Celebrated dancer and choreographer Michael Parmenter will join Balfolk Dunedin director Kate Grace for a night of dance and revelry at the Bannockburn Ball later this month.

The event is part of the Wānaka Festival of Colour programme. 

Balfolk (the dance movement based on traditional folk dances of Europe) provided a welcome distraction from the early gold miners’ everyday toil and dances were often held in the memorial and coronation halls in this area.

The ball will be a tribute to the memories of the dances of the mid 19th century and will celebrate the social side of the historic gold mining communities of Central Otago.

“I am very excited about returning to the locale of my childhood to offer a Folk Ball that calls upon the varied histories of Central Otago,” Michael said.

“The choice of simple dances that Kate and I will be introducing and calling on the night ensures that anybody can get out on the dance floor and enjoy a sense of community celebration through irresistible live music and popular but richly evocative dances.”

Attendees are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes and join in as Michael and Kate lead an immersive evening of dance. 

There will be time to catch your breath during the interspersed music and dance performances, and to enjoy the offerings of ball sponsor Quartz Reef. 

Organisers said the ball is a unique opportunity to be taught by, and dance alongside, two leading lights of Aotearoa’s dance scene in a very special venue.

Rural coronation halls played an important role in knitting local communities together PHOTO: The Central App

The Bannockburn Ball will be held on Tuesday March 28 at 7:30pm, in the Bannockburn Coronation Hall. Tickets can be purchased here.

The Wānaka Festival of Colour runs from March 26 – April 2.