The No.8 Wire - Issue 12

An Electronic Alert for 408 of Wellington's Creative People



12.00
IF YOU HAVE A HANKERING TO...

be removed from this email list…

you know someone who might want to be added…

or you have contents, events, opportunities, or comments to contribute to the No. 8 Wire, please send complete details to arts@wcc.govt.nz


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12.01
TAIL/TOP
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12.02
OPEN DAY FOR BALLET

DANZ invites you to an open day at the Royal New Zealand Ballet studios: 10am to 2pm on Saturday, September 18. Stop by the Westpac St James Theatre in Courtenay Place and inspect the behind-the-scenes action, including costumes, dance rehearsals, and a side glance at the upcoming opera production, Carmen. The open day is free, but by guided tour only. Call DANZ on 801-9885 for details.

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12.03
WHAT WHAT

An installation by Thomas Bayrle, with students from Massey University’s Fine Arts programme, will be unleashed at The Dowse Museum in Lower Hutt. The show, called Cupcup, opens with a September 17 reception and runs through mid-November. Bayrle deals with issues such as mass production, the madness of crowds, and the standardisation of culture. He is the 2004 artist in residence at Massey University. For details on Cupcup, call the Dowse on 570-6500.

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12.04
NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE OF CELLULOID

Check out the rock and roll on this great site
http://www.filmarchive.org.nz/
which features your on-line source for great film, video, and media arts events
http://events.filmarchive.org.nz/
and a wee bit about Wellington’s own little filmic axis mundi
http://www.filmarchive.org.nz/viewing/mediaplex.html
It rocks.

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12.05
COLD BOXING DAY

ICE: A public installation by Maxe Fisher hits Wellington Waterfront (near Barnett Street). Wellington’s Artbox Trust has installed it’s latest commission, which appears as an ever-melting solid state, comprised of both hydrogen and oxygen atoms. Here’s how it can, and has been described…

With ICE, Maxe Fisher has chosen to place a 1m3 ton of ice along the waterfront where fishing launches used to land their catch. It situates the work within the history of the fishing industry in Wellington while expressing a state of being in-between.

ICE references the constant invisible presence of the vapour state of water since Fisher’s arrival in Wellington, which moistens the condition of all things. The cubic metre of ice is constructed from the collected waters of her dehumidifier which are then frozen as a cultural symbol of her origins. The transitory nature of the ice signifies the disappearance of the meaning of place and draws attention to the mutation of memory through the transformation of the cube of ice as it slowly dissolves.

The apparent solidity and transparency of this cube inverses the sense of the transparent acrylic Art Box, which is in fact, empty. It is only walls. Intentional to this project is the inversion and deconstruction of the seemingly solid geometry of the Art Box into an object that is seemingly a mass, yet, is not. The cube as a form or container derived from minimalism reflects the concept of a cube as a space for art. Integral to the work is the performative element of the installation and conclusion of a single ton of ice through the temporal element of its natural and gradual transition from ice to water and vapour. As the cube gradually melts and reaches an appropriate dimension and weight, it will be pushed and shifted into the harbour waters, a place to arrival and departure, of coming and going.

ICE is a continuation of Maxe Fisher’s investigations in to the cube as a form of artistic expression. AU, a recent installation of a reflective industrial-gold glass cube in a public space in Montreal, referenced the gold mining history along the Cadillac Fault in eastern Canada. Maxe Fisher has exhibited throughout Quebec and Ontario and holds an MFA from Concordia University, Montreal, She currently lectures at Victoria University School of Design in Wellington.

Details and images will be updated at www.artbox.org.nz/ice.htm

For further information please contact: Katharine Allard, The Art Box Project Trust, email: artbox@artbox.org.nz or phone: 0211848741

Artists interested in submitting a proposal for a future Artbox project, or those who just want to learn more, should have a gander at www.artbox.org.nz

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12.06
HOT SAUCE WITH THAT?

Wellington’s next Salsadrome is scheduled for Friday 24th September, while October 8th will bring the Salsadrome Showcase in a suitcase Cuban Styles dance party. Both events will be at Wellington Performing Arts centre, 36 Vivian Street, from 7:30 till late.....
 
And, for those who want to get bitten by the Latin bug, Wellington’s famed Orquestra Salvaje will have the Botanic Gardens buzzing with a free afternoon concert (3:30-5:00pm) on  Saturday 18 September at the soundshell. Thousands of tulips will be swaying to the hot Latin beat, and you should be too. Come along for a little 'salsa fresca' in the fresh air!

