Arts Festival Dunedin

Tradition combines with contemporary

Twirling LED poi during rehearsals for the show Wairua, before its premiere in the Dunedin Arts Festival last night, is New Zealand dancer and choreographer Taiaroa Royal.

Launching festival ‘nerve- racking’

Dunedin Arts Festival director Charlie Unwin is ready to raise the curtain on this year’s...

Launching festival ‘nerve- racking’

It's almost showtime for the Dunedin Arts Festival 2021.

Lies and ill will

A new play to debut at the Dunedin Arts Festival is not about telling the truth, but might have truths to tell, writes Tom McKinlay.

Reconnecting to whakapapa

Top New Zealand dancer and choreographer Taiaroa Royal is re-establishing his connection to Otakou by returning to the stage to dance in Dunedin production Wairua.

Country music a fight for women

Giving herself an excuse to sing the songs of her favourite country music artists has been a bonus for Tami Neilson, but the real reason behind her latest show is to lift the lid on gender inequality in country music.

The directors’ cut

The directors’ cut

As the Dunedin Fringe Festival closes and two other arts festivals loom, their directors peruse each other’s offerings.

Home at heart of festival

Home at heart of festival

New Dunedin Arts Festival director Charlie Unwin finally got to release his first programme this week. He tells Rebecca Fox about the highlights and lowlights.

Immersive musicianship

Rhian Sheehan on stage with his multi-media experience. Photo: Supplied

Immersive musicianship

Arts Festival Dunedin wil arrive at a sound and light slimax next weekend courtesy of Wellington musician Rhian Sheehan.

Old friends reunited

T Hira Te Kawau, from the Homage to Gottfried Lindauer series, by Robert Macdonald.

Old friends reunited

Three young New Zealand artists together in London 55 years ago, have been reunited in an exhibition.

Making sense of Cook's confusion

Gillian Whitehead on stage at Wellington’s Michael Fowler Centre last weekend after the NZSO...

Making sense of Cook's confusion

Writing a piece to commemorate Captain James Cook’s arrival in New Zealand proved a unique challenge for composer Dame Gillian Whitehead.

Inventing a parallel universe

Bill Manhire presents a series of tantalising riddles with musical interpretation, in Tell Me My...

Inventing a parallel universe

Make believe and mystery are wrapped in the word and song of an Arts Festival Dunedin treat.

Flying solo as Jean Batten

Alex Ellis plays the role of glamorous aviatrix Jean Batten. Photo: Supplied

Flying solo as Jean Batten

Alex Ellis opens up about her Arts Festival Dunedin performance of Miss Jean Batten.

Age no barrier for dancers

Rebound Dance Company play on the word ‘‘Stuffed’’ in Andrew Shepard’s work as part of Born out...

Age no barrier for dancers

Showing that age is no barrier to creative contemporary dance, Rebound Dance Company is making its debut at the Dunedin Arts Festival.

With her heart on her sleeve

Ali Harper performs in Songs for Nobodies. Photo: Supplied

With her heart on her sleeve

Christchurch actress and singer Ali Harper brings a series of mysterious musical encounters to this month's Arts Festival Dunedin in the show Song for Nobodies.

Arts Festival Dunedin: Laughter and beauty

Laughter and beauty

A highlight of Arts Festival Dunedin 2018 will be a dazzling circus-style adventure that brings to life the air we breathe. Bruce Munro talks to Air Play creators Seth Bloom and Christina Gelsone.

A festival of highlights

Arts Festival Dunedin 2018 is 137 performances across 36 theatre, music, dance and visual arts shows in 10 days. Here's a selection of some of the highlights.