Festival Of Colour Programme Announced

Festival Of Colour Programme Announced

At last night’s Southern Lakes Festival of Colour official launch (27 January), a diverse programme of over 40 performances and exhibitions showcasing many of New Zealand’s most respected names in art, music, theatre and dance was announced.

Over five days and four nights (27 April – 1 May), Lake Wanaka will play host to artists and arts lovers from all over the country and beyond. The Festival line-up will include music from Don McGlashan, Mahinarangi Tocker and the New Zealand Opera Company; exhibitions by Jane Ussher, Fiona Pardington and Michel Tuffery; dance by Raewyn Hill, four plays including a world premiere of King & Country; presentations by Grahame Sydney and Peter Arnett as well as a host of other performances ranging from jazz band Hot Club Sandwich to piano recitals by Michael Houstoun, comedy to drama, film to the visual arts and even a Festival anthem performed by the Central Otago Regional Choir and Orchestra. Shows will take place in a diverse range of venues including the magnificent Infinity Pacific Crystal Palace, the Wanaka Masonic Lodge, the streets and waterfront of Lake Wanaka and Treble Cone ski area.

The Festival will also include a strong community programme featuring many free events including a massive concert in the street with a top New Zealand band whose identity remains a closely guarded secret.

Festival director, Philip Tremewan said he was delighted with the programme for the first Festival of Colour, saying it was an exciting time for Lake Wanaka and the Southern Lakes.

“The breadth and depth of the Festival highlights the vibrant arts community that is flourishing in New Zealand. The sheer concentration of theatre, dance, music and visual arts will focus on this town and this region, bringing all the energy and excitement that is so much part of arts festivals around the world.”

Chairman of the Festival Board of Trustees, John Beattie, said he believed the festival would rapidly become the most distinctive arts festival in the South Island, attracting many visitors to the area.

“The festival is themed around the beauty of autumn in this area and clearly has a dual role of promoting the arts and arts enjoyment in the region, alongside building visitors in this shoulder season. It reaches out to the people of the Southern Lakes and Central Otago and onwards to visitors from Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland as well as international visitors who can choose this season to enjoy their visit to New Zealand.”

Tickets are available from 7 February through all TicketDirect outlets as well as through the Festival web site ( http://www.festivalofcolour.co.nz/) that also features a full programme of events. Travel packages are available through United Travel from all major New Zealand towns.

© Scoop Media