19 Jun 2023

Touch Compass Creative Class tutors teach Matariki workshop at Uxbridge!

Six people in a semi-circle, two in wheelchairs flanking four people standing, in the centre, in a brightly-lit performance theatre. Three people are wearing black shirts with a white Touch Compass logo. They are posing with wide grins for the camera.Six people in a semi-circle, two in wheelchairs flanking four people standing, in the centre, in a brightly-lit performance theatre. Three people are wearing black shirts with a white Touch Compass logo. They are posing with wide grins for the camera.

On Saturday the 17th of June, Julie and Alisha McLennan Marler journeyed out to Uxbridge Art Centre in Howick to teach a Matariki workshop using the resource that Touch Compass created - Matariki: Ko Koe Ko Au, Ko Au Ko Koe (I be you, you be me). The workshop was supported by Touch Compass staffers Izzy, Lusi, Jon and Xan.

A wide range of people joined in, some familiar with Touch Compass and others new to our work. The participants enjoyed watching the film we had created before joining in a dance warm-up. We then taught some of the sign language interpretations of the Matariki stars. Our planned structure dance for the workshop participants turned into an impromptu structured improvisation by Lish, Jon and Lusi and Julie, to finish off the workshop.

Two dancers in a room with a reflective wood floor; one dancer in a wheelchair, the other dancing on his feet, hands in the air, moving to one side. They both wear black trousers and are intent on their movement.Two dancers in a room with a reflective wood floor; one dancer in a wheelchair, the other dancing on his feet, hands in the air, moving to one side. They both wear black trousers and are intent on their movement.
Creative Producer Izzy Robinson (they/them) sits in the control room at the back of an old theatre. They are weaing white round glasses, their right hand on their chin, sitting behind adio visual controls, with lots of cables and switches.Creative Producer Izzy Robinson (they/them) sits in the control room at the back of an old theatre. They are weaing white round glasses, their right hand on their chin, sitting behind adio visual controls, with lots of cables and switches.
Three Touch Compass dancers in a theatre, dancing. One dancer is in a powerchair, another in a wheelchair, and the third standing and dancing. They are improvising to the dance, led by Touch Compass dancers.Three Touch Compass dancers in a theatre, dancing. One dancer is in a powerchair, another in a wheelchair, and the third standing and dancing. They are improvising to the dance, led by Touch Compass dancers.
A dancer in a theatre space, arms stretched high in the air, legs crossed, as she leans forward into action. Behind her is a dancer in a wheelchair, her right up in the air. She looks down at the ground, as she navigates her next dance move.A dancer in a theatre space, arms stretched high in the air, legs crossed, as she leans forward into action. Behind her is a dancer in a wheelchair, her right up in the air. She looks down at the ground, as she navigates her next dance move.

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