Dancer of the Year 2011

What does it take to become the Cook Islands’ Dancer of the Year? Firstly, you need a really good sense of rhythm (it helps if your Mama or Papa bounced you on their knee in time to the drums when you were a baby). Then you need to have started practising your hip-swing soon after learning to walk. If your passion for ura is un-shakeable, then, whenever you hear those drums, people had better watch out!

This year, Ani O’Neill will live her dream and enter this celebrated competition. But will she actually go through with it? Come and see what goes on behind the scenes in the lead up to the show, in an exhibition that documents her preparation and the process of making this work. There will be a performance on opening night… Turou! Oro mai!

Ani O’Neill

9 May – 19 June

Mangere Arts Centre – Nga Tohu o Uenuku, Corner of Bader and Orly Drive, Auckland