Hello, my dear Frankies!

This week we have such a cool story about a bunch of young Franklin locals who have been working ridiculously hard behind the scenes.

The dancers from Groovit Dance Studios are only 12–18 years old, but some of them are training six hours a week (and even more as competitions get closer!) getting ready for a pretty huge opportunity: heading over to the Gold Coast to compete.

We all love seeing young people find something they’re passionate about, dream big, and then actually put in the work to make it happen. And these kids really have!

Of course, getting a travelling team of 31 across the ditch isn’t cheap, so this Saturday they’re holding a big car wash fundraiser at Groovit in Pukekohe. So PLEASE leave your car filthy this week 😂 and take it down on Saturday instead. Get it washed, grab a sausage or something sweet, buy a raffle ticket and help these very cool kids get to the Gold Coast.

Then have a read of their story below, because the work that goes into those two little minutes on stage is pretty amazing.

And there are HEAPS of other cool things happening around Franklin this week too, so keep scrolling, make some plans, and I’ll see ya out there!

R. and the Frankie Team xx

From Pukekohe to the Gold Coast

Three Groovit crews, 31 travellers, countless hours of training…and one very proud local dance family

There’s something super special about watching local kids work really, really hard at something they love. And right now, a whole bunch of Groovit Dance Studio's dancers are doing exactly that!

Three of Groovit’s competitive crews, Kodak, Kurfew and 21Twenty, are heading across the ditch to compete on the Gold Coast after qualifying at nationals earlier this year. For many of the dancers, it’ll be their very first time competing overseas. Which is already exciting enough. But when you realise how much work has gone into earning that opportunity, it becomes even cooler ♥ So it was awesome to get the low-down from Rochelle from Groovit Dance Studio!

Two minutes on stage. Hours and hours behind it.

Kodak and Kurfew are both nine-person crews, with dancers aged 13 to 18, while 21Twenty is Groovit’s Junior Varsity Mega Crew, made up of dancers aged 12 to 17.

Each crew has its own flavour and style, with local choreographers Travis Lightband and Tana Greig helping turn all that talent into something pretty amazing to watch.

And while the routines themselves might only last around two minutes, those two minutes take a LOT of work.

Kurfew and 21Twenty train for a minimum of four hours each week, while Kodak trains for at least six, with some dancers also performing across more than one crew. As competitions get closer, that ramps up even more, with long weekend sessions and extra practices squeezed in wherever they can.

“There’s hours and hours of work that goes into creating those two minutes.” Says Rochelle

There are plenty of laughs along the way too, but there’s also discipline, commitment and a whole lot of learning how to keep going when things get tough.

Bigger than dance

For the majority of these dancers, this will be their first overseas competition.

And while there’ll be a few nerves when they step onto that stage, Groovit’s message to them is pretty simple: enjoy it and back yourselves. Because they’ve absolutely earned their place there.

Being part of a crew teaches a lot more than choreography. The kids learn how to show up for each other, work as a team, handle pressure, build confidence and keep going through the hard bits.

And Groovit gets to watch that transformation happen all the time.

“You see them come into the studio as kids who might be shy or unsure of themselves and then over time they start backing themselves, trusting their teammates and believing that they can actually do things they never thought they could.” Rochelle says.

And how seriously cool is that?

One big Groovit team

Although Kodak, Kurfew and 21Twenty will compete as separate crews, behind the scenes there’s a real feeling that they’re all part of the same team. They train together, laugh together, survive the stressful bits together and all work towards the same massive goal.

That team extends well beyond the dancers too.

There are 31 people travelling to the Gold Coast, which means flights, accommodation, competition entry fees and a fairly enormous amount of organisation for the families involved.

As Groovit put it, a trip like this “doesn’t come with just some light planning.”

It takes a village.

Twenty years in Franklin

And luckily for Groovit, they’ve got a pretty good village behind them.

This year marks 20 years of Groovit in Franklin, which is an incredible milestone for a local small business.

