KatiFit Gym will be hosting a one-day dance workshop for ages 15+ on 20 May 2023. The workshop is funded by the Creative Communities Scheme for Western Bay (facilitated by Creative Bay of Plenty) and is designed to create opportunities for the local community to engage with arts activities.
Led by Jared Hemopo, a Māori dance artist and facilitator, the workshop will explore contemporary dance through a variety of exercises using games and whakapapa to create movement phrases. Participants from Waihi Beach and Katikati will have the opportunity to participate in a Māori-led contemporary dance/movement workshop that aims to support access and participation through fun and explorative dance activities throughout the day.
The workshop is specifically designed to support Māori arts and cultural entrepreneurship, provide easy access to arts and culture, and showcase and celebrate Māori culture.
In addition to providing an opportunity for local youth and young adults to engage with dance, the workshop will also provide a convenient location for parent drop-offs. “There are not many dance workshops or classes in the area specifically for youth and young adults. I am excited to contribute Kaha Movement to the Western Bay of Plenty for the growth of dance and future artists who reside here,” said Jared Hemopo.
Jared Hemopo is a professional dancer and an active member of the New Zealand dance community for over 11 years. He is an ex-company dancer of Footnote NZ Dance and has facilitated many masterclasses and community dance workshops. Recently, he was a part of a project called Te Ahu Taiohi for the Aotearoa NZ Festival of the Arts, where he was the contemporary dance facilitator for 30 Taiohi from Porirua, Wellington. Te Ahu Taiohi won an excellence award for theatre for social change at the 2022 Wellington Theatre Awards.
The workshop promises to be an exciting and educational experience for all who attend. For more information head to Kaha Movement NZ’s Facebook page, or register at kahamovementnz@hotmail.com.
