1 March 2006

A month of Pacific culture kicks off

If you're tantatilised by tivaevae, or start shaking and swaying your hips at the sound of drumming, it's time to Celebrate Pasifika.

This regional programme, jointly initiated and sponsored by Auckland, Manukau and Waitakere city councils, celebrates the unique cultural flavour of Auckland for the month of March.

The diverse programme of 42 events incorporates everything from Pacific dance, crafts, workshops and exhibitions, to sport, literature, film and popular events. It includes:

* Genetic Pasifika - learn how to make your own tapa cloth, design a shell lei or shake your hips to the music of the Pacific with this series of workshops and demonstrations which runs for one week from Saturday 4 March until Thursday 9 March at Auckland Museum's Oceans Gallery. Workshops cost $10, bookings are recommended.

* Pasifika Playwrights public reading - take a look at two new Pacific Island plays, Brother's Keeper and On a Different Shelf, at the Herald Theatre on 9 March (2pm to 5pm) and at Western Springs College's TAPAC Theatre on 11 March (2pm to 5pm). Entry is free.

* Pasifika Playwrights development forum - a free public forum called "Pacific Voices" will be held on Thursday 9 March at The Edge's Limelight Room from 9.30am until 12.30pm with makers of New Zealand Pacific plays and presentations of new New Zealand Pacific works. It will also feature lively panel discussions with Oscar Kightley, Vela Manusaute and Justine Semei-Barton.

* Bring It! Celebrate Pasifika Touch Tournament - a one day touch tournament featuring the Pacific's top teams, arts and food stalls will be held on Sunday 12 March at Mt Albert's Fowlds Park, 50 Western Springs Road.

* This is not a Love Song - Artstation hosts a contemporary Pacific art exhibition curated by Eimi Tamua which looks at demystifying romanticised and exotic notions of the Pacific. It runs from 16 March until 1 April.

* Pasifika on Film - enjoy this compelling collection of Pasifika films from the New Zealand Film Archive showing Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga and the Cook Islands. (5 March, Auckland Museum, 3.30pm to 5pm, 17 March, 7pm - 9pm, Te Wananga O Aotearoa Campus, 15 Canning Cres, Mangere, 22 March, 7pm to 9pm, Otara Music and Arts Centre).

* Pollywood Shorts Four06 - this entertaining and insightful collection of Pacific Island short films showcases New Zealand-based Pacific Island talent and is curated by Craig Fasi of The Moving Image Centre. The selected short films include Rule #5, Mrs Mafua's Hat, Su Lele - Running Shoes, In Your Absence, All The Time, Sole and Niue - This is your land. (Screenings - 12 March, 6pm to 8pm, Moving Image Centre, 17 Galatos St, Newton, 14 March, 7pm to 9pm Te Tuhi, Pakuranga, 15 March, 7pm to 9pm, Otara Music and Arts Centre, 16 March Te Wananga O Aotearoa Campus, 15 Canning Cres, Mangere, 19 March, Auckland Musuem, 3.30pm to 5pm).

Other events happening during March as part of the Celebrate Pasifika programme include Indigenous Works, Soul on the Rock, VASA, Pacific Artist Summit, Pasifika Festival and Air New Zealand opening night concert, Ardijah concert - The Timeless Tour, the Pacific Trade Expo, Thrive Pasifika, DANZ Celebrating Movement Fono, Alu E Su'e Teine Lelei, TUTAU / MAU, a Pacific Market, Auckland City Libraries Pacific storytelling and the release of Sione's Wedding.

For more information on these Celebrate Pasifika events, please visit www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/celebratepasifika

This year's programme is supported by Spasifik Magazine, Niu Fm, Radio 531pi and ASB Trust.

ENDS

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