It’s a love thing

We launched our programme in a tandem gig with Nelson Spring and it’s shot to an instant top of the popularity charts. Retailers and restaurateurs are falling on our veteran programme delivery lady, whipping the posters off her trolley and into their windows. It’s been a tough winter for weather and for business and the delicious hot pink programme is just the spring tonic everyone’s been waiting for.
Then when the folks see the range of shows they just hoof it to Everyman and buy their tickets - already a couple of favourites are emerging. The naughty cabaret Meow Meow was picked by David Bowie for his New York festival and he’s a man with an eye for the different, then Smithies’ Sitting Room (there’s a misnomer) has been a sell out in the past and bootie-shakers are taking no chances.  

Scaling the tower
Nelson hit weather fame a couple of weeks ago when an evil easterly smacked our trees over, notably a redwood on a city corner that narrowly missed a car and had 100,000 hits on youtube within days. What’s arty about that? Well when we came to hang our big banner on that noted architectural landmark the city council clocktower, the Nelmac absielers were all still out on the job tidying up damaged trees. City council civil defence whiz Jim Burrows pulled strings and found us some keen climbing types who stepped in and got that banner up in not time. Nice work.

Director’s Pick
On the conditions and possibilities of Helen Clark taking me as her young lover
By festival time the election will be hot news, it might even be happening! Richard Meros is convinced that with him as her Young Lover, Helen Clark’s star will soar, launching a golden age of kiwi culture.  This is clever, witty satire - and really that’s not something we get often in New Zealand. Reviewers and audiences have loved this show and I reckon you will too.
Annabel Norman- Festival Director
 
What they said…
The Lonesome Buckwhips promise to tickle the funny bone of all those who laughed their pants off at the Kransky Sisters.  
“Arty appears to be the leader of the group. By day – possum hunter; by night – possum hunter. Nothing is sacred, and incestuous relationships are celebrated in their off-beat love songs.
Gary has recently returned from the war and is dressed in army fatigues ‘like a kakapo’. He wrote a song that was too grim even for Nick Cave and he still smarts from the rejection, but it pales into comparison beside loosing the tender for the Interislander to the Warratahs. His offering, ‘The Wahine Was a Once-Off’ is a powerful piece of satire – I told you nothing was sacred.”
Comedy Festival 2008, San Francisco Bathhouse, Reviewed by Kate Blackhurst in the Lumiere Reader

More on Manifest
Manifest 2008 is a different kettle of fish - there’s no marble, no stone and not much metal or wood. It’s a show of site specific installations that will put some unusual twists on Founders’ historic displays. Anyone who was at Nelson’s first ever Pecha Kucha night (that’s quickfire powerpoint shows) will be hanging out to see Nic Moon’s shelters - elegant crinoline shaped structures that deal with historic themes, including early trade between Maori and Europeans in Nelson (fish for blankets anyone?)

Be our friend
We’re not insecure - we just want more friends.  Spread the word: if you are planning to see just three festival shows as a couple, then the $175 Gold Friend’s Package will give you one ticket for nothing, plus a free copy of the all new Nelson Art Guide and other benefits. It’s a snip, a no-brainer, a bargain - a deal.

Get on line now and make your bookings at www.nelsonartsfestival.co.nz (love those little circus characters) or at Everyman 3 5483 083. The festival timing around Labour Weekend makes it a great time to invite your friends and families to really see what Nelson is all about. Outta-towners - make your travel bookings while there are still some cheap flights.
 
The Nelson Arts Festival runs from October 16-27 2008.
 It is presented by the Nelson City Council as an added attraction for visitors and a celebration for locals. Pick up a festival programme from libraries, council offices, visitor centres, cafes and retailers or reply to this email with your mailing address and we will send you one.
NAF-enews is produced for the festival by the Nelson Media Agency.

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