Dance Festival

Images supplied by the Body Festival 2009.

If you’ve ever wanted to know more about kapa haka and the Maori poi dance, the 2009 Body Festival offers the perfect chance to get up close and personal. Staged in Christchurch, the festival opened yesterday and runs until October 11. Tucked in between the many outstanding dance performances across all dance genres, is a comprehensive series of workshops designed to meet any dance preference. You can learn all about kapa haka from one of Christchurch’s most dynamic and versatile performing groups, Te Ahikaaroa on Saturday October 3; or you can try your hand at twirling the poi led by Maarie Hutana of Positive Touch on October 10. www.thebody.co.nz