YMCĀ
Choreographed by Oli Mathiesen (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine, Mgāti Manu)
Choreographed by Oli Mathiesen (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine, Mgāti Manu)
Atamira Dance Company presents YMCĀ by acclaimed choreographer Oli Mathiesen.
A bold taktāpui rebirth of the Village People, YMCĀ parallels the pop culture icons through a discography of performed identities that interrogate the archetypes, the macho men, and the staging of queerness and indigeneity. 1970s luxe meets 18th-century bloodshed - a disco interior with a cultural inferior.
Alluring, camp-soaked, and unapologetically original, YMCĀ invites audiences into a world where appropriation has never looked so good.
A bold taktāpui rebirth of the Village People, YMCĀ parallels the pop culture icons through a discography of performed identities that interrogate the archetypes, the macho men, and the staging of queerness and indigeneity. 1970s luxe meets 18th-century bloodshed - a disco interior with a cultural inferior.
Alluring, camp-soaked, and unapologetically original, YMCĀ invites audiences into a world where appropriation has never looked so good.
Tempo Dance Festival
13, 14 October | 8pm
Rangatira, Q Theatre
Nelson Arts Festival
31 October | 7:30pm
Theatre Royal Nelson
13, 14 October | 8pm
Rangatira, Q Theatre
Nelson Arts Festival
31 October | 7:30pm
Theatre Royal Nelson
Te Manawa o te Pōhutukawa
We’re honoured to share that Atamira Dance Company has been commissioned by the National Arts Centre, Ottawa, Canada to create a short film as part of their series of digital films 'Dancing the Land’.
We invited longtime collaborator and founder Louise Pōtiki Bryant to lead this new kaupapa, titled Te Manawa o te Pōhutukawa, which we’ve been filming over the past week in Piha.
Pōhutukawa carries deep significance within te ao Māori. As rākau rangatira, our relationship with pōhutukawa is expansive. The kaupapa draws from Louise’s own longstanding connection with the pōhutukawa growing at the beach’s edge in Piha.
We’re excited to begin a new relationship with NAC Indigenous Theatre, joining Dancing the Land as the series reaches internationally to connect with Atamira here in Aotearoa.
We invited longtime collaborator and founder Louise Pōtiki Bryant to lead this new kaupapa, titled Te Manawa o te Pōhutukawa, which we’ve been filming over the past week in Piha.
Pōhutukawa carries deep significance within te ao Māori. As rākau rangatira, our relationship with pōhutukawa is expansive. The kaupapa draws from Louise’s own longstanding connection with the pōhutukawa growing at the beach’s edge in Piha.
We’re excited to begin a new relationship with NAC Indigenous Theatre, joining Dancing the Land as the series reaches internationally to connect with Atamira here in Aotearoa.
A new Indigenous collaboration
We’re proud to announce a major new collaboration between Atamira Dance Company and Karul Projects Dance Theatre.
Bringing together two Indigenous-led contemporary dance companies from Aotearoa and Australia, this ambitious exchange centres Indigenous excellence, artistic leadership, and shared futures.
Led by choreographers Thomas E.S. Kelly (Karul – Minjungbal, Wiradjuri, Ni-Vanuatu) and Gabrielle Thomas (Atamira – Te Ātiawa ki Te Tau Ihu, Kāi Tahu, Pākehā), two distinct artistic practices, each shaped by their own cultural knowledge and choreographic voice, are united. The creative partnership will culminate in a powerful new contemporary dance work.
Across the past three weeks, we’ve moved between Minjungbal Country in Coolangatta and our whare in Tāmaki Makaurau, sharing movement, waiata, meals, conversations, time in te taiao, and plenty of laughter. These moments of exchange and relationship-building are at the heart of the work.
The first stage of development has now wrapped, but this is only the beginning. We’ll return to the studio later this year as the work continues towards its premiere.
We can’t wait to share more of this journey with you.
Bringing together two Indigenous-led contemporary dance companies from Aotearoa and Australia, this ambitious exchange centres Indigenous excellence, artistic leadership, and shared futures.
Led by choreographers Thomas E.S. Kelly (Karul – Minjungbal, Wiradjuri, Ni-Vanuatu) and Gabrielle Thomas (Atamira – Te Ātiawa ki Te Tau Ihu, Kāi Tahu, Pākehā), two distinct artistic practices, each shaped by their own cultural knowledge and choreographic voice, are united. The creative partnership will culminate in a powerful new contemporary dance work.
Across the past three weeks, we’ve moved between Minjungbal Country in Coolangatta and our whare in Tāmaki Makaurau, sharing movement, waiata, meals, conversations, time in te taiao, and plenty of laughter. These moments of exchange and relationship-building are at the heart of the work.
The first stage of development has now wrapped, but this is only the beginning. We’ll return to the studio later this year as the work continues towards its premiere.
We can’t wait to share more of this journey with you.
World Premiere Coming Soon
When Ranginui and Papatūānuku were separated, light entered the world for the first time. Before illumination came Hīnātore - the first flicker, signalling possibility and the promise of what was yet to emerge.
As a tuakana platform for Māori contemporary dance, our role is to create space for Māori artists to follow that spark and bring new possibilities into the world.
This year, we're excited to support one of Aotearoa New Zealand's most exciting new choreographic voices through a new Atamira commission: Oli Mathiesen (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Manu).
It feels pretty special to continue walking alongside Oli's artistic journey and to support the next chapter of their work.
Watch this space. We'll be sharing more about this new kaupapa soon.
As a tuakana platform for Māori contemporary dance, our role is to create space for Māori artists to follow that spark and bring new possibilities into the world.
This year, we're excited to support one of Aotearoa New Zealand's most exciting new choreographic voices through a new Atamira commission: Oli Mathiesen (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Manu).
It feels pretty special to continue walking alongside Oli's artistic journey and to support the next chapter of their work.
Watch this space. We'll be sharing more about this new kaupapa soon.
