Nelson Festival Sales At Record High

Tickets on sale now

It’s on, it’s happening and never before has the festival encapsulated such an energy. Ticket sales are at a record high - take Saturday night when over 1000 people in total were out enjoying Hatch, Tower Voices, Ipurangi, Cycology and Celenod. Rarely does Nelson offer this kind of choice - in fact only during the Arts Festival - which is what it’s all about. We know you’ll be out there making the most of the festival action - pass this newsletter on to any of your Stop-Home mates and spread that Festival Fever.

Life at the Lighthouse If sipping Nelson’s fine wines and selecting delicious morsels from platters of fine food appeals, plan to spend some time at the Deutz Lighthouse café in Albion Square. Our festival chefs, Sue McNulty and Lynda Walker are whipping up panini, pizza and rolls from the Lighthouse kitchen - plus the return of the chocolate cake that proved a big hit last year. The Lighthouse is open from 11am to midnight daily.

Show time The Lighthouse is also humming - there are free evening performances from 6pm and DJ’s from 10pm, with ticketed shows in between - starting at 8.30pm. The Lighthouse hosts the Windy City Strugglers - New Zealand’s answer to the Buena Vista Social Club on Wednesday night; and our favorite diva, Helen Medlyn, takes on the lads with her Hell Man show on Thursday. Join us for contemporary dance movies on Tuesday at 8.30 and farewell the festival next Monday with Mikelangelo and Undine Francesco bringing romance and rock’n’ roll from behind the iron curtain in Honeymoon Suite.

Back Stage Talks with Matt Lawrey Come along to the Deutz Lighthouse and hear the stories behind the shows, plus view and insights on the arts scene. Grab a bite to eat and enjoy these stimulating talks - they are FREE
Wednesday 17 October 12.30pm – 1.30pm The manager – Corporacion Tango & Nick Bollinger – Windy City Strugglers
Thursday 18 October 12.30pm – 1.30pm Guy Ryan and/or Malia, dancer – Terrain & Helen Medlyn (and or Penny Dodd) – Hell Man Rob Mokaraka & Maaka Pohatu, performers, writer – Strange Resting Places
Saturday 20 October 11.30am – 12.30pm Lucien Johnson/Anthony Donaldson – Village of the Idiots & Nigel Collins and Andy Morley-Hall – Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra & Jo Smith, performer – Stories told to Me by Girls

Meantime at the other end of town… Westpac Red Square - beside the Church Steps. Cars make way for cafes as the street closes for a weeklong series of concerts by young people. There is a lot of talent in our schools and this is an opportunity for youth to show what it can do - and for people to watch some exciting theatre, dance and music from classical to rock and roll. These shows are on at 10am, noon and 2pm every day until Friday19th.

Director’s Pick - Viva Chamber Orchestra Woollaston Estates sets a stunning scene for an exquisite night of chamber music as it should be, enjoyed in an intimate space. Now directed by Polish violinist, Jan Tawroszewicz, Viva will perform works by Corelli, Gorecki, Lutowski, Mozart, Albinoni, Telemann, Neruda, Pergolesi & Haydn. The very talented Russian trumpet player, Victor Kisnichenko, is back for his final performance with this orchestra before leaving for Europe. Founding members Martin and Victoria Jaenecke on violin will be making a guest appearance. We are very thrilled to include this special concert as part of our festival programme. This Saturday 8pm at Woollaston Estates - wine and pre ordered platters from 7pm.

Manifest Sculpture Exhibition. ‘Evident to the senses - apparent to the mind.’ Sunday’s sunshine saw people strolling around the park among the 12 fantastic works in the Manifest Exhibition in Albion Square. We love Juliet Novena Sorrel’s two 'Birds' made from translucent brass mesh with ceramic faces, and one of the first to sell - Christchurch artist Alan Coleman’s wire mesh mother and child caught on the run between the trees above the exhibition. Remember there are smaller pieces on show in the NMIT foyer across the road.

Refinery Artspace Relaunch The exhibition ‘Culturally Routed’ marks the re launch of the Refinery Artspace at 3 Halifax Street. Curated by Andy Clover, the show combines ‘contemporary and traditional art forms that explore the themes of cultural migration, settlement and belonging.’ The exhibition includes work from 18 artists and runs from 20th Oct – 16th November.

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