NEW ZEALANDERS CHALLENGED TO TAKE PART IN ‘TAKE A BREATH WEEK’

New Zealand’s inaugural Take a Breath Week aims to educate Kiwis to end anxiety one breath at a time

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In a world-first, a seven day Take a Breath challenge has been issued for Kiwis to take part in, to experience the compelling results of effective breathing using practical tools. Launching on Sunday 21st February, Take a Breath Week aims to educate New Zealanders that the common denominator between all people experiencing stress and anxiety.

Highly regarded lifestyle expert Sarah Laurie founded Take a Breath in 2019 after pressing pause on her 15-year career in the wellness space. Laurie began a mission to better understand anxiety - the world’s fastest growing mental health issue.

After four years spent working with scientists, cell biologists, breathing physicians and industry experts from around the world, a single proposition emerged - the 21st century pace and pressure has shifted our breathing from our tummy to our chest, and this has systematically changed our state making us take too many breaths.

Laurie commented: “I firmly believe that every New Zealander needs to learn the way we breath, while we go about our days, directly impacts the level of stress and anxiety we experience. It may seem too simple, yet the breath response is an intricate and complex mechanism that directly impacts human health.”

Laurie’s connection to the project came about from the work she was doing in the wellness space, working with thousands of people who suffer from anxiety. It was this that sparked her dedication to travel the world and find the solution.

Compelling beta-testing with staff at The Warehouse Group and Chorus workplaces demonstrated that the way we breathe directly improves sleep, anxiety, increases calm and heightens energy, with 76% of participants seeing an improvement in sleep, 96% experiencing increased calm, and 86% noting an increase in their energy levels.

Together with her NZ community partners - Kiwibank, Spark and The Warehouse Group, Laurie is dedicated to educating Kiwis, and ending anxiety one breath at a time, which will hopefully not be limited to the week but for everyone’s lifetime.

Free nationwide seminars will be held throughout February and March, from Whangarei to Invercargill, for Kiwis to learn the science behind stress, anxiety and breathing. Locations, dates and times follow:

Whangarei - Tuesday February 23 Forum North 6pm - 7.30
Auckland - Wednesday February 24 Ellerslie Event Centre 6pm
Hamilton – Thursday February 25 Sky City 6pm
Tauranga – Tuesday March 2 Trustpower Baypark 6pm
Napier - Wednesday March 3 Napier War Memorial Centre 6pm
Taupo - Thursday March 4 Wairakei Resort 6pm
Wellington - Tuesday March 9 Te Papa 6pm
Christchurch – Wednesday March 10 Turanga Christchurch Library 6pm
Dunedin - Thursday March 11 University of Otago 6pm
Invercargill - Friday March 12 The Kelvin Hotel 1pm - 2.30

TRAILER UNVEILED FOR NEW HEARTFELT DRAMA COUSINS STARRING ANA SCOTNEY, RACHEL HOUSE, TANEA HEKE AND MORE

PATRICIA GRACE’S CLASSIC KIWI NOVEL COMES TO LIFE ON THE BIG SCREEN

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The trailer for local drama Cousins has been released today ahead of the film’s nationwide general release on March 4th. Cousins is a dramatic and powerful story of three cousins who spend a lifetime in search of each other, separated by circumstances yet connected by blood.

Based on Patricia Grace’s classic New Zealand novel, Cousins’ screenplay was adapted by Briar Grace-Smith (Waru, The Strength of Water). The film is co-directed by Grace-Smith and Ainsley Gardiner (The Breaker Upperers, Boy).

Set over six decades, the film’s stellar core cast includes Tanea Heke (Waru), Ana Scotney (The Breaker Upperers), Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne (Hunt for the Wilderpeple) and Rachel House (JOJO RABBIT). Support cast includes Miriama Smith (Filthy Rich), Cohen Holloway (Reunion) and Chelsie Preston Crayford (Savage).

In development for 16 years, Cousins was originally the vision of filmmaker Merata Mita (Mauri), the first Māori woman to write and direct a feature film. Shortly before Cousins went into production in 2019, co-directors Gardiner and Grace-Smith were joint recipients of the Sundance Institute Merata Mita Fellowship.

