A dinner that was part of the Asian Pacific Women in Leadership Conference held at the University of Auckland this week included a dance presentation by a graduate student who has been winning accolades in dance circles.
I grabbed my iPhone and captured the performance. And it was an excellent performance!
Vivian Hosking-Aue, a New Zealand-born Cook Islander, is an emerging choreographer. He was recently awarded a summer research scholarship from the National Institute of Creative Arts and Industries, a Choreographic scholarship to work with Vou Dance Company in Fiji, and awards for Best Choreographer, Wallace Arts Trust Emerging Artist Award, and the Auckland Short and Sweet Dance Festival.
‘Territory’ was performed by Dance Studies students and graduates of the University of Auckland. In this work Hosking-Aue questions how we interact with people from different social-cultural areas to ourselves.
In the 1970’s Pacific Island immigrants populated Ponsonby, creating a lively cultural energy. Ponsonby is now filled with classy restaurants and expensive shops, and it is Otara that contrasts as a predominantly Pacific Island low socio-economic area. What if Otara was Ponsonby today? Would Aucklanders walk the way they walk? Would they talk the way they talk?
Hosking-Aue can be found on Facebook .
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There must be a strong dance/theatre movement in New Zealand. Just two nights ago, at UH Hilo’s theatre, we saw a performance of “The Brave” by Massive Company, an Auckland-based theatrical/dance group. Most of the performers were Polynesians, some with roots in other Pacific islands (Niue, Cook Islands, Tonga, Samoa).
They also performed at Leeward Theatre. Here’s how Leeward Theatre described the group:
“Acclaimed New Zealand theatre troupe Massive Company showcases their acclaimed work. This is a highly active show with lots of bursts of dance and physical expression.
“Eight men, embodying bravery in body and soul, share the personal stories and experiences of their lives and masculinities.
“We get a real sense of what’s important to these men: the bravery of others; their heritage and culture; owning their own language; being true to themselves; and not being defined by how others see them.
“As they explore these issues and share their stories we come to realize that they too are counted amongst The Brave.”