Creative New Zealand : Events news feed

Vector Wellington Orchestra's Baby Pops

Thu, 24 May 2012 16:12:43 +1200

Vector Wellington Orchestra is performing its popular annual concert for children aged two to six years, in Masterton, Palmerston North and Wellington, between June 14 – 17.

This year’s theme is all about counting and alphabet rhymes. Children and their caregivers will sing and act along with classics such as Do-Re-Mi and ABC, keep time to Grandfather's Clock, and thrill to big orchestral numbers such as Sabre Dance and the Star Wars theme.

Even the youngest listeners will love learning to conduct and count in the musicians. The big finale, as always, is a march right through the middle of the orchestra, with a chance to get up close to the musicians as they play.

Vector Wellington's story this year is the Maori legend of Tongariro’s fight with Taranaki. Set to music by VWO Education Composer-in-Residence Thomas Goss, The Battle of the Mountains features some spectacular percussion.

Multi-talented master of ceremonies Kevin Keyes will tell the story as cymbals, gongs and drums of all kinds help the orchestra depict the mighty mountains’ struggle.

Thursday 14 June, 10.15am
Wairarapa College

Regent on Broadway
Friday 15 June 10.15am

Michael Fowler Centre
Sunday 17 June 3.00pm

For more information or images:
Erica Challis
Publicist, Vector Wellington Orchestra
04 971 1853 / 021 102 6932
echallis@clear.net.nz

Smart talk - Why Give? The Art of Philanthropy

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 10:24:17 +1300

Why Give? is an opportunity to hear directly from three Aucklanders who have shown generosity to our city that will last beyond their lifetimes.

Leading current affairs journalist Mark Crysell will facilitate a conversation with arts patron and philanthropist Dayle Mace, visual arts charitable trustee Sue Gardiner and education benefactor Gretchen Goldwater about philanthropy, its challenges and the immense satisfaction that comes from their giving.

The evening will also provide a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes with Museum curators to see how bequests and philanthropic giving have shaped the Museum.

GALS choir will perform and light refreshments will be served.

The Museum Circle and Philanthropy New Zealand are proud to partner this event.

Please RSVP rsvp@aucklandmuseum.com or phone 306 7031

Read about other events at the Auckland Museum

Pacific pot luck lunch at Pasifika Festival 2012

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:41:56 +1300

Creative New Zealand will be celebrating the arts and hosting a Pasifika Pot Luck lunch amongst the colour, fragrance, sights and sounds of Auckland’s Pasifika Festival 2012.

Known to draw a crowd of 200,000 in one day to Western Springs Park, Creative New Zealand is proud to support this annual festival of Pacific arts and culture.

Pasifika artists, arts organisations and Creative New Zealand staff are teaming up to share arts news, bounce ideas, answer questions and explain funding opportunities to anyone who wants to drop in to the Creative New Zealand tent.

A warm invitation is also open to join a shared Pasifika Pot Luck lunch from 12- 2pm. Bring a plate to site number #136 in the International/Yellow Section and join in. The Creative New Zealand tent is next to Gate B car parking, access from Bullock Track.

Take this chance to find out what is happening in Pacific arts in Aotearoa, meet some of the best Pacific artists and cool off from the festival crowds.

Pacific Arts facebook page - join the conversation!

Talente: One Year On

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:06:48 +1300

Objectspace is delighted to present Talente: One Year On - an exciting installation to be held in the Objectspace Window Gallery, Auckland.

The exhibition will showcase the new work of 2011 Talente exhibitors Rachel Bell, Corrina Hoseason, Sam Kelly, Flora Sekanova, and Anzac Tasker.

These five makers and designers were selected to represent New Zealand at Talente in Germany in 2011.

Talente is one of Europe’s most prestigious showcases for emerging talent in design, craft, and technology from all over the world. New Zealand’s representation at Talente is funded directly by Creative New Zealand as a key international strategy for New Zealand craft and design.

Situated in a huge exhibition and events center, Talente takes place as a special exhibition at the major International Trade Fair in Munich, Germany in March of each year. It is one of four exhibitions that is organised and funded by the Handwerkskammer fur Munchen und Oberbayern, the others being Exempla, Schmuck and Meister der Moderne.

Talente: One Year On will give its New Zealand audience a chance to see some of the outstanding work that was presented by these New Zealand makers at Talente 2011 through displaying a large scale photograph of this work, as well as showcasing what these five makers have been working on in the past year since they were at Talente – one year on.

Maker Corrina Hoseason states, “One year on, attending Talente is still proving to be a pivotal experience that continues to benefit my practice.”

The significance of Talente for young New Zealand makers and designers:

Contemporary jeweller Rachel Bell has just completed a Masters of Design by Project at Unitec, Auckland (2011), and was included in the exhibition Touch Pause Engage at Keeper Gallery, Sydney (2010) and Objectspace (2011).

"Showing at and attending Talente was an incredible opportunity to view a huge range of high quality jewellery and applied art works while meeting the people involved in this industry around the world" said Rachel, "this experience fuelled major changes in my thinking and making".

Ceramicist Corrina Hoseason will undertake a residency at the prestigious European Ceramic Work Centre in the Netherlands this year, and has been invited to exhibit work at Gallerie Handwerk, Munich, Germany.
"One year on, attending Talente is still proving to be a pivotal experience that continues to benefit my practice" Corrina said, "being given the opportunity to accompany my work to Germany allowed me to sample trends, techniques and opportunities half a world away, encouraging me to take a more international approach when considering my work."

Contemporary jeweller Sam Kelly is part of the international Handshake, Prentice and Prodigy project between 12 New Zealand jewellery graduates and the heroes that inspire them, and has exhibited throughout New Zealand and Australia. Sam recalled, "Talente was by far the biggest opportunity and experience of my life so far. To find out how the jewellery machine works and what each of the components are made up of. To meet the other jewellers, who I consider Superstars. To see more jewellery in one sitting than I ever had before and will again".

Contemporary jeweller Flora Sekanova received second prize at the prestigious Objective Art Awards (2011), and won the Supreme Art Award of Rodney District Council in 2010.

Graphic designer Anzac Tasker was awarded the Urbis Future designer of the year in 2010 and won a number of awards at New Zealand’s Best Awards including the gold for his student entry in 2010. He currently works fulltime at one of New Zealand’s most established design agencies Designworks.

"The time I spent in Munich and at Talente was like a creative dessert. Since the experience [at Talente] I have been able to translate my observations of tactile craftsmanship into my own work space and also implement them into a commercial environment" Anzac said.

--

Talente: One Year On at Objectspace has been programmed concurrently with Talente 2012 in Munich (14-20 March 2012), to generate awareness of this important international event and the significant contribution of New Zealand makers.

On show simultaneously in the Main Gallery at Objectspace, Auckland will be the annual Best in Show 2012 exhibition. Most of the Talente: One Year On exhibitors have been selected for past Best in Show exhibitions.

Public Programme: Friday 9th March at 5.30pm. Join three of the artists – Rachel Bell, Sam Kelly and Corrina Hoseason - for an artists’ floor talk.

===
For more information contact:
Laura Howard
Objectspace Programme Manager
Phone: (09) 376 6216 or 027 508 4311
Email: laura@objectspace.org.nz
www.objectspace.org.nz

‘Culture for Sale; a Post-colonial Völkerschau’ - a lecture by Shigeyuki Kihara

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:08:51 +1300

Duration: 45 minute talk and 15 minute Q & A

In August 2011 performance artist Shigeyuki Kihara travelled to Germany with the support of the Visitor's program from the Goethe-Institut to investigate museum archives held across Germany to research materials related to the German administration of Samoa from 1900 till 1914.