It’s all here
http://www.salsadrome.co.nz

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12.07
LEAN, MEAN, GREEN, ELECTED AND WORN

Apocalypse now for Wearable Arts
Greens MP Mike Ward has entered this month's World of Wearable Arts (WOW) in Nelson, unleashing his message about the future of the environment.
Mr Ward's entry, 'Post-Apocalyptic Pacific Troubadour', was inspired by his vision of the planet after the battle for its resources had been fought.
"At some stage we'll be fighting it out for oil and water, consuming ourselves into oblivion," said Mr Ward, the Green Party's Arts and Culture spokesperson.
"The 'Troubadour', has survived the resource war and tells the tale of how it was won, in verse. It's a cross between Mad Max and a minstrel."
Mr Ward's entry consists of a suit with metal helmet, sunglasses, codpiece and flax cloak. The model will also hold a large staff, which incorporates a playable ukulele.
This year's WOW, held September 10-12, is the festival's last time in Nelson. From 2005, it will be held in Wellington. Mr Ward doubts Wellington can produce the vibrant festival atmosphere that Nelson does.
"If you go down to Nelson you can't miss it, everybody will be talking about it - it transforms the city," he said.
"Wellington has lots of events so you'll easily be able to ignore it. Wearable Arts may simply disappear into the capital crowd."
This will be his fourth entry in the enormously successful festival. In 2001, he won the 'Man Unleashed' section with a huge tailed creation, titled 'Sir Edmonds', a pun on Edmonds Baking Powder's slogan 'Sure to rise', which symbolises man's ability to rise to the occasion.
He says he doesn't know of any other MPs in New Zealand entering WOW.
"Most artists aren't stupid enough to go into politics," he said.
World of Wearable Arts festival Begins 8pm, September 10

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12.08
DRAMATIC RUSSIAN

The Government Inspector: Pride, deception, lust, and a large helping of mistaken identity all appear in humorous abundance in Drama Christi's latest adaptation of Nikolai Gogol's The Government Inspector. A lowly traveller from Moscow stops in a small nameless town where corruption and bribery are rampant. A severe case of mistaken identity leads the townspeople to indulge the new stranger with confessions, favours and bribes, but where does it all end? Waged $10, Unwaged & Student $6

Performance Dates/Times
Friday September 10th 8pm
Saturday September 11th 4pm
Sunday September 12th 4pm
Thursday September 16th 8pm
Friday September 17th 8pm
Saturday September 18th 4pm
Sunday September 19th 4pm
To reserve a seat please phone 475-9562.  Drama Christi Studio is located at 75 Taranaki St, Wellington.

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12.09
SHUTTERBUG

Wellington Photographic Society has several upcoming meetings that might be of interest to camera users in town. The Monday, September 27 gathering will include a half dozen photographers with work in the Photographic Society NZ Honours Exhibition. Wayne Hoise will also present and lecture on his recent in-camera double and triple exposure images. October 12 brings James Gilberd from Wellington’s Photospace, who will be selecting images fro the WPS Annual Exhibition in November. Both events will begin at 7:30pm in the Arts Centre (Oriental Bay Rotunda). To get involved, or learn more, call 232-8367 or 803-3565.

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12.10
THE LITERARY BUG

The Wellington-based International Institute of Modern Letters has announced its September and October events, and you are invited. The literary readings are free, and include…

17 September
My Real Life and My False Steps: Julian Novitz & Kate Duignan (Stout Research Centre, Victoria University)

24 September
The (Un)fortunate Singer: Rachel Bush (Stout Research Centre)

1 October
New Voices: Scriptwriting Showcase (City Gallery)

Part One: Chris Bennett, Geoffrey Clendon, Mandy Hager, Vanessa Rhodes, Bianca Zander

8 October
New Voices: Scriptwriting Showcase (City Gallery)

Part Two: Marian Evans, Wiremu Grace, Megan Ritchie, Matthew Saville, Donna Wright

Want details? Send a well-crafted letter to modernletters@vuw.ac.nz or ring up the IIML on 463 6854.

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12.11
THE SINGING BUG

Wellington World Choir, conducted by Bert van Dijk, has started rehearsals again, and is looking for a few good voices. Upcoming repertoire will include an exciting collection of polyphonic songs from around the world, each capturing a unique mood and rhythm.
 
Singing is an essential part of the experience of life, that fulfils our need for self expression and belonging. Bert van Dijk encourages in this choir a way of singing from comes from the soles of our feet, allowing the voice to blend in with the ensemble without loosing its unique individual quality.
 
The Choir is open to anyone who can hold a tune and enjoys singing with others! Please, spread the word and come and enjoy this uplifting experience!
 
General practice (open to anyone who can hold a tune)
Dates: Tuesday evenings: Sept 7 - Dec 14 (no session on Sept 28) from 6:30pm to 7:45pm. Cost is $75.00 for 14 sessions. Venue is Catholic Church, 173 Clyde St., Island Bay (from Sept 21 practice will be at St Hilda's Church, 311 The Parade, Island Bay)

Performance group (open to confident singers participated in at least 10 practices previously)
Dates: Tuesday evenings: Sept 7 - Dec 14 (no session on Sept 28) from 7:45pm to 9:15pm. Cost is $75.00 for 14 sessions. Venue is Catholic Church, 173 Clyde St., Island Bay (from Sept 21 practice will be at St Hilda's Church, 311 The Parade, Island Bay)
 
Interested? Get in touch with Bert at bertvd@clear.net.nz

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12.12
THE POETRY BUG

Wellington’S 2nd annual International Poetry Festival will take place from October 7 to 11, and the programme is coming together this very minute.

