The team at Auckland Arts Festival have kindly helped us pick out a few events they think will be of interest to our readers. The Auckland Arts Festival runs from 4-22 March - just after Auckland Pride Festival wraps up. Limbo. Image: David Solm. LIMBO: This sexy cabaret/circus performance features fire-breathing, contortionists, illusions and plenty of sweat and skin – all set to scintillating electronica beats and housed under the Festival’s gorgeous shabby-chic spiegeltent at Aotea Square. BLAM!: An all male cast uses parkour, physical theatre and stunt work to tell the action-packed, wordless story of a group of employees at the saddest office in the world. When their horrible boss turns away, they re-imagine themselves as their favourite villains and superheroes. (The Civic). Osadía: Ethereal hairdressers hot off the plane from Barcelona provide gorgeous, sculptural hairstyles for free at the Festival Garden, Aotea Square. While you’re there, be sure to check out the stunning visual art instillations by Niki Hastings-McFall and Lisa Reihana, specially-commissioned by Auckland Arts Festival 2015. (TimeOut Festival Garden, Aotea Square). I AM: Powerful, immersive and visionary, Samoan-New Zealand director, Lemi Ponifasio’s, latest modern dance creation is set to the backdrop of Colin McCahon’s victory over death 2. MAU performers question our humanity, faith and redemption in this stunning work, direct from its world premiere at the Festival d’Avignon and seasons at the Edinburgh International Festival, Germany’s Ruhrtriennale and Santiago a Mil, Chile. (ASB Theatre). Cedar Lake Ballet: Grace Engine. Joaquim. Photograph: Julieta Cervantes Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet: One of the hottest contemporary ballet companies in the world, this New York-based assemblage boasts some of the most high-definition, skilful and wildly beautiful young dancers in the whole of the Big Apple. Their programme for the Festival is especially exciting, as it features works by three fabulous, innovative, star choreographers. (The Civic). iTMOi: Written during a time period when Igor Stravinsky was said to be exploring his sexuality, The Rite of Spring shocked and scandalised Edwardian audiences at its 1913 debut. More than 100 years later, visionary choreographer Akram Khan (who choreographed a major section of the London Olympic Games Opening Ceremony in 2012) offers us a genius, groundbreaking peek into the mind of Stravinsky – a mind that forever transformed the shape of classical music. (ASB Theatre). Neneh Cherry: Trailblazing, hip-hop goddess Neneh Cherry storms into Auckland for one night only alongside the brooding RocketNumberNine+. She and her powerhouse voice arrive with a unique brand of anarchic, post-punk attitude and a kick-ass new album Blank Project, produced by Four Tet. (Festival Club, Aotea Square). Lady Sings the Blues: An ode to the great Billie Holiday, 100 years since the iconic jazz singer’s birth, Lady Sings the Blues is a concert featuring some of Aotearoa’s finest female vocalists. Join Ladi6, Hollie Smith, Whirimako Black, Annie Crummer, Julia Deans and more as they sing songs that have shape – and continue to shape – generations. (Festival Club, Aotea Square). PAH: Set at the historic Pah Homestead in Hillsborough, PAH is the result of a collaboration between three of New Zealand’s leading female artists. Four dancers, and actor and three musicians exlpre hidden histories and forgotten secrets as audiences journey through one of Auckland’s largest 19th-century houses. (TSB Bank Wallace Arts Centre, Pah Homestead, Hillsborough) GayNZ.com staff, with Auckland Arts Festival - 29th January 2015
Credit: GayNZ.com staff, with Auckland Arts Festival
First published: Thursday, 29th January 2015 - 11:26am