Theatre works exposed
Experience a play as it is being constructed.
The illuminating "Read Out Loud" series continues in the Fortune Theatre Studio this weekend.
The series, which is presented by Stage South, exposes theatre works in an environment where they are read by professional actors and then discussed in a forum.
Audience members are encouraged to contribute to the discussion.
The reading on Saturday is of Dunedin scribe Simon Cunliffe's The Truth Game - a hard-nosed expose of the behind-the-scenes dramas in a traditional New Zealand newspaper as it confronts a rapidly changing online world.
It is a contemporary drama about loyalty, ambition, betrayal and the death of news.
And Cunliffe should have a fair idea of what he's on about - he's the assistant editor of this very newspaper.
The Truth Game will have a reading at 3pm on Saturday in the Fortune Theatre Studio.
Tickets $5 at the door.
Mexican poet headlining
Mexican poet Rogelio Guedea will headline Octagon Collective Poetry's fourth poetry evening next week.
Guedea, who co-ordinates the University of Otago Spanish and Portuguese programmes, will be launching his latest book in English translation, Free Fall.
The Octagon Collective Poetry evening is at 8pm on Wednesday, October 7 at Circadian Rhythm Cafe, 72 St Andrew St.
The compere is Jacob Edmond and guest poet Riemke Ensing, of Auckland, will also give a reading of poems from her O Lucky Man.
Open-mike sessions will also be held during the evening and audience members are encouraged to bring a poem.
Creation of the land
Cromwell artist Rachel Hirabayashi has explored family roots for her latest exhibition in Dunedin.
"New Work" is a mixed show of geology-inspired paintings and metal sculptures.
"I'm inspired by living in this region," Hirabayashi says.
"I studied a bit of geology at Otago Uni and my identical twin sister, Sarah Jones, is a doctor in geology at the University of Otago.
She really taught me a lot about this area.
"The bigger, older story of the creation of the land as we see it interests me more than merely representing what is in front of us. The geological explanations provide me with a framework to concentrate on the surface of my paintings."
"New Work" by Rachel Hirabayashi opens at 11am on Saturday at the Moray Gallery, in Dunedin, and runs till October 23.
Indian dance revealed
Indian classical dancer Vivek Kinra reveals the mysteries of Bharata-Natyam in Dunedin this weekend.
"Bharatam" will explore Bharata-Natyam, a dynamic and rhythmic art form which weaves together hand gestures, facial expressions and percussive footwork with mime and dance.
"I have become a vehicle for passing on the knowledge of a great dance tradition to the next generation of New Zealand-born Indians and I feel extremely humbled by this," Kinra says.
"Bharatam" is an acronym and celebration of the three aspects of Indian dance: bhavam (moods and expressions), ragam, (melody and music) and talam (rhythmic timing).
Vivek Kinra performs "Bharatam" at 7.30pm tomorrow in the University of Otago Mary Hopewell Theatre and 7.30pm on Saturday in the College of Education building, Union St East.
Animals' emotional life
Mosgiel artist Tina Watt explores animal kindness and cruelty in her first solo exhibition, "The Sentient", in Port Chalmers this weekend.
The 31 oil paintings are a response to Watt's belief that animals are aware of sensations and emotions and that human behaviour towards animals should reflect that awareness.
"Sentient means being able to feel pain and being aware of emotions," she says.
"This exhibition shows animals that cruel things have happened to; while others are obviously loved and in caring homes."
The exhibition is running parallel to the Paws Justice Petition, demanding tougher penalties for animal cruelty, which will be displayed at the gallery during the show.
For more information on the Paws Justice Petition, visit www.pawjustice.co.nz.
"The Sentient" opens at 2pm on Sunday at the Anchorage Gallery in Port Chalmers and runs till October 30.
Children's book launch
Dunedin writer and playwright Carol Krueger releases her latest children's book today.
The Ordinary Fairy will be launched at 2pm today in the children's section of the Dunedin City Library.
The book follows the adventures of a girl who discovers she is really a fairy, and children are encouraged to come to the reading dressed as goblins and fairies.
The Ordinary Fairy has also been produced as a play and will be performed at the Globe Theatre from next Wednesday, October 7, till Saturday, October 10.
There are two shows daily - at 11am and 2pm.
