19 Jun 2023

Touch Compass Creative Class tutors teach Matariki workshop at Uxbridge!

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.

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.

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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🌟 Move. Connect. Create. 🌟Join us for a 3-day Disability-Led Dance Intensive inspired by the themes of Matariki. Open to ages 16+, all experience levels, disabled and non-disabled participants, this intensive invites you to explore movement through creativity, connection, and lived experience.

10 June 2026

✨TOI TUKU MATARIKI DANCE INTENSIVE JULY 2026 for ages 16+

🌟 Move. Connect. Create. 🌟Join us for a 3-day Disability-Led Dance Intensive inspired by the themes of Matariki. Open to ages 16+, all experience levels, disabled and non-disabled participants, this intensive invites you to explore movement through creativity, connection, and lived experience.

ORO:RESONANCE is a Touch Compass crip-led, disability-led short-form arts mentorship programme empowering disabled young adult creators through sound and music creation, and performance. An accessible sound design programme for disabled youth in NZ. Participants learn from professionals, create alongside professionals, and witness their work performed live at Basement Theatre Auckland on Friday 24 April. Sound and music creation is led by disabled composer, sound designer and music maker Drew McMillan; with rangatahi-created works supported by the professional dance and performance professionals of Touch Compass, and a young and hungry diverse set of next-generation dancers.

24 April 2026

🔊✨ (((ORO:RESONANCE))) live showing at Basement Theatre

ORO:RESONANCE is a Touch Compass crip-led, disability-led short-form arts mentorship programme empowering disabled young adult creators through sound and music creation, and performance. An accessible sound design programme for disabled youth in NZ. Participants learn from professionals, create alongside professionals, and witness their work performed live at Basement Theatre Auckland on Friday 24 April. Sound and music creation is led by disabled composer, sound designer and music maker Drew McMillan; with rangatahi-created works supported by the professional dance and performance professionals of Touch Compass, and a young and hungry diverse set of next-generation dancers.

Touch CompassTIPUA | TOA | TIHICrip. Bold. Leading.

+64 9 600 1357

admin@touchcompass.org.nz