The Body Festival, Christchurch’s annual dance festival, is a showcase and celebration of New Zealand’s dancing talent. Ranging from professional shows to amateur productions, the festival covers a variety of enjoyment for all audiences and participators.

Focusing on the community aspect of dance, the festival incorporates a number of workshops and participation events.

Over its eight years, The Body Festival has dramatically grown in size so is now hosted at various indoor and outdoor locations across the city.  In 2009, expect to see line dancing in Victoria Square, Hip Hop dancers in SOL Square, and much more besides!

(Festival Director’s Welcome)

Kiaora and Welcome to Body 2009

In a year that has presented many challenges it is heartening to be able to offer a vast array of opportunities to put your dancing shoes on and experience the 15 days that are Body Festival 2009.
Earlier this year we received a grant from Creative New Zealand to help support the formation of a new ‘repertory’ contemporary dance company and the festival sees the world premiere and debut season of Southern Lights Dance Company, featuring six of our country’s leading dancers and choreography by New Zealanders Shona McCullagh and Fleur de Thier and, with the support of the Christchurch Arts Centre’s Artist in Residence programme, American choreographer Zöe Scofield. ...Read more about the festival

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Calendar

SEPT 25	SEPT 26	SEPT 27	SEPT 28	SEPT 29
OCT 30	OCT 01	OCT 02	OCT 03	OCT 04
OCT 05	OCT 06	OCT 07	OCT 08	OCT 09
OCT 10	OCT 11

World Record Attempt at the World’s Largest Line Dance
Launching itself off with another whopper the festival aims for the world’s largest line dance in Victoria Square on September the 25th. To get into the spirit of the launch we have commissioned our own dance routine called the ‘Body Festival Slide,’ choreographed by Mary Stanley-Shepherd of the Cathedral City Line Dancers.  We hope to see people get into the spirit of the event by bringing along their family, friends or work colleagues and dressing up in a variety of “Wild West” inspired costumes. The 2009 launch will be hosted by Classic Hits Breakfast hosts Dave Fitzgerald and entertainer extraordinaire Jason Gunn who will provide another element of creativity and dynamism to this community focused and fun event.  So come along and lend your legs to our world record attempt.  Have you got the fastest feet in the West?
Opening Event - 25th September. World Record Attempt at Worlds largest Line Dance at Victora Square.

Download the dance moves here

Featured Events

 

Up and Coming

Workshop / Kapa haka

Friday 3rd October. 2.00pm - 3.30pm. Christchurch Art Gallery.
...More Information

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Performance / The World's Largest Line Dance

Friday 25th September. 5.30pm - 7.00pm. Victoria Square.
...More Information

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Workshops Independant / Contact Improvisation

Saturday 26th September. 10.00am. NASDA Studio.
...More Information

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