The literary festivities open with a free 6:30pm launch event and readings at Porirua’s Pataka Museum, which will include a dozen writers from as far as India, Sweden and Estonia. The following day, look for the poetry of the Americas to fill Te Papa’s Marae, and Kiwi poetry to be in the spotlight at City Gallery. Consult the complete schedule on the festival website:
www.poetryfestival.org.nz or contact Ron Riddell and Saray Torres for more information: poetfest@paradise.net.nz

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12.13
SPEAKING ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHY

The New Zealand Centre for Photography would like to remind you that Janet Bayly, curator of Songs of Innocence(Photographs of a New Zealand Childhood by John Pascoe) is giving a floor-talk at the Museum of Wellington City & Sea, Queens Wharf. She will shed light on the exhibition at 1pm on Sunday, October 10. The exhibition closes that same day, so don’t miss this free finale lecture.

For more on the New Zealand Centre for Photography, call 915-1507 or 021-718-941, send email to centrephot@clear.net.nz or consult the website: http://nzcp.wellington.net.nz

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12.14
GRANTS, GET YOUR GRANTS

Artists, organisations, and creative efforts looking for funding should consult the Wellington City Council’s grants programmes. Guidelines and forms are available at the following website
http://www.wellington.govt.nz/services/grants/index.html
Check out the Creative Communities scheme and the Arts & Culture grants, and call 385-1929 for help.
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12.15
SAM SAYS: PHOENIX RISING

Howdy,

soooooo....in the last couple of weeks we have got back in to recording our second album and all things going to plan it should in the can by October, just in time for us to go on tour with Cassette as part of the Low Hum Rolling Thunder Revue.

But in the mean time we are heading to Auckland this weekend for a couple of gigs....

Saturday the 11th of September at The K'Road Ballroom with Voom and Disasteradio. Hoorah!

and Sunday the 12th of September at the Leigh Sawmill Cafe in Leigh...very good spot! I highly recommend coming out to Leigh for the afternoon. enjoy some time at the beach and then roll in to the sawmill for a tasty pizza and an early show from old phoenix. We will playing at about 8pm and doing a diverse set. They have a grand piano!

Then on Friday the 17th of September we are back in Wellington to play with David Kilgour and The Heavy Eights. David is on tour to promote his fantastic new album Frozen Orange.

....in further news, we are doing a live at Helens this Friday for National Radio. Oh my golly we got nominated for best album at the Tui's (the NZ Music Awards).....we'll be off to Oz in November, expect a new single 'Hitchcock' in the coming weeks and make sure you vote at the local body elections!

cheers
the family phoenix
Samuel Flynn Scott
The Phoenix Foundation
04 8025922

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12.16
FROM THE THEATRE WORLD: RUSHING TO BATS

Get your dose of choice dance at BATS this week with Sacha Copland's latest work Rush Hour opening tonight and Massif, from Shack and Paddock tomorrow - both shows run till Saturday.

And if you haven't been down to BATS lately come and have a drink in The Pit and check out our spunky new foyer! Next week we have the much anticipated Leaving the Underworld by Fiona Truelove, not to be missed...

BOOK NOW - To book for any performance simply reply to this email with your name, number of tickets and date you wish to attend. We will reply to confirm your booking and you can pay when you come to the show.

Rush Hour
Season: Tuesday 7 - Saturday 11 September
Time: 7pm
Tickets: $15 full/$10 concession

RUSH HOUR is a finely tuned dance show with power steering and a tank full of gas. Explosive physicality and athletic flair are utilised to tell urban stories of heartbreak intermingled with the common struggle to get the bills paid, the letters in the post, a warrant for the car, a change of address and find the keys........on time! Choreographer Sacha Copland creates another feisty dance work, exploring ordinary themes with extraordinary physicality following on from her sell-out season of 'Espresso' and 'The Platinum Connection', a theatrical collaboration. RUSH HOUR accelerates through an eclectic soundtrack with sound design by Alexis Copland and songs performed live by actor Jean Copland in a familiar collaboration. Lighting design by the award winning Jennifer Lal. The all female cast of RUSH HOUR will stop traffic!

Massif
Season: Wednesday 8 - Saturday 11 September
Time: 9pm
Tickets: $14 full/$10 concession

MASSIF is dance theatre inspired by the intrepid madness of those who climb mountains. A band of foolhardy mountaineers attempt the summit. They will climb, fall, crawl and trek their way through absurdity and altitude on a mission to the beginning of an end. Devised from experiences by mountaineers (some we have met & some we haven¹t) and sustained by freeze-dried staging reheated in snowmelt, they expose their extremities to an icy Wellington winter. They will traverse crevasses and laugh at peril with the sickly wheezing of the oxygen deprived. They will skid on scree. They may yodel. Getting to the top is climbing a mountain, getting back down is climbing yourself. Part spoof, part dance, part theatre, the show includes acrobatics, rope gymnastics and imaginative and evocative lighting design, and a soundtrack inspired by true life adventures, in a goat shed somewhere in the Swiss Alps. Brought to you by Shack and Paddock -  Angelina Sbroma and Deanna Waters.


