Carla's Korero - 03/12/2012

Kia ora koutou, talofa lava, n�mén hǎo,

It's already December and Christmas is just around the corner. The decorations have started to go up and we are all thinking about our whanau, friends and summer holidays. At Auckland Arts Festival, this is a month of wonderful opportunities. Check them out and pass them on to people you think may be interested...

Watch out for the 12 Deals of Christmas ticket offers. What should I give Dad? My Dad is getting tickets to the Stochelo Rosenberg Trio, my nephew Ben the rugby player gets two tickets to I George Nepia, my brother-in-law John is a blues man so he gets tickets to Ruthie Foster and I'm taking my sisters Michele and Yvonne and their daughters to a girls' night out at Cantina (a little bit naughty). The whole whanau from Auckland, Omokoroa, my Otaki godchildren and most especially my brother-in-law Tom, who loves fire and fireworks, will spend a magical night together at The Breath of the Volcano. And my friend Emily really wants to see The Factory. The list is endless. Good thing I am planning Christmas in advance. My beloved has no choice, he will be with me at every show during the Festival - lucky man.

The Auckland Arts Festival is working in partnership with a number of organisations to offer some other very unique opportunities, so spread the word and there is more info on our website.

The Auckland Arts Festival, with Toi Maori, is offering emerging producers an opportunity to participate in Te Rea: a Maori Producers Wananga. Part of our vision is to support and mentor the next generation and this is just one way we can do this. Te Rea is a first and I think a fabulous way to start or further your career working in the arts - applications are due Thursday 20^th December 2012.

New Zealand born, Australian domiciled dance-film artist Sue Healey will be teaching a two- day workshop, A Duet between Camera and Dancer, on 17 & 18 March. This workshop is a partnership with DANZ, the University of Auckland and Auckland Arts Festival.  For more info about the workshop, email susan@danz.org.nz. And you can see Sue's own film, Virtuosi, at the Festival at Q Theatre from 20 - 22 March.

Our very cool schools' programme - SMARTSFEST - Schools Meet Arts at the Festival - offers young people lots of very special opportunities. Highlighted this week are two dedicated schools shows travelling to regional centres around Auckland: The Man Who Planted Trees for primary & intermediate students and The Ballad of Pondlife McGurk for children 9 years & over. If you know a school that hasn't booked, please tell them to do so now. Both of these shows are awesome, funny, moving and meaningful. I loved them when I saw them at the Edinburgh Festival. Click on For Schools button on our website and get more info. Get your local school to book before Christmas.

Nga mihi mahana,

Carla