Nelson Arts Festival shines 20 years on

Throngs of Nelsonians and visitors from across New Zealand attended this year’s Nelson Arts Festival, with more than 47 sold out performances from a total of 77 ticketed events.

The festival closed yesterday after 12 jam-packed days of theatre, music, writers’ talks, community events, art installations, school performances and workshops in venues across the region.

Ticket sales are still being counted but figures are tracking at around 11,400 sales, up on about 10,500 last year.

The school programme was particularly well received this year, with an estimated 2,882 school children experiencing top quality music and theatre at an accessible price. Entries were also strong in the Stage One performances, with high demand from schools across the region keen to take part.

Now in its 20th year, the Nelson Arts Festival is presented by Nelson City Council as a celebration for locals and an attraction for visitors.

Community Services Deputy Chair Gaile Noonan says through its free and ticketed events, the festival touches a broad cross-section of Nelsonians like no other event.

“The Nelson Arts Festival is a significant Council investment that sets our city apart from others as it’s the only annual regional arts festival. The support it continues to receive every year is testament to a region that embraces arts, creativity and has a strong sense of community.

“I want to thank the community for their ongoing support and participation in this year’s festival, and the generous sponsorship from local businesses, which is essential for running the event.

“With 77 ticketed shows and a raft of free events packed into the programme, a huge effort was required by the festival team and crew. I attended a number of the sold out events and they ran without a hitch, thanks to the organisation skills of Sophie and her hard working team. It was a great festival for Sophie to finish on and we wish her all the very best.”

Half of this year’s Page & Blackmore’s Readers and Writers sessions were sold out, with a significant number of visitors attending from out of town. Man Book prize winner Eleanor Catton led the line up, which also included poet Harry Ricketts, Wonky Donkey author Craig Smith, Sarah-Kate Lynch for a girls’ lunch and two of the popular Thinking Brunches, one on New Zealanders’ sense of identity and the other on public broadcasting.

This was the last festival for Nelson Arts Festival Director Sophie Kelly, who says she’s thrilled her final programme was well received.

“For young and old, the festival programme had something in it for everyone. Audiences were particularly thrilled with the world class circus performers in Beyond and the talented crooners from Modern Maori Quartet.

“People loved the unexpected twists in modern dance show Back of the Bus, which went into someone’s home, an art gallery and even into local bar Rhythm and Brown. The Bookbinder in the quaint St Peters Church at Founders was another hit.

“Other successes were the free Nelson acts in the packed out Granary Sessions and the festival buzz at Founders with the spectacular video installation Winds of Time on the windmill every night.”

Taking over the position of Festival Director on 10 November is Axel de Maupeou, currently Community Services Team Leader at Palmerston North City Council.

Ends

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