BATS Theatre
1 Kent Terrace
Wellington, Aotearoa
bats@bats.co.nz
bookings 802 4175
www.bats.co.nz

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12.17
CLASSICAL COLLISION

Elena ‘s Cultural Symphony will take over the Michael Fowler Centre on 1 October 2004.

Elena’s Cultural Symphony combines the classical music of NGC Wellington Sinfonia Orchestra with traditional and contemporary Maori Performance. A vibrant and dynamic concert with new compositions and arrangements that tell of Elena’s vision and life.

It tells the story of classically trained Maori violinist, Elena, and her desire to transcend the cultural divide between western and Maori music.

Told in Te reo Maori (with English subtitles) some of the objectives of this concert are:
· To introduce classical music to Maori in an innovative and interesting way
· To introduce Maori waiata and haka to mainstream music listeners
· To showcase the versatility of classical music
· To combine Kapa Haka and classical music in a way which has broad appeal
· To sustain and support Maori culture in a changing and demanding environment.

The show combines the talents of the following groups and individuals in a stunning, one night only experience:

Elena , NGC Wellington Sinfonia Orchestra, Gareth Farr, April Neho, Howie Rimu McGuire, Whitireia Performing Arts, Strike. Tim Whitta (Composer and Strike member), and Professor Timoti Karetu (poet) create the concert centrepiece “1840 Waitangi Overture”. World premier “ Te Arikinui”- Homage to the Maori Queen. Stunning arrangements by Gareth Farr of a child’s fantasy pieces. and much much more!!

Elena’s Cultural Symphony
Friday 1st October 2004 at 7pm
Michael Fowler Centre Wellington
A res $60.00, B res $45.00, C res $25.00, Fam $50.00
Bookings through Ticketek

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12.18
THAT’S ONE MAJOR PUBLIC ART COMMISSION

Expressions of Interest have been called for the design of the NZ Memorial in London. Prime Minister Helen Clark recently announced that design concepts are being sought from creative people who wish to be involved with the New Zealand Memorial project in Hyde Park, London.

"Plans for the memorial were announced in July 2003, and funding of $3 million over two years for its construction was announced in this year's budget. Now the government is initiating the process of selecting a design for this important memorial," said Helen Clark.

"Artists, architects, landscape architects and designers who would like to be considered are invited to register their interest with the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

The memorial will commemorate the strong relationship New Zealand has with Britain, and the sacrifice made by New Zealanders who fought side by side with the British in times of war.

The memorial will provide a focus for future London ceremonies, such as those marking ANZAC Day and other anniversaries important for New Zealand. It is to be sited at Hyde Park Corner, near the memorials established by other Commonwealth countries.

"The design approved by the government, following recommendations from the selection panel, will be compatible with the other structures of Hyde Park Corner. It will have a timeless appeal, and will capture something of the distinctiveness of New Zealand," Helen Clark said.

Those eligible to register an expression of interest are New Zealand residents or New Zealanders living overseas.

Background Note: Expressions of interest should be with the Ministry for Culture and Heritage on 1 October 2004. The brief for the project can be obtained from the Ministry's website, www.mch.govt.nz, by phoning on (04) 499 4229, or by email to info@mch.govt.nz.

A shortlist of designers will be compiled by 22 October 2004, and selected designers will be asked to provide proposals by 3 December 2004. A final design will be chosen by an expert panel, and approved by the government, by early February 2005. Construction will commence in time for the memorial to be unveiled on 11 November 2005. It will be sited diagonally opposite the Australia Memorial in Hyde Park, on the large circle of land which houses the Wellington Arch.

Get going…

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12.19
DIRTY LITTLE FEET

Angels With Dirty Feet, a dance-theatre work by Raewyn Hill, kicks of at Downstage Theatre.

Raewyn Hill’s work has a stunning aesthetic containing thought-provoking images that are at once beautiful, disturbing and utterly absorbing. Angels with Dirty Feet is a powerful and moving piece that peers into the world of drug addiction.
In this new work Hill continues to explore the merging of spoken text with the raw physicality of dance. And for the first time Soapbox Production dancers are joined on stage by some of New Zealand's finest young actors.
Last year, Downstage hosted the beautiful and evocative White, also by this leading contemporary choreographer. This year Hill continues to push the boundaries of genre and in doing so creates a new work with a uniquely New Zealand voice.

