This weekend we want to go to . . .
Gisborne
Depending on where you are, it might be a bit of a hike — but it could well be worth it. Our newest major arts festival, Te Taira¯ whiti, starts this weekend with some 70 live events including Witi’s Wa¯ hine, a new play written and directed by Nancy Brunning that celebrates the most inspirational female characters from Witi Ihimaera’s novels. That’s at the Lawson Field Theatre, tomorrow and Saturday. On Sunday, head to the Soundshell for Under An East Coast Moon, one of the most unique gigs of the year with Dave Dobbyn, Anika Moa, Annie Crummer, Maisey Rika, Rob Ruha and Teeks joining forces plus an appearance from Hawaiian musician Kaumakaiwa Kanaka’ole. That’s at the Soundshell Tu¯ ranga Gisborne.
Te Taira¯ whiti Arts Festival, various venues until Sunday, October 20. ASB Waterfront Theatre
Of short films, celebrated New Zealand-based cinematographer Simon Raby wrote, “short films are like a little pocket of absolute purity that hasn’t been messed around with by commercial imperative.”
Now delve into those little pockets with the return of the Show Me Shorts film festival which features some 63 shorts and music videos from here and around the world. Because Show Me Shorts is an Oscar-accredited festival, there are awards and the winners of the top two, are then qualified to enter the Academy Awards.
Show Me Shorts opening night, ASB Waterfront Theatre, Saturday followed by screenings at cinemas nationwide until Thursday, October 24. Q Theatre
NZ’s biggest local dance party is now on with some of our biggest names — Parris Goebel, anyone? — strutting their stuff in a 10-day celebration of home-grown choreography, music, street, indigenous and contemporary dance. Alongside Goebel, worldrenowned dancers and makers Bianca Hyslop and Rowan Pierce, Zahra Killeen-Chance, Josie Archer and Kosta Bogoievski and Sau E Siva Creatives are on the bill.
You’ll want to check what tickets are still available to because, ahead of opening night, several shows had already sold out.
Tempo Dance Festival, Q Theatre until Saturday, October 12. ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre
Mamma mia! Swedish super group Abba lasted 10 years; tribute act Bjorn Again is now turning 30 and, having outlasted their heroes by two decades, is now regarded as the world’s most successful tribute group.
Even Abba’s Benny Andersson has told fans they better make the most of Bjorn Again because that’s the closest they’ll get to seeing Abba who, in his words, will never reform (although that was probably said before 2016 when Abba announced they were reforming not for live shows but a “digital experience”). Anyway, to mark the momentous 30th birthday, Bjorn Again are in Auckland this weekend delivering Abba’s biggest hits as they have done in 100 countries.
Expect flares, platform shoes, sequined outfits, blue eye shadow and the kind of dancing your dad did in 76.
As Bjorn Again likes to say, “you’ll have the time of your life!”
Bjorn Again, 30th Anniversary Tour, ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre, Saturday. Basement Theatre
James Roque is well on his way to becoming one of our most successful comedians. Along with rave reviews and sold out shows in Australia and NZ, he’s appeared on and written for comedy TV shows like
and
He’s a panellist for
Jono and Ben, 7 Days, Funny Girls Only in Aotearoa. Have You Been Paying Attention? NZ, 7 Days and landed a spot in the 2018 NZ International Comedy Gala. Now he’s home for one more run of Boy Mestizo, his take down of colonisation and being part of the Filipino diaspora. As he says, when you pull apart your history, what’s left? James Roque’s Boy Mestizo, Basement Theatre until Saturday.