Writer and co-director Briar Grace-Smith hopes that people come away from watching Cousins with a greater understanding of Aotearoa’s history: “Cousins is a story about strength and resilience, touching on epic events in the history of Aotearoa such as the deployment of the 28th Maori Battalion to Europe, the 1975 Land March to Parliament and the Foreshore and Seabed Hikoi of 2004. However, at its heart it is an intimate story, about the theft of a child and her family's lifelong quest to bring her back home to her people.”

Director Ainsley Gardiner continued: “It has been a privilege to be part of a film that has such a significant whakapapa. From our real stories and experiences, to Patricia's book, to the attempts by our mentors to get it made, Cousins has been a long time in the making. To be able to make it with whānau, hapu and iwi alongside our fantastic crew made it all the more special.”

Author of the novel Cousins, Patricia Grace thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the production process: “​What I enjoyed most of all was having the opportunity to be on-set during production where there was a joyful whānau atmosphere, and where the only raised voice was when it was time to: “CUT”.”

Cousins is produced by Georgina Conder (She Shears, The Breaker Upperers), Libby Hakaraia (The Gravedigger of Kapu) and Ainsley Gardiner under Miss Conception Films and Whenua Films. With investment from The New Zealand Film Commission, Cousins is distributed in New Zealand by Vendetta Films. Penguin Random House are set to re-release Patricia Grace’s Cousins novel in March, to time with the film’s release in nationwide cinemas.

RUSSELL HOWARD CONFIRMS JANUARY 2021 DATES FOR HIS 'RESPITE' TOUR

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RUSSELL HOWARD is set to bring his hotly anticipated stand-up tour Respite to New Zealand in the new year. After the global success of Netflix special Recalibrate, The Russell Howard Hour - which spawned over 400 million views worldwide on social media - and 2017 international record-breaking sell-out tour Round The World, RUSSELL HOWARD, one of the UK’s most successful comedians, has been approved to travel to New Zealand with his tour in January confirmed to go ahead.

The New Zealand premiere of Respite will commence on 22 January 2021 in Wellington and will be followed by performances in Auckland and Christchurch making Russell the first comedian from the Northern Hemisphere to perform in New Zealand since the global lockdown!

Due to ongoing border restrictions, Russell Howard’s Australian Respite tour dates have been rescheduled to July and August.

All existing tickets remain valid for the rescheduled show without the need for exchange. Patrons unable to attend can obtain a refund from the point of purchase. Refund requests are to be submitted prior to 5pm, Friday 29 January.

Final tickets are on sale now. For complete tour and ticketing details, visit: livenation.co.nz.

Russell is currently on his third and largest world tour Respite which will take him to 69 cities across 24 countries in 5 continents, and started with a sold-out, critically acclaimed UK arena run in Autumn 2019. Russell’s 2017 sell-out international tour, Round the World, saw him break the record for the largest English speaking stand-up show in China and play a record-breaking 10 night run at the Royal Albert Hall, overtaking 8 in a row jointly held by Frank Sinatra and Barry Manilow. The tour culminated with the global release of Netflix Special Recalibrate.

Russell most recently returned to our screens to offer his satirical take on global news, politics and stories dominating the cultural zeitgeist with the fourth series of The Russell Howard Hour. A huge hit online, show content has been seen over 400 million times across social media since the show’s arrival. Every episode is also available to watch worldwide on Russell’s YouTube channel, with over one million subscribers, as well as being broadcast on Foxtel in Australia close to UK transmission on Sky.

Russell has over 6 million followers on social media.

After completely selling out his Australian season of Wonderbox in 2014 and Round the World in 2017 – Respite will be one not to be missed.

it’s thrilling to see Howard with fire in his belly” ★★★★★ Metro

“World domination is looming… he has grown darker, angrier and more satirical on stage. His sets deal with everything from foreign policy to his fear of death, and he rages as much as he teases” The Sunday Times, UK

RUSSELL HOWARD – RESPITE
NEW ZEALAND 2021

FINAL TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW

For complete tour and ticket information, visit: livenation.co.nz

SOL3 MIO TO HIT THE ROAD TO ROUND OUT THE KIWI SUMMER

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SOL3 MIO have announced today a nationwide tour to round out the Kiwi summer performing in some of the country's most loved regional venues with a repertoire of classics as well as debut some of their own new material.

