Māori, Canada First Nations Storytellers team-up

Māori and Canada First Nations Storytellers team-up for Northland

The annual On the Bus: Maori Storytellers Tour with special international guests Sharon Shorty and Duane Gastant' Aucoin (Canada First Nations), will be touring Northland from February 7 – 10, 2010.

As part of the Bay of Island Arts Festival, the Toi Māori Aotearoa On the Bus: Maori Storytellers Tour will be visiting local schools and communities in a series of events.

Touring artists are established poet, playwright, storyteller, actor, painter and musician, Apirana Taylor (Ngati Porou, Te Whanau-Apanui); musician and storyteller, Karl Teariki (Kahungunu ki Heretaunga, Ngati Raina ki Rarotonga, Ngatiarua ki Mauke, Pape no’o I Tahiti); storyteller, playwright and actor, Sharon Shorty (Tlingit, Raven Clan); and producer, director, screenwriter and storyteller, Duane Ghastant' Aucoin (Tlingit, Yanyedi Clan).

The hour-long events will allow audiences to be entertained, informed and have the opportunity to engage and chat with the artists after their performances.

The tour will kick off in Kerikeri with a one-time only showing of ‘My Own Private Lower Post’ written by Duane Gastant’ Aucoin, who will later discuss his work.

“‘My Own Private Lower Post’ is the story of Duane Gastant’ Aucoin, a two-spirited Tlingit, as he seeks to understand how his mother Vicky Bob’s trials at Lower Post Indian Residential School have influenced his life.” – dgaproductions 2009

The community events will be hosted at the following:

• Sunday 7 February, 6.00pm
Film showing of ‘My Own Private Lower Post’
Kerikeri Union Church, Kerikeri

• Monday 8 February, 5.00pm
Rawene Town Hall, Rawene

• Tuesday 9 February, 3.30pm

Tuna Café, Moerewa, Kawakawa.
Please note that there may be a gold coin entry to some events.

On the Bus is a great way to catch the contemporary talent and find out more about Maori art forms and the people behind the stories.

On the Bus: Maori Storytellers Tour is part of Toi Māori Aotearoa’s touring programmes that supports and promotes a range of Māori artists to a wider audience both locally and overseas.

This event is presented by Te Ha and Nga Pou Kaituhi Maori committees, and receives funding from Te Waka Toi, the Maori Arts Board of Creative New Zealand. For a full programme and event updates, visit: http://www.maoriart.org.nz/events

ENDS

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