Protest: Third National Climate Change Strike

The third national climate change strike will go down in history as the largest held in Aotearoa.  Friday's strike action in the name of climate change attracted over 170,000 nationwide, according to the strike's organisers.  This is larger than NZ's 1951 industrial strike that saw 22,000 wharfies on the picket lines for 151 days (February to July).  It even out did this year's mega teachers' strike.

I personally saw thousands in the Capital holding placards and signs.  The March stretched from Civic Square to Parliament with no breaks.  In Lambton quay it took over both sides at one point.  Children and adults alike gathered to demand positive and definitive change mitigate the effects of climate change.

 In Wellington organisers, who were mainly High School students, reported 40,000 protesters.  An estimated 80,000 filled Auckland's Aotea Square; 9000 in Christchurch; 9000 in Dunedin; and another 2000 in Palmerston North and Tauranga.

There were believed to be about 45 events occurring nationally.  'School Strike 4 Climate New Zealand' spokesperson Sophie Handford said info was from people at each event, advice from councils, police.

The events were inspired by 16-year-old activist Greta Thunberg, who spoke at the UN this week.  Handford is reported to have said the turnout was so large because people are so much more aware of the urgency of the situation. With local body elections, a general election and events in the UN in New York this week, people are on full alert and know they have power to get leaders to take change.  "More and more people are realising that our elected leaders aren't going to take action on the climate crisis without people using their power to show how important this is." (she told Stuff.co.nz).

School Strike 4 Climate New Zealand national coordinator Raven Maeder was reported to say that  everyone should march. "We want people from all walks of life to join us, I can't imagine a future where people are shamed for joining us. They will be celebrated."

Photos and Youtube slide session by Tim Gruar www.freshthinking.net.nz

World Of WearableArts 2019 - Another fantastical night out!

Banshee of the Bike Lane by Grace DuVal (Chicago, United States) / Winner: Mythology Section

I can't remember how many WOW shows I've seen over the years but every year they seem to outdo the last.  I was privileged to talk to Musical Director Paul McLaney, who gave me a small insight into what was planned for this season.  But nothing prepared me for what I encountered at last night's Preview!

I don't want to give too much away, so I'll have to be a bit of a generalist.  What I can say is that I was totally blown away by the massive projection screen that opens up across the entire back of the stage - as wide at the TSB arena itself!  The imagery moves from Ice Caves to huge animated eyes to steam punk industrial scenes. 

Director of Choreography Sarah Foster-Sproull has done a superb job conveying Artistic Andy Packer's futuristic dystopian muddle.  As always, models decide how to 'move' in their individual costumes - some with little movement, some with great dramatic flourishes.  Then there's the circus performers and rope artists, who melt with the regular ensemble who carry the themes between each bracket.  One of the most memorable was a reinterpretation of the barricades of Les Miserables.   She included deep sea divers, urchins, a crazy violinist, drummers and a jazz band. Another amazing moment includes a large group of children and all other ages carrying inflated 'worms' on sticks like they do during the dragon festivals.  What the actual purpose was, I cannot say.  Did it matter?

I am very jealous of Chris Petridis's lighting.  As a budding lighting operator myself, I don't think I'll get to play with the massive bank of ultra-cool LED's that cut between colours and washes with split second precision.  The tandem effort between the lighting and John Strang's AV animations was near perfect.  Only twice (for only a second) was there a tiny misfit.  Together they created some fantastic atmospheres for the costumes.  Sometimes there was a bit of a visual clash as the eyes are over demanded by such an explosion.  But this has always been part of the WOW experience.

As far as the costumes go.  Well, what can I say.  To lead the design themes, the competition asked for entries loosely based around 6 themes, which all show up in surprising ways: Elizabethan, Architecture,  Monochromatic, Avant-Garde, Open and Aotearoa.  From the entries they are shown in to six distinct categories for the competition.  We got to see all the finalist's work last night, with photos of the costumes clearly printed in the programme (a must to get if you're going!)

The first is 'Blindingly Beautiful', where all the costumes are pure white.  Many this year incorporated variations on lacework, and one by India' s Akhilesh Gupta ('The Blomar') reminded me of those elaborate paper cards you see in shopping mall stalls, with their intricate details cut with scalpel precision.  Her's was also mechanical, opening like an impossibly fragile infrastructure.

