Nelson Arts Festival - Oct 14-24th

Media release:

Nelson Arts Festival - Oct 14-24th

The Nelson Arts Festival and Trafalgar 200 Programme hits the streets tomorrow (Fri Aug 26th), promising an array of music, theatre and comedy in 50 performances over 10 days around Labour Weekend, plus all the pomp, ceremony and family fun of the Trafalgar 200 celebrations.

Nelson City Council Arts Festival Director Annabel Norman says when the events kick off at dusk on Friday 14 October in the Port Nelson Masked Parade, we are in for a celebration that will bring a spring buzz to the city.

"The festival this year has the opportunity to stand alone without the WOW awards, giving us the flexibility to combine with the Christchurch and Taranaki Arts Festivals to bring in national and international acts," she said. "It's the first time jazz pianist Mike Nock has brought his acclaimed trio to Nelson, we have ŒKing and Country' with the music of World War I played on stage by Nelson City Brass, there is the imaginative music of The Lab, comedy from Te Radar, dance from Raewyn Hill exploring the world of drug addictionŠand a lot more."

Last year's Early Bird specials are back, along with a book of vouchers to any ten shows for $230, a saving of up to $12 per show.

"We have introduced the voucher system to reward people who really support the festival by going to a lot of shows, and also to encourage businesses and organizations to make block bookings to give staff, clients or members an affordable and memorable night out."

Mayor Paul Matheson said Trafalgar 200, commemorating of the Battle of Trafalgar, had developed into a world wide event and here in Nelson, broadened into a celebration of our region and its lifestyle.

There is something for everyone in Nelson City Council's Trafalgar 200 programme. You can dance and party to the music of the Band of the Royal New Zealand Navy and Amsterdam's SDJ Alec Smart, at the Trafalgar 200 Ball. Hundreds of uniformed sailors will be in town with the ten Naval ships in port. 200 pipers from all over New Zealand will pipe their way up Trafalgar Street, followed by the pomp and ceremony of the Charter Parade. From fireworks and entertainment at the Trafalgar 200 Grand Finale and arts, wine and cuisine at Sealord Love Nelson, it's going to be all go.

"Late October in Nelson is going to be very special this year," said Annabel Norman. "It's not too late to invite your friends. We have a programme that deserves to be shared - we'd like nothing better than to see the full house signs go up!"

Pick up a programme for the Nelson Arts Festival and Trafalgar 200 at Civic House, Nelson Public Libraries and numerous retail outlets throughout the city. Nelson Arts Festival Bookings are now open at Everyman Records in Hardy Street, phone 548 3083. Trafalgar 200 Ball tickets ($70) are available from the Council. Find out more at www.nelsonfestivals.co.nz

ENDS