Arts On Tour New Zealand 2016 Menu

Arts On Tour New Zealand

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Arts On Tour NZ 2016 Menu – Michele A’Court, ‘Into the East’, ‘Everest Untold’ and more…

In a proud tradition of wandering troubadours, travelling thespians and small acts with a big impact, Arts On Tour New Zealand has organised national tours for more than 300 of New Zealand’s best loved musicians and actors. Travelling in the Arts On Tour NZ van with its distinctive message ‘Top Acts for Top Towns’, they’ve taken their acts the length and breadth of the country over the last 30 years, performing in out of the way places as well as small towns. A tried and true record!

The 2016 line up is particularly impressive, beginning in February with the ‘Carnivorous Plant Society’, led by trumpet and keyboard player, Finn Scholes. Expect Mexican mariachi mixed up with futuristic sci-fi space sounds, a live visual element and some of Auckland’s top musicians performing on instruments ranging from trumpet, violin, vibraphone, tuba, guitar, synthesizers, keyboards, bass, drums and the odd vocal whistle.

Talented Wellington-based country singers Eb and Sparrow tour in March. For the past three years they’ve been winning over audiences with their beautiful harmonising, cheeky wit and all-round dynamic performances.

In April, comic favourite Michele A’Court tours ‘Stuff I Forgot to Tell My Daughter’. Named ‘Comedian Act of the Decade’ at the 2010 Comedy Guild Awards, this fulltime professional and freelance writer shares her wisdom and wit with all who have had children, those who have children, those who might have children and those who have been children – a must see.

‘Into the East’ achieved hit duo status in 2015, winning many fans around the country while touring with AOTNZ – and US$10,000 for a new recording contract on artistssignal.com. The Southland duo, Graeme Woller and Liz McBride, have been refining their craft for the past nine years, crediting Alison Krauss, Ryan Adams, Laura Marling and Josh Ritter as their infuences. Touring in May.

In June, David Ladderman and Lizzie Tollemache tour ‘Mr and Mrs Alexander: Sideshows and Psychics’. It is 1888 in Lyttelton, New Zealand. Mr Alexander makes objects disappear; Mrs Alexander reads minds. Or does he? And does she?

“….engaging, edge-of-your-seat, breath-taking fun... (a show) you will remember and talk about years down the road.”On Stage Ottawa

“A great evening at the theatre,” according to Raymond Hawthorne, the July tour, ‘Everest Untold’ is part climbing experience, part history lesson, part personal revelation. Featuring Stephen Lovett as Everest expedition leader, Sir John Hunt and Jonny Brugh as Hawkes Bay born George Lowe, Everest Untold gives “…the untold story all New Zealanders should know” about the 1953 Everest expedition in which Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Norgay went on to conquer Everest. A play written by Gareth Davies.

A hiatus in August, then Hweiling Ow plays 10 characters in Renee Liang’s play ’Under the Same Moon – Love the family you have’, touring in September. A wayward Hong Kong matriarch arrives in New Zealand for her grand-daughter’s wedding with 1000 year old eggs and a few spanners to throw into a chasm of cultural misunderstanding. This heartfelt comedy invites a few tears as well as laughs, and offers a dazzling one woman performance from Hweiling.

The Kugels offer a classic klezmer performance from an all-star cast - accordionist and in-house composer, Ross Harris, recently retired NZ Symphony Orchestra musician, Robin Perks on violin, Debbie Rawson (head of woodwind at Victoria University’s NZ School of Music and leader of Saxcess) and Jacs Nordon on bass. Klezmer, a musical tradition of the Ashkenazi Jews of Eastern Europe, is noted for its energetic style originally consisting of dance tunes and instrumental display pieces for weddings and other celebrations. The Kugels will tour in October.

Finally, in November, ‘The Alpaca Social Club’ features ‘story singer’ Caitlin Smith, joined by Beyondsemble favourites, Jon Sanders on bouzouki, guitar, ukulele and vocals and Craig Denham on accordion, piano, whistles, vocals and percussion.

About Arts On Tour New Zealand – Live and Local Top Acts to Top Towns

Arts On Tour New Zealand (AOTNZ) organises tours of outstanding New Zealand performers to rural and smaller centres in New Zealand. The trust receives funding from Creative New Zealand, support from Interislander, and liaises with local arts councils, repertory theatres and community groups to bring the best of musical and acting talent to country districts. The AOTNZ programme is environmentally sustainable – artists travel to their audiences rather than the other way around.

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