The trio will take to the stage in Havelock North, Invercargill, Oamaru, Dunedin, Christchurch, New Plymouth, Whanganui, Wellington, Palmerston North and Hamilton across February and March 2021 with tickets on sale at midday this Friday 18th December from www.endeavour.live/sol3mio.

Having rescheduled their Spark Sessions Auckland show to March 11th, the trio are excited about adding new tour dates and hitting the road!

"It’s been a tough year for everyone and it's time to get together and sing!,” says Moses Mackay. "We love touring here in Aotearoa and especially to perform in some of these stunning venues. We can't wait to share these new songs with you.”

Sol3 Mio are an operatic pop vocal trio hailing from Auckland. Comprised of Samoan-descended brother's Pene and Amitai Pati - both tenors - and their baritone cousin Moses Mackay, the group fuses classical, opera, and pop music with a playful wit and frequent nods to their Samoan heritage. All three are classically trained and had been pursuing their own careers when, in 2008, Pene and Moses found themselves in the backing choir for famed Italian star Andrea Bocelli.

The inspiration they felt from that concert stayed with them, and in 2011 they united with Amitai for a series of fundraising concerts that would launch their career as Sol3 Mio. By 2013 they had signed with and recorded their self-titled debut, a collection of traditional and popular songs that immediately topped the New Zealand Albums Chart and became the biggest-selling album in the country that year. Sol3 Mio's success continued in 2014 with the release of a four-song EP, a holiday single, and appearances around the world. Their 2015 follow-up album, On Another Note, also reached number one in New Zealand led by the single "I See Fire," a cover of Ed Sheeran's song from The Hobbit soundtrack.

SOL3 MIO NEW ZEALAND TOUR

Tickets on sale midday, Friday 18th December from www.endeavour.live/sol3mio

SHOW DATES:

SOL3 MIO - Havelock North
Black Barn Vineyard
Sat, Feb 20 2021

SOL3 MIO - Invercargill
Civic Theatre
Wed, Feb 24 2021

SOL3 MIO - Oamaru
Oamaru Opera House
Thurs, Feb 25 2021

SOL3 MIO - Dunedin
Dunedin Town Hall
Fri, Feb 26 2021

SOL3 MIO - Christchurch
Christchurch Town Hall
Sat, Feb 27 2021

SOL3 MIO - New Plymouth
TSB Theatre
Wed, Mar 3 2021

SOL3 MIO - Whanganui
Whanganui Opera House
Thurs, Mar 4 2021

SOL3 MIO - Wellington
Michael Fowler Centre
Fri, Mar 5 2021

SOL3 MIO - Palmerston North
Regent on Broadway
Sat, Mar 6 2021

SOL3 MIO - Hamilton
Claudelands Arena
Sun, Mar 7 2021

20-YEAR-OLD GRACE STRATTON WINS THE ATTITUDE ACC SUPREME AWARD AT THE 2020 ATTITUDE AWARDS

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Grace Stratton, co-founder of All is for All, has been announced winner of the prestigious Attitude ACC Supreme Award at the Attitude Awards in Auckland. Now in their 13th year, the black-tie gala event celebrates the achievements and successes of New Zealanders in the disability sector.

Auckland-raised Grace (20) co-launched All is for All, an accessible communications, media and talent agency, with her friend Angela Bevan in 2019. Grace, who uses a wheelchair, understands the challenges of purchasing garments online only to discover they aren’t purpose-built for disability. All is for All seeks to solve this simple problem for millions of people around the world, by designing an accessible e-commerce space that reframes how designer garments are spoken about.

Bringing accessibility into focus, without compromising aesthetics and innovation, All is for All ensures people with disabilities can have both an experience of designer garments and a wardrobe that is accessible to them. The company now works with a variety of local designers including Twenty-Seven Names, Stolen Girlfriends Club and Kate Sylvester, on inclusion and access within business, and customer experience through a disability rights lens.

