Late night art, Parnell

Second Thursday of each month, starting this Thursday

Starting in July, on the second Thursday of each month Parnell galleries will be serving up a tempting smorgasbord of New Zealand art and live music - the perfect entrée to a memorable evening at one of Parnell’s great restaurants.

Parnell Mainstreet launched its new brand this week - a radical new look that will have you falling in love with Parnell all over again.

Les Harvey created Parnell Village in the '70s and it became the place to be seen and a tourist highlight for travellers. The new-look Parnell reconnects with this era, reminding people of its colourful past when so much was happening there, and re-claiming this energetic and organic space.

As part of this new development, Parnell Inc (Auckland City’s Mainstreet initiative in Parnell) is simultaneously launching a “Late Night Art” stroll. Says Mainstreet Manager, Debbie Harkness, “Art strolls are hugely successful internationally as great ways to bring diners, shoppers and art buyers to an area. Overseas, many cities with a high concentration of galleries take the opportunity for a late night art stroll. With other stores also staying open late, there is lively conversation as friends and acquaintances stroll the myriad innovative galleries and stay on to dine at their favourite local restaurant.”

Late Night Art, Parnell will centre on the cluster of galleries located in the middle of Parnell Road: Aesthete Gallery, ARTIS Gallery, essenze, International Art Centre, Jonathan Grant Galleries, Pankhurst Studio Gallery, Parnell Gallery and Sanderson Contemporary Art all of which will be open for viewing until 7.30pm. A number of galleries feature artists talking about their work and creating installations on the night.

Performers too will pepper the street - for this first evening, popular crooner Grant Chilcott outside International Art Gallery; Charles Dolbel playing with fire (literally!) outside Jonathan Grant and ARTIS Galleries; and The Margarita Club, featuring gorgeous vocals from Alannah Peterson, playing in the courtyard between Sanderson Contemporary Art and Aesthete galleries.

A fun and fancy-free event to add to your social calendar, Late Night Art, Parnell will run Thursday, July 9, August 13, September 10, October 8, November 12 and December 10.

For details of what's happening at participating galleries – artists at work, artist talks, and exhibitions – visit www.parnell.net.nz.

ENDS

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