New Zealand Dance Troupe Performs at Ohio Festivals
by Jami Goldstein
Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre of New Zealand will tour Ohio as part of the first Summer International Music and Performing Arts in Communities Tour (IMPACT). Kahurangi (which means ''a cloak from heaven'') will perform six shows, July 11-24, 2004. Performance locations include Dayton, Ashland, Warren, Athens, Cincinnati and Kelley’s Island on Lake Erie. All performances are free and open to the public.
The IMPACT tour is presented by the Ohio Arts Council (OAC) in partnership with the Ohio Arts Presenters Network (OAPN) and Arts Midwest. Additional support is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Wallace Foundation.
Kahurangi has appeared at many festivals, conferences, museums and schools throughout the United States presenting lectures, demonstrations, workshops and unique cultural performances relating to the Maori and Polynesian cultures. Their vibrant collection of traditional Maori culture, music and dance styles dates back to 900 AD when the first immigration through Polynesia took them from Hawaiki to New Zealand. In 2003, Kahurangi performed at the New York City premiere of Whale Rider, a powerful film about the Maori culture. Through performances and lectures, Kahurangi imparts a wealth of cultural and tribal knowledge to foster a greater understanding of a very unique indigenous culture.
Since 1998, the IMPACT performing arts tour has been bringing international artists to Ohio each fall for a statewide tour of places of worship. Because of its popularity, the OAC, OAPN and Arts Midwest have partnered to create the Summer IMPACT tour. Summer IMPACT will continue the tradition of exposing new audiences to art forms from around the world through festivals that unite communities around the state each summer. The IMPACT tour is designed to bring the best international performing arts groups to audiences in Ohio.
The Summer IMPACT tour will feature educational outreach programs in addition to the performances at each site. For more information visit the Ohio Arts Council website at www.oac.state.oh.us or call 614/466-2613 or email kathy.cain@oac.state.oh.us The Ohio Arts Council and the Ohio Arts Presenters Network began their unique partnership in 1998 with the presentation of Barocco Andino, a Chilean music ensemble. In following years, the OAC brought international artists Ragamala Music and Dance Theatre, Viva Quetzal, Cuerdas de Fuego, and Real Tango to Ohio for a statewide tour of churches and synagogues.
The Ohio Arts Council is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally and economically.
Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre
Schedule of Performances
July 2004
All performances are free and open to the public.
Dayton, July 11, 2 p.m. 2 p.m.
Free Family Fun on Sundays
Riverscape Metropark
111 E. Monument Avenue, Dayton
Presented by Five Rivers Metroparks
www.riverscape.org
937-274-0126
Ashland, July 15, 8 p.m
Summer Concert Series
Myers Memorial Band Shell
Brookside Park, Parkside Drive
Presented by the City of Ashland
www.ashlandarts.org
419-281-9836
Warren, July 17, 8 p.m.
Saturday Night Special Series
Warren Community Amphitheatre
303 Mahoning Avenue
Presented by Fine Arts Council of Trumbull County
www.trumbullarts.org
330-399-1212
Athens, July 20, 7:30 p.m.
Summerfest Series
Ohio University, Main University Green
Union & University Terrace
Presented by OU Office of Public Occasions
www.ohio.edu/publicoccasions.index.htm
740-593-1761
Cincinnati, July 23, 5 p.m.
Hood Tour Festival
Cincinnati Museum Center
1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati
Presented by Learning Through Art, Inc. & Time Warner Cable
www.learningthroughart.com
513-242-6028
Kelleys Island, July 24, 5:30 p.m.
Islandfest 2004
The Old Town Hall
120 Division Street, Kelleys Island
Presented by Kelleys Island Chamber of Commerce
www.kelleysislandchamber.com
419-746-2360
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