Over those two decades, Groovit has built much more than a dance school. It’s become a place where local kids can find friends, grow in confidence, perform, compete and, for those who want to take things further, get opportunities like this one.

“We have always had a really big family vibe at Groovit and we’re proud to offer a safe space for our community to come and dance.”

That connection goes both ways.

Local families and businesses have rallied around the Gold Coast crews, helping them get closer to making this trip happen.

Groovit would especially like to thank Maketu Poultry Farm, Total Diesel Services, CDT Cable & Data Technologies, CI Flooring, Accent Photography, Zeroflex, Allspark Electrical, Barfoot & Thompson, Kanda Homes, Counties Home Loans, Wilson Hellaby, Pukekohe Picture Framers and First Exports for their support.

Get your car filthy before Saturday...

...Because this Saturday is your chance to help too!

The three crews are holding a car wash fundraiser at Groovit Dance Studio, 6 Crosbie Road, Pukekohe, from 9am–3pm this Saturday.

There’ll be car washing, sausages, baked goodies and raffle tickets, with the dancers and their families out there doing the mahi.

So maybe don’t wash the car this week.

Go down on Saturday, let the Groovit kids do it instead, grab something delicious while you’re there and help send this very cool bunch of Franklin dancers to the Gold Coast.

And if you’d like to donate directly towards the trip, get in touch with Groovit.

You can also follow all their adventures on Instagram @groovitdance​

And later this year, Groovit will celebrate its 20th birthday with its end-of-year show on 12 December at the Indian Hall.

Twenty years of local kids dancing, growing up, backing themselves and occasionally heading off to take on the world ♥

Pretty bloody cool, Franklin.

cedna wresc

Unscramble the letters above to find the Franklin-related phrase! Answer at the bottom of the newsletter!

Mood Board Workshop with No Butter Cups​
3–5pm | Home Inspo & Design Centre

Renovating, building or dreaming about a room update? Join No Buttercups for a guided mood board workshop designed to help you figure out your style before you start making all those big decisions.

A fun, practical afternoon for pulling together your colours, textures and ideas so you can head into your project with a much clearer vision.

​Bookings here!​

The Wellness Club Open Day​
Sunday 20 September, 8–10am
Pukekohe Race Track, Entrance 2

Start Sunday with a feel-good mix of movement, recovery and treats at The Wellness Club Open Day! There’ll be a 35-minute Pilates Fusion session, a fully guided round of contrast therapy, granola bowls from The Host, iced coffee and matcha from Onae, plus giveaways from Elyte, Remuer, Uplift and more.

No experience needed, and if you’ve never tried contrast therapy before, they’ll guide you through the whole thing. Intro offers and membership perks will also be available on the day.

​Tickets are here!​

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Thursday

🎸 Acoustic Music with Edwin Judd​
5pm at The Goodhome Pukekohe
Settle in for a relaxed evening of live acoustic tunes. More info here​

🏉 Counties Manukau Steelers v Otago​
7.10pm at Navigation Homes Stadium, 21 Stadium Drive, Pukekohe
Get behind the Steelers, with tickets ranging from free for kids on the embankment to $25 for an adult grandstand seat.

🍻 Thursday Quiz Night​
6.30–8.30pm at Pukekohe Golf Club
Grab your team and test your trivia skills over a fun night at the club. All the details here​

🎟️ Housie​
11am–1pm at 78 Nelson Street
Come along for a fun-filled session of Housie with friends and neighbours. More info here​

Friday

🎨 Waterlily Watercolour and Ink Pen Workshop​
10.45am–1pm at Artisan Alcove, 8B Queen Street, Waiuku ($50)
Learn watercolour and ink techniques in a small class of just eight, with all materials provided. Check it out!​

Saturday

🔮 Mind Body Spirit Event​
10am at PIA Event Centre
Explore a range of mind, body and spirit offerings from local practitioners and stallholders. All the details here​