Kihara’s presentation accompanied by a power point presentation traces the historical footprints of several groups of Samoans including men, women and small children who travelled and toured extensively across cities in Germany including Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich and Cologne where they were exhibited in a zoo - a practise commonly known as ‘Völkerschau’ a popular form of exotic entertainment and colonial theatre at the time.

The title of the presentation ‘Culture for Sale’ is the same title of a live public performance and multimedia installation conceived by Kihara staged during the Sydney Festival in January 2012. Conceptually informed by the Samoan participation in the ‘Völkerschauen’, ‘Culture for Sale’ explores the close relationship between performance, identity, power and money.

The presentation will discuss how Samoan identity as ‘the other’ was contextualised under German colonialism, and whether the surrounding ideas of ‘the other’ continues to resonate in the daily lives of Samoan people in the so called ‘post-colonial’ era in the wake of the 50th Anniversary of the Independence of Samoa in June 2012.

For more information please visit:

http://www.pataka.org.nz/node/355

www.shigeyukikihara.com

Prominent Samoan artist responds to Christchurch's survivor spirit

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:37:08 +1300

In post-earthquake Christchurch issues concerning the creative re-growth and rebuild of a community have been of particular concern to Fatu Feu’u.

Ola, explains the artist, ‘explores the affection for or love we have for where we come from.’

His solo exhibition, opening next month, is named with a Samoan word that functions as both noun and verb. Ola means ‘life’ and ‘to create life.’ Feu’u plays with the two merging concepts of Ola in his exhibition, exploring the human capacity to love, hope and grow in times of adversity.

In 2011, to mark the 15th anniversary of the Macmillan Brown Pacific Artist in residence programme, Fatu Feu’u (the first recipient in 1996) returned to Christchurch to complete a second residency. As part of this, Feu’u researched and wrote a new body of poetry which will be published accompanied by a series of lithographs. The paintings in Ola were produced as the foundation for this upcoming publication.

Born in Samoa 1946, Fatu Feu’u settled in New Zealand in 1966. A senior contemporary artist,Feu’u is an adept painter, printmaker, sculptor, designer and poet. He is also considered as both a leader and mentor within the Pacific arts community in New Zealand.

Drawing on his Samoan heritage as well as life in Aotearoa, his work combines traditional and contemporary myth and motif to articulate a graphic visual vernacular. Feu’u has exhibited regularly both nationally and internationally. His work is held in major collections such as the National Gallery, Brisbane; Auckland City Art Gallery; Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington and Waikato Museum of Art and History, Hamilton.

For further information and images please contact:

Lydia Baxendell, Art Collections Curator

University of Canterbury

Phone: (03) 364 2987 ex 8669

Email: lydia.baxendell@canterbury.ac.nz

"Music and Me": A story of music as redemption

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:47:02 +1300

"A family forged, even in the darkest of places"

Music and Me, a riveting new work by Manurewa-based emerging playwright Victoria Schmidt has its world premiere at the Mangere Arts Centre - Ngā Tohu o Uenuku this month.

Music and Me is raw and poetic, while also funny, with fantastic lines. It is guaranteed to pull at your heartstrings.

The story tells of the harsh realities of four individuals, struggling to survive in a forgotten world of prostitution, mental illness, substance abuse, depression and risking all for a dream that is in the eye of the beholder.

"The play highlights universal themes through deep, heartfelt and outspoken characters," explains Victoria.

"on the whole, this story is about survival, broken hope, and the importance of friendship."

Music and Me is Victoria's first, full-length, professionally produced play. New Zealand-born and of Samoan background, Victoria is an acting graduate of the UNITEC School of Performing Screen Arts. She has been seen in numerous theatre productions, most recently in The Factory by Kila Kokonut Krew in 2011.

"This show is about creating awareness of every day people, surviving in the only way they know how,"she says.

Directed by Asalemo Tofete (Toi Whakaari acting graduate, The Minister's Son, Angels in America Part I: Millenium Approaches, Polyzygotic, The Factory). The production features some of New Zealand's best seasoned and upcoming Pacific talent. The cast includes Iaheto Ah Hi (Sione's Wedding, The Market, Matariki, Running With the Bulls,Tautai. Sione's 2: Unfinished Business), Toi Whakaari acting graduate Natano Keni (Privates VS Ninjas, Once Were Samoans), the playwright Victoria Schmidt (Sione's Wedding, Running With The Bulls, Othello Polynesia, Tautai, The Factory) and recent Pacific Institute of Performing Arts graduate and choreographer Amanaki Lelei Prescott-Faletua (Mixed Nuts, Pollyhood in Mumuland, VOGUE).

A resident of Manurewa, Victoria says it was important to set the play in South Auckland, to support the story and to reflect our unique society that is full of colourful characters.

Funded with the support of the Auckland Council Creative New Zealand Communities Scheme, Music and Me will be on show at the Mangere Arts Centre from for a five-night season, opening on Tuesday 14 February.

ENDS

About the Show:
Music and Mefollows the lives and friendships of four outcasts living on the same poverty-stricken street - an old man sinking deeper into dementia, a male hustler-addict always looking to make a quick buck, a street poet who finds solace in gracing the public with her passion for rhyme, and a business-minded drag queen who runs the local beauty parlour.
This is a story that reveals how music can soothe a troubled mind and the desperate measures taken to be able to survive in a forgotten world.

Credits:

Written by Victoria Schmidt.

Directed by Asalemo Tofete

For more information, please contact:

Asalemo Tofete (Director)

Phone: 021 2092942

Email: asalemo.tofete@gmail.com

JEMposium starts February 10th - register now

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:24:52 +1300

JEMposium brings together contemporary jewellers, collectors, curators, critics, and jewellery enthusiasts from New Zealand and abroad to discuss and celebrate the art of jewellery.

The symposium will be held in Wellington over four days from 10–13 February 2012.

See the full programme here

Keynote speakers

Ted Noten (NL), Manon van Kouswijk (NL/AUS), Karl Fritsch (FRG/NZ), Fabrizio Tridenti (IT), Liesbeth den Besten (NL) and other invited guests will their ideas through a mixture of formal and PechaKucha presentations. Taking discussions on jewellery a step further, JEMposium also offers the opportunity of a masterclass workshop with these respected international jewellers.

More about the speakers and examples of thier work

Why Jemposium

Contemporary jewellery in New Zealand has a history of hosting significant international experts to run workshops and give presentations at conferences. Such occasions generate a ripple of inspiration that enriches the local jewellery community, extending to the makers and stimulating their practice.

JEMposium builds on this tradition, with a calibre of artists and experts that marks the event as the most far-reaching yet.The symposium is a unique opportunity for international authorities on jewellery to acquire exposure to New Zealand practices, and for local practitioners to gain insights into global trends and movements.

Muriwai Beach prepares to celebrate Waitangi Day

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:02:08 +1300

Well known Polynesian musicians are joining a host of exciting artists in Muriwai (on Auckland's West Coast) next month, to celebrate the area's first Waitangi Day Festival.

One of New Zealand's best-loved artists, Anika Moa, will join popular South Auckland funksters Ardijah, the soulful Maisey Rika, world music trio Pacific Curls and local musicians including 15year old Majic and family band Muzacon, songstress Nat Rose (just back fromRhythm & Vines) and others.

"I'm looking forward to playing this show on Waitangi Day," says Anika Moa, "it will bring together an amazing bunch of musos and is set at Muriwai Beach, which is part of the path of our tupuna matua. It's very inspiring and humbling to get to be a part of this".

Set within native bush at Houghtons Bush Camp, the first Waitangi Day Muriwai Festival is a festival with a difference. Over 15 Muriwai Beach painters, photographers, sculptors and jewellers will be creating, exhibiting and selling new works for a special Waitangi Day Exhibition. A guided hikoi of small groups to a sacred site on the venue will be made available throughout the day while in between bands, a series of lively speakers and celebrities will sit in ‘the Treaty Hot Seat’ on stage.

