KEY POINTS:
Queen St in Auckland was once a river and tomorrow dancers of all ages and abilities will "flood" the street to celebrate the launch of the Tempo Festival of Dance.
"Everyone is welcome to watch or join in. And we promise to keep our chests covered," says artistic director Mary Jane O'Reilly in a sly reference to the Boobs on Bikes parade.
The parade starts at QEII Square at 12.30pm and moves all the way to Aotea Square, accompanied by live African drumming, for a salsa-style group dance called Rueda. The water theme continues with artist Warwick Broadhead, dressed as King Neptune, greeting the dancers.
This inclusive opening day is indicative of a festival which features dance from around the world and performers from school to pension age.
"In Auckland, there are more dancers than football players," O'Reilly says. "Thousands of people dance to keep fit, for fun, to socialise or to express themselves. I was mindful of this when programming the festival."
The five-week festival is jampacked with shows by some of our best-known contemporary dancers and choreographers, world showcases, youth performances, dance films and videos, and workshops and forums. In total, Tempo will incorporate 1000 performers, 122 shows and 17 venues.
O'Reilly will try to attend as many events as possible but is loath to pick out any favourites, saying, "Ask me afterwards and then I'll be very opinionated." She believes many of the "name" acts and world dance showcases will sell out and she is particularly pleased with the forums and workshops which she hopes will encourage people to try dance for themselves.
O'Reilly is also proud of an initiative which will see a dancer honoured each year. Glenn Mayo, who has danced with Limbs, Douglas Wright, Shona McCullagh and other leading choreographers, is the first to be feted.
"Choreographers, quite rightly, can take all of the attention but we also need to honour the dancers who realise the vision, turn up on time, never complain and are never injured. Glenn has always been one of these dancers."
Other highlights this week
* The Story of Stuff, by BackLit Productions: Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall, Oct. 1-4, 8pm.
* Tertiary Colours student works: Tapac, Oct. 1-3, 8pm.
* Fresh Cuts: Tapac, Oct. 2-4, 10pm.
* Infatuated By Verses, by Yours Truly Productions: 298 Mt Albert Rd, Mt Albert, today 7pm, with three more "at home" performances.
