New dance work by choreographer Moss Patterson tells story of South Auckland

Award-winning choreographer Moss Patterson tells a new South Auckland story using 50 talented young dancers.

Lowdown:
What: ONE: The Earth Rises — Tempo Dance Festival
Where & when: Vodafone Events Centre, Manukau, Wednesday, October 3

More than 50 young performers join forces for the Tempo Dance Festival's biggest performance, ONE: The Earth Rises.

Described as a powerful new dance work by award-winning choreographer Moss Patterson, it references Māori, Polynesian and Chinese narratives as well as traditional kapa haka and t'ai chi to tell the story of South Auckland.

It starts when a sacred Manaia artefact is unearthed in a Chinese market in Manukau. Imbued with magical powers, the Manaia goes on a journey of discovery across time zones and landscapes to trace the history of the Manukau region and, in doing so, discover knowledge that will either save or destroy the modern world.

Students from Unitec Performing Arts School, James Cook High School, The Auckland Chinese Philharmonic Choir and the Auckland arts community perform. Patterson has fused traditional and contemporary dance forms with live visual projections from Sand Artist Marcus Winter (aka the sand man) and electronic and choral soundscapes created by Paddy Free of Pitch Black fame.

An award-winning choreographer who has worked with Atamira Dance Company, Black Grace, Footnote Dance Company and Touch Compass, Patterson is no stranger to make dance with large groups of young dancers.

In previous Auckland Art Festivals, he has worked with the likes of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra on projects that included Ruaumoko, a collaboration which saw 150 school children from across the region take to the stage.

The annual Tempo Dance Festival officially starts on Thursday at Q Theatre.