All music, art, cuisine, korero and crafts will acknowledge 'Every Day is Waitangi Day’ and in keeping with the theme, the event will be smoke-free, drug-free, alcohol-free and operate with a zero waste policy.Due to the size of the site, tickets will be strictly limited.

Recent Muriwai resident Moana Maniapo will be launching the band Moana & the Tribe's new CD The Best of Moana & the Tribe at the festival and is looking forward to the creative celebration of Waitangi day.

"Muriwai is like an art colony," says Moana "there are so many visual artists, musicians and filmmakers living out here. I knew about the Matariki and Muriwai Music Festivals. I talked to another local singer Nat Rose about building a new event at Muriwai for Waitangi Day that brings visual and performing artists together under the theme ‘Every Day is Waitangi Day.’ Nat talked to someone, who talked to someone else…next minute, there’s a group of us and it’s all on."

All ticket proceeds will be donated towards the Muriwai Lifeguard Services Amenities Trust fundraiser for a new Club & Community Centre and Reweti Marae.

‘Muriwai needs a dedicated venue for community events as well as a new home for the lifeguards who most people probably take for granted until they need them.’

The Muriwai Waitangi Day Festival has received support from Auckland Council, Creative New Zealand and Te Puni Kokiri.

For more information visit the website: www.muriwaifestival.com

Young Writers and Readers / Schools Day

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:04:58 +1300

A great opportunity for Secondary School students to learn from inspiring New Zealand, Australian and American writers as part of the Young Readers and Writers events at the New Zealand International Arts Festival.

The 50 minute sessions start at 9.30am and continue throughout the day. Writers taking part are:

Elizabeth Knox (The Vintner’s Luck and Dreamhunter), one of New Zealand’s most adventurous and imaginative fiction writers.

American young adult writer Kelly Link (The Wrong Grave, Pretty Monsters and Magic for Beginners) often described as a slipstream writer embracing a combination of science fiction, fantasy, horror, mystery and realism.

Elizabeth and Kelly read from their books and discuss their common grounds of magic realism, fantasy and exciting writing.

Bernard Beckett is an award-winning writer of young adult fiction, his books include philosophical thriller Genesis and the mind-bending Jolt. He also teaches secondary school English, drama and mathematics.

Jane Higgins is a research fellow in youth studies at Lincoln University. She won the Text Prize for young adult writing for her impressive debut The Bridge, a gritty futuristic adventure.

Bernard and Jane discuss the compelling characters and dystopian worlds they create.

2007 Australian of the Year Tim Flannery is an internationally-acclaimed scientist, environmentalist and chairman of the Copenhagen Climate Council. He has written over a dozen books, including the award-winning bestsellers The Future Eaters and The Weather Makers. Tim offers some visionary solutions to the increasing environmental pressures on our planet.

Find out more at: http://festival.co.nz/writers-and-readers/young-wr-day-schools-day/

Fundraiser for The Court Theatre, Christchurch

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:21:00 +1300

The Court Theatre is holding a fundraising event at The Pah Homestead in Auckland.

Part of the event will be a silent auction of more than 50 New Zealand artworks - and it is possible to bid on the works even if you are unable to attend on the night.

Please see the catalogue, which includes instructions on how to bid.

Silent Auction - In aid of The Court Theatre, Christchurch (PDF, 3MB)

There will also be a live auction of three lots:

A poster from the television series Downton Abbey, signed by Dame Maggie Smith and the cast.
Sam Neill hosts a picnic for 4 at his vineyard, Two Paddocks in Central Otago.
Dinner for 12, hosted by The Right Honourable John Key at Wine Chambers Restaurant, Auckland.

The Court appeal is now in the last million of the $4.62m needed to build the new theatre. It will open on December 10^th – the first public institution in Christchurch to begin again in a new home

Event for world’s best in modern and traditional tattoo art

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:59:34 +1300

New Zealand’s premier tattoo event, Auckland International Tattoo Convention, once again plays host to more than 60 of the world’s biggest names in tattoo art and performance.

The artists include renowned Tatau masters from Samoa, the Suluape family, and tattoo artist, performer and world’s most tattooed man, Lucky Diamond Rich. The fifth Auckland International Tattoo Convention celebrates the intersection of global tattoo culture and the Pacific’s rich tradition of Ta Moko and Tatau.

Artists from England, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga, USA and all over New Zealand will design and execute tattoos for the public at the convention, including traditional Ta Moko and Tatau by hand tools. The event also features a packed schedule of entertainment, including DJs, artwork, and Polynesian dance.

Event spokesperson Pip Russell said,

“New Zealand’s tattoo culture is unique. Like many other countries, we’ve seen a massive interest in Western tattoo art and styles over the last 15 years and we’ve grown a thriving industry of studios and great artists. But New Zealand is also home to a rich tradition of Ta Moko and on the doorstep of Polynesian Tatau, which are both enjoying well deserved revivals. When it come to tattoo art, New Zealand has best of all worlds and we want to celebrate that.”

Russell goes on to explain the role of the bi-annual the resurgence of Ta Moko and Tatau.

“When we launched the convention in 1999, the customary Polynesian tattoo techniques were still underground. There were only a handful of Ta Moko and Tatau artists, scattered across the Pacific, who were holding onto their traditions. But we bought the best of those artists together, along with their counterparts in western tattooing, and we showed New Zealand what amazing traditional art was like" she says,

"for most people, it was the first time they had seen Ta Moko and Tatau done properly. Ta Moko and Tatau have enjoyed a huge revival since then, and we’re really proud that the convention has helped with that”.

Entertainment at the event includes the Kalia dance troupe from Tonga, and some of Aucklands finest DJs including Slave, Cian (Conch) and Bobby Brazuka (Conch). A pop-up salon by Teaser Hair Lounge will provide 1950’s style hair dos.

Also included in the event is New Zealand’s only display of tattoo art exhibition “Death” on its world tour from Canada. The exhibition shows a series of artwork from around the world, examining the death of 'traditional western tattoo design' and its rebirth as ‘fine art’.

The Auckland International Tattoo Convention is presented by Ta Moko Tatau Tattoo Trust.

Chance to attend a Major Gift Fundraising Masterclass - Wellington

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:17:00 +1300

The Ministry for Culture and Heritage would like to offer you the opportunity to attend an all-day masterclass on major gift fundraising, presented by major gifts specialist Canadian Guy Mallabone (of Global Philanthropic). Internationally recognised as an inspired leader in not-for-profit fundraising, Guy has over 30 years' experience in integrated fund development, including regular giving, major gifts and gift planning. For more information, see: http://www.guymallabone.com/

The masterclass will be held in Wellington on Monday 14 November. It will cost $389 per person and will run from 9.00am until 5.00pm, followed by refreshments and the opportunity to network with other invited guestsfrom a range of cultural organisations.

The masterclass, based on those run each year by Artsupport Australia, will be a challenging and practical opportunity to develop strategies and maximise income from major gifts. (Depending on the size of an organisation, a major gift could be anything from $500 to $5,000 or more.)

Ultimately, gift fundraising means asking someone for money face-to-face, not necessarily a natural or easy thing to do.Knowing when and how to ask is the most essential weapon in any effective fundraiser's arsenal. Participants will learn the strategic overview of major gift solicitation, review the elements that influence a decision, and examine the psychology of a successful ask and the secrets to success.

The masterclass is designed for general managers, CEOs and other senior staff experienced in development and philanthropic fundraising but it will also be accessible for new staff keen to learn. There is no limit on the number of attendees per organisation.

