‘Winter Garden’ Prepares to Bloom on Dunedin’s Longest Night

Following on from the success of last year’s event the Dunedin Midwinter Carnival is set to delight crowds with a spectacular show on Saturday the 20th June from 5.30pm. This year’s ‘Winter Garden’ theme will be based around giant floral lanterns designed by local artist Katrina Thomson and carried by more than thirty volunteers. A highlight of Dunedin’s winter calendar, last year’s Midwinter Carnival attracted 5,000 people to the city centre to celebrate the longest night of the year.

Families are encouraged to get involved in the Carnival by making their own hand-held lanterns. Lantern-making workshops are being held in the lead up to the event and both materials and instruction will be provided at a modest cost.

New to the event this year are advanced workshops to challenge experienced lantern-makers to push the boundaries. These include working with cane to make tulips, snowdrops, and tall leaf lanterns. Workshops will be held in the Community Gallery in Princes Street over the weekends of June 6 and 7, June 13 and 14, and the evenings of June 16 and 17. Bookings are recommended as spaces are limited.

On Carnival night, in addition to the giant lanterns, entertainment will be provided by local percussion and dance groups. These groups have choreographed their movements to suit the processional nature of the event which winds its way around the Octagon. Performing groups include Song Bong, Funkani, the Dunedin Medieval Society, mask dancers from Oamaru and French folk dancers Les Belles Vilaines.

Elaborate costumes for these performers have been designed under the guidance of Artistic Director Juliet Novena Sorrel. They include dramatic white garments, masks and dozens of fabulous hats.

The Carnival will also play host to one of New Zealand's leading stilt walkers, Emily Buttle of Wellington. Having travelled the world Emily is excited about being invited to Dunedin for this popular event.

"I’m excited about the Carnival as it’s something I’ve always wanted to come down to perform in. These types of large scale, spectacular community-based events are really where my heart is”.

Adding to the festive atmosphere at this all-ages event will be fireworks and a wide range of food stalls.

To book for the lantern making workshops people can email info@dunedinmidwintercarnival.co.nz [1] or phone the Carnival office on 03 477-3350.

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