Download Jump into summer and the magic of Christmas early this year in

Jump into summer and the magic of Christmas early this
year in Aotea Square.
THE EDGE presents
Unwrapping Christmas
in the BIG little City
7 – 21 December, Aotea Square, Auckland
Bandstand Under the Stars, Random Acts, Live at Lunch and Christmas Markets.
Kick start your holiday season with a heady mix of live music, dancing, Christmas markets and street
theatre as THE EDGE and Heart of the City open Aotea Square to the excitement and anticipation that
only December can bring.
Unwrapping Christmas in the BIG little City will put a spring in your step with a unique blend of free
cultural and community experiences and entertainment over a two week period as we celebrate all that is
vibrant and exciting about a Southern Hemisphere Christmas.
In its fourth year Random Acts returns to push the boundaries and expand the minds of our Big little City,
while a new offer called Bandstand Under the Stars lets you dance the evening away under the stars. Mix
that with Live at Lunch offering live music every lunch time, deck chairs, giant Connect Four and crafty
markets to find all your Christmas treats and Aotea Square is your one stop shop for the perfect place to
relax and ease yourself into the silly season.
“Unwrapping Christmas in the BIG little City brings all the joy and fun of summer to the heart of
Auckland’s CBD” says Festival Producer Sally Barnett “Aotea Square will be humming with activities
and we want everyone to feel part of it - this is Christmas Auckland style!”
Random Acts continues its tradition of taking theatre to the people with a fantastic line up of professional
performers adding that extra touch of the unexpected to the Square. With Tango dancers, Pacific Barbie
Dolls, Body painted dancers, physical theatre, storytelling and a Commedia dell’arte troupe you can pop
down for half an hour or stay for the whole afternoon.
There’s something magical about dancing under the stars, something romantic in the moonlight and
something joyous about live music, so on Friday and Saturday nights come down and dance into the
night at Bandstand Under the Stars. With dance demonstrations a quick lesson and some live music you
can groove on into the night and get a taste of Salsa, Swing, Ballroom, Bollywood and a traditional Celtic
Ceilidh. The summer is here and the time is right for dancing!
Live at Lunch lets you get out of the office and warm into those lazy hazy summer days. Come down to
the square, lax out in a deck chair and enjoy two hours of live music from 12 – 2pm, grab something tasty
from the food stalls, play some table tennis or petanque in the sun.
For all those shopping nightmares the answer waits at the Christmas markets and the bi–annual Art and
Craft market. There’s nothing more beautiful than an outdoor market full of Christmas treats to get you in
the mood for St Nick.
Unwrapping Christmas is full of the romance of long summer days and nights, the magical lead up to
Christmas and the beauty of all that Auckland has to offer. Join the dancing, the music and the art on our
enchanted evenings in the Square. The excitement of summer has arrived.
For more information please contact Alex Ellis, publicist on [email protected] or 021345784.
Special thanks to our Radio Partner Mediaworks
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Bandstand Under the Stars
Friday and Saturday nights,
7 - 21 December, 7 – 10pm,
Aotea Square
Dance the night away at Bandstand Under the Stars on Friday and Saturday evenings. Learn some new
moves or show off the ones you already have. Each weekend evening, whether it’s Salsa, Swing,
Bollywood, a Celtic Ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee) or classic Ballroom, come and get your groove on with a
live band.
Bring your friends and family or take the chance to meet someone new, everyone is welcome no matter
what your ability and it’s free to join in. There will be dance instructors on hand to show everyone the
moves as well as plenty of room to freestyle, or just listen to the music. Grab a drink, a bite to eat and
dance the night away in Aotea Square.
Each bandstand evening will be hosted by Nick Rado - 2011 Winner of NZ Comedy’s Best MC. We even
have stylists on site to help you glam it up in the style of the night.
SALSA UNDER THE STARS – Friday 7th December
Latinissimo Dance and Viva Latino with Matecito Latin Band
BOLLYWOOD UNDER THE STARS – Saturday 8th December
Monisha Kumar, Amber Balakrishna, The Garagewalas, DJ Desi & DJ Areeb
SWING UNDER THE STARS – Friday 14th December
Swing Out Central with Tuxedo Swing
SCOTTISH CEILIDH UNDER THE STARS – Saturday 15th December
Twisty Willow and the City of Auckland Pipe Band.
