MEDANZ | Update Festival 2026 - February

Hello all,

Well, as you can imagine, things are getting rather busy with the behind the scenes organising of the fantastic Festival 2026 we have coming up in just 2 months time!

We have a few things to update you on, and announce too!

Programme changes: Due to tutor requirements, we have had to change a few classes about, this left an empty space, which Melissa Gunn has offered to teach a beginners drum class. Further details on this class will be updated in due course. Changes:

• Irina Khokhryakova - Flamenco Fusion, now Saturday 9:30-11:00
• Nisha Suresh - Bolly Belly, now Saturday 11:30-13:00
• Eva Corne - Isis Wings, now Sunday 11:30-13:00
• Eva Corne - Veil cancelled
• Melissa Gunn - Beginners drum, now Sunday 11:30-12:30

Photographer: We have managed to secure a photographer for the Open Stage night, but as things are not fully finalised, we can only spill the beans a little bit... There will be a charge for the photos for the Open Stage night performance, which will need to be paid prior to the event. All the cost and details will follow shortly once we have it all sorted.

Practice times for Open Stage night: We have had everyone request a practice time, so we may have to reduce the time you have per practice to one run through of your dance only - but we will keep you updated on this change. We have however solved the music issue, we have a sound system that we can use, that pumps out quite a volume. It requires a 3.5mm jack to use it, we have the cord, your music device just needs the plug. It is the same system that the tutors will be using in the classes.

Open Stage night: We have a full dance card for the Open Stage night, and we are in the process of working our way through the applications. Anyone who is not able to perform at the event, will be offered to dance at the Cabaret Hafla. I must say that the performances offered are varied and sound fantastic. We are so looking forward to seeing the Open Stage night!

Cabaret Hafla: We still have some slots available if you wish to dance and missed the cut off. Also if some spaces are available on the day, we will still have them open to be filled. We will keep you updated as to what we have available.

Angels: We are still looking for angles, mainly to point lost dancers in the correct direction. Please put your name forward if you can help.

Hudra / Souk: We have had some interest, but there is still plenty of space for more. We will have a table available for those that only have one or two things to be sold, it will be a gold coin donation for these items, they must be labeled clearly with the price.

If your wanting to know anything not mentioned above, or raise any concerns, please get in contact with us at membership@medanz.org.nz or hello@medanz.org.nz

Regards, Jeena Monk Festival Co-Ordinator

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