Full Moon Folk Ball
18/03/2022 - 27/03/2022
Auckland Arts Festival | Te Ahurei Toi O Tāmaki 2022
Production Details
A sold-out highlight from the 2021 Festival, and the social dance event of the year, the Full Moon Folk Ball, was set to return in 2022. In a swift COVID-pivot, the unique dance event will deliver foot-stomping live music and dance instruction, by master of dance Michael Parmenter, to people via Zoom in their own tiny dance hall at home.
At 7.30pm on Friday 18 March, get a friend over, roll up the mat, slip on your dancing shoes and enjoy 90 minutes of pure Terpsichorean* delight. Timeless partner dances such the waltz, mazurka, Scottish, and even a Cajun-two-step played by the crème de la crème of Kiwi folk musicians will get you over the COVID blues. No experience necessary.
*Terpsichore (tərpˈsɪkəri) one of the nine Greek muses, symbol of enjoyment of music and dance
Livestream on Fri 18 March at 7.30pm. Access replay until 11.59pm Sun 27 March. Minimum $10 individual tickets and $25 household tickets.
Dance Master Michael Parmenter assisted by Claire ONeil.
Dancers, Michael Parmenter., Claire O'Neil, Katie Rudd, Roger Christensen.
Musicians from crème de la crème: Chabb Chia, Caleb Chia, Shimna Higgins, Steve Cournane, Aaron Cordell.
Film , Digital presentation , Dance , Contemporary dance ,
90 mins
Feel connected, thankfully, to a wider community
Review by Lyne Pringle 21st Mar 2022
It’s Friday night and my husband and I get to dance in our lounge in Wellington. We are joining a Te Ahurei Toi O Tāmaki/Auckland Arts Festival online event – there are some benefits to the virus which has decimated the performing arts landscape and disrupted our two major festivals.
Michael Parmenter leads the Fullmoon Folk Online Ball with his inimitable and enthusiastic style. This event was a sold-out highlight of the 2021 festival.
We move the furniture out of the way and create a ‘mini ball-room’. It’s a great concept and demonstrates yet again the tenacity and nimbleness of artists and presenters to ensure that the ‘show goes on’.
It is a big adjustment to move from a rambunctious community dance with many participants intermingling and interacting to a streamed event. Parmenter’s warmth, clear instructions and informative spiels ensure the spirit of ‘the dance’ comes through the screen.
Beaming in along with the dance master are dancers Claire O’Neil, Katie Rudd and Roger Christensen with musicians from the folk rock ensmeble crème de la crème are Chabb Chia, Caleb Chia, Shimna Higgins, Steve Cournane and Aaron Cordell.
They lead us with great elegance through partner dances – including mazurka and waltz, simple group pieces – where we can pretend we are part of a larger crew, quartets and a few demonstrations – where we get to watch and appreciate the skill of these artists. O’Neil and Parmenter are long-time collaborators and it shows, they deliver a perky Sauvaterrata with Chabb Chia on bagpipes and a sensuous blues number with Shimna HIggins crooning on vocals.
Most of the dances originate in various regions of France. The Bourree de la Talvera (choreographer Parmenter) is complex and quick, a standout with intricate patterns.
A Cajun-two-step is my favourite. Hubby prefers the slower cheek-to-cheek numbers but he overcomes his end-of-the-week tiredness and slight propensity for ‘two left feet’ as we get into the groove. Michael Parmenter asks us to dedicate the final ‘group dance’, a gorgeously lilting Gavotte de l’aven, to peace in the Ukraine. It is a contemplative and poignant way to wind the event down.
The evening is billed as ‘a Terpsichorean delight’ and it is indeed as our bodies move to lift our hearts and feel connected, thankfully, to a wider community.
It is up until Sunday March 27th online (follow the link, pay what you can). It is a real treat.
https://www.aaf.co.nz/event/full-moon-folk-ball
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