BALLROOM UNDER THE STARS – Friday 21st December
Candy Lane Dancers with Queen City Big Band
Salsa under the Stars
Featuring Latinissimo Dance and Viva Latino Dance Schools with Matecito Latin Band
Fri 7 December, 5.30pm – 10pm
Salsa under the stars is an exciting and sensual fiesta of dance and music! Start the evening at 5.30pm
with five piece Tango band 4 x Tango from Wellington. Grab a drink, watch the dance and soak up the
atmosphere as you experience the magic of Latin America. Get in the mood with hot Latin dance
demonstrations from Viva Latino and The Latinissimo Latin Dance Studios and learn the moves yourself.
Salsa under the Stars gets the party started in the Square and gives you the opportunity to meet new
people, make new friends, and learn how to get your Groove on - Latin style!
www.salsadance.co.nz
www.vivalatino.co.nz
Bollywood under the Stars
Featuring Monisha Kumar, Amber Balakrishna, The Garagewalas, DJ Desi and DJ Areeb
Sat 8 December, 7pm – 10pm
Come along with your family and friends and enjoy a night in Bollywood.
Learn the dazzling dance moves that Bollywood films are all about; see sequences performed by some of
Auckland’s best performers and join in the Bollywood dance party!
Monisha Kumar, Amber Balakrishna, Bollywood sensations The Garagewalas, The Desi beats and Khote
Sikke Nachda Punjab will help you dance the night away as DJ Desi and DJ Areeb play a fusion of Indian
classical music, rock, pop and hip hop.
www.rhythmhouse.co.nz
Swing under the Stars
Featuring Swing Out Central and live band Tuxedo Swing
Fri 14 December, 7pm – 10pm
Swing the night away at Swing under the Stars. If you’ve always wanted to give swing a try then get down
to the Square on Friday 14 December. Swing Out Central are running a giant beginners swing lesson,
kicking off an evening of big band music and swing dancing. Professional dancers will also be free styling
to the rich sounds of the big band and finishing the night off with a group performance.
Kick back and listen to the sounds of Tuxedo Swing playing all the classics from 1920, 1930s and 1940’s
big band era - a period when dancing was the world’s most popular form of entertainment and get into the
Swing of it!
Ceilidh under the Stars
Featuring Twisty Willow Celtic Band
Sat 15 December, 7pm – 10pm
What’s the Craic? Ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee) is Gaelic meaning an informal gathering for music and
dancing, so grab your partner and fling them round the Square as you dance to the music of Twisty
Willow Celtic Band. You don’t need any experience, just enthusiasm, as all of the moves are explained
and “called” while you dance. Bring the family or a group of mates and learn the moves as you dance to
the lively, infectious beat of Celtic music.
There will also be a special performance from the City of Auckland Pipe Band of traditional Scottish
bagpipe tunes including Scotland the Brave and Marie’s Wedding.
Suitable for all ages and abilities.
www.twistywillow.co.nz
www.cityofaucklandpipeband.org.nz
Ballroom under the Stars
Featuring the Candy Lane dancers and Queen City Big Band
Fri 21 December, 7pm – 10pm
Join in the glitz and the glam of Ballroom with Candy Lane and the Queen City Big Band. If you have
never danced Ballroom before but wanted to give it a go, come down and give it a whirl.
Ballroom under the Stars is a dance spectacular not to be missed. With lessons and demonstrations from
some of the country’s best dancers including Candy Lane, Aaron Gilmore, Jonny Williams, Kristie Boyd
and Loren de boeck.
Queen City Big Band is Auckland’s premier Big Band. Playing a huge repertoire of fantastic music from
the great swing era to funk, rock and jazz, this band is one not to be missed.
http://candylane.co.nz/dance-company/home
www.queencitybigband.co.nz
Random Acts
Friday 7th and 21st, 3pm - 7pm,
Saturday 8th and 15th and Sunday 9th and 16th, 1pm - 5pm
Aotea Square
Quirky theatre on the street that makes Aotea Square just a little more adventurous with…
Comic Interludes
Tango De Construct
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
Pacific Me City
Unsung Heroes
Moving Canvas
Comic Interludes
LAB Theatre
LAB Theatre’s remarkable mobile stage is about to roll in to town. A mobile theatre with eight actors
performing, singing and interacting with the public, Comic Interludes is thirty minutes of mayhem, live
music and improvisation based on the techniques of Commedia dell’arte, Clowning and Physical Theatre
- inspired by Renaissance European acting troupes and circus.
Comic Interludes brings theatre to the streets this Christmas in an exciting masked street theatre show
performed on and off the back of a re-styled truck.
LAB Theatre Bio
Comic Interludes is directed by LAB Theatre’s co-founder and master clown Pedro Ilgenfritz in
partnership with UNITEC New Zealand. The show features actors Katie Burson, Jonny Moffatt and Kelly
Nash, with support from Lynette Fesuluai, Joanna Toloa, Hans Masoe, Jeremy Hewett, and Nastassia
Wolfgramm.