Guy's broad experience covers:

donor prospecting and qualification techniques
cultivation and solicitation strategies
campaign management
stewardship practices
board and organisational development
fund development
performance audit
feasibilitiy/planning studies, and
strategic planning.

We appreciate this is short notice but we hope you'll agree Guy's visit 'Down Under' is an opportunity too good to miss.

To guarantee your place at the masterclass, please confirm your attendance as soon as possible by emailing ingrid.kamstra@mch.govt.nz

There is also an opportunity the following morning (on Tuesday 15 November) for a more targeted session with Guy Mallabone to work through a fund development audit tool he has developed. This audit tool is designed to draw attention to 8 critical fundraising areas and to assess whether, in any particular organisation, they might need further work or consideration. It is designed to assist with fundraising/marketing/business planning, and is a useful way to measure effective progress in fund development. It enables better decision-making about where to start, what priorities to address first and how best to achieve your objectives to move forward.

There is a small additional charge to attend this second workshop ($35 if you're also attending the masterclass).This session will run from 9.00am until 12.30pm, and will also be in Wellington.

Dance and politics a unique mix

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 15:06:00 +1300

The late Rona Bailey was a Wellingtonian who studied with pioneers of modern dance in New York and founded the New Dance Group, with Philip and Olive Smithells, in Wellington in 1945.

The work of the New Dance Group will be presented in the biennial Rona Bailey Memorial Lecture on Tuesday 22 November. This will be a rare chance to see an unusual part of New Zealand’s dance history.

Auckland historian Marianne Schultz’s talk, ‘Dance is a Weapon’, will be illustrated by photographs and excerpts from Shirley Horrocks’ 2008 film Dance of the Instant: The New Dance Group Wellington 1945 – 1947. Marianne will also introduce a short live performance specially prepared by students of the New Zealand School of Dance: a reconstruction of the 1945 New Dance Group piece Sabotage in a Factory.

Marianne Schultz says: ‘The New Dance Group engaged with strong political themes in their work, an approach very much in tune with Rona Bailey’s life and values. Inspired by local and international political movements, as well as the emerging modern dance of America, Rona believed that dance “had a role to play in reflecting life and what it could be. It could be a challenge to people.”’

According to organising group member, Hazel Armstrong: ‘The lecture should appeal to people with a dance background as well as to those interested in Trade Union and left-wing history. It’s a great bonus that we are holding the Lecture in the Rona Bailey Room at the Dance School.’

The Rona Bailey Memorial Lecture is sponsored every two years by the Labour History Project (formerly the Trade Union History Project), of which Rona Bailey (1914-2005) was a long-time, active member.

The 2011 Rona Bailey Memorial Lecture will start at 5.45pm sharp, Tuesday 22 November 2011 at the Rona Bailey Room, Te Whaea, National Dance and Drama Centre, 11 Hutchison Road, Newtown, Wellington. Entry by koha.

For further information, contact Marianne Schultz, (09 308 9072; 0210 23 12340) or email: mschultz@iconz.co.nz.

Alternative contact: Hazel Armstrong, (04 473 6767) or hazel.armstrong@gmail.com

Entry by koha.

For information about the Labour History Project (formerly the Trade Union History Project) see www.lhp.org.nz.

14th New Zealand Performing Arts Market announced for 5 & 6 March 2012, Wellington

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:53:00 +1300

This exciting event is to be held in the heart of Wellington’s prestigious waterfront at the purpose-built Te Raukura – Te Wharewaka o Poneke, from 5 & 6 March 2012. Registrations are currently open for both artists/producers (closing 25 November), and festivals/venues (closing 10 February).

The New Zealand Performing Arts Market is hosted once yearly by PANNZ (the Performing Arts Network of New Zealand) and provides a unique opportunity for presenters, venues and festivals to connect with artists, creators and producers.

The Market is New Zealand’s sole marketplace for the promotion of professional tour-ready dance, theatre and music productions. As well as a launching pad for finished works, it is an essential forum for building relationships, partnerships, and sharing seedling ideas that then develop into our shows of the future.

Attended by festival directors, venue managers, artists, producers and industry stakeholders, the Market is also a key opportunity for individuals and companies working in performing arts across Aotearoa to discuss and debate the issues facing our industry, and to build capacity within the sector.

Market Coordinator Mark Westerby says the Market has been growing steadily since it began in 1999 and that last years Market in Auckland drew record numbers. This year’s Market offers a professional but relaxed environment to introduce your company/production to potential partners and presenters. It is timed to coincide in Wellington with the New Zealand International Arts Festival and the Wellington Fringe Festival. Programme highlights of the Market include:

Pitch Sessions, in which Artist/Producers have 15 minutes to profile their work (with audiovisual support) to an audience of festivals and venues. This is a curated programme of tour-ready work decided by selection panel.
Breakfast of Bright Ideas, providing an opportunity for artists to introduce a new concept or work in development to a wider group. Presenters may identify projects to champion in future, or just enjoy a fun and creative start to their day. Length of presentations will be 2 – 4 minutes, pending the number of submissions.
The Exhibition Space, which creates the opportunity for artists/producers and industry organisations to showcase themselves at display booths. Market catering is served in the Exhibition space, ensuring high visibility and foot traffic through this area.
Workshops, a programme to share knowledge, diversify skills and build capability of the sector. This will include a walking tour of Wellington’s venues and panel or keynote discussions on key industry issues.

The New Zealand Performing Arts Market is happening in 2012 with the generous support of
Creative New Zealand.

For more information, to register, or to pitch your work, go to www.pannz.org.nz.

Or contact the PANNZ Co-ordinator:

Mark Westerby
Market Co-ordinator
PANNZ
PO Box 6513
Marion Square
Wellington 6011
Office: 04 802 3960
mark@pannz.org.nz

11.11.11 - Upstage Festival only days away

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:44:00 +1300

34 artists are collaborating around the world to produce the 12 different shows that make up the 11:11:11 UpStage Festival (11 November 2011). Among the performers are three groups of primary students from South Westland.

In the global day from 11am on 11/11/11 in Aotearoa/New Zealand until 11pm on 11/11/11 in Europe, an exciting selection of cyberformance (live online performance) will be presented at 11:11:11 the fifth annual UpStage Festival.

Anyone with a standard internet connection and browser can attend with just one click, or by visiting physical venues in galleries, museums, theatre spaces, media workshops, and schools here and overseas.

Links to the online stages and schedule are here

See the Real Life physical locations you can visit here

The festival starts in the 11:11:11 Foyer where the festival architects and the international curatorial panel will help audience through to premium viewing in the each of the 12 shows. Neatly coinciding with Armistice day, the first show Cyberian Chalk Circle which takes a Brecht classic to the Eygptian uprising, and questions what we have learned since the horrors of WW1.

Traverse the globe and the education spectrum from this practice based research project to the next group of works which have been created by the school students. Beginning with a collaborative piece which weaves a tale of mystery and navigation performed by three students who have produced works in the last two UpStage festivals.

These three have been leading a peer tutoring project to teach two further groups of students how to use UpStage and devise theatre online, both hands on and through remote technologies. The two shows produced use as their narrative base familiar fairytales and rhymes adding a unique perspective through plot twists, audio and visual trickery.

The student groups will perform each of their shows twice, interspersed with works by artists located in from Scotland, Italy, Serbia, Netherlands, USA and Korea. The northern hemisphere participants range from experienced cyberformers to artists new to the medium of live online performance through Upstage. These artists perform shows that explore in a range of media; classic tales, dance, cultural concepts from ancient and modern times and automated religious practices through the human computer interface.

