15 January 2024
The creative buzz of Wellington’s neighbourhood Newtown is undeniable, filled with artistic thinkers, caffeine fixers and go getters. Its rustic exterior provides a façade for the vibrant and eclectic suburb bursting with good vibes, coffee shops, vintage stores, art galleries and top foodie spots. And now there’s a newbie on the block, as Tāwhiri Warehouse makes its debut as a pop-up Festival venue for the 2024 Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts. A stones throw from all things Newtown, with free parking and ease of public transport routes, it's never been easier to get into the contemporary arts.
With a rave like no other, aerial acrobatics and emotive dance all set to take centre stage, this is a summer in Newtown that you sure won’t want to miss.
Lost Lear
Morning People: Warehouse Rave
Why stay out until the early hours of the morning when you can get your raving fix by 8am?
This is not your typical rave. Get your hit of house as the sun comes up and have more fun than should be allowed in the morning on a weekday with Morning People: Warehouse Rave. Remixing the sounds of DJ Dick ‘Magik’ Johnson with complementary L’affare Coffee, All Good Bananas and ice-cold Karma Kombucha you’ll be partying before the working day has begun.
The FNZ season of Hatupatu | Kurungaituki: A Forbidden Love
Immerse yourself in an unexpected love as aerialists fill the space around you while you stand beneath them. Transporting you to the forests and geo-thermal forces of Rotorua follow the epic tale of the young warrior, Hatupatu and the bird woman Kurungaituku. The impressive Māori aerial will be the first performance in the Festival’s new venue in Newtown.
Lost Lear by Dan Colley
Its emotive, moving and darkly comedic, coming into the warehouse is Irish theatre maker Dan Colley’s Lost Lear. A story of a complex mother and son relationship that navigates estrangement and illness, you’ll see fiction and reality overlap in thought-provoking ways. With the use of puppetry, live video, and projection you’ll gain insight into Joy’s distorted world.
A NZSL Interpreted show of Lost Lear is available on Friday 15 March, 7.30pm.
An Audio Described showing of Lost Lear is available on Saturday 16 March, 7.30pm, with a Touch Tour at 6.45pm.
Whenua – New Zealand Dance Company
Dance is in full flow here, with a double bill of stunning choreography, captivating soundscape, and digital design for Whenua. In a collaboration between Malia Johnston and indigienous artisit Rodney Bell (Ngāti Maniapoto) come Imprint, while Uku – Behind the Canvas by Eddie Elliot (Ngāti Maniapoto) is inspired by the Māori Pūrākau (mythology) of Hineahuone, the first woman, created by Tāne-Mahuta from clay.
An Audio Described showing of Whenua is available on Saturday 9 March, 7.30pm with a Touch Tour at 6.45pm.
Accessible shows of Whenua without NZSL are on Friday 8 March, 7.30pm and Saturday 9 March, 7.30pm.
Crossing Thresholds
A day at Tāwhiri Warehouse dedicated to extraordinary art created by disabled and neurodiverse artists and entirely free to attend.
Taking to the skies for The Air Between Us comes critically acclaimed choreographer Chloe Loftus and multi-award-winning Māori artist Rodney Bell (Ngāti Maniopoto) – who performs in his wheelchair. The captivating outdoor performance explores our ability to exist in symbiotic harmony with each other.
The Air Between Us is an Audio Described show, with a Touch Tour available ahead of the performance at 11.45am.
Shadow by Back to Back Theatre blends fiction and documentary to tell the story of a group of activists who learn of their own prejudices. The film is made up of a cast that predominantly identify as having a disability. Following successful screenings in Sydney, Melbourne, Edinburgh and more now’s your chance to see it here in Wellington.
The screening of Shadow is an Audio Described and NZSL Interpreted show.
The Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts runs from 23 February – 17 March 2024.
Discover more performances with the full line-up and view our programme of Access shows.
