Jointly presented by Okareka Dance Company and the Regent Theatre for the Puaka Matariki Festival, the extraordinary dance-fusion show K'Rd Strip - A Place to Stand will be staged in Dunedin next Friday and Saturday, June 28 and 29, at 8pm.
K'Rd Strip is Okareka's response to a landmark that has its roots in New Zealand cultural and countercultural history. The result is a work featuring six performers in theatrical show that combines dance, theatre, song, pole dancing, drag queens, haka and New Zealand music.
Home to Maori communities in the 19th century, Karangahape Rd has evolved into a hub of alternative culture, particularly among the gay community of Auckland. The diversity in culture and gender to be found in K Road captured the attention of Okareka artistic director Taiaroa Royal and Taane Mete and led to the development of the show.
The six queer cast members of K'Rd Strip include Taiaroa Royal, Taane Mete, Jamie Burgess, Adam Burell, Will Barling and Jason TeMete, with direction by Simon Coleman and music arrangement by Mahuia Bridgeman-Cooper.
While drawing inspiration from the seven stars of Matariki, the performers also highlight the seven deadly sins - wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy and gluttony - in dance and theatrical scenes that take the audience on a journey into the heart of Auckland's most famous street.
''This production of K'Rd Strip will be a highlight of the Puaka Matariki Festival, which will be great on the Regent Theatre stage,'' Regent marketing and communications manager Karin Reid said.
''We are thrilled to be working with Okareka Dance Company on this tour.''
The work also marks the debut of Okareka's ''Matariki under the Stars'' tour, which will feature an annual performance from the group in celebration. Okareka Dance Company has wowed local and international audiences with its contemporary dance works since its inception in 2008. Guided by Maori beliefs, Okareka brings these beliefs to its work and its audiences.
• A fast-paced two-hour contemporary dance workshop will be presented by Okareka Dance Company artistic directors Taiaroa Royal and Taane Mete before their performances of K'Rd Strip. The workshop will be held next Wednesday, June 26, from 6pm to 8pm in the Dance Studio at the University of Otago, 56 Union St West. Cost $20.
For information and bookings, email natalie@okareka.com or phone (021) 027-21026.
