Following its successful two-centre premiere season in May 2011, acclaimed NZ choreographer Ann Dewey is primed to take SHINE LADY to international audiences. Combining the talents of renowned kiwi artist Mike Petre, music from Bach to PJ Harvey and performers; Liz Kirk, Julie van Renen and Liana Yew, SHINE LADY offers up a high quality and exciting contemporary dance experience.

Bringing to life the striking images of female divinity including the Madonna and the Hindu goddess’ Kali and Pavarti SHINE LADY traces and explores the cycles of human life. Full of strange surprises, humour and pathos this new work creates an other worldly experience which has entranced both audiences and reviewers alike. 

‘Dewey’s work is idiosyncratic and unique, its inner coherence and artistry and joy to watch.’ – Francesa Horsley, NZ Listener

‘Gorgeous dancers…..a bejewelled celebration of the primordial feminine cosmic energy’ - Bernadette Rae, NZ Herald

‘Dewey discovers a unifying force that gives the work's vocabulary a riveting cohesion and meaning beyond but encompassing the religious iconography.’ – Bernadette Rae, NZ Herald

‘And I just have to say what AMAZING dancers Elizabeth Kirk, Liana Yew and Julie van Renen are.’ – Carrie Rae – www.dancestuff.co.nz

‘Overall, the audience is left with the impression of witnessing something which is far above and beyond the everyday world. Like the great oral traditions of the past, Shine Lady gives us insight into nature, the divine and the cycles of the earth, using dance instead to words to do so.’ – Roxanne de Bryun, Theatreview

Spinning Sun
Spinning Sun was founded in 2000 by Artistic Director Ann Dewey to provide a structure for contemporary dance performances, workshops and classes. Since this time the company has performed throughout New Zealand and has begun to venture overseas offering performances and workshops. The company is renown for producing high quality, accessible dance and regularly enjoys sell-out seasons.

The vision of the company is summed up in three words, “Involve, Enlighten and Entertain”. We are passionate about sharing our love of Contemporary dance with as many people as we can reach. Therefore we create exciting accessible work that is performed at an international standard, hold workshops and classes to provide ways to experience and better understand our art-form, and are involved with education projects that reach those who would not usually have access to contemporary dance.

The company currently works with a pool of  professional dancers, who are engaged on a project basis. Spinning Sun regularly commissions original musical scores and set designs for their productions from New Zealand composers and designers.

Spinning Sun excels at finding innovative ways to engage audiences through creative partnerships and innovative marketing campaigns.