31 October 2016

The best of the Pacific in your neighbourhood

Find your nearest Urbanesia festival hub to experience the best contemporary Pacific arts and culture in our town centres and parks across the Auckland region – all for free.

Discover Pacific arts as Henderson, Avondale, Northcote, Ōtara, Ponsonby, Karangahape Road, Papakura, Manurewa and Glen Innes host local celebrations of creativity in the world’s largest Polynesian city.

“King Kapisi, Beau Monga, Janet Lilo, Rosanna Raymond, Edith Amituanai and all the performers and artists have something unique to say about what makes Auckland such an exciting place to live. There really is something for everyone in Urbanesia,” says festival programme leader Olivia Taouma.

Events include:

The Saturday Morning Hip Hop Show by King Kapisi, featuring the regional heat of the Freestyle Rap Battle Olympics, Auckland’s first ever family friendly MC competition, Ōtara Town Centre (12 November, 9am-12pm).

Pacific Day Out: look out for new stars at Cadness Reserve, Northcote. The line-up includes X Factor winner Beau Monga and performers from Adeaze’s Saintz Up Performing Arts School, including Selevasio Tu’ima (12 November, 11am-4pm).

VPMA Showcase: catch Vince Harder, Team Dynamite, T J Taotua and Mikey Mayz playing a one-night only, free show at Papakura’s Hawkins Theatre (18 November, 7-10pm).

Tautai Celebrate: Fia Fia Night: experience the wild fun and unique cultural identity of K Rd and Ponsonby alongside FAFSWAG, Karanga Ink and Pacific Dance New Zealand at Galatos (18 November, 6-10pm).

Elevated Family Park Jam: dancers of all street dance styles pit their skills against one another and the best barbers in the business set up shop at Te Matariki Clendon (26 November, 11am – 4pm).

PolyCultural Storm: an environmentally conscious open day at Te Oro, Glen Innes, with the New Zealand debut of Angela Tiatia’s latest work, a discussion with filmmaker Nikki Si’ulepa and ice carving demonstration MC’ed by Dave Fane (26 November 12-4pm).

Check the website for further programme details: www.urbanesia.org.nz/

Urbanesia is delivered by Auckland Council with the support of Flava, Kaipātiki, Manurewa and Papakura Local Boards and the many, many artists and organisations featured throughout the programme.

ENDS

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