Rhythm and dance festival comes to Auckland
Jambalaya, New Zealand’s most interactive rhythm and dance festival is coming to Auckland for the first time next year.
With international and local music and dance artists, workshops, circus performers and its own international food market, Jambalaya is not a typical festival. Participants have the ultimate flexibility to watch remarkable acts, have a go themselves and discover a world of music and dance they can be a part of.
“The workshops are such a beautiful part of this event,” says Heidi Hughes, festival director. “We choose world class teachers who create so much energy and enthusiasm in the class that it leaves people really buzzing. It’s a wonderful experience to take away with them.”
The 2011 festival is set to provide visitors with many incredibly memories. Workshops will include acapella, salsa, Samba drumming, Ukelele, African dance, flying Trapeze, bollywood, hiphop, contemporary dance and swing, along with many others.
Performances are looking to be as exciting. Melbourne band Barons of Tang and Australian Flamenco group Arte Kanela are booked. Also performing are New Zealand’s the Hot Grits, Batacuda Sound Machine and Thaumatology, who incorporate dance, video projection and circus.
All this is set in the lush glades of The Corban Estate Arts Centre in West Auckland, where there are a huge range of venues for festivalgoers.
“We are lucky to have found such a perfect venue,” says Heidi. “There’s gorgeous native bush surrounding the site, warehouse workshop spaces with sprung floors, and all sorts of outdoor spaces to discover. There’s even camping on site.”
About Jambalaya
Jambalaya is a festival of rhythm and dance, incorporating music, dance and circus performances and workshops. It has a truly international flavour, incorporating food, music and movement from around the world.
The 2011 festival will be held from 5-6 March at Corbans Estate Arts Centre in Henderson, West Auckland. This is the first time the festival will based in Auckland. Previous festivals have been in Rotorua and Taupo.
Performers include: Barons of Tang, Arte Kanela, Batacuda Sound Machine, the Hot Grits, Thaumatology, Cian, and Bobby Brazuka and Jennifer Zea.
Workshops are planned in many genres including: hip hop, contemporary dance, samba, salsa, flamenco, tai chi, yoga, flamenco, ukulele, forro, African drumming, trapeze, circus and Bollywood.
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Roxanne de BruynRoxanne de Bruyn is a writer and marketing communications specialist who has always had a fascination with stories.
She is interested the boundaries between fantasy and reality and the thoughts and expression that emerge from them, especially through words and dance.
Roxanne is a published writer and is currently working on a novel. She has danced since the age of five and is classically trained to advanced level. She is also experienced in contemporary dance and has taught jazz, ballet and burlesque.
With a degree in classics and ancient history, Roxanne has completed further studies in literature, communications and early religion. She is currently working towards a master’s degree in international development.