Tickets are $15-35, and can be booked through Downstage Theatre on 04 801 6946. Performance Dates are 10 to 18 September; with the following curtain times: Mon - Tues at 6.30pm, and Wed – Sat at 8pm

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12.20
MEAT ME AT HAPPY

Meatwaters 04 bursts into Happy at 8pm tonight (September 10). The show features…

The Nether Dawn : One of the manifestations of Antony Milton Ascension Band

Specially formed for Meatwaters, the Ascension Band brings together a number of Wellington's creative artists to see what they can come up with all together at once. Based on the premise that John Coltrane's late works have inspired players from all disciplines, with and without jazz training.

Divided we stand, united we...? Members include Dave Edwards, San Shimla (The Winter, The Circus Machine), Antony Milton (Claypipe, Swagger Jack, the Pseudoarcana label), Sam Stephens, Nigel Patterson (Flower Orphans, Dirty Republic, Scherzanduo) and more tbc.

Ming is silly.
No Ming is not.
Huh?
And then…

Saturday 11th September at 8pm, Meatwaters 04 continues with…

Kin Rahmane

"Mostly inactive in the worlds of performance and publication lately due to having spent the last 3 years composing what I would hasten to call my first major work and 'magnum-opus' - the Nada Brahma project. The work as it currently stands consists of explorations in mid-east & asian folk musics, low brow neo-classical plagiarism, pseudo occultistism, fake-jazz improv, musique concrete disco, algerian pop, southern rap and other forms of extended musical commentary. Upon completion of this project I plan to actively promote its release and distribution through the appropriate channels - e.g.: not in edition of 5 on a low quality media format and thus disabling the chance of random public-sector members taking an interest in the project and its message."

What does it all mean? Send answers to

Happy
underground
cnr Vivian and Tory Streets
Wellington
Longwhitecloudland
384 1965
and be sure to focus on
www.happy.net.nz

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12.21
ARABIC VOICE IN TRANSLATION
 
Wellington-based Iraqi poet Basim Furat has just published his first book in English in NZ. The book, out now from publisher, HeadworX, has been edited by poet Mark Pirie.
 
Basim's book has been acclaimed by the important Arabic poet, Saadi Yousef, who writes that: "In Here and There Basim Furat has found his untrodden path to the outstanding panorama of exiled Iraqi poetry."
 
The book was launched at the City Council chamber on Wednesday, and more information is available at http://headworx.eyesis.co.nz
  
The poet, Basim Furat, can be contacted on (04) 3864026 or basimfurat@hotmail.com

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12.22
MAKING THEATRE

are you interested in theatre ?
are you at Secondary School (or aged 13 – 18) ?
are you looking for something to do over the holidays ?

MAKING THEATRE is a 40 hr workshop run by Penni Bousfield during the 2 weeks of the upcoming school holidays. The workshop will lead to a short performance on the evening of Friday, October 1. Workshop participants will create a theatre piece based on a contemporary story. Experience isn’t necessary – but commitment is!

PENNI BOUSFIELD has directed Summer Shakespeare productions in Auckland, Hamilton and Queenstown and has a long association with SGCNZ (Shakespeare Globe Centre NZ) as an assessor and tutor. She has toured nationally in the music and comedy show Exposed, worked as a professional musician, tutored university drama and directed a number of NZ plays. Penni is currently studying for the Master of Theatre Arts degree at Toi Whakaari and Victoria University.

COURSE COST IS: $35 PER PERSON, and places are limited to 12.

TO APPLY: Send a letter saying why you would like to take part in this workshop. Include your age, address and phone number. Applications must be received by noon on Monday, September 13. Send to: Penni Bousfield, c/- Toi Whakaari, PO Box 7146, Wellington South. For further information, call 385-7991.

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12.23
LOOKING FOR MIGHTY KONG

http://www.kongisking.net/index.shtml

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12.24
TARO KING
Hot off the plate from the 36th Auckland International Film festival, Vela Manusaute is ready to take ‘Taro King’ to the Theatre capital of New Zealand, Wellington.
TARO KING is a play set in a Supermarket in Otara, Auckland. We hear the struggle of a man called Filipo (Samoan born but was raised here in NZ), who cuts taro for a living, searches and dreams about the land of milk and honey that his father has promised him. The play is about an islander in South Auckland working for promises that will never come.
Taro King explores the relationships that are created when three different cultures clash within the same habitat. Filipo plays the pivotal role in this story of a son and breadwinner for the family. It is Filipo’s relationship with Raj (his fijian work mate) that opens the proverbial can of worms of culture and understanding within this play.
At a time when most things in the pacific are volatile to say the least, the coup in Fiji brings most of Filipo’s life to a crashing halt. Horrible consequences are set in the back room of a super market and both Indian and Samoan will face challenges to control their own destinies.
Taro King played to Auckland audiences at the maidment studio, where it opened to a full house! With out exception everyone was treated to one of New Zealands new talents. Writer and director, Vela Manusaute was soon the talk of the Auckland theatre. He had taken an untreated script and chose almost twenty unknown young actors and created a play that would capture and inspire audiences of all races.
“....I was deeply excited by the authenticity of the world and the voices that Vela was bringing to the stage...... His (Vela’s) work is deeply felt and brilliantly satirical at the same time...... It is a creative force driving us from the margins. Vela is one of those voices - a mouthpiece from South Auckland.” Christian Penny, Head of Directing, Te Kura Toi Whakaari o Aotearoa New Zealand Drama School, 2004.
This time around, the cast is a more experienced set of actors together with a couple of the original main characters who have developed themselves even more since the original show in Auckland.
After extensive script development through Playmarket, Taro King will be staged at the BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Terrace, Wellington from October 20th to 23rd, 2004.
The Taro King is a story of the people who live in the lower end of the socio economic table. It will tell a tale of laughter, love and loss. Some people are born great, others have greatness thrust upon them. And so our story begins.

