Flair, suspense add to launch
Audience anticipate varied festival offerings
From world-class acts, unique stories, arts and crafts to writers sessions, the Harcourts Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival launch was an explosion of colour last night.
Held at Arts Inc Heretaunga, the festive flair involved a crowd of enthusiastic sponsors and supporters who eagerly awaited the new programme for the fourth festival which will be held from October 15-28.
The event is on its way to becoming one of the foremost regional arts festivals in New Zealand, nurturing Hawke’s Bay’s reputation as a vibrant and exciting place to live and visit.
The launch highlighted and celebrated the common connections and cultural diversity as well as fostering opportunity for local artists to showcase and extend their talents alongside national and international arts.
The programme for this year would focus on the accessibility of bringing the performing arts to young people.
Shows would take place at venues across the region, from Waipawa to Wairoa, and with a range of free family events, targeted workshops and performances at schools as well as an early bird ticketing scheme.
Festival director Pitsch Leiser was confident the festival would deliver “transformative experiences” for festival-goers.
“There will be a sense of pride in what we can achieve together when we support the arts in beautiful Hawke’s Bay,” he said.
This year’s programme highlighted a round-up of festival gems, including three must-see shows at the Blyth Performing Arts Centre, weaving stories of the Pacific region, including Le Moana’s 1918, a crafted theatre-dance piece, combing siva Samoa with contemporary choreography.
Victor Rodger’s critically acclaimed production of Tusiata Avia’s Wild Dogs Under My Skirts which premiered at the New Zealand Festival; and Freedom is Behind My Breath, from award-winning Hawke’s Bay theatre maker Puti Lancaster and Auckland performance designer Owen McCarthy.
Other events throughout the programme would include Waiohiki Arts Village, which would be offering a full programme of activities such as studio tours and live sculpture.
Hawke’s Bay Readers & Writers Festival will be held over Labour Weekend with a unique line-up of writers.
White Night would also be taking place in Napier’s arts precinct. This is billed as a vibrant evening of free arts and culture with contemporary, world-class performances by Atamira Dance Company, Bandart Productions and more.