Festival’s bite of local zest
The upcoming Taranaki Arts Festival is serving-up a host of lunchtime treats in the form of local musicians.
Taking the noon stage in the Kiwiana-themed Spiegeltent on Puke Ariki landing during next month’s festival are Taranaki bands Ars Nova Choir, The Blistered Fingers, The Great Taranaki Steam Band and The Slacks. While in the past the TSB Bank Lunchtime Bites usually featured acts from afar, artistic director Craig Cooper said when programming this year’s festival he felt compelled to fill the spots with talent from closer to home.
‘‘A festival brings a lot of artists from out of town and from across New Zealand and around the world - it’s a really important part of what a festival does, introducing audiences to new artists and giving them an opportunity to connect to artists they’ve never heard of,’’ he said.
‘‘But I think there’s also an important part for a festival to play in presenting local artists and so that’s what I wanted to do with the lunchtime concerts.’’
The festival is the first Cooper has curated in Taranaki and he has spent about 18 months working on the lineup.
Cooper, who is Auckland-based and also directs the Christchurch Arts Festival, carefully selected the four groups, ensuring two were classical offerings while the other two were of a contemporary nature. He believed Taranaki had a strong music base and so his selection reflected the breadth of the region’s musical approach.
‘‘What I think is really interesting is just the scope of it - you’ve got that very traditional classical approach but then you’ve also got the great contemporary musicians like The Blistered Fingers and The Slacks who are single by the end of the year followed by a new album next year. The series’ first show is this Saturday at The Mayfair from 8pm and will feature guest bands Blue Rubies from Auckland and Taranaki’s Suburban Goons. The event will run at the same venue on the last Saturday of every month until November. just great.’’ Cooper said Ars Nova and The Great Taranaki Steam Band were both strong community groups enjoyed by many. The hour of midday entertainment was perfect for festival-goers in need of a lunchtime fix - or people who wanted to experience a spot of music in the Spiegeltent. Cooper said while some people might not see themselves enjoying a session of classical, or contemporary, music, ‘‘so what? Go down and give it a go. If you haven’t heard of these local groups here is an opportunity to go and experience them. Take your lunch break and listen to some great musicians. You’ll have a good time.’’
* The Great Steam Band, Wednesday, August 23 at 12.15pm
* The Slacks, Friday, August 25 at 12.15pm
* Ars Nova, Wednesday, August 30 at 12.15pm
* The Blistered Fingers Friday, September 1 at 12.15pm
Award-winning South Taranaki photographer Kevin Bone’s latest offering is on display at the Lysaght Watt gallery in Hawera. The exhibition, Recent Work, features the artist’s trademark old building captured against a glittering, evening background as well as shots from around the region and abroad. In addition to Bone’s work, the exhibition features a retrospective show of his grandfather, William Bloy’s photography which was rescued from going to the tip. Oozing nostalgia, the photos taken in southern Otago show circus visits, town parades, scenic shots and ships at the port of Dunedin. On Sunday, July 30 Bone will speak about his work from 4pm to 6pm at the gallery. On Sunday July 30 at 1pm, a documentary about the life of New Plymouth artist Tom Kreisler (1938-2002) screens in the Len Lye Centre Cinema, in association with the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery exhibition Open Collection #3: Tom. This is the last screening. Entry is free.
Learn more about the GovettBrewster Art Gallery/Len Lye Centre exhibitions guided by a front of house staff member, on Sunday July 30, 2 – 2.30pm. There is no charge but donations and notice of large groups are appreciated.
It’s the last weekend of the exhibition On an Island: Len Lye, Robert Graves and Laura Riding. The exhibition documents Lye’s friendships and collaborations during the early years of his career and includes many of Lye’s early batik and photographic works and all of his book cover designs for the Seizin Press.