Bookings open for annual Polyfest
Performance bookings have opened for the annual Murihiku Polyfest.
The Pacific Island and Maori cultural festival will be held from August 26-29 at Stadium Southland.
Polyfest co-ordinator Lisa Tou McNaughton said she was excited for the ‘‘enthusiasm and vibrancy’’ that the festival would bring to the community and she was looking forward to seeing ‘‘new groups and people enjoying themselves’’ at the festival.
Leading up to the festival, there would be a writers’ workshop on July 5-7, Black Grace Dance workshop from July 6-11 and the Korowai project for teachers, she said. Participation in most festival activities would be by koha (donation), she said.
The Korowai project would cost $20.
Polyfest was a big hit in the deep south last year with more than 90 groups taking part and more than 10,000 spectators turning up to get involved in the excitement.
Participation rates had increased yearly since Polyfest started in 2009 and it was expected numbers would be up again this year, she said.
The Pacific Island and Maori community made up about 20 per cent of the Southland population and the festival was not only a way to celebrate Maori and Pasifika, but also an opportunity for the community to come together and appreciate all cultures in the region, Tou McNaughton said.
Among the performances already registered were a Scottish community group, which would combine Scottish dance and kapa haka, and a group which would put on a Bollywood performance.
Bookings filled up quickly last year and were expected to be snapped up just as fast this year.
Bookings can be made www.murihikupolyfest.co.nz
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