Grace’s achievements since launching All is for All are extensive, but include contracting more than ten models with disabilities, working with over 20 designers, showcasing at New Zealand Fashion Week 2019 and providing consultation work for 18 people with disabilities in advisory roles for The Warehouse Group, Bumble, Estee Lauder and more.

Grace was a Young New Zealander of the Year finalist in 2018, was named InStyle’s ’50 Badass Women for 2019’ and is a full-time student at AUT, studying a double degree in law and communications.

Attitude Trust chairperson Dan Buckingham commented on Grace’s win: “In lots of ways, it seems like Grace is only at the beginning of her journey. With so much more to offer, I’m certain she will wave the flag for disability high and proud for years to come. Grace stood out as the overall winner for a multitude of reasons, not least of all due to being able to cut through and make a difference in a field rarely reserved for people who live with disability.”

On accepting her award, Grace said: "What we do at All for is All is about creating space. It's not about me, or any one person, but the work we can achieve together. I think it's really important that we create bridges and understanding. We don't want people to be so afraid of saying the wrong thing, that they say nothing at all."

Principal sponsor ACC’s Chief Executive Scott Pickering said this year’s finalists’ achievements are impressive: “Congratulations to Grace on her well-deserved win of both the Attitude Employee and Entrepreneur Award and the Attitude ACC Supreme Award for her work in encouraging and driving a more accessible and inclusive New Zealand. This year’s finalists have all made outstanding contributions to their communities, the disability community and New Zealand as a whole, and we are proud to celebrate their success with them.”

Grace’s award closed an outstanding evening where 25 individuals and organisations were recognised. The black-tie gala was hosted by TV news reporter Simon Dallow and saw performances from his daughter Paris, and singer-songwriter Benny Tipene. Additionally, Delta Goodrem shared a special video performance of her hit song ‘Solid Gold’ ahead of her 2021 New Zealand tour. Highlights from the 2020 Attitude Awards will be screened at 4pm on TVNZ1 on Sunday, 13th December, with thanks to NZ on Air.

JORDAN LUCK TRIO + SWEET MIX KIDS ANNOUNCED FOR ISLAND TIME AT MOTUTAPU

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Tickets are now onsale for Auckland’s newest destination event - Island Time on Motutapu.

As part of the Summernova series of events and held at the historic Te Pēhi o Manawatere, Home Bay, on Te Motutapu a Taikehu, this new and exciting event presents the opportunity for locals and visitors of Tāmaki to eat, drink and dance on a unique island setting this summer. Held over 2 days, ticketholders gain access to one of four Island Time sessions taking place on either SATURDAY, 27 FEBRUARY 2021 or SUNDAY, 28 FEBRUARY 2021.

New Zealand’s greatest dance exponents have been gathered to perform at the inaugural Island Time on Motutapu. Featuring none other than former Dance Exponents frontman Jordan Luck and his band JORDAN LUCK TRIO, who alongside the quintessential party act SWEET MIX KIDS will be performing back-to-back performances across the four sessions. Also invited along are up-and-coming superstar CASSIE HENDERSON performing on Saturday, with Waihetian local singer-songwriter NICK FRASER performing on Sunday sessions.

For the lovers and eaters of delicious food and drink while in picturesque island settings, they will be treated to a selection of tasty treats from some of Auckland’s finest. Shuck away at the OYSTER + JUMPING GOAT COCKTAIL BAR run by the Viaduct’s SAINT ALICE BAR & EATERY. Dive into the quirky and delicious seafood options from CAPTAIN KAI MOANA - NZ’s first Food Truck Boat - and line the stomach with one of Auckland's best burgers, lovingly curated by BABY G BURGER. And for those who enjoy a tipple while forgetting about life for a while, beverage partners include ice-cold PART TIME RANGERS, RUDI’S BEER and a selection of BRANCOTT ESTATE wines. More details will be announced around the full food and beverage offerings early in the New Year.