'Connections Run Deep' was the Aotearoa section.  As with last year, there were plenty of references to our Colonial past.  Kayla Christensen's Waka Huia carried on an idea I saw last year of huge wearable paintings with portraits of wahine on each.  Lynne Dunphy played with our dubious land trading heritage, making three sets of clothes (with colonial themes) out of woolen blankets (get it muskets and blankets traded for lands?)

The open section this year had a new name, too.  'Wonder Has No Bounds'.  A chance to really experiment.Jack Irving did just that.  The UK designer gave up a life sized 50s atomic illustration made of inflatable plastics.  It was kitsch like a lilo, or a blow up cactus.  Hi second piece was completely bizarre, as if the model ha fallen into a spiked blow up paddling pool.  Her upper torso was completely covered by a large clear inflated sphere.  You had to wonder how she breathed. 

Mythology gave designers a real go at exploring the lurking elephant in the  WOW room: Cosplay.  Ever since its conception, the competition has straddled a fine line between Halloween party costumes and art.  'Where Stories Begin' is a chance to embrace that.  Works varied between birds and superhero villains.  One, aptly named 'Banshee of the Fallen Bike Lane' (by US' Grace DuVal, was made of bicycle tyres and parts.  This one stood out as a 'howling spectre to fallen cyclists'.

The Transform section ('Nothing is at it seems') features costumes that move or transform into other shapes, lights or colours.  The orange inflatable sea urchin (by Jack irving) and Anna Baines' multi layered flower ('Bloom') were clear standouts in this category.

Aptly titled 'Blurring The Lines', the avant-garde section offers a chance to really get crazy,  Yet most of the entries this year were pretty conservative.  Some were more like theatrical period costumes or even real fashion.  There was an emphasis on care and detail, which didn't necessarily come through unless you were up close to the garments.  China's Lyu Lu and Gu Yiheng gave us "Faceless" - an entirely black, faceless anonymous character inspired by an origami method called RES that transforms 2D into 3D.  'Dearth Extern' by Aussie Nicola Rule made a strong female witch character that would feel right at home in 'Lord Of The Rings' or a Harry Potter film.

There were a number of returning designers, including Ian Bernhard, whose had winning entries in 2013, 2014, 2016, and last year.  He's back this year with a colourful costume called 'Joan', with it's sleek aviation helmet and and spiky shoulder pads.  It reminded me of the evil queen in Snow White.

Sadly, one category was missing.  The amazing and fantastically whimsical bra section was not there this year.  It seemed like a bit of  a hole.  With that section gone, the humour and fancifulness of the competition was missing - absent but returning we hope.

There is plenty more to see in this year's show.  But I don't want to spoil it for you.  Once again the star shaped set is set and the costumes, dancer, musicians and lighting are ready.  Dress flashy, buy bubbles at the bar and soak it all up.  An amazing show.  Well down everybody!

CoffeeBar Kid

https://www.worldofwearableart.com/

 

Nominees for the Vodafone Music Awards

The finalists for this year's 2019 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards have just come out.  Alt artists are leading the race with Aldous Harding, The Beths, Troy Kingi and Avantdale Bowling Club all showing high in the category lists.

Some awards like the Pacific and Jazz sections have already been announced but there's plenty more.  The official Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards will on telly, live on Three on November 14 (8.30pm).  We plebs can also join in the fun, for a price: General public tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster.

Finally, the Westies get their day: The Legacy award this year will go to one of our favourite pub-stomper bands Th' Dudes.  Bliss, indeed.

And the nominees are (roll those drums!):

Album of the Year
Aldous Harding - Designer
Avantdale Bowling Club - Avantdale Bowling Club
Broods - Dont Feed The Pop Monster
Marlon Williams - Live at the Town Hall
Mitch James - Mitch James
The Beths - Future Me Hates Me

Vodafone Single of the Year
Aldous Harding - The Barrel
Benee - Soaked
Church & AP - Ready or Not
Drax Project - All This Time
Six60 - The Greatest
The Beths - Future Me Hates Me

Three Best Solo Artist
Aldous Harding - Designer
Avantdale Bowling Club - Avantdale Bowling Club
Benee - Fire On Marzz
Mitch James - Mitch James

Group
Beatwars - IV
Broods - Dont Feed The Pop Monster
L.A.B - L.A.B II
The Beths - Future Me Hates Me

Smirnoff Best Breakthrough Artist
Baynk - Someones EP II
Benee - Fire On Marzz
Church & AP - Ready Or Not
The Beths - Future Me Hates Me

