Past Event28 Sep - 13 Oct 2024

Dance-O-Mat

No longer available

Aotea Square

Family & Kids

Dance like no one’s watching in Aotea Square!

Auckland’s favourite urban dance floor returns as part of our Spring in Aotea Square alongside exclusive dance workshops...and it's all free!

Not familiar with it? It’s simple! Connect your phone, pick your favourite song, push the red button and cut loose to the beat. Plus, enjoy free 60-90 minute dance workshops across a range of genres, see the full list below. Bring the whole whānau for a free, fun day out in the city.

 

Refuel at Container in the Square Café

After all that dancing, make sure you give yourself a chance to refuel at Container in the Square Café!

Browse our delicious menu for your rangatahi here!

Check out the opening times:
Thurs (10 Oct) – Late Night Art: Open till 9pm
Fri (4 & 11 Oct): Open till 5pm
Sat & Sun (28 & 29 Sep, 5 & 6 Oct, 12 & 13 Oct): Open 12pm - 5pm

 

ABOUT DANCE-O-MAT

Beautifully designed as an urban space to bring people together via spontaneous dancing, the Dance-O-Mat was originally designed in post-quake Christchurch to make use of the newly vacant spaces in the city.

Auckland Live commissioned Auckland’s very own Dance-O-Mat, which made its debut in Aotea Square in 2017 and returns this year. It’s a charming conversation-starter (and dance-starter!) to the area and requires no skill or experience!

To learn more about the creation of Dance-O-Mat and its creators, Gap Filler, please visit gapfiller.org.nz

 

Proudly supported by Auckland Council and the city centre targeted rate 

What's On | Free Dance Workshops

The Art of Siva Samoa | Sat 28 Sep, 10am - 11am

Pacific Dance NZ on the fala. Learn how to tell stories through dance in this vibrant blend of movement, music, and storytelling. Learn new dance styles such as a slow, rain-like dance called Mauluulu through to the high energy clapping movements of Fa'ataupati. Bring an 'ie lavalava or sarong to wear and dive into the rich Samoan culture. This session is designed especially for girls aged five to sixteen to explore Siva Samoa.

Duration: 60 minutes


The Block Party | Sun 29 Sep, 3pm - 4.30pm

Get ready to bust a move with the country’s best street dance collective Projekt Team ft. DJ Happy Feet who will transform Aotea Square into party central with a range of toe-tapping tunes. Join the Projekt Team dancers with their interactive games, dance battles and some free time to let loose on the floor. Come down and join us for some good vibes and fun times, open to all ages!

Duration: 90 minutes


StarJam Stars | Fri 4 Oct, 3pm - 4.30pm

StarJam workshops are interactive games and dance classes for young people with any disability between six and twenty-five! A StarJam tutor will lead the workshop to create a “performance piece” for all the Jammers and anyone else who wants to join, just as long as you love to dance! You don’t need to bring anything to our workshop, but water is suggested as it gets hot fast when you’re getting stuck into dance!

Duration: 90 minutes


CANCELLED - Line Dance Fun | Sat 5 Oct, 3pm - 4.30pm

* Unfortunately, with the bad weather forecast, we will sadly be cancelling our Line Dancing Fun. Apologies for the late notice and please check out other dance workshops later on if you want to participate in anything else.*

Line Dance Fun for the Whanau! Put on your cowboy hat, jump on your horse and come on down for some good ol’ line dance fun! Prepare to learn some new moves to some of your favourite tunes with the professional team from Viva Dance. Suitable for those between eight and eighty (give or take!), no partner or experience required...and best of all it's totally FREE!

Duration: 90 minutes


Bollywood Dance Take Over | Sun 6 Oct, 3pm - 4.30pm

Embrace Bollywood dance with Auckland’s top Indian Bollywood dancer and choreographer, Richa Chandra. Dive into a choreography class and learn fun dance moves to India’s most popular Bollywood hits for a group dance party finale! Aged 10 and above can get involved with this blend of fresh air and dance moves that will leave you feeling like a Bollywood star! No prior experience needed, just energy and comfortable clothes.

Duration: 90 minutes


Late Night Latin Dancing | Thu 10 Oct, 7pm - 9pm

Cha cha cha down to Aotea Square for two hours of FREE Latin dancing under the stars with your amigos! No experience necessary, the pros from Viva Dance will walk you through the steps whether it’s your first or fiftieth time learning Salsa and Bachata. Late Night Latin Dancing consists of a 30-minute Salsa session followed by 30 minutes of freestyle. This will then be proceeded by a 30-minute Bachata class followed by 30 minutes of freestyle.

Duration: 120 minutes


Nature Moves with The New Zealand Dance Company | Fri 11 Oct, 3pm - 4.30pm

The New Zealand Dance Company is bringing the energy of contemporary dance to Dance-O-Mat with a mix of performance and hands-on fun! All those over eight can be inspired by a powerful work by Louise Pōtiki Bryant featuring mesmerising movement with flax stems. Stick around to get involved with tasks involving these flax stems and learn the process from the dancers themselves, the perfect chance to be part of something unique.

Duration: 90 minutes


Keepin' It Fresh with Freshman's Crew | Sat 12 Oct, 3pm - 4.30pm

Hot off their sell out season at the Sydney Opera House, check out street dance crew, FRESHMANS! Expect their unique energy, the freshest moves to some of the biggest chart toppers and – above all – expect FRESHNESS. Watch the pros and maybe learn a thing or two from the Fresh crew with their special workshop for the whole family. All ages are welcome for this session with Freshmans Dance Crew.

Duration: 90 minutes


CANCELLED - K-Pop Party | Sun 13 Oct, 3pm - 4.30pm

**Unfortunately, with the bad weather forecast this Sunday, we will sadly be cancelling our K-Pop Party. You can still enjoy a kanikani on the Dance-O-Mat while it's in Aotea Square.

Family, friends and K-pop lovers of all ages: here’s something right up your street! Join this action packed 90-minute outdoor session featuring nonstop K-pop music, random dance play, star quality performances and a free workshop by Rina Chae. Grab your family and friends for a boogie, watch some awesome K-pop performance and maybe even learn a move or two in the process!

Duration: 90 minutes


Spring in Aotea Square


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