A taste of New Caledonia in Auckland

Media Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

21 February 2007

A taste of New Caledonia in Auckland

Aucklanders have a unique opportunity to sample New Caledonian music and visual art in March – without leaving the city.

As part of the “New Caledonia New Zealand Season” – an initiative funded by the Government and Provinces of New Caledonia aimed at lifting the profile in New Zealand of New Caledonia, our closest neighbour – a line-up of the best artists and athletes from New Caledonia tour New Zealand during 2007 to appear in the country’s leading arts and cultural festivals and sports events.

On 10 and 11 March, Pacific Roots band Kalaga’la and Kanéka/reggae band Vhirin perform during Auckland Festival AK07 and Pasifika Festival. Vhirin’s infectious, reggae-influenced Kanéka music is fresh and intoxicating with a powerful beat; Kalaga’la’s rich musical style, which incorporates contemporary Polynesian folk music with vibrant Kanéka beats and rhythms, rhythmically decodes Pacific Island style, culture and identity.

From 7-14 March, acclaimed multi-disciplinary visual artists Ito Waïa and Micheline Néporon present an exhibition and workshops at Seed Gallery in Newmarket, as part of Auckland Festival’s visual arts programme. Néporon, one of the first Kanak women to devote herself to art, works across various media including bamboo engravings, acrylic, wood and ink, and is also an established poet. Waïa is renowned for his spectacular sculptures using various elements such as wood, rope and metal.

“New Caledonia New Zealand Season” Directors Carla van Zon and Briony Ellis have selected the artists, musicians, dancers, writers, athletes and sportspeople who will perform or compete in New Zealand, and have created a programme that will appeal to a broad range of New Zealanders.

“The line-up for Aucklanders in March is a great taste of the breadth of Kanak expression,” says Briony Ellis, “and we’re really delighted that such a broad-based Season programme is being launched in Auckland – such a pivotal city within the Pacific, and a crucial place to grow the profile of New Caledonia as our closest neighbour.”

“New Caledonia New Zealand Season” events in Auckland in March:

L'Art Contemporain de Nouvelle Caledonie: ITO WAIA and MICHELINE NÉPORON

Wednesday 7 to Wednesday 14 March – Seed Gallery, 23a Crowhurst St, Newmarket

VHIRIN

Saturday 10 March – 12:00pm, Radio 531PI Cultural Stage, Pasifika Festival, Western Springs

Saturday 10 March – 7:30pm, Red Square @ Britomart (part of Auckland Festival AK07)

KALAGA’LA

Saturday 10 March – 10:20am, Radio 531PI Cultural Stage, Pasifika Festival, Western Springs

Sunday 11 March – 7:30pm, Red Square @ Britomart (part of Auckland Festival AK07)

For further details and to keep abreast of “New Caledonia New Zealand Season” events as they are confirmed, check out www.NewCaledoniaSeason.co.nz and discover and experience the riches of New Caledonia, here in New Zealand during 2007.

Ends

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