Look out for it…

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12.25
STILL AND QUIET

New Paintings by MICA STILL
Tally: a moment of Sanity
 
On view at Nui Espresso
September 13 –October 10 2004
101 Wakefield Street
Wellington

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12.26
PHOTOSPACE IS THE PLACE
 
You are warmly invited to the opening of two new exhibitions at Photospace gallery on Friday, 17th September, from 5pm to 7pm.
 
Jane Wilcox, Play/Childhood landscapes is two series of digitally-output colour prints in Room 1.
 
Tristan Tuckey, Photo Poetry is also digitally output work,  onto canvas and showing in Room 2.
 
Both exhibitions run until 11th October. See www.photospace.co.nz/expo086.htm  which also has links to both artists' websites.
 
Photospace has fresh copies of Handboek available at the going rate of $80.00. Don't buy elsewhere, buy here ... EFTPOS, Visa, Mastercard machine available.
 
Also, the next musical event at Photospace gallery is a tribute night, featuring Rick Jensen, Richard Whyte, and ZOMBIE PROM QUEEN (I'm as curious as you on this one). It's on September 11th (should be able to remember that date...) See www.photospace.co.nz/music.htm for details.

 
Photospace studio/gallery
1st floor, 37 Courtenay Place
Wellington, New Zealand
ph/fax: 64-4-382 9502
cell: 027 444 3899
Gallery hours: 10-4.30 Monday-Friday
11-3 Saturdays, closed public holidays
www.photospace.co.nz

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12.27
THE FOLK MUSIC BUG

The Wellington Regional Folk Festival will have hundreds of people pickin’ and grinning, from October 22nd to 25th.

This Labour weekend experience real people playing real music. It’s your chance to try something new – get out of town and relax in beautiful Moore’s Valley. Experience a blissful blend of many styles of music and dance. Slow down - chat, eat, drink and be merry, with old friends and new.
And this year is the 40th festival, so we'll be having some celebrations - and if anyone has got some photos from some of the early festivals I've set up an album under pictures so you can post 'em there. We'll be having sounds from back then at the festival - more soon.
The weekend includes: concerts by guest performers…jam sessions anytime, anywhere…music workshops…activities for children…homebrew session…join the choir…dance workshops…barndance…sunset ceremony…best of the region concert…craft and music village…massage…drums at the tepee…see a blacksmith at work…blackboard concerts…licensed café
There's plenty of camping space (and a few bunks if you book quickly) so you can stay the whole weekend but if you prefer then just visit by the day or the evening. Tell your friends about it and bring them along too. One important point - this is a private site and is booked by other groups before and after, so absolutely no admission before 3pm Friday and everyone must leave by 6pm Monday.

Flat pickers, moon shiners, mule skinners, fiddle players, and banjo swingers should check out

http://wellingtonfolkfestival.org.nz/

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12.28
OI, CAPOEIRSTAS

Don’t miss the Roda de Capoeira on 11 September from 11am to 2pm, at Te Whaea: National Dance & Drama Centre in Newtown

The Brazilian Northeast comes to Aotearoa for this workshop on the dance/game/movements known as capoeira. Learn the story behind the artform, as well as the stories embodied in each game, and clap along with some of New Zealand’s best capoeiristas. Then jump into the Roda, and play the game for yourself.

For details, call 802-4666 or see www.capoeira.org.nz

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12.29
A SKETCH OF NATURE: Questions and Answers

Karori Wildlife Sanctuary will host Spring Sketchings on Saturday 18 September 2004…

Who’s it for? Anyone! Whether you’re an art expert or just a beginner, no matter what your age, you’re invited to take part.

What’s the objective?
· This event is forming part of the WCC Spring Festival calendar of events, which is taking part from 18 September-3 October.
· To bring visitors to the Sanctuary – new visitors and those returning (including members)
· To raise awareness of the Sanctuary
· To provide an inspiring setting for budding artists to put pencil or paintbrush to paper.

In March 2004 the Sanctuary held a similar event to this, Creative Writing Day, which involved writers holding workshops and readings within the Sanctuary. It was a glorious, fun, creative day.

What’s involved? Between 11am and 3pm, artists and professionals will lead a workshop in their particular area of interest. The tutor will impart helpful tips and perhaps even demonstrate the creative process and art-making approach. Workshops should take between 30-45 minutes, but this will be at the discretion of the artist.

The workshops will take place at various locations – at the entrance to the Sanctuary (where there are lawned areas), at the Keith Taylor Wetland – 10 minutes walk from the entrance and at Tui Terrace – 15 minutes walk from the entrance.

We also hope to have ‘artists at work’ between 11am and 3pm so passers by can view them, and the creative process, in action. Visitors and participants will be able to submit their art into a competition, with a winner selected in early October. Workshop leaders include artists John Drawbridge, Claire Jennings, Miranda Jackson, Fifi Colston, Mark Hill, Hayley Robertson, and Maree Limpus.

Do people pay to be involved? There is no additional charge – apart from gate entry ($7 adults, $3 children, $17 family).

What happens if the weather is bad? If the weather is raining or very windy we will cancel the event. This call will be made at 7:30am on the day.

Are the artists able to promote themselves? Absolutely! We are asking artists to donate their own time to this cause. Once we have a confirmed list of artists and workshops we will be communicating this to the general public via media releases. And we will be inviting media to attend on the day and take photographs for publishing. We will also take our own photographs and distribute to the media who didn’t attend after the event.

On the day, we encourage the artists to hand out flyers/collateral to those people who participate in their workshops. Or there is the opportunity to include a flyer in the art pack which we hope to give each visitor.

What can artists bring in? We hope that each artist will bring in their own materials that they’ll need for use during the workshops – however we may be able to get some materials sponsored.

The artist needs to be aware that the workshops will be held in open areas without rain or wind protection and on grass (if weather is adverse the event will be cancelled).

It is important that the materials used for the workshops are not harmful to the environment and won’t leave residue.

There will be people available on the day to ‘assist’ the artists with setting up, fetching drinks etc.

What is Karori Wildlife Sanctuary? We are a world-first urban sanctuary (250 hectares) surrounded by a predator-proof fence. Most mammal pests (except mice) have been removed and rare and endangered wildlife released – such as little spotted kiwi, saddleback (Karori Wildlife Sanctuary is the only place on NZ mainland where these two species reside), bellbird (was extinct in Wellington), tomtit, whitehead, kaka etc. Our vision is to restore the valley to its pre-human state so New Zealanders and international visitors can experience nature as it intended. We receive 45,000 visitors a year and have 5,000 membership units. We are a Charitable Trust so rely very much on visitors admissions, memberships, fundraising, sponsorships, appeals and other funding.

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OUT OF NOWHERE

The Great Ninja Charity Gala and Fun-in Death Fight 2004 will wreck havoc on Happy next Friday, September 17. Ninja-maniacs and puppet-masters will find music, games, wacky scenarios, and Uncle Stinky all in your face. The cover is a nice-smelling $6, so reserve the evening and let the Ninja Puppet Theatre works its sublime magic. Sublime?

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SPEAKING OF VOICE

Voice Instruction with Diane Radford, a ten-week course at Wellington Arts Centre, begins in late September. Sessions will be held on Wednesday evenings, September 29 to December 1, from 7:30pm to 9:00pm.

This workshop is for those who want to focus on voice skills in a performance context. Participants will experiment with success strategies behind stage performance and explore the secrets of performing arts. This will culminate in a structured group and/or solo performance at the end of term. Cost is $75 for the 5 weeks, or $60 for Passport to Leisure holders. Contact Diane on 385-2929 or diane.radford@xtra.co.nz for more information.

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Yoga, yoga, yoga

There are now three opportunities to explore your yogic self at the Wellington Arts Centre, beginning with the old favourite, Tuesday morning yoga with Anna Sandle. Wednesday morning brings an opportunity to realise Kundalini yoga, with Tamsyn Hunneywell, and Thursday evening is gaining momentum, with instructor Sue Fuller. To learn more about times and fees, call Anna on 384-7236, Tamsyn on 021-107-7244, or Sue on 021-123-9046.

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MINDING THE WRITTEN WORD

The Mind Inclined Writers Group has formed, and now meets regularly at the Wellington Arts Centre. The group seeks writers who are interested in, or follow the traditions of: Jack Kerouac, George Orwell, The Electric Kool Aid Acid Test, Albert Camus, Farenheit 451, Ken Kesey, William S. Burroughs, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Catch 22, A Clockwork Orange, Alan Ginsberg, Herman Hesse, Kahil Gibran, Catcher in the Rye, Chuck Palanuik, Tolkein, High Fidelity, Generation X, Ursla LeGuin, Brave New World, The Snow Leopard, Irvine Welsh, Oscar Wilde, Dune, Lord of the flies, Walt Whitman, Neverness, Philip K. Dick, Edgar Alan Poe, H.G. Wells, Mikhail Bulgakov, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.

The casual group meets monthly in the Oriental Bay Rotunda, and new members are always welcome. If you write and want to get together in Wellington, contact Paul on: paulpingpong@hotmail.com or ring him on 027-699-3744.

