When I first met Alexa Wilson I was struck by her energy and intelligence. She has a way of looking, and speaking to you that immediately makes you want to know more about her. My knowledge of dance as an art form is pretty minimal, so I was nervous about meeting this creative who had bought so many amazing artists together in Auckland.

She grew up in Auckland, New Zealand and went to Auckland Girls Grammar, so she is a local girl. Many years were originally spent here in the dance industry before leaving our shores to live all around the world absorbing and learning as much as she could. After spending a decade mostly in Berlin dancing and Choreographing, the awarding-winning artist returned home. "New Zealanders love it when you leave and come back" she pointed out. I asked about the attraction of living in Berlin and how is it different from Auckland. "Living in Berlin felt like Auckland was in the '90s - filled with so much art, music and happenings. But unscripted art, untraditional and raw." No doubt this influenced Alexa's inner punk rebel.

"The Experimental Dance Festival" first started as an idea up in the Himalayan Region in India. Alexa was originally at an artist's residency in the area - the beautiful surroundings made it quite an experience. She had been predominantly a solo artist throughout her career but being at the residency changed her. From there the idea of a collaborative, interactional workshop experience became her dream. The thought was to then bring the concept back to NZ but in reality this was not a straightforward process, so the idea morphed into the "Experimental Dance Festival". Last year the festival was held at Auckland's Basement Theatre, and it was a complete sellout. It's success has encouraged Auckland Live to pickup the festival this year. There will be one off-site show, but the rest will be held at Herald Theatre, Aotea Square. There will also be workshops will be held at Wellesley Studios.

Photo: Performing Object I by Petra Mingneau

The full 2020 Programme features Kyah Dove, Charles Koroneho, Virginia Kennard, Julia Harvie, Rebecca Jensen, Amber Liberté, Faasu Afoa-Purcell, Katrina E. Bastian, Kelly Nash, Joanne Hobern and Jazmine Rose Phillips, Zahra Killeen-Chance, Jessie McCall, Caitlin Davey, val smith, Janaina Moraes, Neža Jamnikar, and David Huggins.

"A necessary platform for our arts industry to develop beyond the restricted conditions of places and spaces to meet and share our practices. It achieved its expectations to make visible a whole bunch of incredible artists who are often marginalised for their 'experimental' nature in work... yet experimental work (especially in dance) is integral for social and political change."

- Anonymous feedback, EDWA 2019.

Experimental is not pretty dancing. It's pushing boundaries, which sounds cliché, but it's got a meaning behind it, an intent, a voice, whether for change or of experiences or emotions. Its risk-taking. Traditional dance has its place, and people enjoy seeing beautiful girls leap gracefully across a stage. But the form of dance that makes up this festival strives to push your intelligence and emotions, in a politically confronting and sometimes R rated way. Experimental is more of a description rather than a genre. Alexa Wilson spoke of how in other countries one wouldn't you need a description like Experimental, places like Berlin and New York just get it, having been surrounded by this form of expression.

What a time, what a year. The silver lining that I can think, of besides having an appreciation for life, is that we are one of the few places where we get to enjoy art in person. Dance as an art form is not easily translated into the digital world. Being Kiwi and an artist, is an amazing opportunity as the whole of New Zealand is watching. People have been starved for life, for creativity and for community. So bring your creativity; we are watching and wanting.