Disability Arts Festival Confirms Vibrant Programme

Disability Arts Festival Confirms Vibrant And Diverse Programme

Interact Disability Arts Festival 2014

22nd - 24th OCTOBER 2014

After an enigmatic season in 2013, the annual InterACT Disability Arts Festival is back with a diverse and exciting new free programme of performances and workshops at the Corban Estate Arts Centre from 22nd to 24th October. This will mark the fourth year for the festival, and it builds on the success of years gone by to be the biggest and brightest yet.

The festival has developed a reputation as being a site for New Zealand's most inspiring and exhilarating outsider art, boasting a rich array of talent. The programme will expand on last year's hundreds of performances and thousands of attendees for an even more vibrant selection of events and shows; involving both drop-in and long-form classes and workshops exploring a variety of creative media.

Festival director Paula Crimmens founded InterACT in 2011 with the view of highlighting and supporting the artistic lives of people with disabilities. The festival is not only a platform to demonstrate the profound skills and talents of people with disabilities; but a place of community and collaboration where people can develop skills and express themselves in new ways.

InterACT is all about promoting excellence and exploring the rich artistic capabilities of people who are often marginalised from mainstream art channels because of their disabilities. It's an exploration of identity and meaning on a stimulating and supportive platform, focused on making art more accessible for those with disabilities; and promoting their practices to a broader audience.

InterACT are delighted to welcome Caitlin Smith to this year's programme. A renowned figure on New Zealand's jazz scene, Caitlin has performed and recorded with many esteemed local acts, including Don McGlashan, Eddie Rayner, SJD and Concord Dawn, among others. She's a familiar face and voice at Jazz Festivals the country over and without a doubt will wow new fans with her colourful voice and incredible improvisational skill on the InterACT stage.

A graduate of the New Zealand School of Music (Victoria University/Massey University), majoring in Jazz performance, model and musician Genevieve Skinner is a versatile and accomplished performer with a natural presence. She's a regular on the Auckland covers circuit and performed recently at the Very Vintage Day Out. Born with a congenital deformity, Gen wears a prosthetic limb – she is not afraid to explore and make use of this element of her identity in performance work. Genevieve's show at InterACT 2014 is unstoppable and not one to miss!

We're also very pleased to announce the inclusion of talented sound designer, composer, improviser and performer Andrew McMillan to the InterACT 2014 stage. A colourful, inter-disciplinary performer and artist; Andrew has worked extensively in sound design for theatre, film and television as well as being a dedicated improviser on both saxophone and laptop computer. Exploring interactive technologies through the art of sound, Andrew has worked across many different musical communities and methods, including Pacifica, electronics, big bands, orchestras and improvised ensembles. This will be a vibrant and engaging experience you won't want to miss.

The performances, workshops and events on offer will be announced in the anticipating lead up to InterACT 2014. Visit http://www.interacting.org.nz and keep your ear to the ground as the news unfolds – InterACT 2014 will be more electrifying than ever.

InterACT Disability Arts Festival takes place:

22rd – 24th October 2013,

Corban Estate Arts Centre, 426 Great North Road, Henderson

FREE ENTRY

ends

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