Dance
Lula Washington didn't see dancers like her - so she created a company to train them
When Lula Washington was growing up in Los Angeles, she'd never seen black ballet dancers on a stage before. That changed in her 20s, when she went to a performance by the Alvin Ailey American Dance… Audio
Reigning dance champion reflects on inspiring journey
Self-taught dancer, John Vaifale, aka 'Happyfeet' is New Zealand's reigning hip-hop freestyler champion. Audio
Heading Off: Dark Dance
Heading Off this week is maybe less about getting out THERE ... but more about heading INWARDS, in a introspective kind of way. Dark Dance is a regular dance part. The organiser Darcy Peacock speaks… Audio
Claire Cowan: Conjuring fables and fairy tales
The Royal New Zealand Ballet's acclaimed Hansel & Gretel returns in time for Christmas 2023. We talk to acclaimed composer Claire Cowan about how she brings the magic to the stage. Audio
Culture Regular - M'lia Johnston
Nights culture regular Malia Johnston is joined by choreographer Kayla Paige. Malia is directing the upcoming World of WearableArt (WOW) Show, and Kayla is returning to choreograph the show for a… Audio
New laureate Taiaroa Royal’s life in dance and on the land
If it wasn’t for disco, Taiaroa Royal might be best known as a farmer. Not one of Aotearoa’s most celebrated dancers and choreographers. Audio
Calling Home: Lucy Balfour in Doha
Lucy Balfour was born and raised in Canterbury. She danced for 10 years with the Royal New Zealand Ballet before moving to London and joining the renowned dance company, Rambert in 2013. Audio
Emma Warren looks at the reasons we dance
Humans dance. It's what we do. So many of our important ceremonies and rituals throughout history include dancing; courtly ballrooms, weddings, school discos. Emma Warren has written a book about the… Audio
Choreographer Crystal Pite on creating dance inspired by real-life events
In 2015 an estimated 1.3 million refugees poured into Europe, many of them from war-torn Syria. It inspired Crystal Pite to tell their story in her own way - by creating a contemporary ballet for them… Audio
'Rumba is the soul of Cuban music' - Vivio Ramos
Exactly 20 years ago this month, Vivio Ramos decided to make a life in New Zealand bringing with him his infectious love for Cuban dance. He speaks to Kadambari Raghukumar in this episode on growing… Video, Audio
Science: Could a gene mutation help free a convicted killer?
In today's science slot, Professor Allan Blackman looks at the case of Kathleen Folbigg - dubbed 'Australia's worst female serial killer' over the deaths of her four children. A second inquiry into… Audio
Choreographer Jo Lloyd is inspired by what people say
Award-winning Melbourne dancer and choreographer Jo Lloyd is creating a new work for the New Zealand Dance Company's 10th anniversary, incorporating insults and phrases she's gathered over many years… Audio, Gallery
Aboriginal dancer Dalisa Pigram at the Tempo Festival
A powerful dance work examines some of the reasons behind the shockingly high number of Aboriginal youth taking their own lives. It's about to premiere in Aotearoa. Aboriginal dancer, Dalisa Pigram is… Video, Audio, Gallery
Music with Kirsten Zemke: Dance craze songs
Music commentator Kirsten Zemke takes us through the ages with songs that have ended up become dance hits - from the 'Twist' and the 'Hustle' to the 'Macarena' and 'Jerusalema'. What turns a hit song… Audio
Daddys choreographer Paul Jukes
The Outta Puff Daddys (OPD), a dance crew from Brighton in the UK have had renewed success online. They've been going for 10 years now, and their fame has gradually spread, rather than busting out… Audio
Daniel Mateo - digital dancer
Kathryn speaks with Daniel Mateo, the first Pasifika dancer to be invited to join Australia's Bangarra Dance Company, which has celebrated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contempory dance for… Audio
A Pasifika feast at Elemental Auckland
This year's Elemental Festival in Tamaki Makaurau includes an amazing production all about food. Wallace Frost is the chef behind Takurau - Nafanua, War Goddess production. Audio
Aerial Coreography
Our Cultural Ambassador from the world of contemporary dance, director and choreographer Malia Johnston is joined tonight by Aerial choreographer Jenny Ritchie. Audio
Lifting the spirits - Belle: an aerial circus delight
A performance of air, featuring aerialists, live music and dance artists, Belle is featuring in the upcoming Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts. The performance is above and all around you… Audio, Gallery
The multi-skilled Hannah Tasker-Poland
Hannah Tasker-Poland may well be the most multi-skilled artist we've had on Standing Room Only over the past 20 years. Based in Tamaki Makaurau, Hannah's a dancer - though she prefers "movement… Audio, Gallery