Calling all aspiring street dancers to bust out in South Auckland

Street dancing often gets overlooked, shunned or criticised for being a life goal.

But to combat this, a group of youth advocates in South Auckland are aiming to shift the negative narrative and expand accessibility for those in pursuit of a street dance career with a festival called Projekt Feel Good.

Organised by South Auckland youth advocate collectives Projekt Team and Do Good, Feel Good the event will include international guests, world champion street dancers, South Korean competitors, national choreographers and top free-stylers.

Speaking on PMN Tonga, Projekt Team's Mele Tapueluelu says accessibility often prevents dance from being an achievable and sustainable goal.

“It’s important to have an opportunity like this that’s accessible for our young people because you rarely come across that. If you do it through courses, schools, crews and sometimes money can be a barrier. So how do we not let money become a barrier?

“As Pacific people dance (and) music are naturally part of our storytelling.”

Tapueluelu says she understands the pressures from Pacific families who don’t fully support the idea of a dance career.

“I come from a background where my parents wouldn’t let me dance because it wouldn’t put food on the table.”

She wants to amplify the voice of change and create more pathways for rising talents.

Projekt Feel Good is a two-day festival being held at the Due Drop Events Centre in Manukau, Tāmaki Makaurau next week. Tickets to the showcase and workshops can be found here, all other activities are free.

Listen to the full interview with Mele Tapueluelu on PMN Tonga below.