15-26 October 2009 — Nelson will be living up to its reputation as one of New Zealand’s most exciting artistic hubs when the Nelson Arts Festival hits town in October.
Over the two weeks of the festival Nelson will be lit up with theatre, music, dance performances, poetry and artistic workshops – offering something for everybody’s tastes, from ‘out-there’ to classical.
Lightening up
The theme for 2009’s festival is ‘light’, a theme reflective of the transition from winter to spring as well as how peoples’ minds can be enlightened from exposure to exciting artistic ideas and new talent.
Nelson City Council Creative Director Annabel Norman believes art can play an important role in enriching our lives.
“In this time of recession talk and environmental concerns we want to lighten the mood and bring some laughter into people’s lives with performances such The Kransky Sisters, La Sud, The Butler and our top international act, Belgian singer Micheline van Hautem,” she said.
Worldwide appeal
From Belgium to Lyttelton, Brazil to America, with some acts from Nelson thrown in, the festival has attracted intriguing and entertaining shows from around the world.
Gifted Belgian chanteuse Micheline Van Hautem has been captivating audiences worldwide and will be delighting Nelson audiences at the festival with her versions of the songs of her fellow countryman Jacques Brel as well as performing her own compositions.
‘The Butler’, performed by artists based in Lyttleton, is back by popular demand after thrilling audiences in 2008 and will be bringing some raucous fun with its visually stunning, circus-based satire.
New Zealand writers are strongly represented with writers including Patricia Grace and Elizabeth Knox sharing their thoughts in workshops and a play by Albert Belz ‘Whero’s New Net’ featuring adaptations of NZ author, Witi Ihimaera’s short stories.
Strong history
The Nelson Arts Festival is in its fifteenth year and is the only regional festival to be held annually in the country, reflecting Nelson’s strong artistic community.
Founders Heritage Park in the centre of Nelson is set to be the heart of the festival and will be transformed into a 400-seat theatre with an indoor café to host the more intimate music performances and workshops, and will be complemented by performances in other venues all around the city.
The festival kicks off on Friday October 16 with a masked parade, where more than 4000 children will fill the city streets, and ends on Monday October 26 with a Family Finale in Heritage Park.
Web: http://www.nelsonartsfestival.co.nz
Tags: Nelson