Earth Wind and Fire!

From the Director's Desk

I'm very pleased to say programming for the Nelson Arts Festival is almost complete and we're getting super excited about unveiling it in early August. This year we have been lucky enough to partner with both the Melbourne Festival and Dunedin Arts Festival on a number of spectacular international performances.

You can expect a huge variety of shows from breathtaking physical circus and creative puppetry, to theatrical storytelling and engaging conversations with many clever and interesting guests and artists.

As we lock in the performers, we now face the enormous task of getting them all here. With over 140 artists and guests over a twelve day period, arranging their travel and accommodation is quite a mission! Luckily we have a couple more months for the final preparations, but no doubt it will be here before we know it.

On that note, I better get back to it! See you in a couple months.

Sophie Kelly, Festival Director.

Let's get Luke to London

Luke Burke is an up-and-coming actor from Nelson, who has been hand-picked by the Young Shakespeare Company to represent New Zealand at the Globe Theatre in London, from 4 – 23 July. But he needs our help to get there.

Since finishing school last year, Luke has been juggling part-time work, and being an intern with the Nelson Body in Space Theatre Company, all while trying to save what he can towards the $8,500 required to take part in this amazing opportunity. You may remember Luke from his popular one man play In the Boat as part of Found Tales at last year's Nelson Arts Festival.

You can help Luke by donating on his givealittle page here:http://www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/getluketolondon

A message from Luke:
"My mother is a widow, and trying to come up with the shortfall needed for this once in a lifetime opportunity in London is a huge burden, so I am seeking the support from my community. You can contact me through the [facebook] page or support me through the Telecom Foundation - Give A Little Website. Every dollar will be appreciated and I thank you for your support".

Unveiling This Year's Masked Parade

The theme for this year's Masked Parade was hotly contested in our inaugural competition, with 34 entries flooding the festival inbox. After much deliberation, the entry by The Boathouse Community Choir, of "Earth, Wind and Fire" came up trumps.
Schools were sent enrolment packs last week, prompting a flurry of entries so it looks like the 2014 parade on Friday 17 October is shaping up to be another cracker!

We are also busy organising entertainment for the More FM Carnivale after the parade, which will be the perfect way to celebrate 20 years of the Nelson Arts Festival.

If you are keen to get a group together to join in the parade, you can register online here. Or if you would like to be in the parade as a volunteer to help marshal groups or as a performer, we are always looking for people! Just get in touch with us atfestivalenquiries@ncc.govt.nz

Indian Ink

Nelsonians are in for a real treat in July as Indian Ink Theatre Company bring their new show Kiss The Fish to the Theatre Royal as part of their national tour, from Wed 9 July to Sat 12 July.

Don’t miss the latest work from this multi-award winning company whose shows have been seen by over 250,000 people!
“Indian Ink’s magical new show embodies qualities that make us proud to be Kiwis,” NZ Herald, 2013

All tickets purchased before 20 June, go in the draw to win an exquisite, limited edition mask from the show, hand-made by our Balinese master carver, Kodi Tengu.

For more information or to book tickets click here

ends

© Scoop Media