The full schedule of performances to be presented at the 11:11:11 UpStage Festival is available
online with links to each stage going live on the day: http://upstage.org.nz/blog/?page_id=2828

The 11:11:11 UpStage Festival is the fifth festival of live online performance (cyberformance) using
the web-based platform UpStage (http://upstage.org.nz/blog/?page_id=2). Performances are created by artists – from school students to established digital artists – who collaborate in real time using a range of digital media. All that is required for the audience to attend is a standard browser and domestic internet connection.

A full list of the 11:11:11 UpStage Festival performances, the schedule with live on the day links to each stage and more information is available on the UpStage web site: http://upstage.org.nz/blog/?page_id=2350

For further information and interviews, contact:
Vicki Smith (Aotearoa/New Zealand): 021 778067

The World's Festival In New Zealand - Womad New Zealand 2012

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 10:20:00 +1300

One of the inspirations behind the very first WOMAD festival will head to WOMAD New Zealand 2012, along with a line-up of musicians, bands and performers from all corners of the globe.

The programme for WOMAD New Zealand 2012 was tonight launched at Parliament and features the Master Drummers of Burundi whose early '80s performance inspired the first WOMAD festival in 1982.

Artistic director Drew James says it is apt to mark the 30th anniversary of WOMAD internationally by bringing the truly spectacular Master Drummers of Burundi to New Zealand.

"Once again we have managed to secure a brilliant line-up for WOMAD New Zealand with a particularly strong African contingent headed by the drummers along with one of the greatest stories of triumph over hardship, Staff Benda Bilili; and the up and coming livewire Dobet Gnahore.

"With another 15 countries represented, alongside a strong New Zealand flavour, WOMAD New Zealand 2012 will bring new sounds and experiences from all over the world."

WOMAD New Zealand 2012 takes place at New Plymouth's Brooklands Park and TSB Bowl of Brooklands from 16-18 March. Early bird tickets are on sale now until Friday 11 November.

With artists hailing from 17 countries including Palestine, China, Japan, Ivory Coast, France, Romania and Burundi, WOMAD New Zealand 2012 is truly an international festival.

Described by Rolling Stone Magazine as "Australia's most important voice", Gurrumul returns to WOMAD for the 2012 Festival. Solo performances by this multi-award winning musician are rare treats for music lovers. Other WOMAD favourites making a return visit are the globetrotting French band Lo'Jo and India's master santoor player Shivkumar Sharma.

From Africa comes the Master Drummers of Burundi; Ivory Coast singer Dobet Gnahore, who is fast becoming known as one of Africa's great female voices; and Staff Benda Bilili - a group of polio-afflicted musicians who were discovered living on the streets and whose music has raw power and fragile delicacy.

Palestine's Le Trio Joubran features with the great Yousef Hbeisch on percussion; while Europe brings France's 'Mad Hatter' Chapelier Fou - a classically trained violinist who melds together classical, electronic and acoustic sounds looping string instruments and a synthesizer; Spain's Diego Guerrero y El Solar de Artistas and Romanian Gypsy funksters Mahala Rai Banda. The UK's Mad Professor - known for the Ariwa studio and label and for the Dub Me Crazy albums - mixes dub sounds at WOMAD New Zealand 2012; while the Sharon Shannon Big Band from Ireland mixes rock, funk, Cajun and country.

California's Groundation's spiritual roots reggae sound will feature at WOMAD New Zealand 2012; while from China comes Anda Union - a 10-strong band whose music digs deep into traditional Mongolian history. Japan has two acts featuring this year - Pascals, a 14-piece acoustic orchestra featuring a variety of toy instruments; and Sivouplait, a mime couple performing a series of short sketches of the perfect couple in love.

Narasirato Pan Pipers from Solomon Islands bring their music and traditions and from Australia comes a strong contingent of musicians including multi award-winning blues and roots musician Ash Grunwald; sassy soulstress Mama Kin; Melbourne's The Bombay Royale who revive funky and bizarre music from vintage Indian cinema productions; and Latino-tinged roots rockers Watussi.

The New Zealand music line-up features one of the newest music projects - Pajama Club (with Neil and Sharon Finn); ever-popular reggae act The Black Seeds, Adam Page performing solo and with Riki Gooch in Band of Thousands; Christchurch singer songwriter Amiria Grenell; the dynamic Batucada Sound Machine; a special collaboration between Minuit and Wellington-based Indonesian music ensemble Gamelan Taniwha Jaya; blues musician Paul Ubana Jones; award-winning Maori kapa haka from Te Matarae I Orehu; original ukulele trio The Nukes; and The Yoots performing their blend of calypso-ska and country-soul.

"With more artists to be announced in January 2012, WOMAD 2012 is shaping up to be one of the best," Drew James said.

WOMAD New Zealand 2012 is the eighth WOMAD to be held at the stunning New Plymouth site.

As well as 30 hours of music on the seven stages, WOMAD New Zealand 2012 features artists in conversation, Taste the World - this year hosted by Masterchef runner-up Jax, artist workshops, a global village, sustainable village, Kidzone and the option to camp at the adjacent racecourse. Seniors have special viewing platforms at the three main stages with seating, shade and free water sponsored by TSB Bank.

WOMAD is an international festival created by Peter Gabriel and Thomas Brooman in 1982. Since then 21 countries have hosted the festival and entertained millions of festival goers.

Tickets for WOMAD New Zealand 2012 are now on sale through Ticketek. Early bird three-day adult tickets are available for $199 until Friday 11 November with 300 early bird youth tickets available for $154 until they sell out. Camping tickets are also available including Ezicamp options which include rental of a tent and air bed for $130 (including camping fee). All tickets are subject to Ticketek transaction fees and are available through Ticketek on 0800 TICKETEK (842 538) or www.ticketek.co.nz.

The full line-up and detailed information is available on the WOMAD website.

Dunedin’s Cabinet of Curiosities - Group Show

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 10:58:00 +1300

Featuring Dan Roberts, Anne-Mieke Ytsma, Craig Freeborn and Mariya Semenova.

Curated by Suzanne Claessen.

The Blue Oyster’s Reading Room has been transformed by several Dunedin artists into a Cabinet of Curiosities. This experimental space shows sculpture, jewellery, painting and photography exploring the concept of Kunst- und Wunderkammern (art and wonder room). This is a type of exhibition and collection space that emerged in Europe in the seventeenth century in which collectors sought to create mini-cosms of the world by acquiring and presenting a plethora of objects and artefacts.

In the Cabinet of Curiosities a tension between fiction and science becomes visible through artefacts that are presented as both scientific objects and unreliable story-telling creations. From a wild unicorn captured by scientists exploring the ‘new land’ to a cave painting created by an unknown Dunedin-based community – these are elements of one particular Dunedin Myth.

The Cabinet of Curiosities explores elements of story telling – the primitive and irresistible desire we all have to construct narratives about our surroundings and histories. It also raises questions about exhibition environments that are often taken for granted: is it a museum? A gallery? A scientific archive? A domestic display space? Or is it a personal obsession? The viewer is challenged to distinguish between elements recognised from the outside world and from their own imagination.

Artist and Curator Information

Dan Roberts is currently studying at the Dunedin School of Art. Anne-Mieke Ytsma is a Dunedin-based jeweller, who owns the jewellery label Underground Sundae. Art school dropout and anxiety ridden neo figurative painter Craig Freeborn is an artist based in Dunedin. Mariya Semenova majors in photography at the Dunedin School of Art.

The Cabinet of Curiosities exhibition is part of the curatorial internship Suzanne Claessen is undertaking as part of her Museum Studies course at the University of Amsterdam.

Listing Information

Exhibition runs from October 25 2011 - November 26 2011

Location

Blue Oyster Art Project Space

Basement Moray Chambers Building, Blue door, down alleyway opposite Rialto, 24b Moray Place, Dunedin.