LAB’s first show Alfonsina (2010) toured Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin and was performed at
VERTICE Brazil: International Women in Theatre Festival 2010, receiving critical acclaim. One by One
(2011/2013) is the company’s most recent work. After a successful season in Auckland, the show has
been invited to attend the XVI Stage Internazionale di Commedia dell’Arte (comedy festival) in 2013,
organised by Scuola Sperimentale dell’Atore – Pordenone Italy.
LAB Theatre is an Auckland company dedicated to actor training and the development of original theatre
shows. LAB’s work is located in the innovative territory inhabited by clowns and tricksters. Fundamental
to LAB’s ethos is a deep respect for physical technique, social engagement and the spirit of humour.
www.labtheatre.co.nz
Tango De Construct
Beautiful Sake Productions
Discover the vibrant streets of Buenos Aires as the sensuous Tango De Construct unfolds before you.
Tango De Construct is a pop up dance which appears from the shadows and disappears back into them.
Two tango dancers perform this graceful dance in Aotea Square. Geoff Gilson and Victoria Szerdi
combine their contemporary dance and tango backgrounds into a fusion of dance styles. Sit back, relax
and let your eyes feast on the luscious performance that will unfold before you. Subtle and sensual,
swirling and dramatic Tango De Construct will bring art of tango to life.
Beautiful Sake Bio
Beautiful Sake Productions present new engaging work which marries traditional dance forms with a
unique flavour and style. Director Geoff Gilson explores things out of the ordinary, surreal and
subconscious, in the belief that in the presentation of the absurd, layers of deep truth can be woven into
the fabric of the piece, allowing the audience a multi-layered encounter of performance.
View video of Beautiful Sake Productions http://vimeo.com/geoffgilsonnz
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
The People Who Play With Theatre
The People Who Play With Theatre bring you a new take on the famous poem ‘Twas the Night Before
Christmas. A giant book will open up a world of a pop-up story never explored on such a large scale!
When the massive cover is lifted, the magical story ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas begins to unfold.
Imagined and constructed by Auckland playwright, puppet-maker and performer Ben Anderson. Using
exciting theatrical ideas of puppetry, visual imagery and the surprise and wonder of a new and explorative
way of story-telling, this is a spectacle to be enjoyed by the whole family.
The People Who Play With Theatre’s Bio
The People Who Play with Theatre is a group of theatre makers led by Auckland playwright/puppet-maker
Ben Anderson. Their work is characterized by the beautiful and breath-taking imagery, puppetry and
never-ending surprises which delight audiences again and again.
www.teamgood.co.nz
Pacific Me City
Ura Tabu Pacific Dance
You are invited to journey through the Pacific and move to the beats of Pacific Me City with this vibrant
dance performance by Ura Tabu Pacific Dance. Pacific Me City adds a touch of the pacific to the city
through dance, injecting the city with colours, vibrancy, music and dancing for all to take part in and enjoy.
They will present a mobile interweaving dance mob, interacting with the public and encouraging and
enticing them to join in the dance. Check out this visual feast of extravagant costume that represents
urban city life influenced by our vibrant Pacific cultures through music dance and movement.
Ura Tabu Pacific Dance Bio
Ura Tabu Pacific Dance embrace the passion, grace and spirit of Pacific Island women creating a synergy
that resurrects wildness and pure love inherent from their pacific cultural practices. The dance group push
boundaries, influenced by their environment, time and geographic distances while keeping alive the tabu
spirit of ancient pacific dance. They consider themselves to be the modern Pacific Island Woman and
work to create a unique style that brings forth raw passion of pacific dance with a contemporary element.
They aim to reach wider audiences educating and promoting contemporary Pacific dance. Ura Tabu was
first established in August 2008. An all-female dance group made up of different ethnicities from a diverse
dance background. Director Charlene Tedrow is a proud Samoan who expresses her culture and
creativity through dance. Dancing has taken Charlene as far as Dubai, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Hawaii
both performing and running Samoan Siva workshops.
Check out Ura Tabu Pacific Dance on Youtube
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH-P2gw3S24
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahH20W1kid8
Unsung Heroes
White Face Crew
From a fireman, who can’t find the fire to a courier trying not to be run over by Auckland pedestrians,
celebrate our unsung heroes in this crack-you-up spontaneous physical theatre and dance street
performance. See if you can spy the White Face Crew roaming Aotea Square as the unsung heroes of
Auckland’s community. The doctor who can’t find the patient, the street-cleaner in search of the rubbish
bin, the Surf Lifesaver miles from the Beach. Where would we be without them? With their distinctive
White Faces, costumes and characters, the White Face Crew will interact with passers-by evoking,
laughter, fun and connection in spontaneous moments. Drawing from improvisation, clowning, character,
physical theatre and dance The White Face Crew will entertain Auckland with their unique performance
style.