Pop Artist of the Year
Benee - Fire On Marzz
Broods - Dont Feed The Pop Monster
Mitch James - Mitch James

Alternative
Aldous Harding - Designer
The Beths - Future Me Hates Me
Tiny Ruins - Olympic Girls

Rock
Beastwars - IV
Racing - Real Dancing
Villainy - Raised In The Dark

Hip Hop
Avantdale Bowling Club - Avantdale Bowling Club
Chursch & AP - Cathedral/All Purpose
Diggy Dupe - Island Time

Soul / R&B
Bailey Wiley - Bailey Wiley
Louis Baker - Open
Rei - The Bridge

Roots
L.A.B - L.A.B II
Lost Tribe Aotearoa
Troy Kingi & The Upperclass - Holy Colony Burning Acres

Maori
Louis Baker - Open
Rei - The Bridge
Troy Kingi & The Upperclass - Holy Colony Burning Acres

Electronic
Pacific Heights - A Lost Light
Sweet Mix Kids
Tali - Love & Migration

Classical
Michael Houston & Bella Hristova - The Complete Beethoven Violin Sonatas
Simon O'Neill - Distant Beloved
The Linkwood Guitar Duo - Music from New Zealand for Two Guitars

Worship
Equippers Worship - Equiipers Worship
Harbourside Worship - Collide
Jule Riding - Rivers

Producer
Josh Fountain - various
Simon Gooding
Ji Fraser
Eli Paewai - Mitch James (Mitch James)
Tom Healy - Olympic Girls (Tiny Ruins)

Engineer
Ben Lawson & Vivek Gabriel - Avantdale Bowling Club (Avantdale Bowling Club)
Josh Fountain - various
Simon Gooding - Mitch James (Mitch James)

Album Cover
Jaime Robertson - A Quiet Divide (Rhian Sheehan)
Mike Braid - Raised In The Dark (Villainy)
Tim Harper & Dick Frizzell - Offering (Various Artists)

Music Video
Jason Bock - Feeling Free (Leisure)
Martin Sagadin & Aldous Harding - The Barrel (Aldous Harding)
Vision Thing - Rock Bottom (Randa)

Music Teacher of the Year
Duncan Ferguson
Jane Egan
Sue Banham

Legacy Award
Th' Dudes

Childrens
Anna van Riel - Fishing For Stars
Craig Smith - Not Just For Kids 2
Marian Burns - Songs For Kids

Winner: Craig Smith - Not Just For Kids 2

Folk
Great North- the Golden Age
Jono Heyes - 9 Pilgrims
The Frank Burkitt Band- Raconteur

Winner: The Frank Burkitt Band- Raconteur

Pacific
Kings - Love & Ego
SWIDT - The Most Electrifying
Tomorrow People - BBQ Reggae

Winner: Tomorrow People - BBQ Reggae

Country
Jenny Mitchell - Wildfires
Jamie McDell - Extraordinary Girl
Tami Neilson- Sassafrass!

Winner: Jenny Mitchell- Wildfires

Jazz
Antipodes- Good Winter
Dog - No Dogs Allowed
GRG67 -The Thing

Winner: GRG67- The Thing

WOMAD 2020 Announces the First Two Acts

WOMAD New Zealand has just announced the first two acts for next year's festival plus a whole heap of other goodies.  

Up in Taranaki the organisers for the 2020 festival have been secretly brewing up a heady concoction of artists, writers and performers, culminating in over 100 hours of music, dance and voices across eight stages and running over three days at Ngāmotu's stunning Brooklands Park and the TSB Bowl of Brooklands.  Once again the venue will be transformed into a village of colour, energy and inclusion.  

The full line up will be announced at a special event at Parliament on Tuesday, 15th October.  But for now WOMAD New Zealand is thrilled to share two of the international artists performing and the first two World Of Words artists for the 16th year anniversary of the festival. 

For 2020, the mesmerising duo of Welsh harpist Catrin Finch & Senegalese kora player Seckou Keita will be making a welcome festival appearance as will living legends of gospel music Blind Boys of Alabama. 

Dr Selina Tusitala Marsh

The ever-expanding World Of Words stage, now held on the sun-drenched lawn of the Kunming Garden will be hosting beloved entertainer Te Radar and pacific poet Dr Selina Tusitala Marsh. 

WOMAD New Zealand is also elated to announce two new additions to the festival for 2020.

Te Radar

Being hosted on a brand new stage in the tranquil setting of the Pinetum is WOMAD New Zealand's first-ever STEAM Lab. Come and hear speakers from Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics fields talk about incredible breakthroughs and their journey of innovation.

