KEY POINTS:
Raw, earthy and sensual, combining classical ballet techniques with the dance traditions of their homeland, the Karbal Noumea Ballet offers insights into a world surprisingly new to Auckland audiences, considering New Caledonia is our nearest island neighbour.
The young company, founded by Sthan Kabar-Louet in 2004, and on its first overseas venture, performs Terres d'Auras in Auckland this week in association with Tempo, New Zealand's Festival of Dance, and the New Caledonia New Zealand Season.
The latter is a year-long initiative of the New Caledonian Government, directed here by Carla van Zon and Briony Ellis, to create a closer relationship between the two countries by bringing a variety of artists and athletes to perform and make friends with their New Zealand counterparts.
"Tempo shows a wide variety of dance and welcomes work from a variety of cultures," says Van Zon. "So we felt the Karbal Noumea Ballet company would be supported in this environment and festival audiences will take a risk on something new."
Van Zon describes the company as reminding her of early Black Grace, and as "beautiful, physical, Pacific, Melanesian, contemporary, traditional - they knocked my socks off when I saw them in rehearsal".
Kabar-Louet, born in New Caledonia and of Kanak, Asian, Indian and European descent, studied ballet with his mother before travelling to France at 15 to train for three years, before joining the Bejart Ballet.
After seven years working under the great master, Maurice Bejart, he returned to Noumea to set up his own company and to show the world what Oceania can do with ballet.
Linda Kurtovitch, 24, is one of the dancers in a company of 10, all born in New Caledonia, and ranging in age from 16 to 30. Of Bosnian and Italian ancestry, she began her dance studies in Noumea, then went to France to train as a school teacher.
But dance remained her passion, so from 2001 to 2003 she completed a performing arts degree, at the University of Auckland.
"There are two contemporary companies in Noumea," she says, "and one traditional and one hip hop company. But Karbal is the only one where the dancers get paid each month."
Dancers in the Karbal Noumea Ballet reflect New Caledonia's mixed population - Kanak, Polynesian, European and Asian - and come from just as many dance backgrounds. Some, like Kurtovich, have contemporary dance training, some are hip hop specialists and others bring their knowledge of traditional dance forms.
Terres d'Auras reflects all those influences in content and style.
"It's dynamic, sexy, thought-provoking and undisputedly contemporary Pacific," says Van Zon.
Performance
* What: Terres d'Auras, by the Karbal Noumea Ballet of New Caledonia for Tempo Festival of Dance
* Where & when: Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall, October 5-6
Festival highlights
This week at Tempo Dance
* What: Choreographic Showcases 2
* Where and when: Tapac, Oct 4-5 (8pm Thu, 6pm Fri)
* What: Choreographic Showcases 3
* Where and when: Tapac, Oct 8-9 (7.30pm Mon, 9pm Tues)
* What: Old Yeller, featuring vintage performers from the past 50 years
* Where and when: Tapac, today 6pm
