Highland Dance Company of NZ - Port Arlington Festival - Day 2
Our day started off with a bit of a sleep in for some, while others also managed a wee morning stroll around the township. We then all met up at home base for a morning debrief before tackling our first lot of rehearsals. We were then joined by Annabel and Sara at the main venue and began running the show from start to finish.
Of course some refuelling was in need, so we tackled the township and settled on a lovely cafe to nourish our bodies. We then finished off rehearsals, headed to dinner at the grand hotel and had our debrief of the day. Looking forward to our shows tomorrow and seeing some familiar faces of our families!
- Olivia and Keighley
Highland Dance Company of NZ - Port Arlington Festival - Day 3
After long rehearsal day yesterday we all got a bit of a sleep in before meeting at the house to run a few of our dances. We then began to do our hair and makeup before we set off for our first performance of the weekend!
We had a little bit of down time before our first performance to grab a bite to eat and see some of the local sights. Our first performance was for the local primary school children. We performed rhythm in silver and a sailors hornpipe which was well loved by the children!
After the concert, we had a dress rehearsal of Heart of the Highlands which was a success! We then refuelled with some delicious pizza for dinner before we returned to the festival to perform our 15 minute show at the village tavern stage. After a long day of dance we headed back home to do some recovery and get some much needed rest before our packed day tomorrow!
- Isla & Chloe
Highland Dance Company of NZ - Port Arlington Festival - Day 1
We started our trip yesterday morning with a very early start! The Christchurch crew woke up at 3am to all meet at the airport by 4am. Excitingly we all got into the Koru lounge where we all had a big breakfast before our flight!
We arrived in Melbourne at 8am with the whole day ahead of us for some free time. We met up with the Auckland crew, a group went to see Wicked the Musical and the rest of us went shopping at various malls in the city centre as well as figuring out how to get a tram to the DFO.
We all met up again in the evening to walk to the port to catch our ferry. After an hour and a half on the ferry we arrived in Portarlington, where we were picked up by two Pete’s and taken to our accomodation. Half of us are in an air bnb with Robyn and Julie and the older half of us are staying in a cabin/house at a campground.
After a very long day, we got some pizzas and cooked them up for our dinner, then headed to bed for a good nights sleep.
Hannah and Ariana
Subs Renewal
Unfortunately our online subs renewal system is not currently allowing members to renew their subs. Subs payments can be made directly into the NZ academys bank account. Membership cards will be sent via email.
We will advise when the system is back up and running
thanks
Raewyn
Conference 2024 September 20th - 22nd
CONFERENCE Date: 20th - 22nd SEPTEMBER 2024
Registration Form is enclosed with the Newsletter.
Conference Venue - Rutherford Hotel, 27 Nile Street, Nelson
Friday Evening - Solo Seal Examination (start time to be confirmed)
Theatre Royal - 78 Rutherford Street, Nelson
Saturday
Youth Forum, Exam Organisers meeting, followed by Annual General Meeting and Forum, and Dance Development Course
Guest Speaker - Brigit Beattie - Physio therapist
Conference Dinner and Experience Saturday night - Presentation of Diplomas, Bar Recipients and Special Recognition awards, will be held at the Beachside Conference and Events Centre, 70 Beach Rd, Tahunanui, Nelson, included in your conference fees is transport to and from the venue.
Sunday
Breakfast session with Guest Speaker Sophie Hart
Dance Development Course - “Dancers Turn out Better”
Workshop Topics as follows:
Saturday afternoon
· ATTC - Sailors Hornpipe Stage 1 - Part 1
· Judging - Navigating changes
Sunday
· 18 & Over steps
· Turn out tips for teaching younger dancers
· Barre, centre, dance
· Irish Step construction
· ATTC - Sailors Hornpipe Stage 1 - Part 2
Further details on workshops will be provided in the August Newsletter.
50 year & over members
A reminder your Dance Development Course component of the Registration Fee is included in the total fee and will be refunded back to you after conference.
YOUTH FUNCTION
After Solo Seal on Friday night there will be a get together of Youth Members.
Further details to follow, please indicate your expression of interest on the Conference registration form. Costs will be advised as soon as details have been finalised.
Accommodation Options
Rutherford Hotel - Booking code 210196 - must email or call hotel direct quoting this code
· Palazzo Motel, Rutherford St. -just around the corner
· Centuary Park Motel, Rutherford St. -slightly further but also just around the corner
· Chelsea Park, Rutherford St. - slightly further but also just around the corner
· Admirals Motor Inn, Waimea Rd. -10-15min.walk
· Hotel Nelson, Waimea Rd. -10-15min. walk
· Tides Hotel ( has a restaurant & Bar) - 66 Trafalgar St. about 20min. walk
· DeLorenzo's - 43-55 Trafalgar St. about 25min.walk
· Cedar Grove Motor Lodge, 1 Grove St. opposite Tides Hotel about 20 min.walk
Demonstrators
Technical Committee will be needing several demonstrators for the Dance Development Course workshops at Conference. Applications are invited from Academy members or student members. Please note the following :
· A high level of competency and fitness is required.
· Training and preparation will be with a Technical Committee member either in person
or via zoom.
· Successful applicants must commit to pre-conference preparation.
The Dance Development Course fee will be waived for dancers who are demonstrators.
Please apply to the Secretary via email: admin@nzahnd.org.nz by 31 May.
Highland Dance Company of New Zealand - 2024 Auditions
The 2024 auditions will be held on Tuesday 9th July 2024 8.30a.m - 10.30a.m. in Ashburton. or via video audtion if unable to attend the live auditions.
Information and application forms are available for downloading in the resources/Downloads area of the website.
Applications close 12 May 2024.
Changes to Music downloads Let's Dance & Grade Five
Let’s Dance & Grade Five music downloads alterations
The music for Let’s Dance Highland Fling sequence has been sped up and Irish Jig sequence has been slowed down. The Grade Five music has been amended to now include the 2 Highland Reel Foundation movements of Progressive Glide and Progressive Cutting movements with Senior ending. Please download the new music for the May exams
Reduction in steps survey
Reducing the number of steps in the senior dances, specifically in the Sword Dance, Seann Truibhas and Sailors Hornpipe, was a discussion topic raised at the Youth Forum and Academy Conference last year.
Input from the wider NZAHND members is now sought, by asking you to answer the survey questions. All responses will remain anonymous, and we greatly appreciate the time taken to fill in this survey.
While the Academy is carrying out this survey, the number of steps in the senior dances is subject to the Piping and Dancing bylaws. This means that the results of this survey are not binding in any way, but may be used to form a recommendation to the Piping and Dancing Association.
All members have been emailed a link to the survey. Survey finishes 28th March 2024