Chessie Henry

Introducing WOMAD New Zealand's inaugural Book Club. The book chosen for the 2020 festival is Chessie Henry's We Can Make A Life.  Book Club aims to bring people together to express their perspectives and explore the themes within the book while getting insights from Chessie herself.

WOMAD New Zealand remains a place to bring artists together from all over the globe to break down barriers, educate, inform and inspire. Come and lose yourself in the sights, sounds, and tastes that blend together to make up the vibrant WOMAD experience!

WOW Musical Director talks to the CoffeeBar Kid

WOW 2018 - Photo by Tim Gruar

The CoffeeBar Kid catches up with Kiwi music legend Paul McLaney who is returning for a second year as Music Director for World of WearableArt. McLaney’s career has spanned acoustic music as a solo artist, rock and pop with Gramsci and ambient electronica The Impending Adorations. He is the Director of Music for the Pop-up Globe. We first talked to McLaney when he was MD during the World of Wearable Art in 2018 Once again he'll bring together a medley of talented Kiwi musicians spanning genres from drum and bass and electronica to symphony, jazz and blues to create music for each Section of the Show.

Note: Music in this interview was found, sampled and mixed by Tim Gruar and not from WOW 2019.

WOW 2018 - Photo by Tim Gruar

THE COMPETITION
World of WearableArt (WOW) combines an international wearable art competition with a spectacular stage show.  For over 30 years New Zealand’s single largest theatrical production attracts entries by designers from all around the world working at the cutting edge of fashion, art, design, costume and theatre, alongside students and first-time entrants.

THE AWARDS SHOW
For three weeks every year, World of WearableArt showcases the best of these creations in a spectacular show that takes over New Zealand’s vibrant capital city of Wellington in an explosion of creativity.

THE EXHIBITIONS
The National WOW Museum in Nelson, New Zealand, houses a collection of the most extraordinary garments selected from World of WearableArt’s past season and currently houses the 2018 World of WearableArt Exhibition, with over 60 finalist garments on display.

WOW 2018 - Photo by Tim Gruar

The World of WearableArt Awards Show is divided into six Sections:
three recurrent Sections, and three specific to 2019.

AOTEAROA has its own deep sense of place. This Section draws on that to celebrate
who we are as people and what makes us proud. From our rich cultures to our landscapes,
from our independence to our inventions, designers show us New Zealand and New
Zealanders as they see us.

OPEN is a world with no thematic boundaries, designers have complete freedom to
explore and create their own design. The only limit is their imagination.
AVANT-GARDE is a world that is experimental, radical and unorthodox; a rebellion
against the norm.  Daring to defy the boundaries of fashion, designers create work that is
cutting-edge, rejecting the ordinary and nurturing originality.

MYTHOLOGY is about other worlds and dimensions; fantastical stories of fearsome
monsters and creatures, gods and goddesses, demigods and supernatural humans.
Designers gather their inspiration from a vast treasure trove of tales. Dark and mysterious;
exuberant and outlandish, ethereal and dreamy.

TRANSFORM Designers were challenged to create a work that changes in form,
nature and appearance. To play and innovate with different mechanisms to reveal
unexpected aspects of their garment. The transformation can be playful and humorous,
striking or startling.

WHITE represents a spectrum of emotions, white can be associated with peace, light,
love, perfection, purity and spirituality. In some parts of the world, white can also
represent death and mourning; in others it is associated with angels, good health and
time. Inspiration may be found in sheer simplicity, sculptural boldness, intricate detail or
experimenting with layers, light and shadow, proportion or scale.

Laneway 2019 Line Up Announced!

The most exciting rock band on the planet.

A pop artist who is as successful as she is boundary-pushing. One of the finest electronic acts in recent years. Australia’s most productive psych-rock band. And so much more. The 2020 Laneway line-up is here!

Returning to Auckland’s Albert Park on Monday 27 January, we're proud to present a line-up that guarantees this is where you want to spend your Auckland Anniversary Day.

 Tickets go on sale from 9am, Thursday 26 September!