View Larger Map

Artbox Auction 27 October - Fundraising for Christchurch Artists

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 10:23:00 +1300

Your support is requested for the ArtBox Auction, featuring work by more than 50 leading New Zealand artists to be held at Webb's Auction House, Auckland, 27 October at 7pm. All funds raised will contribute to new spaces for Christchurch artists.

ArtBox has been created to address the serious shortage of galleries and studios in Christchurch.

Transportable gallery and studio modules that can be interlocked and clustered to create temporary arts precincts will be rented to Christchurch artists at a minimal weekly charge.

In the first stages,18 modules will be built for $12,500 each. These have already been booked for use by 100 Christchurch artists. Funds raised will contribute towards the construction of these first 18 modules.

ArtBox is supported nationally by leading New Zealand artists including: Don Binney, Nigel Brown, Dick Frizzell, Kristy Gorman, Jason Greig, Sam Harrison, Glen Hayward, Andrew Hemer, Simon Kaan, Hannah Kidd, Peata Larkin, Tony de Lautour, Julia Morison, Miranda Parkes, Seraphine Pick, Jude Rae, Michael Smither, Marte Szirmay, Michel Tuffery, Philip Trusttum, Wayne Youle, and many more.

To view the works for auction and to bid visit:

http://www.webbs.co.nz/auction/artbox-auction

To see and learn more about ArtBox visit: http://artboxnz.weebly.com/

Bids may also be made by phone on the night.

Free Wgtn public admission to see top level weaving in Miromoda Exhibition

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:35:00 +1300

Miromoda: The Indigenous Maori Fashion Apparel Board is hosting Miromoda Fashion Extravaganza this Friday at the TSB Arena, Wellington.

This glamorous event is proudly part of the REAL New Zealand Festival that runs alongside Rugby World Cup. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the planned matinee catwalk show has been cancelled, but the evening catwalk show will go ahead as planned.

“Having two catwalk shows on one day is typical of fashion festivals or fashion weeks and that’s ideally what we wanted for Wellington, especially following the success of our showcase at NZ Fashion Week a few weeks ago. But there is an upside to the change that we’re excited about and I’m sure the general public and our many visitors will appreciate,” says Miromoda Project Manager Ata Te Kanawa.

Due to huge public interest in a one-off exhibition of traditional Maori cloaks, or kakahu, that includes the stunning work of five weavers, across four generations from renown New Zealand weaving family (Hetet-Te Kanawa) Miromoda organisers have agreed to allow free public access to the exhibition at the TSB Arena between 12noon and 4.30pm, before the evening catwalk show opens at 5pm.

The exhibition of kakahu in the Miromoda Fashion Extravaganza celebrates the connection and contrast of traditional and contemporary Maori fashion.

People will also be able to wander through the art, craft and fashion trade stands where some holders are selling one-off fashion items. This designated Trade Area will feature items from the catwalk alongside high-end fashion related Maori products for sale. Maori and contemporary music will fuse the components of the event and VIP corporate tables will serve Maori infused food platters with wine from Maori owned-winery, Tohu.

Te Kanawa says the French name Hetet is synonymous to the Maori family of weavers and with the French team and its heavy presence of supporters arriving in the capital for the rugby this weekend, it has added a degree of romance.

“We will have two translators on hand to explain the art of traditional Maori weaving and I’m sure the French will be interested in how the legacy of the Hetet name is very much in profile in New Zealand as well as, the beauty of works of themselves,” says Te Kanawa.

Ludovious Hetet was a French whaler who married Rangituatahi, the daughter of a Ngati Maniapoto chief in the mid 1840s. The couple had three sons and one daughter of which many descendants remain and are concentrated in the King Country area.

The evening catwalk show will feature 10 top Maori fashion designers and models, six of whom showed at NZ Fashion Week. These include overall Miromoda winner Adrienne Whitewood from Rotorua, Auckland label Dmonic Intent and Whiri from New Plymouth. Adding to the mix is the new Wellington label Hermione Flynn and the Hutchinson Sisters from Auckland.

Australian-based Miromoda designers, Blair Archibald (Melbourne) and Tara Warren (Brisbane) will also show their capsule collections and there’s a welcome return of Titahi based designer Wiremu Barriball, his stock of shoes, pressure tees and laser engraved leather accessories. Having opened his own store ‘Revolution Aotearoa’ in Porirua’s North City Plaza, Barriball has extended his range of designs to include a new rugby boot that is bound to create interest.

Project Coordinator Terina Cowan says there will be the usual element of surprise for a Miromoda event and hinted at a high profile rugby player in the line-up of male models alongside Wellington Bachelor of the year Daley Tapa and runner-up Alistair Boyd. Pre-show hosting venues have been organised as either VIP or GLAM packages and cameo appearances of players from any of the four Rugby World Cup 2011 teams scheduled for the double whammy rugby weekend which sees France play Tonga and NZ All Blacks vs Canada are being talked up as being “very possible” at the Miromoda office.

“Obviously, international guests, corporate and dignitaries will have a different expectation of the VIP packages than the ‘chicky babes’ who will most likely book Glam tickets for the glass of complimentary bubbles at any of the six inner city bars and within walking distance to the venue,” says Cowan. As well as girlfriends forming groups to have the ‘perfect girl outing’, Cowan says a ticket to Miromoda is probably a good leveraging tool for men who want a trade-off for blokes-only rugby and beer sessions.

The audience of more than 1200 quests will be made up of members of the public, national and international corporate representatives, VIP guests, dignitaries and media.

“We want people to experience the hype and glam of a fashion event with red carpet, photographers, beautiful people in beautiful clothes, and the effervescence of indigenous fashion in a contemporary context,” claims Cowan.

For more information
Contact Ata Te Kanawa 04 473 0557 or 027 5543382
Or Terina Cowan 04 473 0557 or 0274527409

JEMposium - four day international contemporary jewellery symposium

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 14:45:00 +1200

JEMposium brings together contemporary jewellers, collectors, curators, critics, and jewellery enthusiasts from New Zealand and abroad to discuss and celebrate the art of jewellery. The symposium will be held in Wellington from 10th-13th of February 2012.

Keynote speakers

For more information and registration visit www.jemposium.co.nz

Downstage & Taki Rua Productions present Awhi Tapu by Albert Belz All they have is each other.

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 10:31:00 +1200

Downstage and Taki Ruahave had a long and fruitful relationship ever since Taki Rua was founded in the 1980’s. Some of the company’s most important and fondly remembered productions have appeared at Downstage, including:

Purapurawhetu
The Untold Tales of Mauiwith Taika Waititi & Jemaine Clement (and a cameo from Cliff Curtis)
The Prophet
Nga Tangata Toa

Since 2009 Downstage has provided Taki Rua with a ‘home base’ for performance in Wellington as part of its Resident Company Programme. During that time Taki Rua has presented Strange Resting Places and Mark Twain and Me in Maoriland. The culmination of that three-year residency is a brand new production of Albert Belz’s award-winning play Awhi Tapu which opens Downstage’s Season Two 2011.

Awhi Tapu (Sacred Embrace) is the name of a fictional small town in the Urewera Ranges, devastated by the loss of the forestry industry that sustained it. With no leaders to guide them and nothing left to believe in, four young friends make the town their own fantasy playground. But the fantasy turns serious as the need to give their lives a purpose leads to a last-ditch effort to resurrect the town they once knew.

Albert Belz is a Bruce Mason Award-winning playwright who describes Awhi Tapu as his most ‘evolved’ play, and says that it is about ‘revolution’.

Its combination of humour and tragedy has had a number of successful productions around NZ since its 2003 debut.Downstage is proud to present this evolved and mature work in 2011.

