Sell Out Crowds at First Day of Festival

Sell Out Crowds at First Day of Festival

Sell out crowds and extra performances marked the first day of the inaugural Southern Lakes Festival of Colour.

First performer of the festival, celebrated soprano Deborah Wai Kapohe, sang to a capacity crowds in the Infinity Pacific Crystal Palace.

“We were expecting around 150-200 people,” said venue manager, Hetty van Hale. “By 12 noon we had to close the doors and turn people away, we had a full house of 350 – an amazing start to the festival!”

Both David Ireland’s Amazing Animal Encounters and children’s theatre, Miss Grumpy’s Bad Day, also played to sell out audiences with so many disappointed not to get in that extra performances were laid on for both.

Throughout the day, Wanaka’s streets were alive with pavement artists, stilt walkers and Adelaide dixie band, Sidewalk Swing, creating a buzz amongst visitors and locals alike. Festival director, Philiip Tremewan said he was thrilled with the positive start to the festival.

“There’s been such a huge response,” he said. “People are loving the range of performances, the music, children’s theatre, sidewalk bands – it’s been a fantastic first day.”

The sell out theme continued into the night with evening performances, Don McGlashan and contemporary dance work, White choreographed by Raeywn Hill, again performing to capacity crowds.

The festival action continues tomorrow with Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, Peter Arnett talking in the Infinity Crystal Palace and the first ever dance performance on a mountain, Footnote Dance at Treble Cone Ski Area. In the evening Kavisha Mazzella and Gerry Beirne will delight audiences with a magical evening of music.

For more information visit www.festivalofcolour.co.nz

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