WOW 2011
August 24, 2011 at 7:30 pm | Posted in Dance Review, Show Review | Leave a commentTags: Aivale Cole, Ben Makisi, Billy Idol, Footnote Dance, Ginette McDonald, John Rowles, New Zealand School of Dance, Opera, Royal New Zealand Ballet, Wellington, WOW
I went to the 2011 Bancroft Estate World of Wearableart Awards Show (‘WOW’) last night.
Fantastic ! Worth trying to get some of the remaining tickets.
Warning: spoilers !
In a two hour dance and wow spectacular there were many highlights, but one of them was the Royal New Zealand Ballet dancing (classical) while partnered with life opera (Aivale Cole and Ben Makisi). Another was staging a dancing on a wall. There were four dance companies involve in this year’s production: the Royal New Zealand Ballet; New Zealand School of Dance; Footnote Dance; and the WOW Dance Troupe! Needless to say there was lots of movement – the models can all dance too !
The Children’s section was its usual youthful bright energetic display.
The UV section left me with a sense of Dance Macabre: dis-embodied legs, skeletons, and eyes.
The Microscope section cleverly created a microscopic world with chains of helium balloons – form a mass of cell like air mass. There were lots of wacky looking microscopic life form inspired garments.
The section changes was very cleverly done. The audience’s attention was dramatically shifted by lighting and staging a little segue piece at the ‘back’ of the auditorium – while on stage, in the dark, stage crew made the necessary changes.
The Open section was chock full of interesting and spectacular; all while dancers stood statute-like on stacked up chairs discarding what seemed like an endless supply of wraps from their bodies!
The Man Unleashed section opened with a large group brides and Billy Idol’s White Wedding! I think this section struck a cord with the ladies in the audience!
The Avante Garde section was just great. I feared that I was in danger of watching too much of the dancing (ballet with live opera), but WOW and anticipated this problem, and had cleverly set the choreography to not clash with the garments.
The ‘Kiwi Icon’ section hit the spot: with the surprise appearance of an iconic comedienne (Ginette McDonald), iconic New Zealander, and an iconic kiwi singer (John Rowles); all to kiwi music. Apparently the iconic New Zealander will change every night; on this night it was Tim Shadbolt.
Well worth the ticket price.
WOW 2010
September 26, 2010 at 11:43 pm | Posted in Show Review | 1 CommentTags: Bizzare Bra, Miniature Elephants, Wearable Art, Wellington, World of Wearableart Award Show, WOW
I went to the dress rehearsal of this year’s World Of Wearableart (WOW) Award Show, the other night and was blown away.
One long word sums up the show – ‘fantastic’; ‘wow’ is already used. Great music and dancing, and great pieces of wearable art.
This year the show was open by Te Radar; he warmed up the audience.
This year children’s section was very well integrated – good fit between the garments and its theme of books. A big fold out castle, inside a book, descends from the ceiling. There is a fun little dance by paper cut-out dolls at the end. A past winner – a pile of books – provided some continuity.
The UV – officially known as the Illuminated – section really carried me away. This year there were a number of colourful yet sublte garments – flock of leaves and kites.
The circus segment worked really well. There are miniature elephants – who do tricks!
Loved the ‘tron’ light suits.
Bizzare Bra worked really well with the tropical/Latin theme.
If you can get a ticket go to this.
WOW 2008
September 25, 2008 at 1:13 am | Posted in Show Review | 2 CommentsTags: Art, Culture, Dance Show, Fashon Show, Mailia Johnson, Review, Suzie Moncrief, Wearable Art, World of Wearableart Award Show, WOW
I went to the dress rehearsal of this year’s World Of Wearableart (WOW) Award Show.
This is not a dress pagent; it is not a pure fashion show; and it is not a pure dance show. A better description would be Cirque de Soleil without the high intensity acrobatics.
A memorable 20th Anniversary show.
The highlights for me were:
- The South Pacific Section
- The UV Section
- The Inspired by Architecture Section
The South Pacific Section was set amongst – what appeared to be – full sized nikau palms! They looked like WOW had transplanted some from the Civic Square. This year there two wahine singing and the section was finished with a memorable dance – where the dancers were dressed and moved as Tuis.
The UV – officially known as the Illuminated – section was spectacular. I hope the garment that had a fat Charlie Chaplin like character teamed with a thin black character against a UV white disc wins.
The Inspired by Architecture Section was very original. Dancers clad in silver unitards came out of the floor, onto a dimly lit stage, carrying handheld spotlights which they used to illuminate the first two or three models. Then as more and more garments came on, a ‘silver person’ built a tower! Then the ‘silver people’ ‘danced’ inside the tower. Brilliant!
I did find the music a little loud – but hopefully they will turn the volume down 5-10 percent for the shows.
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WOW 2007
September 19, 2007 at 7:00 pm | Posted in Show Review | Leave a commentTags: Art, Culture, Fashon Show, Mailia Johnson, Review, Suzie Moncrief, World of Wearableart Award Show, WOW
I went to the dress rehearsal of this year’s World Of Wearableart (WOW) Award Show.
It was great! Year after year, WOW manages to surpass itself.
The highlights for me were:
- The Children’s Section
- The Guy’s Suite Section
- The ‘Raining Men’ Section
- The UV Section
The Children’s Section was based on “Where the Wild Things Are” picture book; with a large cast of monsters and the stuff of children’s nightmares. The children’s energy – WOW use child performers – was very infectious.
There was lots of energy in the ‘Raining Men’ Section: the audience, of mainly young women, gave all of the guys lots of cheers. It got pretty hot – the audience got very excited when the topless guys moved right up to the edge of the stage (stage right).
The UV Section was the best I have seen. Well composed and used all three dimensions – incorporating a static trapeze and other five suspended performers.
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