Pacific Islands Cultural Dance Workshop Led by Matavai Pacific Cultural Arts
13 & 14 April 2024
In the Centre for Creativity
Workshops
Dance Workshop | Join us in the Centre for Creativity for an insightful and uplifting cultural dance workshop with Matavai Cultural Arts.
| Date | Time |
|---|---|
| Saturday 13 April 2024 | 10.30am - 12.30pm, 2pm - 4pm |
| Sunday 14 April 2024 | 10.30am - 12.30pm, 2pm - 4pm |
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Standard | $15 |
The only authorised ticket agency for this event is Sydney Opera House. For more information about Authorised Agencies, see the frequently asked questions below.
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9am, Tuesday 23 January 2024
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9am, Wednesday 24 January 2024
General Public tickets on-sale
9am, Thursday 25 January 2024
Wheelchair accessible
Social Story
A social story provides information about what to expect when attending a venue or show. It has short descriptions with images. See the Centre for Creativity Social Story
For any special access requirements phone the Contact Centre on 02 9250 7777 or email bookings@sydneyoperahouse.com
Find out more about accessibility at Sydney Opera House
Run time
This workshop runs for approximately 120 minutes.
Event duration is a guide only and may be subject to change.
Age
These sessions are intergenerational workshops open to people of all backgrounds and abilities.
The Opera House is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children that visit or engage with us. Read our Child Safety Policy
What to bring
Please wear comfortable clothing and be prepared to take off your shoes in the Centre for Creativity. You may like to wear socks instead of bare feet if you prefer.
- Saturday 13 April: 10.30am-12.30pm - Māori Performing Arts or Kapa Haka
- Saturday 13 April: 2-4pm - Fijian Meke
- Sunday 14 April: 10.30am-12.30pm - Samoan Siva Afi
- Sunday 14 April: 2-4pm - Hawaiian Hula
Marcus GarveyA people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.
Pacific culture through dance and music
Learn about Pacific Islands of history, cultural knowledge, dance technique and choreography in this cultural dance workshop led by Matavai Cultural Arts. Matavai promotes the teaching of positive fundamental aspects of Pacific culture through dance, music, language and creative arts. Both the staff and student community of Matavai work towards creating healthy, spiritual connections that transcends the physical barriers of ocean divides between our islands and emotional divides due to historic oppression and displacement. Re-connecting the Australian-Pacific community with their history and ancestors is a key goal of Matavai, which is achieved through the passing down of ancient traditions and art forms.
Presented by Sydney Opera House and Matavai Pacific Cultural Arts
Saturday 13 April 10.30am-12.30pm - Māori Performing Arts or Kapa Haka
To understand the spirit and energy of certain Pacific cultural artforms we introduce the first workshop which is Māori Performing Arts with Tiana Tiakiwai as lead tutor. Participants will learn a ‘Waiata a ringa’ or traditional Māori action song.
Saturday 13 April 2-4pm - Fijian Meke
Fijian Meke with Grace and Ilikena Karikaritu who hail from the Rewa province in Fiji. Grace and Ilikena will be teaching traditional Meke or Fijian dance; talking about traditional cultural values and how these are tied into their dancing and songs.
Sunday 14 April 10.30am-12.30pm - Samoan Siva Afi
Fred Schwenke will be leading the group in a artform from Samoa called Siva Afi – translated it means ‘dancing with fire’. Participants will not be dancing with fire knives as is traditionally performed, however they will learn how to spin practise sticks. Many of our legends in the Pacific speak of heroes and heroines that help to empower, ignite confidence and awaken the warrior within.
Sunday 14 April 2-4pm - Hawaiian Hula
Hawaiian hula will be taught by Jason Paulo. Participants will learn a chant and a beautiful hula auana or contemporary Hula that tells a story. In Hawaii the dance and chant is a spiritual expression – hula auana is a chance to embrace the grace, beauty and strength of Hawaii.
