Theatre group hopes grand design will ring in changes

A local theatre company has some grand ideas about how to bring Nelson’s art groups together.

Nelson Theatrix artistic director Jessica D’Ath said their fundraising initiative ‘‘The Piano Project’’ aimed to raise money to purchase a baby grand piano for Ghost Light Theatre.

D’Ath said that type of classical piano would suit the theatre well and has a ‘‘great sound’’.

‘‘Theatre is about bringing community together, music is about joining together to create something beautiful.

‘‘Helping bring that music to Ghost Light Theatre is a great way to showcase local creative groups working together to support and grow one another.’’

She said that ‘‘weirdly enough’’, creative groups in Nelson didn’t often work together for a common goal to benefit the parties involved. ‘‘We’re trying to change that.’’ D’Ath started a Boosted campaign, which has raised $340 of the $1500 goal.

Ghost Light Theatre is a 10 metres by 10 metres theatre on Bridge St. She said that the theatre had everything, from moveable staging, flexible seating to the beginnings of a lighting rig.

But what was missing was a piano to have the possibility of hosting concerts, having music rehearsals and musical workshops.

D’Ath said she got the idea of having a piano fundraiser because Nelson Theatrix is renting office space in the theatre.

The piano would ‘‘live’’ in the theatre and ‘‘help to see both companies thrive’’.

The Boosted campaign had another three weeks to go.

‘‘Nelson is a region known for it’s creativity and community spirit.

‘‘For the price of a coffee Nelsonians have the chance to contribute to something that will have a real and lasting impact.’’

To donate, visit boosted.org.nz/ projects/the-piano-project.

Toll Transfer, berth only, Abel; Eagle, 1,355 tons, unload fish, LU2; Galatea, 156 tons, unload fish, Slip; Kawatiri, 1,001 tons, repairs only, Antarctic Discovery, 1,500 tons, unload fish, Sealord; Holly May, repairs only, MCQN; Kaharoa, 268 tons, repairs, LU3; Morning Star, 29 tons, unload chilled mussels, SY; Buffalo, 6,311 tons, berth only, MWN; Margaret J 1, 85 tons, repairs only, Slip; Seaworker, 344 tons, EQUI; Pelican, 942 tons, berth only, CB; IVS Phinda, 23,224 tons, unload/load Expected: Ansac Splendour, 19,885 tons, logs, KQ, Monday; MSC Astrid, 35,954 tons, containers, MWS, Tuesday; Galatea, 156 tons, unload fish, Slip, Tuesday; Liberty Ace, 60,175 tons, unload vehicles, MCQS, Tuesday; ANL Elinga, 35,954 tons, containers, MWS, Wednesday; Aleksey Slobodchikov, 4,407 tons, unload fish, load bunkers, LU1, Thursday; Dignity Ace, 58,767 tons, unload vehicles, MCQS, Friday.