Nationally funded arts organisations are mobilising to raise money for and to support the people of Christchurch.

Free and fundraising events for the people of Christchurch are being organised by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO), the Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) and Te Matatini.

Ministry for Culture and Heritage’s chief executive Lewis Holden said he was aware of many arts organisations and artists around the country raising money to support Christchurch people with free and fundraising concerts, performances and events across the country.

On Saturday 19 March the best of the best of the recent Te Matatini of Te Ra kapa haka finals in Gisborne will be showcased at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre. They are aiming to sell 3,000 tickets with all proceeds going to the Earthquake Appeal.

The NZSO in conjunction with the Red Cross will be collecting at its “Symphonic Odyssey” Auckland Festival concert on 12 March and throughout the “Apotheosis” tour, which begins on 25 March with concerts in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, and Dunedin. The NZSO is planning on replacing the concert that was to have taken place on 7 April in the Christchurch Town Hall with a free early-evening concert in Christchurch that day. Alternative venues outside of the CBD are currently being investigated.

The orchestra will also partner with Elizabeth Marvelly and other guest artists in a special benefit concert at the Bruce Mason Centre on Auckland’s North Shore on 2 April.

The RNZB will take the dancers back to Christchurch at the end of the South Island leg of TOWER Tutus on Tour on 3 April to do meet and greets (in full costume) out in the Christchurch community, schools and hospitals. The ballet will give free performances of Tutus on Tour in the theatre or in a public park as soon as possible. Both the choreographer and designer of Pinocchio are from Christchurch.

The ballet will continue collecting for the Red Cross Appeal at all performances ($5,000 was raised from just two Wellington performances over the weekend). They will also give free performances for the Christchurch Arts Festival, venues permitting, and are trying to source alternative venues for performances of the Stravinsky Triple Bill and The Sleeping Beauty should Isaac Theatre Royal not be an option.

ENDS

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