WOMAD 2024 is Going Off! World of Words and OMV Steam Lab line-ups are ready for you to explore!

 The latest from our friends at WOMAD Taranaki: 

We’ve got FOUR more acts joining our stages, and our World of Words and OMV Steam Lab line-ups are ready for you to explore!  Contemporary Irish folk, 90s house music royalty, paradisal alt-pop and ethereal Võro folk; it’s more wonderfully WOMAD genres and artists from near and far. Delve into the realm of World of Words, with mesmerising tales that traverse cultures and ignite imaginations. Our OMV Steam Lab sessions are set to spark your curiosity with innovators at the forefront of art, technology, and exploration, offering ideas and projects that defy boundaries.   Tremendously talented, daringly diverse, and intensely inspiring; we couldn’t be prouder to offer you the best line-up this side of the Tasman Sea.   He wa whakanui! The indisputable architects of the ‘French Touch’ — the emotive house music that emerged from Paris in the mid-90s — cousins Alan Braxe and DJ Falcon come together to create a hypnotic new sound. Two of Ireland’s most exciting contemporary musicians, singer-songwriter Lisa O’Neill and instrumentalist Cormac Begley together create a unique take on Irish folk. A voice that sings from the heart of the Estonian forest, Mari Kalkun’s music is rooted in ancient Estonian and Võru traditions. Combining folk with innovative songwriting, she creates intimate music, born of Baltic winter forests and icy landscapes. Fiercely fun and enthrallingly emotive, Theia is the queen of edgy, alternative bangers, slaying with songs and bulldozing social injustices, she's a force of alt-pop nature! Her exquisite vocals, confrontational lyricism and bold and experimental production are standout fan-favourites. Immerse yourself in the exhilarating world of innovation and creativity with WOMAD's OMV Steam Lab programme. Offering a fusion of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM), this initiative brings together visionaries, artists, and thinkers to explore the intersection of culture and cutting-edge technology.   Unleash your imagination and embark on a journey where artistry meets innovation, where the boundaries of creativity are redefined! We delve into the impact of brewing beer to music with Andrew Jeffs, Marine Biologist at Auckland University and Pete Gillespie, Co-Founder & Head Brewer at Garage Project. This session has birthed a unique WOMAD beer, brewed to the beats of WOMAD’s 21st Party Playlist via submerged speakers! Meet Bill Morris, a Dunedin-based writer, documentary maker, and science communicator. he’s a regular contributor to New Zealand Geographic magazine, and his debut book, The Road to Gondwana earned an Ockham non-fiction book award longlisting. Jade Kake is an architectural and urban designer, housing advocate, and power-house shaking up the architectural world. Dive into her latest adventure, Rewi, a tribute to the legendary architect Rewi Thompson. Te Herenga Waka Victoria University Professor Michael Hannah’s penned Extinctions– living and dying in the margin of error, unravelling Earth's system and assessing the hair-raising possibility of a looming mass extinction. Pedram is on a symphonic quest that spans academia and artistry -intertwining his love for Geometry, Topology, and Theoretical Physics. His intrigue? Harmonizing math and music, exploring rhythmic patterns through geometric lenses. This inventive industrial designer and comedic illustrator, blurs the lines between machines and nature. His wild projects include a bus-size millipede and minivan-scale marsupial. Stephen’s first book Ultrawild, is an optimistic book about creative thinking, STEM and the potential for massive change. Megan Tapsell is a tech luminary boasting 25 years of global prowess across international finance hubs. As Chair of AI Forum NZ, she orchestrates a symphony of innovators, investors, and regulators, championing diverse, ethical AI adoption in New Zealand. Get ready to embark on a linguistic adventure that transcends borders, cultures, and imagination. Join renowned wordsmiths, linguists, and visionaries as they share their stories, wisdom, and visions of a world painted in the colours of literature. Whether you're a logophile seeking new linguistic marvels or a curious soul eager to dive into the depths of storytelling, the World of Words programme invites you to celebrate the rich tapestry of human expression! Caroline is an award-winning author, story coach, presenter, and manuscript maestro. Her debut novel, Golden Days, is a non-fiction literary gem, and her memoir Ripiro Beach, snagged the 2020 New Zealand Heritage Literary Award. With a knack for uncovering the untold, Dame Gaylene is a trailblazing writer, director and producer. She’s the first filmmaker to snag an Arts Foundation Laureate Award and an NZ Order of Merit. Her recent autobiography, Gaylene's Take (Ockham long list 2023), spills the secrets of her visionary journey. This spirited Manawatū based writer is the brains behind the Manawatū Urban Foraging group. Her latest literary escapade, A Forager’s Life, hit the NZ nonfiction top ten list, charming readers with a blend of nature's wonders and Lehndorf's enchanting prose. Kate is New Zealand’s globe-trotting, rockstar journalist and nature storyteller. Her latest extravaganza, Feijoa, is a vibrant, global saga exploring the dance between people and plants, with a juicy spotlight on the enchanting feijoa. Kura Forrester is the comedy sensation slaying it nationwide as an actor, writer, and comedian. Bagging the 2019 Billy T award for her smash hit show Kura Shoulda Woulda, she's the comedic maestro behind the sold-out spectacle Here if you Need. Dr. Monty Soutar, ONZM is a true jack-of-all-trades—teacher, soldier, historian, and novelist extraordinaire. His debut novel Kawai: For Such a Time as This reveals a picture of indigenous Aotearoa in the mid-18th century, through to the first encounters between Māori and Europeans.   Kawai: For Such a Time as This is our chosen book for this year's Book Club, grab a copy and get reading! Nick Bollinger, the cultural chronicler from Wellington, rocks as a writer, broadcaster, and critic. His latest hit, Jumping Sundays: The Rise and Fall of the Counterculture in Aotearoa New Zealand scored Best Illustrated Non-Fiction in the 2023 Ockham Book Awards. Actor, comedian, and social media sorcerer, Tom has won a place in the hearts of many New Zealanders. Known for uproarious videos spoofing politicians and kiwi culture, his characters like Boomer Dad and 80s Mum keep us in stitches. Get ready to witness the power of words unleashed in a whirlwind of rhythm, passion, and creativity at WOMAD’s 6th Poetry Slam!   Poets from every corner of Aotearoa will converge to share their stories, dreams, and emotions through the art of spoken word. From heartrending ballads to fiery anthems, the Poetry Slam is a melting pot of diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences.   Hosted by our eminent slam mistress Penny Ashton, with guest judges Dr Karlo Mila and Ken Arkind. We’ve made it easy for you to get to know our incredible line-up of 2024 artists! A haven of harmonies, a vortex of voices, a song for every member of your family. Turn up the volume, let your spirit roam and let the rhythms of WOMAD transport you to a musical utopia! You’ve still got time to secure your festival tickets using playlan! We have monthly, weekly and fortnightly payment instalment options. We’re on the hunt for enthusiastic people to join our festival volunteer programme. Volunteers play an essential role in the delivery of WOMAD. From stage runners to traffic control and zero waste superstars; we’ve got a bevy of roles to be filled! Copyright (C) 2023 Taranaki Arts Festival Trust. All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in to receive updates from WOMAD New Zealand Our mailing address is: Taranaki Arts Festival Trust Cnr Powderham & Brougham Sts New Plymouth, Taranaki 4310 New Zealand Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe