International Festivals in March
If you’re feeling like there’s an overload of international festivals coming up, not to worry! Jasons has picked three favourites and waded through the programmes to give you a quick review of global travel via festivals this March.
Jump to
1. Auckland Arts Festival
2. Jambalaya Festival of Rhythm and Dance
3. WOMAD
1. Auckland Arts Festival - Auckland, 2 - 20 March, 2011
Performers from around the world in theatre, music and dance will be arriving for the fifth annual
Auckland Arts Festival. If you’re also arriving in the city in March and want to get a taste of
Auckland via the arts festival, Jasons has teased out these
Auckland acts from the global programme.
THEATRE
To get a true sense of
Auckland’s character, don’t miss Massive Company’s
Havoc in the Garden. The play is the final product of extensive collaboration between playwright Lennie James and Massive Company. Lennie has tapped into the spirit of
Auckland by drawing inspiration from the casts’ own families and experiences.
Havoc is sure to offer an entertaining cross-section of the
Auckland region’s cultures.
Where & When
Herald Theatre
Wed 2 – Sat 5 March 7pm, Sun 6 March 5pm
Mangere Arts Centre
Wed 9 – Sat 12 March 7 pm
The Pumphouse
Web 16 – Sat 19 March 7 pm, Sun 20 March 5 pm, Tue 22 – Sat 26 March 7 pm
MUSIC
Forget touring the world, travel into outer space with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO)! Taking their cue from the stars, the national orchestra will be performing classic and contemporary music inspired by the 1968 movie
2001: A Space Odyssey. The NZSO will also perform a family concert of space themed music including pieces from
Star Wars and
ET. The NZSO’s programme describes the performance as ‘a selection of work that restores the true meaning of the word awesome…layered with V8’s suberbly crafted vocal pyrotechnics…the orchestra will take audiences on a musical joyride…’ This is sure to be an awesome and firey explosion of music to send you to the moon and back!
When & Where
Great Hall
Sat 12 March 8pm
Sun 13 March 11.30am (NZSO’s Family Concert)
DANCE
Kiwi choreographer Douglas Wright will premier his major new work,
rapt. Douglas is known as one of New Zealand’s most creative and visionary artists and his new work will feature New Zealand and international dancers as well as music by kiwi composer David Long. Described by the choreographer as displaying ‘unforgettable dances of serenity and power,’ don’t miss this revolutionary performance stacked with New Zealand talent.
When & Where
The Civic
Wed 16 – Fri 18 March 7.30pm
Sat 19 March 2pm & 7.30pm
Tickets and More Info
To book tickets for all festival events and for more info go to
www.aucklandfestival.co.nz
2. Jambalaya Festival of Rhythm and Dance - Waitakere, 4-6 March 2011
Spend the weekend in Waitakere and leave a wiser, fitter, healthier person through the world experiences taking place at the Jambalaya Festival of Rhythm and Dance. More than just a performance festival, Jambalaya offers several workshops with international teachers and even runs a three-day ‘summer camp’ leading up to the festival. Jasons has highlighted some performances, workshops and parties to open you to new worlds this March.
PERFORMANCE
Shadow Puppet Play – See puppet master Joko Susilo tell ancient Indonesian stories through shadow-puppetry to the tune of Indonesian gamelan orchestral music. Gamelan music is beautifully unique, featuring a variety of instruments such as metallophones, xylophones, drums and gongs. Joko is truly one of the experts in his craft, as he holds a doctorate from the University of
Otago, and teaches at universities around the world.
When & Where
Wine Cellar
Sun 6 March 9pm
WORKSHOP
The opportunity to learn from a star choreographer doesn’t come often, so if you’re a dancer, be sure take one of Csaba Szirmai workshops in salsa. Csaba has choreographed for
So You Think You Can Dance and was featured on both Australian and New Zealand versions of
Dancing With The Stars.
When & Where
Salsa Moves (Experienced)
Opanuku Dance Studio
Sunday 6 March 1.30pm
Salsa – Funk!
Shed One
Sun 6 March 4.30pm
Tickets and More Info
There are discounts for youth and senior passes. Visit
www.jambalaya.co.nz for more info and to buy tickets.
3. World of Music, Arts and Dance (WOMAD) - New Plymouth, 18-20 March, 2011
Be a globe trotter at New Plymouth’s popular WOMAD festival. The festival includes music performances as well as the chance to discover the inspiration behind the talent as artists chat with a host about their lives and music through Artists in Conversation. WOMAD will host an abundance of talented musicians from around the globe including the world music supergroup, Afro Celt Sound system; afro-blues duo Amadou and Miriam (featured on the soudtrack of
The Twilight Saga: New Moon); and the legendary Juan De Marcos Afro Cuban All-Stars, to name a few. But don’t miss the selection of theatre and dance acts too! Here, Jasons highlights top artists in theatre, music and dance taking part in this year’s WOMAD festival.
Theatre
If you notice a man piggy-backing a giant monkey or a monstrous rooster being rode like a horse, you’ve stumbled upon skilled playwright, comedian, robot-builder and puppet-master Tarek Messamer, of la Compagnie Ekart. Tarek brings his giant puppets from France to roam among festival goers in two delightful shows. Check out
Maurice & Jules (an inseparable rooster and master), and
Not So Beastly (where Mario the anthropologist tries to teach Hector the monkey how to behave politely) roaming the festival’s streets.
When & Where
Throughout the festival grounds
Fri 18 March 6.45-7.30
Sat 19 March 1.45-2.30 & 4.30-5.15
Sun 20 March 12.30-1.15 & 4.30-5.15
Music
Every punk and reggae fan will be heading to WOMAD this year to see UK multi-talented artist, producer, movie-maker and Grammy Award-winner, DJ Don Letts. Don’s achievements include a Grammy in 2003 for his documentary
Westway To The World, over 300 music videos for stars including Elvis Costello and Bob Marley, forming the hit band Big Audio Dynamite with former Clash guitarist Mick Jones, founding Rock Against Racism and exhibiting his art in New York and London. This is your chance to see a legend in his element, introducing you to the best new punk, reggae and indie music in the world.
When & Where
Artists in Conversation
Pinetum
Sat 19 March 5pm
DJ Set
Shell Gables Stage
Sat 19 March 9pm
Dance
Whitireia Performing Arts will bring a spectacular show mixing the vigorous Maori Haka dance, the high-energy Samoan dance and the sensual rhythms, dances and drums of the Cook Islands. The group has toured internationally to great acclaim for almost 20 years, including a royal request from The Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, for the group to perform during his visit to
Wellington in 2009. For a taste of Pacific Island cultural dance, be sure to see the Whitireia Performing Arts.
When & Where
Shell Gables Stage
Sat March 19, 5pm
Tickets and More Info
Limited early bird three-day adult tickets are available for $195 with early bird youth tickets for $149.
Day tickets are also available for Friday night, Saturday, Sunday and Sunday night only. Camping tickets and marae accommodation are also available including Ezicamp options which include rental of a tent and air bed for $130 (including camping fee).
Tickets are available through Ticketek on 0800 TICKETEK (842 538) or www.ticketek.co.nz.
For the complete schedule and more info visit www.womad.co.nz
