A lively programme of 27 events that traverse the full gamut of arts experiences will take over the city from October 19-29 as the 13th biennial Tauranga Arts Festival unfolds.
The festival programme is now live at: www.taurangafestival.co.nz And audiences are in for a real treat, with some of our finest theatre makers, writers, comedians, poets, singers and artists set to energise the city with 10 days of arts.
The festival will host artists such as rising star and alt-pop sensation Theia, novelist Emily Perkins, filmmaker Gaylene Preston, award-winning theatre maker Katie Wolfe, Morgana O'Reilly of ‘Mean Mums' fame, The Veils' Finn Andrews, ground-breaking director Anapela Polata'ivao, local hero Lynley Dodd, revered Samoan actor Maiava Nathaniel Lees, ‘That Bloody Woman's' Esther Stephens, Ockham Book Award winner Tusiata Avia, NZTrio and songbirds like Anna Coddington, Julia Deans and Mel Parsons.
Something for everyone
The first programme curated by new artistic director and Arts Foundation Laureate Shane Bosher, he wants everyone in Tauranga Moana to feel like the festival has made space for them.
'From hip-hop street dance battles to interactive space adventures to raucous funnies with Aotearoa's queens of comedy, there really is something for everyone.
'The programme strikes a balance between thought-provoking contemporary work, which will expand your mind, and inclusive free community events for the whole whānau. Locals, visitors, arts buffs and first-timers are all welcome,” says Shane.
The theatre programme offers the opportunity to experience some of the finest original works made in Aotearoa in recent years. ‘The Haka Party Incident' joins ‘The Savage Coloniser Show', ‘UPU', ‘Stories About My Body' and ‘Tea with Terrorists' to bring provocative and inspirational theatre to the stage.
‘The Haka Party Incident' will bring provocative and inspirational theatre to the stage. Photo: Sacha Stejko Norm Heke.
For ages seven to 70-plus, ‘Mission Control: Mars' combines live performance and video game engine technology to team up and launch a rocket to Mars. Meanwhile, ‘Moon' is created for younger audience including pre-school youngsters.
The live music programme is an exciting blend of genres from Ireland's award-winning Gráda to the soft alt-country tones of Jenny Mitchell.
Ten years ago, vocalist Tama Waipara knocked out Tauranga audiences in Silo Theatre's ‘Brel'. He returns to the festival with ‘Te Katoa', a stirring catalogue of new waiata that explore whakapapa and legacy.
Whole whanau
The whole whānau are invited to the waterfront on Saturday, October 28, for Waiata Mai. Aiming to bring people together through song while uplifting te reo Māori, this free event is led by local heroes such as Ria Hall and is curated by Tauranga's own Jason Te Mete.
Biggie & Smalls is an epic show of street dance fun for the whole whānau. Locals are encouraged to join in a free workshop one night – then get to show off their skills at a family-friendly street dance battle the next night. Winners are judged and crowned by the audience.
For comedy lovers Tauranga's favourite country music legend from Cripple Creek, Colorado, Wilson Dixon returns with an all-new show made especially for Tauranga Arts Festival. And 2023 Billy T Award, winner Abby Howells will offer a hilarious take on love and nautical trauma. Fellow comedians and TV stars Justine Smith and Kura Forrester round out a comedy programme.
The Visual Arts programme celebrates the work of Tauranga Moana artists through special partnerships with Toi Tauranga Art Gallery, Toi Ohomai | Te Pūkenga and the Heritage Collection. Highlights include an interactive installation where punters follow a hidden city-wide trail for Wunderboxes, and a wickedly playful take on inclusion via ‘A Seat at the Table'. Plus, a
meeting of old and new ideas informs ‘Te Whakaata I Te Matapihi: Glimpses' which asks rangatahi to respond to objects found in city's Heritage Collection.
Multiple locations
The 2023 festival takes over the city in multiple locations including the Cargo Shed, Carrus Crystal Palace, Edgewater Fan, Baycourt Community & Arts Centre, University of Waikato and special pop-up locations such as Red Square. Tauranga Arts Festival runs October 19-29. For more information and bookings, visit: www.taurangafestival.co.nz