Midwinter Takes on ‘A Winter Tale’

21/05/16

As the chill of winter starts to set in, a team of dedicated artists are busy preparing for one of the city’s most beloved celebrations. This year’s Dunedin Midwinter Carnival event will take place in the Octagon on 30 June transforming the city centre into a winter wonderland.

This year’s theme is ‘A Winter Tale’, brings to life a fairytale world, full of fantastical characters, right in the heart of the city. Incoming Artistic Director, Hannah Johnston, says the Carnival Art Team are hard at work building the key images for another visually stunning event.

“This year’s theme will bring together charming characters and creatures straight from pages of fables and fairy stories for an enchanting experience on a midwinter's night.” said Ms Johnston

2018 marks an important year for the Midwinter Carnival team as they launch an ambitious new route. This year, for the first time, the procession will travel from First Church, down Moray Place, up Stuart Street and around the Octagon, before returning to First Church via Princess Street.

The new, longer route, is intended to give people a better view of the creations currently under construction, event manager, Keir Russell says.

“Given the annual success of the event, routinely attracting up to 20,000 people, it felt like we had outgrown the Octagon. Working through the new route has been a complex and technical process, but thanks to the support of the Dunedin City Council and Dunedin Casino Charitable Trust the new route has finally become a reality!” said Mr Russell.

Public Workshops to be Launched

Lantern making workshops will be held on the three weekends leading up to the Midwinter Carnival event with the lanterns made also reflecting this year’s theme. This is a great opportunity to participate in the Midwinter Carnival.

Workshop bookings can be made through the Midwinter Carnival website with registrations opening at 5 pm on Monday 21 May. Organisers expect all workshops to book out fast. ‘People need to get in quick as spaces are limited and demand is always high’, said Ms Johnston.

LANTERN WORKSHOPS

Lantern Workshop 1 ‘Golden Ball’: 9/10 June

Ocean Beach Scout Hall, Victoria Road, St Kilda

10-4pm. Sessions start every half hour (the last session is at 2 pm ending at 4 pm)

Lantern Workshop 2 ‘Traditional Lantern’: 16/17 June

Dunedin North Intermediate, North Road, North East Valley

10-4pm. Sessions start every half hour (the last session is at 2 pm ending at 4 pm)

Lantern Workshop 3 ‘Mushroom’: 23/24 June

Community Gallery, 20 Princes Street, Dunedin

10-4pm. Sessions start every half hour (the last session is at 2 pm ending at 4 pm)

Each lantern made at the workshops costs $10 to cover materials, venue hire and staffing. This is to be paid on the day (cash only)

All bookings must be made via the Midwinter Carnival website:

http://www.midwintercarnival.co.nz/

ENDS

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