Arts E-News

2 March 2010 Arts E-News

The third Creative Napier 2010 Summer Concert was held at Taradale on Sunday and the brilliant setting, coupled with equally brilliant weather ensured it was tremendously successful.  As the photo shows, umbrellas and gazebos shot up like mushrooms as everyone settled down to listen to Hidden Agenda.  Great music and great singing were the final necessary ingredients for its success.

The Creative Napier exhibition from New Zealand Geographic was set up in the Napier Library Forecourt for most of last week and drew large numbers of people of all ages to look at the photos.  It made everyone realise that there really is a lot of creative skill needed to get those truly magnificent shots.  Not claiming any such skill a Creative Napier member used his cell-phone to take the photo below of Napier Mayor Barbara Arnott and CN Chair Ken Aldred chatting about the exhibits.

Snippets from other groups:

Two courses to be held at Taruna College, Havelock North – see  www.taruna.ac.nz or E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , phone 877 7174 

The Certificate in Art of Health

Art as a Basis for Education - Van James, an experienced, international art educator based at the Honolulu Waldorf School in Hawaii, author of Spirit and Art: Pictures of the Transformation of Consciousness, will lead two weeks of exploring and experiencing painting and drawing as it can be taught in Rudolf Steiner Schools and other educational settings. This course will highlight the importance of art in the overall education of the child and the teacher. This is a course for non-artists as well as those who have had some experience. No prior skills are needed.  As a teacher or parent you will be provided with the opportunity to discover the artist within; to develop new skills, confidence and consciousness in a supported and sensitively guided environment.   This is limited to 30 places so preference will be given to early applications.


Ricc Buttle’s exhibition “Digital Art 2" is still open at Hastings Community Art Centre until 13th March.  Featuring 20 new works showing a variety of ideas and technical styles created in a variety of 3D programs it includes digital nudes, bronzed characters, panoramas and some whimsical pieces, all constructed on computer and printed onto canvas.

Hawke’s Bay Live Poets Society - Monday 8th March Birthday Celebrations 18 Years!  Tradition dictates we have a local guest. This year is no exception with Marie Dunningham as the guest poet. It is always enlightening to have a local guest for the longer slot and receive a fuller sampling of poetry. Please remember that our new venue of the Hastings Community Arts Centre allows us to bring supper to share with everyone and even something to sup!


WORKSHOP & CONCERT on Saturday March 27th   with Sam Manzanza – Rhythm Man Drum Workshop at sanctuary sounds.  Price $55 includes dinner, there are limited places - booking essential.  Sam Manzanza, the Rhythm Man, is the man who popularized traditional and modern African music in New Zealand.  A versatile instrumentalist, composer and singer, he plays blues harp, guitar, bass and percussion, composes most of the songs he performs, and sings in French, English and Lingala. His knowledge of traditional rhythms is honed by years spent with the National Ballet of Zaire under Ray Lema. During his years in New Zealand he has toured widely throughout the country. His fast paced blend of African rhythms and Western Blues/ Rock is always a hit with the audience.  SAM MANZANZA IS NOT JUST A MUSICIAN, HE IS AN EXPERIENCE NOT BE MISSED.

Workshop followed by a Concert at The Paper Mulberry Cafe 8pm  $5 at the door, bar open, coffee & cake available - for more info phone Thelma 06 856 8664 or 027 696 3100


DEVILS ELBOW

Local country punk rock band Devils Elbow have recently released their debut single 'KO'. Mixed and mastered by Ian G. Morris (Th' Dudes, Dave Dobbyn, Greg Johnson) 'KO' features 2 tracks from their upcoming album 'Sand On Chrome' plus an exclusive b-side, CDs are available at Devils Elbow shows and record stores, KO is also available for download on iTunes, Amplifier and all other digital music stores. For more info and to listen to the tracks visit the bands page www.myspace.com/devilselbowofficial

The ever popular MORE FM Scarecrow Day has a new home at the Maze. It will be all go on Sunday March 7th so not long to go!!!