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THE JOYS OF SPRING

Wellington’s annual Spring Festival comes into full bloom this month with sculpture walks, a free concert by Orquestra Salvaje, glow worm tours, a day for poets, and much more. The fun ends with an October 3 picnic concert at the Botanic gardens, featuring Shaken Not Stirred, face-painting, stilt-walking, and the Kid Stuff theatre troupe. And, like the joys of Spring, most of the happenings are free. Pick up the colourful brochure at local libraries, cafes, and community centres, then plan to take a place among the crowd of tulips.

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SNIPERS ALL AROUND

Travelling through Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina in 2001, director Kerryn Palmer was awed by the total devastation of the once beautiful city of Sarajevo.

“6 years after the end of the war, a volatile peace remains. The re-building of the city moves slowly but the people are extraordinary, they live life to the full, they laugh a lot and appreciate the little things in life,” said Kerryn.

Between 1992 and 1995 the cosmopolitan and multicultural city of Sarajevo was bombarded daily by rifle and mortar fire. Caught in a valley, the city’s inhabitants continued their daily lives amid random bursts of fire.

Each day civilians had to ‘run the sniper gauntlet’ in order to get water, food, fuel and medical supplies. No one was immune from the bombs and rifle fire, snipers sat on the surrounding hills and picked off civilians at will.

(sniper) explores life in Sarajevo during the siege, through lighting, live music, video and performance.

“Every day, people continued living ‘normal lives,’ not knowing each time they left the house, if they would ever return. It was the comprehension that people constantly had to negotiate their way though sniper fire, and cheat death, to do things that you and I take for granted, that touched me,” explains Kerryn Palmer.

(sniper) invites the audience to travel through the ‘streets of Sarajevo’ in an exploration of how life continues even under the harshest, most unimaginable conditions. Interactive theatre at its best.

This is theatre not for the faint hearted.

What: (sniper) is approximately 40 minutes long.
There are 2 shows a night, except for Mondays and Tuesdays
Where: Starlight Ballroom, 235 Willis Street, Wellington
When: 27thOct – 6 Nov 7pm & 8.30 pm ( 7pm Shows only on Mon and Tues)
Cost:$16,$12
Bookings: Book at BATS on 802-4175

Only 30 people are permitted in the audience at each showing, so bookings are essential.

(sniper)
Directed by Kerryn Palmer
Music by Jane Pierard
Lighting Designer Maia Whittet

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GARDEN OF PERFORMING ARTS

http://www.wpac.org.nz/casfset.html

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THE COSMOS ACCORDING TO BRENT

Attention all artists and creative kindred spirits of Wellington and beyond...
Opening this Tuesday!!

INNER CONSTELLATIONS
Bizarre Tales of Love, Loss & Astronomy... Starring BRENT HARPUR, CARTOONIST
Soundings Theatre, Te Papa (14-16 Sept)

Opening on Tues 14th September @ 8.30pm (doorsales from 7.30pm)

BRENT HARPUR, Wellington's very own Performance Cartoonist is proud to present a stageshow that has been nearly fourteen months in production.

Inner Constellations brings together (for the first time) a combination of Brent’s diverse skills, including live cartooning (he will create giant cartoon jigsaw pieces on stage, that will be for sale after the show), original (quirky) comedy and poetry, storytelling and some very bright and outrageous fashion accessories that you won't want to miss!! Brent is also joined by a cast of eclectic, colourful (handpicked) local performers, entertainers and musicians, including Celtic music (Jacky Tar), an aerial dance piece (Pipi – Ayesha Evans accompanied by Peter Daly on viola), an undiscovered 11 year old poet (Freya Daly Sadgrove), and the list goes on; there will be something in this cosmic variety show for everyone!! (see website for a complete breakdown of all of the guest stars!!)

A lot of Wellingtonians (and beyond) know Brent from his cartoons or caricatures. He promises his audiences (young and old alike and together) an insight into a lack of sight, and the strange way that a visually challenged cartoonist sees the world... (there will also be a multimedia component to the show by multimedia designer Raechel Harding)

Brent hopes to (eventually) take this show to wider audiences overseas, so
PLEASE come and see him at Te Papa before he takes on the globe's international stages & festivals...To Blindly Go Where No Cartoonist Has Gone Before!!

Tickets $25 (waged) $18 (unwaged) Doorsales from Te Papa from 7.30pm on Tues 14/Wed 15/Thur 16. Bookings also through Ticketek (Service fee will apply) at www.ticketek.co.nz or 384 3840.

"not from the stars do i my judgement pluck, and yet methinks i have astronomy." (william shakespeare)

It’s all at www.brentharpur.co.nz

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THE NO.8 WIRE: PAST AND PRESENT

Archives of the No. 8 Wire are on-line at
www.arts.blogspot.com

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CONTACT THE NO.8 WIRE

Send comments, questions, requests, etc
to
Eric Vaughn Holowacz
Community Arts Co-ordinator
Wellington City Council / Wellington Arts Centre
P. O. Box 2199
Wellington, New Zealand
Arts@wcc.govt.nz

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TOP/TAIL