Nelson Arts Festival Masked Parade

Nelson Arts Festival Masked Parade

The Masked Parade set the Nelson Arts Festival off with a display of creativity celebrating the theme Playful Pacifica in costumes and masks ranging from elaborate flights of tui to a giant papier mache world teacup.

Central School won the Supreme Group Award with their whole school in mask and costume, divided into sections of earth, water, fire and air.

The judges, Annabel Norman, Kath Bee, Darryl Frost and Gemma Laing said Central stood out for the overall impact of their entry.

“It was striking, it fitted really well with the theme, it was a very powerful entry that had taken a lot of effort and it was great to see the whole school involved,” Ms Norman said.

Long time Masked Parade entrant Faye Wulff won the Supreme Individual Mask with an intricate blue papier mache creation; the Supreme Family Mask award went to the Lowe family with their brightly coloured entry Super Star Fish; the Family Judges’ Pick went to the Fraser family; the Individual Judges’ Pick went jointly to Zara Palmer and Sirpa Alalaakkola; the Merry Makers’ Mask award went to Alegria Beat, a Pacific musical group dressed as octopuses, who also won the Best Community Band; Hampden Street School won the award for Daring Diversity; Creative Unison went to Enner Glynn School whose entry was inspired by the All Black Silver Fern; Interesting Interpretation went to Richmond School; the Strongest Vocal Group was Clifton Terrace School with their kapa haka set piece, and judges made special mention of Nelson Montessori’s fabulous flock of pukeko.

Nelson City Council Festival Director Sophie Kelly said there had been an excellent response from the vast majority of young people who stayed on after the parade to party to special guests Midnight Youth and Knives at Noon, who appeared courtesy of the Real New Zealand Festival and the New Zealand Music Commission.

“We had put in a lot of effort going out and talking to assemblies with the safe partying message and it paid off,” she said. “I’d like to thank the young people and the police, HYPE, our security team, ambulance staff and all the others who helped the event to run smoothly.”

Nelson Police said the crowd at the carnivale was generally well behaved. Police had to deal with a number of alcohol-related issues. A 16 year-old and two 17 year-olds were arrested for breach of the liquor ban. A 19 year-old was arrested for detoxification and another eight intoxicated youths under 17 years of age were taken to the police station deemed to be at risk or a potential risk to others. They were collected by their parents. Six liquor infringement notices were also issued for drinking or being in possession of alcohol under age. Senior Sergeant Dave Gibson said the number of youths who were intoxicated was disappointing.

“Overall we were pleased with the event and the behaviour of those attending, but as always, it’s a little disappointing when a few individuals push the boundaries and disrupt others.”

He said the security staff assisting at the event did a great job.

The sound and light installation Piki Mai received a rapt response, even though it could not be seen to best effect for the crowds on the Church Steps where the images are projected. The imagery included war planes appearing to dive into the crowd from the steps, flames that engulfed the trees as Nelson’s first cathedral was burnt down and a rocket ship projection that made the cathedral tower appear to blast off. Piki Mai is officially launched at 8.30 on Saturday night and will play every night of the festival from dark until late, through to October 24.

The festival’s first show, Berlin Burlesque from the Loons Theatre got a rave review and is sold out, but Ms Kelly said there are many shows still with plenty of tickets available. The festival continues until October 24, with theatre, music, writers’ talks and cabaret at city venues and at Founders Heritage Park. The festival is produced by the Nelson City Council as an annual celebration for locals and an added attraction for visitors. Bookings at Everyman or at www.nelsonartsfestival.co.nz

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