Danca - Kizomba Wellington

22/08/2026

Part two is here 💛

Last week we heard your stories about what Kizomba and this community mean to so many of us.

This time, it's clear just how deeply you hold Bari in your hearts. Watch on to see all your heartfelt messages, funny stories, and some hilarious emoji impressions 🤪

To everyone who filmed a message, showed support by coming to the SBK, and those who couldn't be there but we know hold Bari in your thoughts. Thank you. You make our Dança family beautiful.

Love to you all,

Alex and Adrienne
On behalf of Dança Wellington

10/08/2026

What a night 💛

We were so moved to see more than 100 people come together for Bari at our SBK fundraiser, raising over $2,000. It was lovely to see your smiles, your dance moves, and have the wider Wellington dance community be together as one.

Andrew Suzuki captured some special moments from the night too — your heartfelt, funny and silly messages, and what Kizomba and this community mean to so many of us. Bari has watched your messages, and they were a real boost for him and his family.

A huge thank you to all the volunteers, DJs and organisers who helped bring the night together (too many to name!), and to Salsa Magic for donating the Dancetopia studio time so all proceeds could go directly to Bari.

It’s been incredibly touching to see the dance communities around Aotearoa rallying around Bari with fundraisers of their own. Keep an eye out for part two of the videos - the interviews with you our Dança family and supporters, coming soon! 💛

For Bari’s latest health update: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/supporting-bari-during-his-leukaemia-treatment

23/07/2026

💛 Community Update

We wanted to share a small update from Bari.

Firstly, Bari asked us to pass on just how grateful he is for the incredible support he’s received. Thank you. 💛

Since our last update, Bari has completed his first round of chemotherapy and is now in a short waiting phase before the next round begins. His blood counts and immune system are recovering, and he’s currently waiting for the results of a recent bone marrow biopsy.

We’d also like to acknowledge the incredible support from dance communities across New Zealand coming together to organise fundraisers and support Bari in their own way. Thank you to everyone who has donated, danced, volunteered, shared the Givealittle, or supported these events in your local area.

This Saturday our community comes together for our SBK Fundraiser—2 rooms, 3 DJs, with every dollar raised going directly to support Bari and his family. Thank you to those who have put up their hands to help with food, ticketing and organising.

If you’d like to leave Bari a message of support, read a more detailed update, or contribute to the fundraiser, you’ll find the Givealittle link in the comments.

💛 Adrienne & Alex
Dança Wellington

15/07/2026

💛 SBK Social for Bari – Join Us

Many people have asked how they can help support Bari during his treatment.

On Saturday 25 July, we’re bringing together the Wellington SBK community for a special evening of dancing, connection and fundraising. Whether you dance Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba—or simply want to support a wonderful member of our community—we’d love to see you there.

100% of entry proceeds go directly to Bari.

If you can make it, please click “Going” on the event and invite your friends. Every person there will help make this a special night for Bari and his family.

💛 https://www.facebook.com/share/192j1mC2K2/

14/07/2026

💛 Community Update

It’s now been three weeks since Bari began treatment, and we are incredibly grateful for the continued generosity and encouragement you’ve shared through Givealittle and the Dança pages. Thank you. 💛

He is currently in the recovery phase following chemotherapy, where his medical team is closely monitoring his progress while his immune system rebuilds. As expected, he’s still very immunocompromised, so he isn’t up to messages or hospital visits just yet.

Since launching the Givealittle, our community has now raised over $14,700. If you’d like to read a more detailed health update, leave Bari a message of support, or contribute to the fundraiser, please visit the Givealittle page (link below).

Thank you again for your kindness and for continuing to respect Bari’s privacy while he focuses on his recovery.

💛 Adrienne & Alex
Dança Wellington

04/07/2026

Thank You 💛

Last week we shared that Bari had been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia and had begun treatment. Since then, the support from our community has been overwhelming.

In just one week, more than 140 people have come together to raise over $11,000 for Bari. We’ve also received hundreds of messages, shares, and offers to help from New Zealand and around the world. We are incredibly grateful for the kindness this community has shown.

Bari has now completed his first week of intensive IV chemotherapy and has moved onto chemotherapy tablets. There is still a long road ahead. He hasn’t had much energy over the past few days, but he’s doing well, remains optimistic, and has been deeply encouraged by everyone’s support.

He remains immunocompromised and isn’t ready for visitors just yet. Thank you to everyone who has respected his need for space and shared their encouragement through Givealittle and the Dança Wellington page.

Many people have also asked how they can help further. We’re currently organising a community fundraiser to support Bari once he’s through this initial phase of treatment. We’ll share more details soon, and we’d love to see the dance community come together once again.

Thank you again for your generosity, kindness and patience. 💛

Adrienne & Alex
Dança Wellington Team

Read Bari’s full update and leave a message of support:
https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/supporting-bari-during-his-leukaemia-treatment/updates/92a5f11c

24/06/2026

Thank you for all the messages and well wishes. For those who haven't heard, Bari has recently been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia and has been admitted to hospital, with treatment beginning this week.

We appreciate that many will wish to help. During this time, we'd ask that people avoid messaging him directly for now and please don't visit or drop by unannounced. For Bari's safety and to help him focus on treatment and recovery, visitors and timing are being coordinated around his treatment.

Instead, we've set up a Givealittle page where messages of support can be left and who wish to help can do financially at the link above. Updates will be posted on the Givealittle page also.

https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/supporting-bari-during-his-leukaemia-treatment

Much love,

Alex and Adrienne
On behalf of Dança Wellington

An opportunity to give back to someone who has spent years helping, mentoring and bringing people together.

21/06/2026

24/03/2026

In short, dance with your body, cause knowing is nowhere near enough.

dance, dance, dance.

vamos.

The Hidden Problem: You “Know”… But Your Body Doesn’tAlmost every dancer reaches a point where progress slows.You attend classes.You understand the steps.You can even explain them to others.And yet—your dancing doesn’t feel lighter.Partners respond inconsistently.Your movement lacks ease...