America has a new president

WHERO'S NEW NET...

FREE Pre-show talk with Witi Ihimaera, Albert Belz and Sam Scott- This Wednesday

Join us at the Herald Theatre at 6.15pm this Wednesday 17th September, for a unique opportunity to hear Witi Ihimaera, Albert Belz and Sam Scott discuss the process behind "Whero's New Net", Albert's new play for Massive Company, which has just opened at the Herald Theatre/The EDGE.

The event will be chaired by Terry Snow, Editor and CNZ arts board member.
The evening performance of "Whero's New Net" will follow at 7.30pm, with tickets available from www.the-edge.co.nz or by calling the EDGE box office on 09 357 3355.



A new play by Albert Belz, featuring an adaptation of short stories by Witi Ihimaera Whero's New Net at the Herald Theatre, The EDGE, September 13th - October 4th 2008

Ka pu te ruha, ka hao te rangatahi –
The old net is cast aside, the new net goes fishing.

London. Auckland. Gisborne. Whero Mahana is a musician with songs of grit and tears pulsing through her veins. In London to chase a dream far away from New Zealand, she is presented with a diary that confirms her longing for home. As the lines between her past and present fracture, her father’s stories force Whero to make painful choices about where her dreams really lie. A play about Aroha. ‘Sometimes you gotta step back to go forwards eh?’ .

Directed by Sam Scott. Cast: Wesley Dowdell, Kura Forrester, Bree Peters, Jarod Rawiri, Madeleine Sami, Blair Strang. Tainui Tukiwaho Designed by Tracey Collins Lighting design by Jeremy Fern Music by Tama Waipara

- I hope everyone involved with thementaldetox comes and sees the show, personally, I think it is absolutely one of the best pieces of writing, Albert Belz has created a beautiful masterpiece and the performances by every single member in this cast is mindblowing... go see for yourself!
~ Peace Hayley J.
visit: www.massivecompany.co.nz

Robert Fisk on Alt Tv, Tuesday 8.30pm

Alt Tv is very pleased to have Robert Fisk in a 30minute special on Let’s be Frank on Alt, Tuesday 8.30pm.

Topics we will get onto, the abortion of Iraq and Afghanistan, the brutal military occupation by Israel over Gaza and the West Bank, the racist Israeli only roads and the cancer of Israeli settlements on land that isn’t theirs, getting Israel out of the occupied territories, America’s role in doing nothing to gain peace in the middle east, thoughts on Obama and how the American media only portray Israeli bias (did you know only 4% of network news in America ever mention the occupation?)

Oh it’ll be fireworks.

Making Love To The Audience

It's a bi-monthly evening intended to foster new performative ideas from Auckland's artistic community.

It is completely inclusive, any genre of performance is acceptable and given a home.

It's designed to give the pieces of performance which wouldn't otherwise have a home, a place to be shown and watched.

The only requirement is that all pieces conform to between 0 and 8 minutes in length.

The evenings are structured with short films interspersed through the performances, and there is always something to lick off a spoon.

POP ALONG TO CROSS STREET STUDIOS ON SATURDAY NIGHT AND CHECK IT OUT. FEATURING IMPROVISATIONAL DANCE WORK BY VAL SMITH AND SARAH GAVINA CAMPUS.

From Bethlehem to Rawene

Calling all former students, staff and parents of Bethlehem School, Tauranga (opened in 1883 as Te Paeroa Native School) to celebrate, with current pupils and families, 125 years of service to its community. To be held from Friday 7th November to Sunday 9th November 2008.
Registration forms and further information can be obtained from the school office
ph. (07) 576 4726
email admin@bethlehemschool.ac.nz
www.bethlehemschool.ac.nz

The 150th reunion for Rawene School will also be held during Easter 2009. The event, held over the weekend of April 11 and 12, promises to be a big occasion including formal commemoration events, entertainment, historical displays and a wide range of social activities.
Registration forms can be obtained from the School Secretary, Vicki Leef on 09-405-7885, email office@raweneprimary.school.nz, or write to Rawene School, P.O.Box 59, Rawene. Registrations are $25.

Kerry Ann Lee

Oxfam book launch

From Poverty to Power is the latest of Oxfam’s flagship studies on the state of global poverty. Written by Oxfam Great Britain’s Head of Research Duncan Green, it draws on Oxfam’s experience of working in more than 100 countries around the world, and provides insight into the massive costs of inequality and poverty, proposing real solutions.

