BY CLAUDIA PACKER, 12
Junior Journos is a programme run by the Nelson Weekly which gives young people in the community an opportunity to experience journalism under the guidance of trained staff.
The Theatre Royal Nelson stage will light up with a delightful variety of dance genres, showcasing studios from around the region this weekend.
Dancing Through the 50s, 60s and 70s will showcase classical ballet, modern jazz, contemporary dance, songs from well-known musicals and the ever-popular tap dancing.
Join The Wakatu Dance Theatre as they perform with music that will transport you back in time.
With a burst of energy, enthusiasm, and a pure love for performance, we are thrilled to bring you Dancing through the 50s, 60s and 70s.
The audience will be treated to the upbeat sounds of Jail House Rock, Good Vibrations and the Time Warp, through to the beautiful classical ballet dancing of Mazurka and Coppelia, along with popular songs of the period such as Dream a Little Dream of Me and Tiny Dancer, all in a fast-paced and colourful-costumed, choreographed show.
The show will feature 180 local students, from the tiny pre-schoolers to the senior dancers from Peta Spooner Academy of Dance, Jane Pascoe Movement, Glenna Armstrong School of Tap Dancing and Mickey’s Music Studio.
The performance favourite of ‘Dads in Tutus’ will also make a return.
“This is a great way to get our fathers, uncles and family members involved in the show. Dads in Tutus has been a tradition since 1987,” says show director Peta Spooner.
Dads in Tutus will perform a two-minute-long piece from Swan Lake, which will be choregraphed by Peta. Rumour has it, some of the past performers will be back on stage again this year.
“The Wakatu Dance Theatre is an inclusive, non-competitive environment, all the students who perform on stage are all in the spotlight. It may be the first time or the last time for some, but they will all get the enjoyment of performing on stage,” Peta says.
Students from Peta Spooner Academy of Dance and Jane Pascoe Movement have been out and about over the past few weeks, taking photographs at well-known local landmarks to promote their show, which has been a huge hit with the locals and visitors to the Nelson region.
The two dance companies have worked closely together for years and the dancers who took to the streets for photos said “It was fun to do something a bit different out of the studio”.
Dancing Through the 50s, 60s and 70s will show at the Theatre Royal Nelson on Friday 25 at 7pm and Saturday 26 August, at 1.30pm and 7pm.
Contact sara@topsouthmedia.co.nz if you have a young person who would be interested in taking part in Junior Journos.
