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, Marlborough College for Girls, Marlborough College for Boys, 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

For more information visit http://www.vast.org.nz or Email [email protected]

Performed by critically acclaimed dancer and performer, Rodney Bell (Ngāti Maniapoto), Meremere merges spoken word, music, dance and multimedia design to tell its story.

'This autobiographical, multi-disciplinary and life-affirming survival story drew the cheering opening night audience to its feet.' - Dominion Post, June 23, 2018

'Meremere is a complex work of art where design, AV and lighting play as significant a role as story-telling, music and dance.' - NZ Herald, October 2016

This is Rodney's story - from a childhood spent in Te Kuititanga to an international career and living rough on the streets of San Francisco. Meremere explores the human response to the ebbs and flows of fortune, the transformative journey to inner strength and peace, and the immutable call of home.

Uplifting, surprising, intimate and incredibly engaging - this powerful performance features live music from the exceptional Eden Mulholland as well a mesmerising multimedia collaboration from Malia Johnston and Movement of the Human.

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!

This year audiences have the chance to witness World Champion Irish dancers direct from the West End's Lord of the Dance, as A Taste of Ireland - The Irish Music & Dance Sensation tours New Zealand wide telling the tale of the world's most loved nation in one incredible performance.

Told through Irish music and dance, A Taste of Ireland - The Irish Music & Dance Sensationexplores magical tales spanning generations of Irish storytelling and culture. This world class show features World, All Ireland & National Champion Irish dancers, and musicians from around the globe performing unique music and dance that reflects the story that is, Ireland.

Melodic Celtic flute, alongside raw and rhythmic guitar are complimented with heart felt sounds of Ireland. Featuring a dynamic musical duo and impressive dancing rarely seen outside of the World Championship stage, A Taste of Ireland - The Irish Music & Dance Sensation was composed and choreographed in Dublin and is quickly on its way to becoming the new frontier in Irish entertainment.

Created and produced by Pace Entertainment Group, the show will transport the audience to a time and place where tunes, taps and tradition showcase the very essence of celebrating the Irish spirit.

STARRING - CEILI MOORE and BRENT PACE
CEILI MOORE performed the lead role opposite Michael Flatley in Lord Of The Dance on tour throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Europe, South Africa and London's West End Palladium Theatre. Her other dancing highlights include the Graham Norton Show, BBC Proms In The Park, Dancing Down Under and The Wiggles videos. Ceili has returned to Australia and teamed up with her partner, Choreographer and Producer BRENT PACE to perform in A Taste of Ireland - The Irish Music & Dance Sensation. Brent was the Lead Principal in Gaelforce Dance and Rhythms of Ireland

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.

The New Zealand Dance Company (NZDC) forges its stellar national and international reputation for powerful contemporary dance with its first national tour of Kiss The Sky, “a diverse magical experience” that “grabs your attention from start to finish” (DANZ).

Artistic Director Shona McCullagh showcases an Asian-Pacific constellation of original dance, music, and design, reflecting on the themes of nature and time.

In Kiss The Sky, McCullagh combines the high-octane physicality of Korean choreographer and composer KIM Jae Duk in his work Sigan; the vibrant aesthetic of New Zealand’s Victoria Colombus in her world premiere work The Fibonacci; and expands into a triple bill for the May leg of the tour with the powerhouse choreography of renowned Stephanie Lake in the eccentric and imaginative If Never Was Now for “an evening of sensory indulgence” (Theatreview).

KIM Jae Duk’s quartet Sigan, commissioned for NZDC, draws from the dual themes of meditation and attack. A dynamic score created by Jae Duk himself features traditional Korean instruments: jang-gu (drum), kkwaenggwari (small gong) and jing (large gong) within a contemporary composition. The stunning dancers of NZDC shine Sigan, which is "...not only visually, but technically flawless" (DANZ).

Victoria Columbus’ new work The Fibonacci, co-commissioned by the Festival of Colour and NZDC, is a reflection on the hidden pattern that weaves us together and reflects the harmony of our world. In a tribute to the memory of Susan Paterson, this commission is also generously supported by Jane Vesty, Greg Fahey and Brian Sweeney of SweeneyVesty.

Columbus alongside sound and spatial designer Rowan Pierce use the mathematical Fibonacci sequence and its mysterious golden spirals as a point of departure, examining and creating a physical language that at its heart explores energy pathways through movement, as the connecting force between us all.

Stephanie Lake’s If Never was Now is a surreal hive of buzzing activity reflecting the beauty and brutality of the natural world through "… moments of darkness, violent aggression, frustration with chaos amongst playfulness” (Theatreview). Somewhere in the future, but also with a feeling that it’s right at the beginning, Lake, who is one of the world’s most innovative choreographers, allows room for ambiguity with the contrast of the digital and robotic world paired against the biological and natural.

With design also by Jo Kilgour (lighting), Ben (Bosco) Shaw (lighting), Elizabeth Whiting (costume), Andrew Treloar (costume), Rachael Walker (set) and Robin Fox (composer) the exceptional ”versatility, virtuosity and artistry” from the high-calibre NZDC dancers and “excellence of the design and production teams” (NZ Herald) Kiss The Sky will leave you dreaming for more.

Note: Tickets will go on sale in February 2019.

New Zealand’s first Variety show and semi pro pole competition all rolled into one.

Come be dazzled by New Zealand’s up and coming pole dancers and athletes competing in the Pole Artistry Grand Masters Competition:

Guest performances by:
- Nelsons very own songstress former lead vocalist of Urban, Betsyanne Hill.
- NZ’s original international show girl, Venus Starr.
- Returning to NZ, Nelsons all time favourite neo burlesque beauty, Vixen De Licious.
- Russian aerial stars Kira and Evgeny.
- The captivating hoop artist Harlow Le Strange.
- and the forever freakish Mr Heaphy.

A portion of ticket sales will be going towards the BRAVENZ organisation to help raise awareness about
sexual violence among youth in Aotearoa and provide the appropriate tools and support to young people
affected by sexual harm.

Fargher Academy of Dance Centre ( Fargher Academy ) is proud to present - A Night At The Movies.

With Jazz numbers from The Greatest Showman, to a neo classical performance to Schindlers List, and emotive Contemporary pieces from Lord of The Rings and Disney favorites, there is definitely something for everyone. The dancers are excited to showcase their talents once again.

Starring Jacob Chown of the Royal NZ Ballet as "Tchaikovsky".

Intimate letters reveal the story of Tchaikovsky's greatest ballets, as told in the composer's own words. Scenes of Aurora's Wedding, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake and the Marinsky Pas de Deux.

An original ballet production with magical music, enchanting images, cinematic effects, narration and all the glamour of the Russian ballet tradition.

Tutus! Glamour! The magic of Russian Ballet. A Festive Treat!

Presented by Director Louise Hawke & the Ballet Arts Company & young stars of NZ Ballet.