Dance Zone at WOMAD

Putting the ‘D’ for Dance into WOMAD is a brand new Dance Zone in the Kunming Garden. The Dance Zone will include interactive dance workshops and demonstrations with live music, for all ages, featuring Brazilian workshops in samba, maculele and capoeira; hula from Hawai’i, and Chinese dragon and lion dancing. Maori and Pasifika dance workshops will also be offered in the Te Pae Pae area, and Columbian group Sidestepper will present workshops onstage.

Wellington-based performers and teachers, from Zamba Bem and Capoeira Arunde will teach dances of Brazil including samba, maculele and capoeira.  Maculelê is an Afro-Brazilian dance and a martial art where a number of people gather in a circle called a roda and use sticks. Samba is the national dance of Brazil and is perhaps one of the most energetic and exhilarating of Latin dances! Originally created by slaves brought to Brazil from Africa, Capoeira is an art form that encompasses dance, martial arts, acrobatics, music and philosophy.

The Wellington Sports and Cultural Centre Dragon Dance Team was the first New Zealand group to compete in the World Dragon Dance Championships in Hong Kong in 2010. Their spectacular and acrobatic performance involves a team of 13 highly synchronised dancers with live music. Learn some fun moves at the Dance Zone. For all ages with some baby dragons available for kids.

Whitireia Performing Arts Group mix the challenge of the Maori haka, the joy and energy of Samoa and sensual rhythms and drums of the Cook Islands.  Graduates and students from Whitireia Polytechnic in Porirua will lead a workshop exploring Pasifika dance.

Learn the authentic hula moves from Mana Maoli hula expert Kumu Hula Mehanaokala Hind and dancers from Hawai’i. Experience the unique culture of Hawai’i and get those hips moving in a fun and energetic workshop at Te Pae Pae.