This is one of two of Albert’s scripts to be performed at Downstage this season, with Raising the Titanics scheduled for December.

Another artist with strong ties to Taki Rua and Downstage is Leo Gene Peters. This softly-spoken Texan (yes, they exist) directed, designed and co-devised the tremendously successful Strange Resting Places for Taki Rua, and his own company – a slightly isolated dog – brought the critically acclaimed Death and the Dreamlife of Elephants to Downstage earlier this year.

The cast are four talented and charming young actors, who have worked with Leo Gene to create the tight-knit group of friends in Awhi Tapu.

James Tito (Ngāti Tuwharetoa/Ngāpuhi) plays Wendyl, the unofficial leader of the group. Strong-willed, but sensitive, it’s Wendyl’s leadership that takes them all down the path of irrevocable action.

James recently graduated from Toi Whakaari:New Zealand Drama School, where he played one of Shakespeare’s great comic roles as Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Tola Newbery plays Sonny, the playful joker of the gang, who imagines their life as a Hollywood blockbuster with Denzel Washington, naturally, portraying himself.

Tola is from Lyttleton, Christchurch and recently returned home to see the effects of the earthquake for himself and, more importantly, “to stoke up the home fires that keep me inspired”

Matariki Whatarau( Ngati Kahungunu/ Ngāti Raukawa/ Ngāti Whanaunga) is Casper ‘the Hindu’, a Fijian Indian brought up in Awhi Tapu. A sensitive soul, he takes plenty of stick from his mates, but may just be the glue that holds them together.

Matariki has been working side by side with Taki Rua for five years now, and plans to continue with the company ‘for many years to come’.

Kura Forrester (Ngati Porou) plays Girl Girl, a mysterious young woman who hasn’t spoken or made a sound since her father left Awhi Tapu many years previously.

Kura is a graduate of Unitec and can be spotted at the moment on Maori Television’s Toku Reo “reinforcing how cool it is to korero”. She has appeared in another Albert Belz play Whero’s New Net, but this will be her first Taki Rua production.

All four actors will make their Downstage debuts this season.

Audio Described performance: Downstage and Taki Rua have scheduled a special Audio Described Performance to enable access to blind and sight-impaired audience members.

Awhi Tapu

14 – 30 July (Public preview 13 July $25)

Meet the Artists Tues 19 July

Season details including show times

For interview or photo requests, please email marketing@downstage.co.nz

A tale of friendship in a world of boxes - Capital E

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 09:40:00 +1200

Capital E National Theatre for Children welcomes home charming puppets Bernie and Elton in their production of Boxes.Following a hit season in Auckland and Australia, this popular show returns to delight Wellington families in the July school holidays.

Elton is moving house and all his belongings are packed up in boxes. As he sets up home, the stage fills with furniture and objects ingeniously created from cardboard boxes, all shapes and sizes. But something is amiss… histea turns into coffee, his flowers disappear and he discovers someone has been sleeping in his bed! As he comes face to face with the mysterious Bernie, a witty tale of friendship unfolds as they discover it’s much easier to enjoy a cup tea together than argue over whose place setting is best.

Directed by Peter Wilson, brought to life by the amazing talents of Australian-based puppeteers Annie Forbes and Tim Denton, complete with a toe-tapping and engaging score composed by Thomas Press, this is perfect entertainment for the whole family.

Creative Producer, Stephen Blackburn, explains, “As the show is predominantly a visual experience full of magical moments, it provides ideal entertainment for families who are new to the English language and children with hearing impairments to enjoy this enchanting story ─ it really is a delight for all.”

After seeing the show, children can drop into the Capital E playground and have fun creating their own box inspired masterpiece to take home.

Book tickets for the opening show on Saturday 16 July and you could be one of 10 people receiving a Mystery Prize Box full of treats and entertainment for the kids.

When: 16 - 30July

Time: Sat 16 2pm Mon 18 – Sat 30 11am & 1pm

Venue: McKenzie Theatre, Capital E

Booking: Call 04 913 3740 or visit www.capitale.org.nz

Behind Closed Doors - exhibition opening soon

Tue, 31 May 2011 13:55:00 +1200

From June to December the Adam Art Gallery presents, Behind Closed Doors: New Zealand Art from Private Collections in Wellington, a major exhibition that sets out to canvass selective ‘moments’ in a history of New Zealand art from 1946 to the present, drawn exclusively from private collections in Wellington.

This revealing exhibition provides a rare opportunity to see works that complement and extend the holdings of New Zealand’s public and corporate collections. The paintings, sculptures, and works on paper are simultaneously significant works by major figures and tributes to the often close relationships that accrue between artists and their patrons.

Many of the selected works are physically and psychologically ambitious, supporting the claim that it is possible to stage a ‘museum-quality’ show drawn exclusively from private sources. There are also works that are modest and delicate, testament to the intimate and personal relationships developed by living with art.

The exhibition includes paintings by renowned artists Toss Wollaston and Colin McCahon, seldom-seen works by Michael Smither and Rita Angus, along with provocative multimedia art works by Peter Robinson and Ronnie van Hout.

Behind Closed Doors has also become a portrait of Wellington city. Working like a sleuth, curator of the exhibition and Gallery Director, Christina Barton has uncovered a surprising number of committed art lovers in the city, whose collecting endeavours discreetly nourish Wellington’s cultural life.

The exhibition will be complemented by a book documenting a selection of the works as they appear at home, with photographs by leading New Zealand photographer Neil Pardington and texts by writer Lara Strongman. This is designed to offer an intimate alternative to the ‘institutional’ framing of works at the Adam Art Gallery. This publication will be launched in August.

Please note that Behind Closed Doors opens to the public Saturday 4 June 2011, 11am and continues until 18th December.

Behind Closed Doors: New Zealand Art from Private Collections in Wellington is supported by Creative New Zealand.

National Recording Studio Open Day: Saturday 28 May - free - but reserve a place

Fri, 13 May 2011 13:44:00 +1200

National Recording Studios Open Day participants

An impressive physical and stylistic range of fourteen music recording facilities from Dunedin to Silverdale, are taking part in the second National Recording Studios Open Day, on Saturday May 28, from midday to 4pm.

They include community and university facilities, two newly opened private studios and several of the country¹s best known and most highly regarded studios.

In descending geographic order they are:

Hysteria Studio, Keith Hay Court Silverdale: www.hysteriamanagement.com or ph (09) 421 0945
Earwig Studios, Birkenhead Auckland: www.earwigstudios.co.nz or ph (09) 480 2219
Depot Sound, Devonport Auckland: www.depotsound.co.nz or ph (09) 963 2331
York Street, Parnell Auckland: www.yorkstreet.co.nz or ph (09) 307 1444
Montage Recordings, Grey Lynn Auckland: www.montagestudio.co.nz or ph (09) 376 2691
Roundhead Studios, Newton Auckland: www.roundheadstudios.com or ph (09) 377 7600
The Lab Recording Studio, Mt Eden Auckland: www.labstudio.co.nz or ph (09) 623 3930
The Rock Factory, Sylvia Park Auckland: www.therockfactory.net or ph (09) 270 9555
The Stomach, Palmerston North: www.creativesounds.org.nz or ph (06) 359 0120
Tsunami Sound Studios, Levin: www.tmv.co.nz or ph (06) 368 3655
PAF - Villa Number 9, Upper Main Drive Porirua: www.paf.co.nz or ph (027) 454 8523
STL Audio, Webb St, Wellington: www.stlaudio.co.nz or ph (04) 801 5602
Angels Gate Recording Studio, Sydenham Christchurch: www.angelsgate.co.nz or ph (03) 366 7640
Albany Street Studios, (NZMiC) Dunedin: www.nzmic.org or ph (03) 479 8885

Chartfest 2011 - CPIT to host expo for aspiring musicians

Fri, 06 May 2011 16:00:00 +1200

Aspiring musicians can keep pace with drummer Bobby Kennedy from OpShop, hone their song writing skills with L.A Mitchell and meet music industry professionals at the Chartfest Music Industry & Career Expo at CPIT on May 14.

