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Kowhiti

Stars of a different sort will be shining during the Matariki celebrations at Te Papa this year, when Aotearoa's leading Moari contemporary dance artists come together in Wellington to participate in kowhiti - a four day festival which forms part of the festivities for the Maori New Year in the Capital.

Festival curators, Merenia and Tanemahuta Gray are creating a programme to showcase the achievements of a host of Maori dancers, choreographers, dance film makers, teachers and scholars who are drawn from the upper echelons of New Zealand's dance community.

The Grays see Kowhiti as a chance to draw attention to "te pu waitange rehia" - the blossoming of a new wave of Maori dance talent - a group who use the dance vocabulary, tools and technologies of the 21st Century to create their work but who remain firmly in touch with the traditions and wairua (spirit) of their people.

Kowhiti will run for four days only at Te Papa, Wellington, June 24-27, 2010. Participants in the festival will be able to watch the Kowhiti Permiere performance and Maori dance film at Soundings Theatre and free dance demonstrations on the Marae. There will also be talks by leading Maori dance scholars, two forums and the opportunity to participate in dance workshops.

Contacts:

Merenia Gray, Curator/Director - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tanemahuta Gray, Curator/Director - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Moss Patterson, Auckland Liaison - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Jenny Stevenson, Producer - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

                                        - (04) 384 2294