Our unequal world
We live in a world of staggering inequality. The richest 500 people in the world earn more than the poorest 416 million people. One in six of the world’s people lead lives blighted by poverty, hunger, disease, and anxiety over what tomorrow may bring. More shocking still: there is enough to go around.
From Poverty to Power not only provides critical insights into the massive human and economic costs of inequality and poverty, and proposes realistic solutions. It argues the need for a radical redistribution of power, opportunities, and assets to break the cycle of poverty and inequality and to give poor people power over their own destinies – and leaders, organisations, and individuals need to act together, while there is still time.

Election debate
With an election coming up, this book represents a challenge to all of us, to update our thinking about New Zealand’s role in the world. With sound policies we can avoid hurting poor and vulnerable people, and instead make a positive contribution towards supporting rights and opportunities for all.
In the run up to the election, Oxfam will be raising these issues with politicians, and we encourage you to also raise them with your local candidate.
As part of his visit to New Zealand, Duncan Green will be meeting with key Labour and National politicians to try to influence future government policy.

Duncan Green will be here in New Zealand and holding discussion forums in Wellington, Auckland and Hamilton from September 1-3. Forums are open and free to all.

Wellington -- September 1
12:00-2:00pm Centre for Global Action, James Smith Building, cnr Cuba and Manners St

Hamilton -- September 2
12:00-1:30pm Hosted by Waikato University School of Management (Room MSB.1.01)

Auckland -- September 3
7:00-9:00pm University of Auckland (Room 029, Clocktower Bldg, 22 Princes St). Hosted by Centre of Continuing Education and Oxfam

Panui

Maori Writers Group

ARA - Pathway

PIKI - To Climb

In recognition of the higher places our writing takes us, the helping hand that guides us along the way, and the amazing view we have when we arrive.

Our kaupapa is to support, nuture, upskill and develop Maori writers in Tamaki Makaurau. In order to achieve this WE NEED YOU!!!

Calling all writers, dramaturges, actors, supporters and bikkie bakers to throw some aroha to this fantastic kaupapa and get involved!!

Our second hui is in a week, and we extend an open invitation to all writers and mentors to come along, bring a friend, a plate and a mucking in attitude.

The evening will kick off with a karakia, then we will present "The Game Plan" followed by a quick chat by James from Arts Alive and Jenni from Playmarket. By that time the puku will be rumbling and ideas flowing so kai and korero time will be needed. After kai Ariki Spooner will present 30mins of his latest draft of "Grave Decisions" read by actors. Feedback time and a call for dramaturges and writers to team up will follow. Lastly wine down time!!! So BYO for a few friendly drinks after a hard day at the office.

Wednesday 13th August 2008

6.30pm til 9 pm

Level 3 143 Nelson Street

At the top of Nelson st there is a side lane that goes
down. Its on the far left, thats where you will find us.
If you see the Maori flag you are at the right building.


RSVP Contact:

Renae Maihi: renaemaihi@hotmail.com

Jodhi Hoani: missfiji@gmail.com

Aotearoa Liberators Exhibition in H-town

In Hamilton at the Waikato Museum, there is an amazing exhibition curated by Xavier de la Cueva Meade which I urge you all to see. I went to see this exhibition and was given a casual tour by the charasmatic artist/curator himself! I was blown away. (This picture was taken when a smaller version of the exhibition was shown at Havanas Institute of Design in Cuba).


Titled 'Aotearoa Liberators' Meade invited 12 artists to pick their favourite Aotearoa freedom fighter. Their designs were then printed in Havana, Cuba - paying homage to this accesible liberational forum of old. What results is a stellar kaupapa with portraits as diverse as Tane Mahuta, Eva Rickard, Te Kupu, Ralph Hotere and Rua Kenana - the posters look dope and are as eclectic as the artists invited to make them. Originally from Mexico the Raglan based Meade also tutors in art and intermedia at Wintec. I met Xavier at this years Spark Festival where lots of great artists, bright students and cool tutors (kia ora Lisa and Lauren!) got to share their ideas. I've had a choice week! Try and make it to the museum if you can.

