’s best Irish Dancers to deliver a heart-warming performance that will leave your feet tapping, eyes shining and your soul wanting more!
Immerse yourself in the magnificence of the traditional Celtic landscape and let the magic of Christmas in Ireland transport you to a world full of excitement and wonder - a world where energetic music and dance embody the beating heart of the festive season.
Featuring a powerful mix of traditional tunes, heartfelt ballads and all your favourite carols, A Celtic Christmas combines incredible red-hot rhythms with jaw-dropping talent in an unforgettable night of storytelling, Irish charm and spectacular entertainment.
Choreographed and produced by multiple National Champion and star of Gaelforce Dance & Rhythms of Ireland, Brent Pace and World Champion and Lord of the Dance Lead Soloist, Ceili Moore, A Celtic Christmas is the star-studded spectacular you won’t want to miss this Christmas season.
“Jingle Jigs, Reels a Treat.” - Ken Longworth – The Newcastle Herald
Vast Dance Festival celebrates the combined talents of high school students in the “Top of the South” region.
The annual performance showcases students from Waimea College, Nayland College, Garin College, Motueka High School, Nelson College and Nelson College for Girls.
The objectives of Vast Dance Festival are to:
– Provide opportunities for high school students to perform in a professional environment
– Celebrate the wide range of styles taught in our region
– Provide a platform for student choreographers to share their work
– Give students practical experience with lighting, front of house, design and stage management responsibilities
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!!
It’s more than just a show, it’s the Nelson Scouts Gangshow!
That’s right, our fun filled family variety show for young and old is back for another season.
Book your tickets now for an evening of well-known songs and sketches for the whole family.
Composed in 1918, The Soldier’s Tale’s first tour was cut short by the Spanish flu but it has remained a perennially popular work ever since.
Written “to be read, played and danced”, The Soldier’s Tale tells the story of the titular Soldier who makes a deal with the Devil: in exchange for the Soldier’s magic violin, the Devil will grant his every wish. This work is based on a Russian folk tale, was co-created with Swiss writer C.F. Ramuz, and gave Stravinsky the chance to display and include all of his favourite musical influences. You’ll hear tango, waltz, ragtime, Jewish klezmer, church chorales, and the Spanish paso doble all brought together in Stravinsky’s intoxicating score.
In theatres and halls across Auckland and Northland, actors, dancers from the Royal New Zealand Ballet, and an ensemble from the NZSO will present this classic tale of magic, desire and being careful what you wish for.
