Programme for 2010 NZ Arts Festival

New Zealand International Arts Festival Announces Programme for 2010 Festival

The New Zealand International Arts Festival has announced its programme for 2010.

From internationally legendary sitar player, Ravi Shankar, to acclaimed conductor, Vladimir Ashkenazy the New Zealand International Arts Festival will present the best arts the world has to offer from 26 February to 21 March.

“The Festival programme goes from strength to strength, and a total of 930 artists from 30 countries are bringing the latest in international theatre, music, dance and visual arts to the New Zealand International Arts Festival next year,” says Lissa Twomey, Artistic Director of the New Zealand International Arts Festival.

“We are delighted to be featuring 18 Australasian premieres including the latest work from the legendary director Peter Brook,” says Twomey.

The Festival line-up also includes writers Richard Dawkins, Simon Schama and Neil Gaiman as well as four of the world’s leading contemporary jazz vocalists – Dianne Reeves, Patti Austin, Lizz Wright and Simone - who pay tribute to the late great Nina Simone.

The New Zealand International Arts Festival will build a new performance venue with hospitality lounge, Pacific Blue Festival Club, on the Wellington waterfront that will offer music performance and award-winning cabaret theatre.

“The New Zealand International Arts Festival is a celebration of excellence and innovation for all New Zealanders, including extraordinary free events and an accessible ticketing initiative – Tix For 20 - which we see as particularly important in this economic climate,” says Twomey.

The 2010 New Zealand International Arts Festival is made possible thanks to funding from core funders - Wellington City Council and Creative New Zealand - and major grants from the Major Events Development Fund, The Community Trust of Wellington, New Zealand Community Trust and The Lion Foundation. The Festival also acknowledges the valued support of all its corporate sponsors including Gold Sponsors - New Zealand Post Group, TV3, Clemenger BBDO and Pacific Blue.

ENDS

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