MOANA '14, a Pacific Dance Showcase

Moana '14, a Pacific Dance Showcase (TAPAC Theatre 25th – 30th September) is the second instalment of this dance series. It presents a series of works from Pacific choreographers who call Auckland home.

Moana means ocean in Pacific languages and the term is used here to represent the coming together of people from various parts of Moana Nui a Kiwa (the Pacific Ocean) in Auckland, New Zealand.

Moana is a forum in which to present works which express a range of specifically Pacific voices through the form of dance.

This is the story of Auckland City, a reflection of its urban environment and lives lived and grown within its belly. Pacific Dance New Zealand presents Moana ’14 as a celebration of Auckland as a Pacific City.

During the evening shows, choreographers Sesilia Pusiaki (Pukepuke o Tonga), Nikki Upoko (The Call) and Aruna Po-Ching (Bended) take you on a journey of their experience. These up-and-coming and mid-career choreographers present stories of identity, passion, heritage, modernity and urban flux within a one-hour presentation of works reflecting what it is to be Pacific in Aukilani/Auckland today.

If you're lucky enough to catch the matinee shows, specifically for school aged students from around Auckland, you'll see choreographer Hadleigh Pouesi (The Freshness) and his hip-hop dance crew Fresh Movement NZ present a story exploring the Pacific influence in NZ hip-hop and the influence from America in our own culture.

Fresh Movement also appears in the evening show on the last night of the season – making that particular evening something special.

Also, for the first time, Pacific Dance? NZ will be holding a special invitation Gala Nite on Sunday 28th September at 6pm in order to celebrate 5 years of operations. This will showcase a number of Pacific Dance NZ's dance stable, from kids to choreographers and dancers who have been involved over the years - not to be missed.

Tickets are available from TAPAC - http://www.tapac.org.nz/events-moana-69

BOX OFFICE / RECEPTION - ph: 09 845 0295 ext 1, e: venue@tapac.org.nz

Media Enquiries – ph: 022 123 1050, e: marketing@pacificdance.co.nz
?Catch us on Facebook - www.facebook.com/MoanaShowcase