2019 Silver Scroll Awards - Who's your pick to win?

2019 APRA Silver Scroll Award nominees… 

Alien Weaponry: Ahi Kā 

Anika Moa: Buttercup 

Foley: Can’t Help The Way 

Ladi6: Diagonals 

Chaii: Digebasse (Enough) 

 Broods: Dust 

Miloux: Enough 

Mousey: Extreme Highs 

The Beths: Happy Unhappy 

Mel Parsons: Just ‘Cause You Don’t Want Me 

SORRENTO: Look Up 

SWIDT: No Emotions In The Wild 

Anthonie Tonnon: Old Images 

Tiny Ruins: Olympic Girls 

Church & AP: Ready Or Not 

Benee: Soaked 

Aldous Harding: The Barrel 

Lydia Cole: The Sacred 

 Ha The Unclear: Where Were You When I Was All You Needed 

Avantdale Bowling Club: Years Gone By 

APRA members will vote to determine the five finalists and overall winner of this year’s Silver Scroll Award. The nominated songs were selected from over 200 entries by a judging panel that included; Amanda Cheng (Wax Chattels), Anna Coddington, Chris Mac (Six60), Godfrey de Grut, Jordan Arts (Leisure/High Hoops), Mark Williams (Slave/Fat Freddy’s Drop), Nick Atkinson (Hopetoun Brown), Ria Hall and Tyra Hammond.

 The 2018 winner was Marlon Williams, while other previous winners include revered Kiwi songwriters like Dave Dobbyn, Neil Finn and Bic Runga, and (then) newcomer likes of Ella Yelich-O’Connor (Lorde) & Joel Little, Ruban and Kody Nielson (Unknown Mortal Orchestra).

The 2019 edition of the awards takes place on October 2 at Auckland’s Spark Arena. The evening will also see the induction of a Kiwi songwriter (or songwriters) into the NZ Music Hall of Fame.

http://apraamcos.co.nz/

Group behind Blue Smoke, New Zealand's first homegrown hit, inducted into Music Hall of Fame at Silver Scroll Awards

Three of songwriters and performers behind Blue Smoke - the first ever song to be written, recorded and manufactured here and released on a New Zealand label - will be inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.

Guitarist Jim Carter.

Pixie Williams and Ruru Karaitiana will be honoured posthumously at the 2019 APRA Silver Scroll Awards, to be held in October.  Jim Carter will receive the distinction in the year of his 100th birthday.

Ruru Karaitiana with the first
pressing of Blue Smoke.

Karaitiana wrote Blue Smoke on board Aquitania, a WWII troop ship, in 1940, as he sailed towards the Indian Ocean on his way to fight with the Maori Battalion.

When he returned home in 1943 he recorded the song with Williams on vocals and Carter on guitar, and it became the first record to be pressed by TANZA (To Assist NZ Artists), the first Kiwi record label.

A number of awards will also be handed out at the ceremony on October 2, including the illustrious Silver Scroll Award, which was won last year by Marlon Williams. 

Vocalist Pixie Williams.

2018's Hall of Fame laureate was Break in the Weather singer Jenny Morris. Other musicians to receive the honour include The Topp Twins, Hello Sailor, Herbs and Big Runga.

Karaitiana's son Ruma and Williams' daughter Amelia Costello will accept on behalf of their parents.

Read more about Blue Smoke at Audio Culture:  https://www.audioculture.co.nz/scenes/blue-smoke

The original 1949 78
of Blue Smoke.
It would remain in the
Tanza catalogue throughout
the 1950s.

An advertisement in the
8 October 1948 Listener announces that
Radio Corp’s Columbus Recording Studios
was open for business in Wellington

Louis Baker - San Fran - 10 August 2019

Groove went along to San Fran of Saturday to check out Louis Baker's sold out homecoming concert.  Supported by a 2 piece horn section, vocalist-supremo Lisa Tomlins and super mario all-rounder Mara TK plus his own 3 piece Louis played some fantastic nu-soul from his new album Open and a few hits from his earlier days.  Welcome back, Louis! Photos by Tim Gruar

https://www.louisbaker.co.nz/

MERMAIDENS PREMIERES VISUALS FOR 'MILLENNIA' LOOK ME IN THE EYE, OUT SEPT 6 ON FLYING NUN RECORDS

Mermaidens reveal a soft, pastel-infused dreamscape in their video for new single ‘Millennia’
The video was directed and produced by Tom Mannion and Caity Moloney, a filmmaking duo known as Lazy Susan.

“Everything is on spinning platforms, and the video eventually reveals that this woman and all her masks are on display too,” says co-frontperson and bassist Lily West. The circling visuals feel forced from reality, as the character contemplates life in an overly constructed dream world that cycles through different personas this character has created for themselves.

