Winter warmer
Pull on your woollies and get out to a new festival that celebrates Auckland, writes Dionne Christian
It’s tempting to stay home and batten down the hatches in winter but you’re going to want to leave the house in July when a new festival warms up Auckland. Drawing on the elements of air, fire, earth, and water, Elemental AKL includes more than 40 free and ticketed events that will celebrate the region through light, cuisine, culture and entertainment. Here are our top picks:
LIGHT SHOWS
Stunning installations will light up Auckland’s parks, waterfronts, city streets and other public spaces during Elemental AKL. We’re particularly excited about Tu¯ rama, which will see Albert Park transform into a playground where stories are told through projection, interactive sculptures and performances turning movement into art. The series of illuminated installations have been specifically designed to work within the park.
Tu¯ rama, Albert Park, July 25-28
If you prefer to get away from it all, hop on a ferry or plane for awe-inspiring Great Barrier Island by night events. In 2017, the island was designated an International Dark Sky Sanctuary. Elemental AKL activities are themed around astronomy and include photography competitions, navigation lessons and an island ball.
Lights Out on Great Barrier Island, multiple locations, July 1-31
REGIONAL FLAVOURS
Delicious dining events and masterclasses, curated menus, local wine and craft beer festivities and a diverse range of fabulous food shows — we’re there already. Devonport’s restaurants turn up the flavour for Matariki Dish, using locally-sourced, market-fresh ingredients and edible natives such as pikopiko, kawakawa and horopito to create Matarikithemed meals.
Matariki Dish, Devonport, July 1- 7
Then there’s the inaugural Craft’d Wine + Spirits Festival. Some 40 independent and boutique wine and spirits producers will host masterclasses and tastings designed to show how climate, terroir and winemaker nuances can influence the look, bouquet and taste of wine. Craft’d Wine + Spirits, GridAKL (Wynyard Quarter), July 21
ENTERTAINMENT
Fashion, music, film and theatre are included in Elemental AKL — and July is Auckland’s film festival month. If you’re looking for live entertainment, look no further than touring shows like War Horse and Pop-up Globe’s winter season. The theatrical sensation launches its first winter season in its Shakespearean playhouse, now fully covered with a winter roof. It’s bringing back Twelfth Night, Shakespeare’s most brilliant comedy about two twins, shipwrecked and separated, cast ashore in a strange land where love and madness are in the air. Filled with some of Shakespeare’s most lyrical poetry and song, the production features an original score by awardwinning composer Paul McLaney. Pop-up Globe, Ellerslie Raceway, from Monday, July 8
A magical all-wheels illuminated parade to celebrate Matariki takes place around the Wynyard Quarter. Use a Matariki theme to decorate your wheels — bikes, scooters, wheelchairs, billycarts, skateboards, unicycles or power chairs — and join dance company Touch Compass on a journey of discovery through the urban maze of Auckland’s waterfront. There’ll be sensory and art installations and live performances along the route, before a presentation of Touch Compass’ new aerial piece, Te Ranga Ika, around 7.30pm on The Gantry in Silo Park. After the parade, grab a bite to eat from one of the local food trucks in Silo Park.
In Motion Matariki, Silo Park, Wynyard Quarter, July 6
When the sun goes down, the Domes at Auckland Zoo will come alive with activities for the whole wha¯ nau. Nga¯ ti Wha¯ tua O¯ ra¯ kei and Auckland Zoo have teamed up to create a school holiday programme including kai, waiata, ta¯ karo, ko¯ rero and kapa haka performances for Matariki. Wander throughout the zoo to learn about nocturnal animals, enjoy music and performances, or take part in interactive games and activities.
Celebrate Matariki at Auckland Zoo, June 28July 21
CULTURAL SPECTACULARS
It wouldn’t be an Auckland festival without vibrant Ma¯ ori and Pasifika performances. Highlights include a celebration of kapa haka at Te Taumata Kapa Haka where local group and current Te Matatini champions Nga¯ Tu¯ manako, reigning National Secondary Schools title-holder Raukura from Rotorua and a host of other powerful kapa from around the country perform. This year, Te Taumata Kapa Haka features the prowess of seasoned professionals and school groups on the same stage, for one day only.
Te Taumata Kapa Haka, Aotea Centre ASB Theatre, July 6
You can connect with the words and stories that form our place, Ta¯ maki Makaurau, told by the people whose ancestors lived here, at Te Hono — The Gathering. The Auckland Town Hall Concert Chamber will be transformed into a pre-colonial meeting house, with a contemporary edge, and orators Rewi Spraggon, Tiaha Hawke and Pita Turei will share local stories complemented by digital, state-of-the-art projection mapping on to the chamber’s ceiling. Te Hono — The Gathering, Auckland Concert Chamber, July 6 and 7