Fun and stimulation at Arts Festival
The Southland Art Festival has an impressive line-up of shows, whatever your tastes in entertainment may be.
From the cirque-cabaret extravaganza, ‘Human’, at ILT Stadium Southland on May 3, to the enchanting puppet show, ‘The Road That Wasn’t There’, the festival’s mission is to bring entertaining and stimulating works from around the country over the April/May period.
Festival director, Angela Newell, from Venture Southland, said that discovering new and exciting shows is key to the festival’s success.
“Bringing in shows that would normally never tour to Southland is one of the festival’s strengths.”
While it is an expensive undertaking to bring work to the regions, with generous funding and sponsorship, Southland audiences get to see high calibre work that might only ever be seen in the main centres.
Special elements of this year’s festival include two shows that, respectively, promote conversations about mental health and depression and consent and rape culture in our society.
Shot Bro: Confessions of a Depressed Bullet, is a solo show from Rob Mokaraka which chronicles his journey from attempted suicide to recovery and hope. Meanwhile, “Jane Doe” looks at how sexual misconduct is perceived and treated in our society. Newell believes that the arts can open up conversations about issues and shed light on solutions.
The festival also has shows that guarantee simply a great party experience. The BeatGirls pull out all your favourite jukebox hits, with costumes, wigs and comedic banter that ensure audiences will leave on a high.
“Human” at ILT Stadium Southland is one of the festival’s biggest events with an onstage cast of 10, who perform aerial and circus cabaret. Tables have already sold out, but there are still seats available.
You can find all the details on Ticketdirect.co.nz or join the Southland Arts Festival Facebook page.