Nor'West News: November 05, 2020

NOR’WEST NEWS Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
Thursday November 5 2020 13
Performing arts with a spotlight on mental health
• By Bea Gooding
A PAPANUI dance studio is
banding together with dance
studios and performing arts
centres across the city in a bid to
break stigmas on mental health.
The 03’ Collective, by Zion
Dance Studios, Papanui, is a
mental health performing arts
showcase in collaboration with
Swarm Studios, The Compound
Studio, Levings School of Dance,
Anna-Lee School of Dance, Canterbury
Ballet, Common Ground
and Nathan Phillips Vocals.
Taking place next month in
The Aurora Centre at Burnside
High School, more than 150
performers will take centre stage
for hip-hop, contemporary, break
dancing, vocals and spoken
word.
Zion Studios dance and youth
development co-ordinator
Bronté Te Mete said the
showcase was an opportunity
for artists to use their talents
to address “a big issue in our
society.”
“With so many things being
cancelled, postponed and shutdown,
I decided to flip the script
and take it as an opportunity to
dive into something new,” she
said.
“Twenty twenty has been a
year of uncertainty, a year of
fear, change, self-discovery and
BREAKING STIGMA: Performers at Zion Dance Studios are teaming up with performing
arts and dance studios across the city to shine a light on mental health. ​
growth. What a perfect opportunity
to come together and showcase
our thoughts, challenges,
and achievements.”
Te Mete said it also offered an
opportunity for the dance and
performing arts community to
give back.
All profits from the show
will be donated to Youthline in
Christchurch, and to another
mental health organisation once
it was decided on.
The 03’ Collective was an idea
brought to life during a year that
“turned the world upside down.”
Te Mete said the theme was
inspired by this year’s events,
where there has been a push to
look out for your mental wellbeing
– something that could be
communicated through the art
forms.
“Performing art is something
creative and positive that we
can use to express ourselves. So
much can be portrayed through
movement, words and lyrics,”
she said.
“We aim to share our own
personal experiences to inspire
others to do the same, to show
people that they’re not alone and
to create a space where vulnerability
is welcomed.”
Putting a spotlight on the issue
was important for members at
the studio as mental health issues
were too often “ignored” or
“silenced.”
Said Te Mete: “We want to
break the stigma that being
vulnerable means being weak,
because it’s not. We need to
reinforce and normalise that
seeking help and admitting
you’re not okay is a sign of
strength.”
• Tickets to The 03’
Collective can be found at
https://www.eventopia.co/
event/The-03-Collective/41
5051?fbclid=IwAR0AOgpz4
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Thank you for putting your
trust in me as your new
MP for Ilam.
I’ve promised that I will work hard for you as your representative in
Parliament, and over the next few months I will be holding regular public
meetings throughout the electorate to hear your concerns.
One of my first tasks is to set up my new office, which will take
a few weeks – but in the meantime you can reach me at
ilam.mp@parliament.govt.nz.
We have a lot to do and I am looking forward to the next three years.
Sarah Pallett MP for Ilam
Authorised by Sarah Pallett MP,
Parliament Buildings, Wellington