The White Face Crew’s Bio
The White Face Crew has been hitting streets and theatres since 2010 igniting the imagination of
audiences and passers-by with their charming vibe. Core members are Justin Haiu, Tama Jarman and
Jarod Rawiri. The WFC won ‘Overall Supreme Winners’ at the Short and Sweet Dance Festival 2012 and
‘Wildcard Award Winners’ at Short and Sweet Theatre Festival 2010, and love to return to the street for
Random Acts 2012.
Justin and Tama from The White Face Crew in ‘The Bizness’ for Random Acts 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8hjXhCIAZs
Double Derelicts – Supreme winner of NZ Short and Sweet Dance Festival 2012
http://vimeo.com/39808276
Moving Canvas
Rainbow Rascals and Zahra Killeen-Chance
Body Art is a fabulous moving art form that is dynamic and colourful. Watch what happens when the art
comes alive on three talented dancers, Shanelle Lenhan, Maria Munkowits and Molly McDowall. The
bodies are painted by body artists Jane Ellis, Amelia Hitchcock and Magdalena O'Connor who have been
involved in many Body Art projects and the Body Art Awards. Working with Choreographer Zahra KilleenChance three moving artworks represent Auckland and its place in the Pacific. Combining dance and
painting – this collision of art forms is a visual spectacular.
Moving Canvas Bios
Jane Ellis hails from the UK, and operates her own children’s entertainment business specialising in face
painting, balloon twisters, clowns, fairies and superheroes. She has been a body artist for 6 years which
has included working on Daffodil day, prostate awareness and dove pink star breast cancer walk.
Magdalena O’Connor is an award winning Auckland based freelance artist specialising in body art and
sculpture. She has been body painting competitively in New Zealand for the past seven years and has
won numerous awards.
Amelia Hitchcock is an award winning artist who graduated from Elam School of Fine Art with a first class
masters in 2012. In her contemporary art practice she focuses on interdisciplinary, collaborative and
conceptual art with an environmental bent.
Shanelle Lenhan’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Performing Arts with a major in contemporary
dance from Unitec 2005, and an Advanced Dance Diploma from City Ballet 2006. She was a member of
Timothy Gordon’s Company Z Dance 2006-2008, and performed frequent group and solo work under the
direction of Timothy Gordon, Mary-Jane O’Reilly and Juliet Fisher.
Maria Munkowits graduated from Unitec Performing and Screen Arts with a contemporary dance major in
2006 where she trained under various New Zealand dance artists including Michael Parmenter, Malia
Johnston and Jack Gray.
Originally from Nelson, Molly McDowall graduated from Unitec with a Bachelor of Performing and Screen
Arts in contemporary dance in 2010. During her time at Unitec, Molly worked under Michael Parmenter,
Chris Jannides and danced alongside the Beijing Dance Academy.
Live at Lunch
Monday 10th - Friday 21st December, 12 noon to 2pm
With a selection of great live music everyday there is no better place to sit back, relax and ease your way
into summer. Every weekday the bandstand will be hosting a variety of Auckland bands and musicians
so grab some friends or work mates and head down to Aotea Square. There will be giant games of
connect four, pickup sticks, petanque or just lounge around on one of the deck chairs and be entertained.
Markets
Auckland Art & Craft Fair
Saturday 8 December, 11am - 4pm
Aotea Centre
Celebrating creativity and craftiness the Auckland Art & Craft Fair is a one of a kind, special event that
happens only twice a year. This market is designed to showcase a selection of New Zealand’s best
independent and contemporary Designers, Artists & Crafters selling their products direct to the public for
one day only. With 6 months between each event, you can be sure this is the best of the best.
Unwrapping Christmas Markets
14 – 16 December
Friday 5pm - 10pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am - 5pm
Aotea Square
If you need a stocking stuffer or a special gift, this market by Auckland’s crafty folk and local artisans
could just be the place to add something unique to your Christmas shopping with local boutique
designers, artists, vintage sellers and food outlets. A market full of handmade delights and Christmassy
treats for the whole family. Each maker has been hand chosen for their unique products, careful
execution and what we think a Christmas market should be all about. With a bright range of home wares,
jewellery, clothing, prints and more, there will be something for everyone. Nestled amongst the market
stalls will be some of Auckland’s most delicious gourmet street food vendors; be sure to bring your pocket
money and an empty tummy!