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A deepening of the relationship between the Dunedin Midwinter Carnival and mana whenua will be to the fore in aerial performance, storytelling and taoka pūoro at this week’s event.
The popular annual celebration of Dunedin’s dark mid-winter will be held this Friday and Saturday evening at First Church, with events and displays throughout the church grounds and buildings.
This week, Dunedin Midwinter Carnival lantern director Filipa Crofskey and a team of 10 lantern artists have been hard at work, setting up static displays throughout the First Church site.
"This is the fifth year we are staging the carnival at First Church and we have gained a good knowledge of the site and how best to arrange things so everyone can enjoy the event.
"Our lanterns are a lot more robust now to resist the weather conditions.
"The lantern workshops have been going very well — the carnival parades will be great."
Among the lanterns depicting the carnival theme "A Rustle in the Night" are some of the favourites from previous years — including the dragon and the wolf.
"I think the lanterns are going compliment our wonderful performers very well."
In response to audience feedback, the team have expanded the parades to include more performers, and have made alterations to the indoor settings to ensure everyone can enjoy the lanterns, Ms Crofskey said
In recent months, mana whenua representative Doug Ditfort (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha, Rabuvai Hoki) has returned from a hiatus to take on a kaitiaki role with the carnival team.
As kaitiaki, he has brought cultural knowledge and perspectives into the organisation and this year’s programme.
Dunedin Midwinter Carnival Trust chairman Paul McLellan-Smith said the relationship represented an important evolution for the organisation.
"[Mr Ditfort] has helped bring a te ao Māori lens to our performances and programme, introducing pūrākau that inspire us and connect us to local history and stories."
This has included a new aerial work developed by Mr Ditford and costumier/performance co-ordinator Rochelle Brophy.
Inspired by geckos, skinks, moths and the hidden life that emerges after dark, the magical piece explores the world of native nocturnal creatures through aerial dance, storytelling and live taoka pūoro.
Aerial moths will be suspended among the trees while contortionist lizards inhabit a tiered scaffolding structure, supplied by sponsor Bramwell Geeves.
Musician Xavier Johnson has worked alongside Ms Brophy and Mr Ditfort to develop live taoka pūoro elements for the work.
"The sounds of the taoka pūoro create a sense of movement and mystery through the trees, drawing audiences deeper into the story while strengthening the connection to the environment and the creatures of the night," Ms Brophy said.
For Mr Ditfort, the collaboration demonstrates the unique value mana whenua perspectives can bring to creative projects and encourage audiences to look at the world around them with fresh eyes.
"I want people to leave with a sense of mystery."
The Dunedin Midwinter Carnival will be staged this Friday and Saturday across a series of sessions, from 5.30pm-7pm, and 7.30pm-9pm, with a low sensory session from 4pm-5pm on Saturday.
The carnival will start with a performance at the entrance for those waiting in line, followed by Xavier Johnson opening the event with the conch.
There will be a special performance by Turama it Ara Performing Arts, various ensembles from Dunedin Youth Orchestra will play during the evening, and there will be a storytelling and live music tent.
Aerial performances will be repeated twice in each session and there will be many roving performers.
Parades will feature workshop creations, along with some of the larger carnival lanterns, with Kadodo African Drumming, RASA Dance, Khamzin Belly Dancers and Jay Juggler adding to the fun.
Each main session will feature the same programme of events. There will also be a food market operating outside the church.
EVENT DETAILS
The Dunedin Midwinter Carnival will be staged this Friday and Saturday across a series of sessions, from 5.30pm-7pm, and 7.30pm-9pm, with a low sensory session from 4pm-5pm on Saturday.
The carnival will start with a performance at the entrance for those waiting in line, followed by Xavier Johnson opening the event with the conch.
There will be a special performance by Turama it Ara Performing Arts, various ensembles from Dunedin Youth Orchestra will play during the evening, and there will be a storytelling and live music tent.
Aerial performances will be repeated twice in each session and there will be many roving performers.
Parades will feature workshop creations, along with some of the larger carnival lanterns, with Kadodo African Drumming, RASA Dance, Khamzin Belly Dancers and Jay Juggler adding to the fun.
Each main session will feature the same programme of events. There will also be a food market operating outside the church.