This annual fundraising event for Riding for the Disabled (RDA) was previously held at Riverside Wines in Puketapu.  This year, both Napier and Hastings RDA groups will be heavily involved in organising and running the event and will both benefit equally.  Scarecrow Day is a country fair style family oriented fun event.  There’s an action packed day ready to happen for families and friends, young and old. Come along for a great day out and enjoy the country atmosphere.  Be part of a creative bonanza. Enter your own scarecrow in the competition and be in to win fantastic prizes.  All scarecrows will be auctioned after lunch with the total proceeds going to RDA.  Alpha Domus Winery will offer wine and beer sales and there will be gourmet food, a sausage sizzle, coffee and other refreshments available.  Bring your own picnic lunch or enjoy the food and drinks available on the day.  There will be old fashioned fun activities and organised farmyard games like 3-legged, egg and spoon and sack races, a bouncy castle, face painting, cowpat bingo and pony rides on the very special RDA ponies.  Prize categories include those constructed by schools, families and corporates along with viewer’s choice and eco categories.  New this year is a living scarecrow section, although, we’re not sure that these ones will be auctioned!  Registrations are $10 per scarecrow and forms can be obtained from the Maze, MORE FM or RDA.  Auction begins at 1pm.For more information please contact The Amazing Maze 'n Maze 06 878 8117 or visit their website

EDIBLE FASHION AWARDS 2010 - Get your creative juices flowing, let you imagination and artistic flair run wild for this year’s PAK’nSAVE Edible Fashion Awards on Saturday 13 March 2010.  The awards being held at the Hawke’s Bay Opera House are going to be bigger and better than before with two day time shows culminating in the prestigious final of the Designer of the Year at the Evening Extravaganza. The evening show will be hosted by Broadcaster Grant Walker and is guaranteed to be a jaw-dropper with wild entertainment and surprises.   The Mad Butcher Hastings Fashion Designer category is open to adults and business groups with a $500 prize on offer. This year’s theme is Call of the Wild and garments can be made from edible items, imitation food items or food packaging. The top three finalists from each category will go through to the final in the Evening Extravaganza.  Anyone wishing to enter the Awards can go to www.hastingscity.co.nz and download the information and entry forms or phone 06 876 9093. To book tickets for the evening extravaganza please visit TicketDirect.


The Law of Attraction Centre present THE LAW OF ATTRACTION WORKSHOP  delivered in an uplifting and practical 3 hour seminar.  This free seminar will provide specific examples and insights into how the Law Of Attraction can inspire you to realise your true potential and enable you to deliberately live your life by design.  Running in Taradale from 6.00 to 9.00pm on 10th March  this is an excellent opportunity to find out more.  Register on line: www.thelawofattractioncentre.co.nz or phone Odilia Balas on 835 0141.

‘DUET FOR ONE’  Local Director, Gillian Davies, is directing a play at the Century Theatre in Herschell St Napier, on Wed 10th – Sat 13th March.  The play is based on the life of Jacqueline du Pre, a world famous cellist who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at the height of her career. Over six counselling sessions with her psychiatrist he tries to help Stephanie come to terms with the illness and  to face her future.

The play is “revealing, sensitive, provoking, strong, humorous and at times, shocking.” “The play,” say Gillian, “is more like a duel than a duet and with all the complexities of a major concerto.” The actors are well known: Jane Pierard, and Stuart Devenie, with Tiffany Anderson. -So that sounds like a really good way to see the complexities of coping with a disability, whatever it happens to be, in an entertaining way!  Get a group together!  Tickets are available through contacting the MS Society, (ph 843 5002/ 843.3000); email Robyn at HB Multiple Sclerosis Society [ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ] or contact the Napier Municipal Theatre in Tennyson St Cost: Adults $25, Students and Seniors $20. -All proceeds to HB Multiple Sclerosis Society.


New Name for the Affordable Art Show – this year for the first time known as the  NZ Art Show  - the organisers are looking for artists for this year's show - July 29th – August 1st.  The show will be held at the TSB Bank Arena on Queens Wharf in Wellington and the concept will remain just as before and the objectives of the Trust will also be unchanged.  Last year the sales over the three days were truly impressive so its well worth local artists getting in touch with  Midge Murray by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone her on 04 388 8170.


That’s it once again, folks.  Please keep the arts news rolling in!