Meet the artists
Matavai Pacific Cultural Arts
Established in 2013, Matavai Pacific Cultural Arts became the first centre of its kind in Sydney, Australia. Matavai works towards promoting unity, cultural sharing and connection to culture through the education of all ages in Pacific cultural arts. As a strong community presence, Matavai also advocates for issues that affect our Pacific community both in Australia and overseas. These issues include climate change, loss of cultural knowledge, education opportunities and community youth. As a melting pot of cultural knowledge, Matavai works to consistently provide the community with the highest quality of cultural programs that are educational, authentic, fun and affordable.
Other information
Venue information
Our foyers will be open 90 minutes pre-show for Concert Hall and Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and two hours pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances. Refreshments will be available for purchase from our theatre bars.
All Sydney Opera House foyers are pram accessible, with lifts to the main and western foyers. The public lift to all foyers is accessible from the corridor near the escalators on the Lower Concourse and also in the Western Foyer via the corridor on the Ground Level (at the top of the escalators). Pram parking will be available outside the theatres in the Western Foyer.
Getting here
The Sydney Opera House Car Park, operated by Wilson Parking, is open and available to use. Wilson Parking offer discounted parking if you book ahead. Please see the Wilson Parking website for details.
Please check the Transport NSW website for the latest advice and information on travel. You can catch public transport (bus, train, ferry) to Circular Quay and enjoy a six min walk to the Opera House.
Covid-safe information
The health and wellbeing of everyone attending the Opera House is our top priority. We’re committed to making your experience safe, comfortable and enjoyable, with a number of measures in place including regular cleaning of high-touch areas, air conditioning systems that maximise ventilation, and hand sanitiser stations positioned in all paths of travel. We remind our audiences and visitors to please stay home if you feel unwell. If you need to discuss your ticketing or booking options, contact our Box Office team on 02 9250 7777.
The health and wellbeing of everyone attending the Opera House is our top priority. We have a number of safety measures in place including regular cleaning of high-touch areas, air conditioning systems that maximise ventilation, and hand sanitiser stations positioned in all paths of travel. While face masks are no longer required, we ask all our patrons and visitors to practise good hygiene. Please stay home if you feel unwell and read more about our flexible ticket options.
The Sydney Opera House no longer requires patrons to show that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Frequently asked questions
We advise that you arrive 15 minutes prior to the event. Ticket purchases and collection at our Box Office is discouraged and eTicket or postal delivery methods should be used, wherever possible. However, if you are collecting your tickets from the Box Office, we recommend doing this at least 60 minutes before the event starts.
Prior to the workshop, please notify us if you will need a chair for the session, so we can have those available. Please email accessibility@sydneyoperahouse.com to request a chair or notify our team of any additional needs you may have.
The authorised agency for this event is the Sydney Opera House.
Only tickets purchased by authorised agencies should be considered reliable. If you purchase tickets from a non-authorised agency such as Ticketmaster Resale, Viagogo, Ticketbis, eBay, Gumtree, Tickets Australia or any other unauthorised seller, you risk that these tickets are fake, void or have previously been cancelled. RESALE RESTRICTION APPLIES. For more details, please refer to our General Terms and Conditions for Tickets and Attendance at Events.
Please contact Box Office on 9250 7777 as soon as possible to advise if you can no longer attend. If you can no longer attend because you are unwell, or have been in contact with someone displaying COVID-19 symptoms, the Opera House has introduced flexible ticketing options to help you, find out more information here.
Food and beverages will not be allowed unless specified in the event. Opera Bar, Opera Kitchen and Portside are also available to purchase food before your event. Please bring a credit or debit card for any on-site purchases to enable contactless payment.
All Sydney Opera House foyers are pram accessible, with lifts to the main and western foyers. The public lift to the foyers is accessible from the corridor near the escalators on the Lower Concourse and also in the Western Foyer via the corridor on the Ground Level (at the top of the escalators). Pram parking will be available outside the theatres in the Western Foyer or as directed by Sydney Opera House staff, adhering to COVID-safe rules.
The health, safety and wellbeing of everyone at the Sydney Opera House is our top priority. In line with this commitment, the Opera House became a smoke-free site in January 2022. Read our Smoke-free Environment Policy.
The Opera House is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children that visit or engage with us. Read our Child Safety Policy.
The Opera House has also developed a Child-friendly Code of Conduct to engage with our youngest visitors.
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