Four-day festival of arts heats up

A four-day festival celebrating Manawatu¯ creativity is coming to Palmerston North this summer.

The Papaioea Festival of the Arts will showcase music, art works, performance, visual art, writing and workshops from Wednesday February 17 to Saturday February 20.

More than 40 performances and projects, 15 new and evolving works, andmore than 160 artists and creatives will feature at about 20 venues.

Artist director Kane Forbes said Palmerston North wasmade for festivals, with dozens of venues in close proximity in the centre of town.

‘‘When I was walking around, working out how to deal with this, I thought we have accidentally built amini Edinburgh. Sevenminutes from The Square is the biggest distance to any venue.’’

People could have dinner at a food truck in Te Marae o Hine-the Square and stroll down the road to the next event. ‘‘I wanted to make a festival that would be decent in any city in the world. I have been lucky and been to some incredible festivals across the world, so I wanted it to be as good as their offering. I amreally really happy. We have definitely achieved that.’’

Forbes said the city also housed brilliant performers and artists, and the festival was a way for them to come together.

‘‘The festival is like a kete weaved together by all these people.’’ The Palmerston North City Council provided most of the

funding and the Central Energy Trust gave money for a temporary venue in Te Marae o Hine.

Performances include What is a Samoan? a play by Tofiga Fepulea’i and James Nokise; Garage Party, where the Modern Ma¯ori Quartet takes on the quintessential Kiwi garage party; and variety shows Beacon and Last Call.

Music includes an intimate performance by Julia Deans, and Is there life on Mars? amix of performers that will celebrate the Mars Perseverance Rover touching down and answering the question.

There will be an exhibition by Kirsty Porter and Chris Lambert called Here is a Sky, a public art work by Sarah Bingle called The Little Things, where people can discover small pockets of joy around the city, and a workshop and play reading called Notwoman Enough.

Children can attend Lost Letter Office by Capital E and Turtle Labyrinth, a public art project.

On Saturday February 20 free comedy show Boxing is in Te Marae o Hine.