Victoria Phillips is where my siblings and I have come to dance a large portion of our lives. I…read morehave thoroughly enjoyed every moment of being part of this dance studio. The dance routines are always fun! The end of year shows are phenomenal!! And it's also a great place to come and meet new friends! At Victoria Phillips they specialise in jazz, hip hop, contemporary, stretch, strength and conditioning and ballet technique. Offering classes to both boys and girls from as young as pre-school age. This studio is not only for children, but they also offer adult classes in both hip hop and jazz. There are three studios at Victoria Phillips, also a waiting area for parents, and a dance store to purchase the uniforms. There is also a securely locked front door that requires a 4 digit passcode for. I don't mean to be bias, but no word of a lie, Victoria Phillips put on the best end of year shows! All the children get a chance to be on stage and show off all the new skills they have been learning.

Really did not feel welcome at this studio at all. I'm a professional dance from New York who…read morehasn't taken class in awhile and just wanted to get back to basics and take a class to really focus on my technique so I went to a beginner ballet class. I knew what I was getting into and what I signed up for but for some reason the teacher felt that I shouldn't come back and take her class again and wasn't shy about telling me that. I was super upset because it's already hard being so far away from home and not having my usual spots to take class. I was just looking for people who were into doing the same things I was but I guess this isn't the place for that.

Ceroc - learn to modern jive. Lorne Street has classes on Fridays with a freestyle after. If you…read morehate the Gym but would like to exercise, then Ceroc Lorne Street is the answer. An easy, fun dance at a trendy venue in Lorne Street. No need to take a partner - just turn up early for the beginners class around 7.30pm usually. Once you improve, you can then go onto the intermediate class. Fridays are a great social night. It's like a party A great place to make new friends whilst gaining in fitness. Sells soft drinks.

This is a really wonderful venue with the primary function of a performing arts school, rehearsal…read morespace and performance venue. It also runs seminars, has a café and is now home to The Actors Programme. It runs a full range of evening and weekend part time classes, with programmes covering all the performing arts with everything from acting for screen and stage, singing, dance and if you want to run away and join the circus, you can learn the tricks here. There's something for every age group and a lot of well respected industry professionals run workshops out of here. It's a really wonderful space that is intrinsic to Auckland's artistic community and even if you are more of an observer than a participant, TAPAC has something for everyone, so at least come and see a show. There's school holiday programmes as well as term time programmes and the facilities and tutors are top class. Bloody marvellous!

TAPAC is a bit of an Auckland institution. Virtually any kid growing up in central Auckland with an…read moreinterest in the performing arts will have heard of TAPAC, even if they didn't attend any classes there. TAPAC is recognised as one of the best performing arts facilities in the area, with an extensive range of classes available -for all ages and abilities - as well as great studios and mini theatres for rehearsals and performances. In my early teens I participated in an acting class at TAPAC. The class was great. It covered a variety of styles of acting, whether for screen or the stage, and it was really good for boosting my self confidence and leadership qualities - though I didn't realise it at the time of course! Whether dancing, acting, singing or even circus skills and acrobatics are your forte, or you've just always wanted to give them a try - TAPAC is the place for you. Tip: TAPAC also host school holiday programmes, so if your child is unsure about signing up to regular lessons this is a good way to see whether they want to pursue these classes any further!

Want to try something completely different, fun and physical? Then give Altitude Pole a go! A…read morefriend and I rocked up to our first Aerial Yoga class, the introduction class on a Saturday morning and had an absolute blast. Aerial Yoga is a class with various yoga poses done on hammocks that are hung (securely we were assured - up to 500kgs!) from the ceiling. We were warmly welcomed by our class instructor and taken through the basics before the class started, such as an explanation of the hammocks. We were then placed at the front of the class so she could keep an eye on us, and away we went! We went through a number of really cool yoga poses with the slings, stretches, relaxation poses, whilst gradually building up the difficultly over the class until we were doing inversions and more! Was brilliant fun! Altitude Pole also offer Pole Dancing (definitely on the books) and Hula hoop classes.

"I think there is no world without theatre." - Edward Bond…read more I totally agree. Gosh, I remember when 'Basement Theatre' when it was a rundown, grungy space used by Silo Theatre! How times have changed. There have been many new developments recently with the space, to encourage emerging artists to perform at the theatre at affordable, community-friendly rates. There are 2 theatres - upstairs studio seats 65 people & downstairs seats 100 patrons. The bar has a good selection of craft beers and NZ wines. Please note there is limited space to stand or sit around the bar, however you can go outside when the weather permits. Tickets prices start from $10-$25. I have attended many plays here over the years from the absurdist to apocalypse to comedy to classic drama. Definitely worth a visit to experience something different! Yelp!

The Basement is great. Especially now. It used to be really scummy and was kind of awkwardly this…read moresort of faux dive bar. It was still pretty great then. In spite of the grunge. Actually maybe because of the grunge. It kind of accentuated the kind of theatre and performance art that thrives within the confines of the Basement. Anyway, at the end of the year they got some kind of big grant or something and did up their premises so now they have a pretty ritzy little space happening. They've got a couple of tap beers and a nice big bar and plenty of space to just hang out before or after. It's pretty nice.

I used to do Barre classes in San Fran so I was stoked when I heard that Marysa was opening a…read morestudio here. Located above Richmond Road, the studio is open and light with a gorgeous view out west. As for the class itself, don't let the description fool you - it's hard! I'm always amazed at how such small movements can make your legs (or arms) shake so uncontrollably. As for co-ordination, you don't need it....well, not really. You do use a ballet barre but it is surprisingly unballetic bar the pointing and flexing of toes. Marysa is doing a 2 for 1 offer at the moment and also an introductory $150 unlimited month so if you looking for a new regime heading into Summer I'd definitely recommend giving this a go

I was so lucky to have the chance to join in on a studio class recently, meet Marysa who is so…read morefriendly and made me feel excited and happy. The class combines, yoga, Pilates and barre work, and from the warmup to the workout and finally the relaxing stretch out at the end, your heart is pumping away and your body reaping its toning rewards. I along with my good friend, glanced over at each other, not knowing what we were in for, but never daring to slow down. I really love the tempo and movement of the class it was as though we were in our very own dance routine workout. I always like a good music soundtrack, and I definitely approve of the song choices, all very current dance tracks. The studio is very easy to find up some stairs from a well signed Barrefigure at 166 Richmond rd. Parking was not hard to find at all across the road. Inside the studio, carpet lines the studio floor which faces floor to ceiling mirrors, and to the other side is Marysa sign in desk/reception and a block of cubby holes perfect for storing away your bag etc. Views out the window, to glimpse as I noticed during workout a beautiful church up on Ponsonby rd. This is the definite winner of a class for women, it targets all those areas we want toned up and perky- abs,thighs,and bum of course! I want to be back in soon for this amazing class as the feeling of revival and stamina I got from just one class I am actually begging for more!