🍽️ Our Healing Table with Nourish Holistic Food​
11am–2pm at Nourish Wellness Kitchen, Waiuku
Join a nourishing cooking and wellbeing session with Nourish Holistic Nutrition. Check it out!​

🧖 Wellness Event with The Wellness Club​
8–10am at Pukekohe Park
Try Pilates and contrast therapy, plus food, drinks and giveaways at this feel-good morning out. All the details here​

🧵 Visible Mending Workshop​
10am–12pm at Waiuku Zero Waste
Learn visible mending techniques to give your worn clothes a stylish new lease on life. More info here​

🌿 Kokedama Class​
Botanica on Bowen
Create two kokedama plants of your own to take home in this hands-on workshop. Check it out!​

🏴‍☠️ Pirates Quiz Night: Scout Fundraiser​
7–10pm at Franklin Arts Centre, 12 Massey Avenue (R18, $25pp)
Get into pirate character for a quiz night raising funds for local Scouts heading to the NZ Jamboree, pizza included. To book: Adrienne 021 234 7457

Sunday

💍 Cliffside Wedding Open Day​
10am–2pm ($10 per couple)
Explore the venue, meet the team and chat with trusted suppliers as you start planning your big day. More info here​

🏮 Turkish Lamp Workshop​
10.30am at Buckland Hall
Create your own Turkish lamp to take home from this hands-on craft workshop. Check it out!​

☕ Your Sunday Coffee Run​
7am at Brew Bar & Roastery, 173 Manukau Road
This week's coffee run gets a serious upgrade with a 21km route, the unofficial Pukekohe Half Marathon, and it's free to register. All the details here​

🛍️ Waiau Pa Central Market​
9am–1pm at Waiau Pā Primary School Events Centre
Browse local stalls and community goods at this neighbourhood market.

🎸 Mitch French Live Acoustic​
Waiuku Cosmopolitan Club
Enjoy an evening of live acoustic music from Mitch French. More info here​

🎾 Pukekohe East Tennis Club Open Day​
2–5pm at Pukekohe East Tennis Club, Pukekohe East Road
Come try free tennis and a sausage sizzle if you're thinking about joining as a member.

🥕 Franklin Country Market​
8am at Pukekohe Park Raceway
Browse homegrown produce, handmade crafts, antiques and market stalls, with food trucks, live music and a car boot sale.

🧘 Sunday Stretch Sessions​
9am at Rxfitness235, 42 Belgium Street, Waiuku
Join The Stretch Collective for a 45-minute stretch session to ease into your Sunday. All the details here​

monday

🛸 Waiuku's UFO Crafting Circle​
7pm at Waiuku Zero Waste
Get creative with the crew at this quirky weekly crafting circle. More info here​

🕯️ Monday Reset Room​
7pm at Hilltop Haven
Unwind and reset for the week ahead with The Pause Society.

🍳 Good Food, Bright Minds​
7–9am at Cafe Queen, Waiuku
A collaboration between Cafe Queen and Sanctuary Retreat offering a nourishing breakfast for school kids every Monday during term time.

🍻 Monday Quiz Night​
7pm at Good Home Pukekohe, 65 Edinburgh Street
Gather your team for a fun weekly quiz night, booking recommended.

🍹 Margherita Monday​
Appetite
Kick off the week with a $15 margarita, because Mondays deserve a little extra sparkle.

Tuesday

🌺 Tuvalu Workshop​
10am at Pukekohe Library
Come along and learn more about Tuvaluan culture at this community workshop. Check it out!​

🎨 Painting Club​
6–8pm at Franklin Arts Centre
Bring along whatever you're working on for two hours of dedicated painting time and connect with other local artists (term time only).

Wednesday

👋 Anti-Social Social Club for Teens​
3.30pm at Pukekohe Library, 12 Massey Avenue
A brand-new after-school hangout for teens of all kinds, social, not-so-social, or anywhere in between, everyone's welcome. All the details here​

Word Scramble answer: Dance crews

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