“Millennia is a deadpan dig at the masks we wear. I wanted us to explore the mess of feelings around that twisted meeting of media and identity and how it can create such a warped sense of reality. There’s an implication that we can’t be successful without this system, despite it not being that much good for anybody. The song is a big faker too - it's all pep and pop hooks, but it's a sad story. The title is a personal joke about feeling old at 25, it was always meant to be the temporary title as it’s not exactly subtle. But after recording, when the song turned out to be so melodramatic, it stuck.”

https://mermaidens.bandcamp.com/

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE THE OTHERS WAY!

August 8, 2019: Others Way month is here! To kick off a jam-packed musical weekend, The Others Way is proud to see the return of The Night Before The Others Way. Get into the Others Way spirit with Na Noise, Mice On Stilts, PollyHill, First Move, Green Grove, DOG Power, Linen, Richard Maybe’s Passion for Nature and Cave Circles & PARKS, playing across St Kevin’s beloved venues; Whammy Bar, Whammy Backroom and The Wine Cellar this Thursday 29 August. Tickets are on sale now from Cosmic Ticketing!

___________________________________________________ THURSDAY 29 AUGUST The Night Before The Others Way Whammy, Backroom & The Wine Cellar St Kevin’s Arcade, Karangahape Road, Auckland Tickets on sale now from Cosmic Ticketing THE NIGHT BEFORE OTHERS WAY LINEUP: Cave Circles & PARKS / DOG Power / First Move / Green Grove / Linen / Mice On Stilts / Na Noise / PollyHill / Richard Maybe's Passion For Nature FRIDAY 30 AUGUST The Others Way Festival 2019 Various venues across Karangahape Road district, Auckland Central Tickets on sale through Flying Out and Undertheradar RSVP here on Facebook THE OTHERS WAY LINEUP 2019, TĀMAKI MAKAURAU: Bad Timing / Bailey Wiley / BEING. / Ben Woods / Blam Blam Blam / Carnivorous Plant Society / The Chills / Chris Cohen / Church & AP / Contenders / Cortina / Crap Date / Creme Jean / Dateline / DOG Power / Echo Ohs / Gary War / Hans Pucket / Jade Imagine / Jen Cloher / John Maus / Linen / Long Distance Runner / Mermaidens / Negative Nancies / NT Honey / Ounce / Princess Chelsea / Purple Pilgrims / Reb Fountain / Richard Maybe’s Passion for Nature / Sad Freq / Shiraz & LSJ / Soaked Oats / Straitjacket Fits / Sulfate / Superstarz / The Terminals / Tiny Ruins / Troy Kingi / Vayne / Water Friendly Potential Others Way Afterparty  (with Borrowed CS and Mara TK) Neck of the Woods $10 door entry (GA) or free entry with your Others Way wristband RSVP here on Facebook SATURDAY 31 AUGUST ParrotDog, Cosmic and Flying Out proudly present: The Others Way Wellington sideshow San Francisco Bathhouse & Valhalla, Wellington Tickets on sale now from Cosmic Ticketing THE OTHERS WAY WELLINGTON SIDESHOW LINEUP: The Chills / Chris Cohen / John Maus / girlboss / Giantess / Purple Pilgrims / Gary War Get into the activity this Others Way week, and let us know what you get up to! #TheOthersWay FLYING OUT ONLINE Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Interview with Second Unit's Chris Morely-Hall

CoffeeBar Kid talks to producer of one of Wellingotn's most intriguing shows.  Where you, audience member, get to be in the show and interact with the set from What We Do In The Shadows (the Taika Waititi and Jermaine Clement Movie).

Hey you! Human! Second Unit needs you. Like, urgently. Before sunset preferably.

Come and explore, investigate, party and play on a live-action film set where nothing is quite as it seems...

What is Second Unit you ask?

Take a film set, a music festival, a comedy gig and a choose-your-own-adventure game for good measure. That’s Second Unit – not your average night out.
You and a cast of humans are needed for this supernatural misadventure into the world of film, inspired by vampire mockumentary What We Do in the Shadows. You’ll be assigned the role of a film extra and be enlisted to help wrap this film shoot of unholy proportions.

Buy your ticket and you'll gain access to an amazing and anarchic world built specially for this event on Wellington's waterfront. Allow yourself 90 minutes to explore, but don't be surprised if you want to stay...

The season opens on Thursday 13 June and has a strictly limited season until Sunday 30 June.

https://www.circa.co.nz/package/second-unit/