An end of year performance called Life Beyond took place on November 30 by the Paeroa Contemporary Dance group.
Artistic Director Helene Burgstaller said there were 52 dancers from Paeroa, Waihī and Thames involved. “The story was based on the book The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry as well as the Greek Gods after which the planets in the solar system are named,” she said.
The dancers performed choreography by Helene, as well as presenting their own choreography, she said. Helene wanted to thank the Hauraki Creative Communities Scheme which funded the show. It helped make the show accessible for dancers and the audience, she said. “Aerial silk was used in the opening scene, performed by lead dancer Aislinn van de Wetering, who took her performance to new heights.”
The director said life music was integrated into the show with Angelina Loveridge and Jessica Lines, who sang a duet, and with musician Roshan Tuivavalagi, who created a soundscape with her voice and saxophone for the dancers to interact with.
“The shows were a great ending to the dancing year.”