CPIT Jazz School graduate L.A Mitchell (Fly My Pretties and Top 10 band The Dukes) said it is more important than ever to inspire young people. "I am really excited to be in Christchurch for this year’s Chartfest; it seems important that things continue to move forward and inspiration gets through to those who need a boost or some motivation.”

Mitchell will explore songwriting techniques during a programme of interactive clinics with leading Christchurch musicians.

Bobby Kennedy from OpShop will lead a drum clinic and CPIT Jazz School tutors Andy Genge (Oval Office) and Richie Pickard (Solaa, Oval Office) present a guitar and bass clinic followed by a live jam.

The expo will connect students with industry representatives and training opportunities. “As a result of having a full day on the CPIT campus, attendees at Chartfest will get a taste of student life with a CPSA BBQ being planned, as well as the opportunity to meet with esteemed CPIT graduates, like LA Mitchell, and have a look at the different bridges between aspects of the music industry,” CPIT Dean of the Faculty of Creative Industries Jane Gregg said.

Line-up

Chartfest is Christchurch’s NZ Music Month celebration. This year Chartfest opens with a just-announced performance by The Feelers at 11.30am – 12.20pm, followed by the free, all-ages Music Industry & Career Expo at 1.30pm. The city’s best emerging musicians perform at the Band Search finals at 4pm and the Live Sessions showcase of leading South Island musicians (Lyttelton supergroup The Harbour Union, 1990s progressive art punk band Squirm, RDU98.5FM Dux de Lux RoundUp winners The Guest and others) kicks off at 7pm.

A special performance of Hatch: Monday May 30, 8 pm, Victoria Theatre

Fri, 06 May 2011 00:00:00 +1200

You are invited to a special fund-raising performance of Hatch, a play by Geoff Chapple, starring renowned actor Stuart Devenie.

Hatch is a rollicking one-man play based on a shocking true story from New Zealand’s past, with alarming insights into the country’s record on conservation.

Joseph Hatch, upstanding citizen, ex-Mayor of Invercargill, Member of Parliament and successful businessman, was thrust headfirst into an international controversy over his slaughter of more than three million penguins on Macquarie Island. He was hounded by the New Zealand Government, The Times of London, the Seamen's Union and even H.G. Wells for his slaughter of penguins - the first international conservation effort. In this production Hatch will, as he did in 1920, try to clear his name and justify his actions. You be the judge.

Hatch was written by Geoff Chapple, while he held the first ever residency at the Michael King Writers’ Centre in Devonport in 2005. The play, described as a theatrical tour-de-force by the NZ Herald, was produced by the Auckland Theatre Company, was staged as part of the Auckland Arts Festival and has toured New Zealand and Tasmania.

The play returns to Devonport for one night only, for its first performance on Auckland’s North Shore. Geoff Chapple and Stuart Devenie will be available to meet members of the audience after the performance.

The Michael King Writers’ Centre wishes to thank Geoff and Stuart for their support.

Ticket Info

Tickets cost $35. The evening is a fund-raiser for the Michael King Writers’ Centre.

For tickets or further information, please phone 09 445 8451 or email administrator@writerscentre.org.nz.

Hook, Line and Sinker - film premiere

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +1200

Following the success of our previous feature Taking the Waewae Express, we are currently on the countdown to the theatrical release of our latest film Hook, Line & Sinker, an ensemble piece with a terrific cast including Geraldine Brophy, Rangimoana Taylor, Carmel McGlone, Matthew Chamberlain and Dame Kate Harcourt. Developed using the improvisational methods of British filmmaker Mike Leigh (Another Year), and oriented towards an older audience, Hook, Line & Sinker is full of singing and unexpected humour, and is a story that touches on the realities of the lives of working people in New Zealand.

It premieres onMonday 2 May in Wellington at the Embassy Theatre, followed by ten regional premieres and charity screenings organised by Macular Degeneration New Zealand who are partnering with us on promotion and distribution, before begining its 39 screen (and still counting) theatrical release on Thursday 5 May. Tickets to the premiere are available through our website www.torchlightfilms.co.nz/hls

Shot over 5 weeks with a crew of 12, a cast of 100, in 35 different locations, it was shot on a cash budget of less than $40000. Such is the power of community. Hook, Line & Sinker breaks all the rules, on and off the screen, and we self-distribute. Hook, Line & Sinker is grassroots filmmaking at its greenest, a new way of making and delivering films in the digital age, and there's not a hobbit in sight.

Please do visit our website www.torchlightfilms.co.nz/hls for more about the film and about us, as well as trailer, interviews and Taking the Waewae Express.

Adam Play Award winner to be named at Circa on Saturday

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +1200

The Adam New Zealand Play Award, to be announced on Saturday, recognises and celebrates the best in new writing for the theatre. The annual award, now in its fourth year, is the only one of its kind for new writing and encourages writers to banish all self censoring, all worries about what theatres want, what is affordable and what they think audiences want to see. This freedom has been the impetus for many writers’ best work.

This year the competition had 56 entries that were assessed by five judges.

Playmarket is happy to announce that the shortlisted plays and playwrights for 2011 are:

The Cup by Dan Cleary
The Third Age by Jennifer Compton
Tough’s Haulage by Justin Eade
Self Defence by Denis Edwards
Angelo, Solly, the Nona and the Gallows by Denis Edwards
E ono tama’i pato by Maureen Fepulea’i
Rona and Rabbit on the Moon by Whiti Hereaka
Fool’s Paradise by Margot McRae
Rushing Dolls by Courtney Meredith
Problems by Joe Musaphia
Hero by Arun Subramaniam
Sliderhands by Georgina Titheridge

The Award winner will be announced at Wellington’s Circa Theatre on Saturday 9 April at 2pm, followed by a rehearsed reading of the winning play.

The event is open to the public and Playmarket encourages all to come see and support the best new writing emerging from Aotearoa and the writers whose vision and skill lead this work.
To secure a seat, please contact: aneta@playmarket.org.nz.

As well as the major award, Playmarket will be announcing winners in the categories of Best Play by a Maori Playwright, Best Play by a Pasifika Playwright, Best Play by a Woman Playwright and the Pumphouse Theatre Prize for an Auckland Playwright.

Thanks to the generosity of the Adam Foundation the winner will receive a cash prize of $5000, with the category winners each receiving $1000.

PLAYMARKET is grateful for the generosity and support of The Adam Foundation, The Pumphouse Theatre, The Play Press, Circa Theatre, Huia Publishers and our major funders: ASB Community Trust and Creative New Zealand.

Pao Pao Pao 2011 - Proceeds to Christchurch

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +1300

Maisey Rika joins the lineup of Pao Pao Pao 2011, presented by Toi Māori Aotearoa. Also performing in the annual Māori Music showcase to sing their support for victims of the Christchurch earthquake are:

Billy TK Senior
Mara TK
Tyna Keelan
Ria Hall
Bela Kalolo
David Grace
Matiu Te Huki
Wai
Toni Huata
Bebe Deluxe
Porirua reggae band Vintage

The two-hour show will be held at Pipitea Marae, Wellington on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 May 2011 and will feature a range of musical genres from Pūoro Māori to soul, hip hop, reggae and funk, all with Māori musical influences.

Tickets and further details are available at www.maoriart.org.nz/events/pao-pao-pao