AK03 Heineken Festival Club at THE EDGE®

News Release – 1 September 2003

AK03 Heineken Festival Club at THE EDGE®

1. Canadian Sheldon Elter in Metis Mutt at AK03 Heineken Festival Club at The Civic, THE EDGE®

Meet with friends, enjoy cabaret entertainment and party with Auckland’s hottest talents at AK03 Heineken Festival Club at The Civic, THE EDGE® during AK03.

THE EDGE® brings together two hot international cabaret acts and top New Zealand talent at the AK03 Heineken Festival club in the Winter Garden, The Civic, opening from 8pm to late every night during the 16-day festival.

Canadian actor Sheldon Elter, Australian comedian Melissa Jones and Auckland’s own Jennifer Ward-Lealand headline the programme of ticketed cabaret entertainment. While the late night lounge will feature New Zealand talent including jazz, DJs and vocalists.

Tickets for the cabaret entertainment are $25 (service fees may apply). Entry to the late night lounge, featuring entertainment from DJs, jazz and vocalists, is free.

Sheldon Elter opens the cabaret entertainment on Saturday 20 September with his much-acclaimed solo show Metis Mutt.

Metis Mutt recounts the story of Sheldon’s coming of age as a young Metis man torn between two cultures. Told through stand-up comedy, original songs, storytelling and multi-character acting, it challenges the stereotypes we find funny – often hilarious and sometimes heartbreaking.

2. Jennifer Ward-Lealand steps back into the shoes of Marlene Dietrich at AK03 Heineken Festival Club at The Civic, THE EDGE® Pic Credit: Andrew Malmo

The show was first seen this year at Edmonton’s NeXtFest where it stunned audiences and critics and proceeded to a sell-out season at the Edmonton Fringe Festival.

“By turns screamingly funny and brutally honest, it’s a one-man show that blows all kinds of prejudices out of the water” – Steve Tilley, Edmonton Sun

Sheldon Elter in Metis Mutt – Saturday 20 September, Wednesday 24 September, Monday 29 September to Thursday 2 October.

Following a sell out season of Pam Gem’s play Marlene, Auckland’s own Jennifer Ward-Lealand steps back into the shoes of screen goddess Marlene Dietrich.

Presented in association with potent (pause) productions, Jennifer will sing highlights from Ms Dietrich’s films and recordings and relive the glamour of days gone by featuring songs by Cole Porter, Edith Piaf and Pete Seeger.

“Ward-Lealand is glorious as Marlene. She sings; she is calculating and coquettish; she cracks one-liners with cruel glee.” – NZ Herald

Jennifer Ward-Lealand sings Marlene – Sunday 21 September and Monday 22 September, Friday 3 October to Sunday 5 October.

Winner of the 2001 Sydney Cabaret Convention and direct from the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Melissa Langton hits Auckland with her brand new hit comic cabaret show, Me and Mr Jones.
Featuring plenty of laughs and sassy lounge-style classics from the 60s and 70s, Melissa is accompanied, and occasionally upstaged, by Mark Jones.

“Sensational! Cabaret at its best.” – The Age

Melissa Langton and Mark Jones in Me and Mr Jones – Tuesday 23 September, Thursday 25 September to Sunday 28 September.

3. Cabaret star Melissa Langton performs her acclaimed show Me and Mr Jones at AK03 Heineken Festival Club at The Civic, THE EDGE®

The late night lounge and club (free entry) opens from 10.30pm and features Auckland’s hottest acts – from jazz to DJs, divas to drag.

The WBC and the Offbeat Selector will open the club on Saturday 20 September and each night will feature some of the best Auckland has to offer …

Minuit * Dejusa * The Hot Grits * Venus * Jackie Clarke & Callie Blood's Silly Darlings * The New Pacific Music Ensemble * Kat McDowell * Little Spin with Truda Chadwick * Kip Tipuna and Manuel Gomez * Swing Low & Karen Hunter * Sarah Brown * French Toast with Linn Lorkin * Hershal & Peter Scott * Mr Pink * Lisa Lorrell & Tim Evans with highlights from Just Desserts * Stinky Jim * Nick D * Jason Lonsdale * Dunc Tha Funk * Dan C * The Professor

Enjoy cabaret entertainment, catch up with friends or party the night away at theAK03 Heineken Festival Club at The Civic, THE EDGE®.

ENDS

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