The Star: March 07, 2019

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28 Thursday March 7 2019 Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi The Star R CReaTing inspiRaTion. RealiZing Visions. ChristChurCh town hall formAtive performAnce A tAylor mAde roof for this iconic heritAge building, combining trAditionAl crAftsmenship with modern techniques for An exceptionAl result At christchurch’s unique performing Arts venue. The heritage status of the Town hall required us to think outside the box, ArchitecturAl roofing’s marcus mariu said. “The lower auditorium roof features hand made trays in a custom profile to replicate the original roof, while still bringing the performance benefit of modern techniques. This innovative approach of combining traditional methods with modern manufacturing was the key to deliver a high quality product.” We are proud of the craftsmenship and attention to detail we brought to this project, shown impressivly on the new louvres. installed next to the original ones, they show the contrast between new and old. This contrast will dissapear, as the louvres weather, a symbol of our work at the Town hall – bringing it back to its former glory. The ArchitecturAl roofing Company 76a hayton Road | po Box 6025 | Upper Riccarton | Christchurch 8442 | new Zealand | p: 0800 50 2004 | e: info@tarc.co.nz www.tarc.co.nz
The Star Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi Thursday March 7 2019 29 Theatre/Arts Family’s struggle to get ballerina to New York • By Julia Evans MILEENA ALLAN-Griffiths wants to become a professional ballerina and her parents aren’t letting anything get in her way – not even their financial struggle. Her mother and father, Marianne Allan and Richard Griffiths, have maxed out credit cards and are spending all their spare time fundraising in a bid to get their 11-yearold to New York, not once but twice. Mr Griffiths is working 70 hours a week at his business just to make ends meet. Mrs Allan has taken up an extra cleaning job, which Mileena and her 10-year-old sister Arawyn help out with. “They’re really good at cleaning toilets,” she said. But Mrs Allan said the family would do anything to raise the $31,000 needed to get their daughter to New York. Mileena is one of four girls from Canterbury Ballet selected to compete at the Youth America Grand Prix Ballet competition next month. Alongside Mileena, Sonia Woods, Ashley Woods and Poppie Belle Hollander were selected from Canterbury Ballet. Canterbury Ballet director Marianne Allan Taisia Missevich said it was “phenomenal” to have four dancers accepted. “Last year only three were accepted into the finals from the whole of Australia. We are feeling very blessed having four from one school accepted.” The competition is the most elite in the world – dubbed the Olympics of ballet – with about 10,000 dancers entering, but only three per cent accepted worldwide. Another 12 dancers from the school have been accepted into programmes, and Missevich said it was amazing having girls going to companies all over the world. Mileena will head back to New York to attend the American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive workshop for seven weeks in June. “We’re sacrificing a lot for her to get there,” Mrs Allan said. “But we’re going to make it happen.” The first $9000 trip for 12 days from April 10-22 has been put on an interest-free credit card. They found the cheapest accommodation available at $100USD a night. “It’s a two and a half hour trip into New York where the competition is,” Mrs Allan said. The second trip will be for two months, from June 24 to July 6, and will come at a cost of more than $22,000. A pair of pointe shoes worn by ballerinas also costs more than $600. “We’ve done a couple of sausage sizzles, sold daffodils and cupcakes. The girls help out wherever they can. My husband is working 70 hour weeks at the moment. He didn’t get into bed until 4.30am yesterday,” Mrs Allan said. “But with the girls, I always thought if I could find their passion then life would be easy for them . . . it’s worth it.” Mileena received a $1000 grant through the Linwood-Central- Heathcote Community Board and the family is in the process of applying for funding through Ngai Tahu. She has been doing ballet since she was seven. She has lessons five days a week and attends private classes. However, she does less than half the classes that her peers do because the family is unable to afford extra lessons. “She does 10 hours a week of lessons, where most girls her age do well over 20.” Mileena said when she found out she had been accepted to go to New York, she was “really excited.” “I think it would be amazing to be a ballerina and perform for lots of people.” •To help Mileena get to New York, go to www. givealittle.co.nz/cause/ help-mileena-to-get-tothe-finals-in-new-york PHOTO: MARTIN HUNTER BRODIE & FITZY SWITCH IT UP WEEKDAYS 6 – 9AM 97.7 thehits.co.nz
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The Star: March 07, 2019

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