Exhibition: Aotearoa Liberation Posters

12 posters representing freedom fighers of Aotearoa, designed by Aotearoa Contemporary Artists and printed at the legendary screenprint shop the ICAIC (Instituto Cubano de Arte E Industira Cinematografica) in Havana. Curated by Xavier de la Cueva Meade. featuring many major artists including Dion Hitchens, Leafa Wilson, Tessa Laird, Warren Olds, James Ormsby, Nicola Farquhar and more.

Venue: Waikato Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato - Marae Atea Space Level 3

Dates: Opens 19th July - Sept. 2008

Solid Territory Album Release Party

Over 30 Indigenous artists have joined forces to release the first ever Aboriginal and Māori Hip Hop Compilation. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island artists Astronomical, Dizzy Doolan and Maupower will hit the stage with local natives, Horomona Horo, Revolution MC's, Miss bMe, Upper Hutt Posse, Dam Native and DJ's Exile, the Morning Steppa and Mr Rivers on Aug 8th, 10pm @ the Rising Sun - 373 K Rd to celebrate the launch.

The album comes out of Solid Territory 2007 which was a series of solidarity hip hop gigs in Australia with a focus on unity and support of indigenous reactions to the Northern Territory intervention. For many the intervention was seen as an attack on indigenous communities in the Northern Territory and an affront to Indigenous Peoples worldwide. In order for the Intervention to take place the government had to suspend the Racial Discrimination Act and the Northern Territory Land Rights Legislation.

SOLID TERRITORY features 20 tracks of rap, song, rhyme and flow with a sharp native edge and deep roots music. The album includes tracks from, The Sandridge Band, Dam Native, Street Warriors, Nadeena Dixon, Zennith, Upper Hutt Posse, Dizzy Doolan, One Blood Hidden Image, Miss b Me, Curtis Clearsky, Horomona Horo, Last Kinection, Miss Ginger, Revolution MCs, Skansta Lean Freedom Fighters, Dzcyple Last & Koolism, Native Sons feat: Tyna, Coco Solid feat. Agent Ali, Flowsion and DJ Exile.

The weekend of the launch marks the United Nations World Indigenous Peoples Day on the 9th of August.

This album is part of a continuing collaboration between Aboriginal, Maori, Torres Strait Islanders, activists and artists using hip hop as a vehicle for indigenous self-determination.

Critical Mass

Critical Mass is a spontaneous, leaderless bicycle ride that occurs on the last Friday of every month in almost every major city in the world. It is regarded by many participants as celebrations of self-powered transportation as opposed to a protest or organised demonstration. For the New Zealand remix hit: www.criticalmass.org.nz

Feeling lucky, punk?

Call outs for bands are underway for the glory that is Punkfest, held annually in Wellington. Email punkfest@mail.com or hunt them down on Facebook under Punkfest Rulz.

WHARE RAUPO: The History of Reed Publishing

"In 2007 Reed Publishing Ltd celebrated 100 years of publishing in New Zealand. That same year the company was sold to Penguin and was forced to change their name to Raupo Publishing. This programme looks back on this iconic New Zealand family business and their huge contribution to Maori publishing. From iwi histories to dictionaries and publications on tikanga and myths, the documentary confronts the issues arising from a Pakeha company and Pakeha writers publishing matauranga Maori".

What:
WHARE RAUPO: House of Reed

When:
Wednesday 8:30pm Maori Television

Home Made

Don’t move house! Be sure to feed hungry ghosts and keep your sugar bowl full next month! August is the month of the Ghost Festival or ‘Chinese Halloween’ - the time when spirits of the dead visit the living...

Kerry Ann Lee's newest exhibition, 'Home Made - Picturing Chinese Settlement In New Zealand' opens at 5:30 - 7pm on Thursday 31st July 2008 at the Toi Poneke Arts Centre (61 Abel Smith Street, Te Aro, Wellington)

Kerry Ann creates ‘playful and conversational’ worlds out of paper, scalpel and glue. Her collection of collages, paper-cuttings, and three-dimensional dioramas explore personal and local experiences of Chinese settlement in New Zealand, both the Chinese face behind the takeaway counter and the home customs housed behind the plastic ribbon curtain. At the centre of the exhibition is a lavishly illustrated artist book solely comprised of cut-paper, paint, found text and images, a kaleidoscopic tale told from a third-generation Kiwi perspective.

Artist Talk : 6pm, Thursday 14th August

Gallery Hours : 9am - 7pm, Monday to Friday