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A sea of red-clad dancers will channel their "inner Kate" in the fun and flamboyant midwinter community dance event, the "Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever".
The annual event, based around a flash mob re-creating Kate Bush’s iconic 1978 song and dance, will be held in the Octagon from 11am on Saturday, July 25.
Organised locally by a team of volunteers, led by Dunedin city councillor Mandy Mayhem, under the HeartCore umbrella, the free event is the most southern of hundreds of Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever celebrations going on across the globe.
The project was founded in 2013 by "Wuthermothers" — British performance group Shambush — and is facilitated globally by Berlin-based Samantha Wareing.
Dunedin participants will come together in the lower Octagon at about 11am on July 25 for a warm-up and a practice run-through of the main dance — guided by lead dancer Hannah Rouse and her team.
At noon, the full Wuthering Heights dance flash mob will get under way.
Cr Mayhem said everyone was welcome to just turn up and take part in the Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever event — all that was needed was a red dress/outfit and some moves.
The event will be accessible, with modified moves for all levels of participation — all ages, abilities and genders are welcome.
There is no need to register, just turn up and join in.
"We have red ribbons on sticks and pom-poms for those with limited mobility — it is all about participating and having fun," Cr Mayhem said.
"We also have spare red clothes, including T-shirts and scarves, so there’s no need to miss out if you don’t have red clothes at home."
The event will also raise funds for local mental health and wellbeing organisation Weka (Wellness, Empathy, Kindness Aotearoa).
Founded in 2018, the group provides free, community-led peer support, counselling, and wellness workshops for mental distress, addictions, and carer fatigue.
They operate a peer support lounge, offering immediate, non-clinical help.
The organisation was created by Matthew Peppercorn, a mental health nurse with more than 25 years of experience in the field.
The group focuses heavily on peer support — connecting people with others who have lived through similar mental health and addiction challenges.
Weka provides several core initiatives to the Ōtepoti Dunedin community.
These include rainbow events, education and social meet up opportunities, as well as free workshops on wellbeing, life skills and relapse prevention.
They also host regular walking groups to encourage connection and physical health.