Extremely limited Island Time passes are available to purchase now, with passes starting from $65+bf for those making their way over on their own boats, through to $85+bf including return Ferry from Downtown Auckland. Passes include access to one of four sessions, with two sessions taking place each day as below:

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27
Session One: 10:30am-2:45pm 
Session Two: 2:00pm-7:30pm

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28
Session Three: 10:30am-2:45pm
Session Four: 2:00pm-7:30pm

For tickets and more event information, head to www.endeavour.live/islandtime 

As part of the partnership between Endeavour Live and Ngāi Tai Te Haerenga, portion of ticket sales will go towards the preservation of the island and it’s unique inhabitants (such as Takahē, Brown Kiwi, Tuturuatu, Tuturuwhatu, Kākāriki, Tīeke, Kawekaweau and many others). The official charity of Island Time on Motutapu is PROJECT KIWI (visit website). 

The event also presents the opportunity for Aucklanders and visitors to gain a greater understanding of the island and its cultural significance for the region. Through the Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki partnership, there will be the opportunity for event attendees to learn about the history of the island in a fun and engaging way.

The event is focused on delivering an economical and environmentally sustainable event for future generations to enjoy. Island Time on Motutapu is a collaboration between Endeavour Live and Ngāi Tai Te Haerenga (visit website), in association with Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), and is proud to be part of Summernova (visit website).

Mauri ora Motutapu!

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THE WIGGLES ANNOUNCE 'WE'RE ALL FRUIT SALAD' NEW ZEALAND TOUR FOR 2021'

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New Zealand, it’s time to get ready to Wiggle! THE WIGGLES are coming to perform for you in March as part of their We’re All Fruit Salad Tour! This show will see Emma, Lachy, Simon and Anthony singing and dancing their way around New Zealand with all their Wiggly Friends; Captain Feathersword, Dorothy the Dinosaur, Wags the Dog, Henry the Octopus and their newest Wiggly Friend; Shirley Shawn the Unicorn!

The We’re All Fruit Salad Tour, featuring Wiggly classics and new songs from the group, will begin in Invercargill on March 19 and finish in Wellington on April 1 – travelling to Dunedin, Christchurch, Queenstown, Tauranga, Hamilton, Auckland, Napier and Palmerston North in between!

The Wiggles’ founding member, and Blue Wiggle Anthony Field says “The We’re All Fruit Salad Tour is a truly wonderful show and I can’t wait for our fans to experience it! You’ll hear all the classic songs you love plus new ones! The show will feature a variety of dance styles and performances that go with different styles of music. Children will see and hear drums, keyboards, banjo, guitars, bagpipes and lots of singing. We hope to see you there!”

Tickets for all shows go on sale at 1pm Thursday November 26.

Vodafone customers can be among the first to secure tickets during the pre-sale starting on Monday November 23 at 1pm. Go to vodafone.co.nz/music.

For complete tour, ticket and information, visit: livenation.co.nz

In 2021, The Wiggles, the world’s most popular children’s entertainment group, will celebrate 30 years educating, entertaining and enriching the lives of millions of preschoolers (and their parents) all over the globe. Today generations of fans that grew up watching are sharing their love of The Wiggles with their own children. Fans – past, present and future – will be able to join in and celebrate this remarkable milestone which will feature spectacular special events and once-in-a lifetime experiences throughout the year.

This is your chance to experience all the fun of The Wiggles show in person. Join us and be a part of the We’re All Fruit Salad Tour! With so many sold out shows last year, you better get a wiggle on and get your tickets now as tickets to the We’re All Fruit Salad Tour will sell like hot potatoes!

THE WIGGLES
‘We’re all fruit salad’ Tour 2021!


CIVIC THEATRE, INVERCARGILL FRIDAY MARCH 19
TOWN HALL, DUNEDIN SATURDAY MARCH 20
CHRISTCHURCH ARENA, CHRISTCHURCH SUNDAY MARCH 21
EVENTS CENTRE, QUEENSTOWN MONDAY MARCH 22
BAYCOURT ADDISON THEATRE, TAURANGA WEDNESDAY MARCH 24
CLAUDELANDS ARENA, HAMILTON FRIDAY MARCH 26
SPARK ARENA, AUCKLAND SUNDAY MARCH 28
NAPIER MUNICIPAL THEATRE, NAPIER TUESDAY MARCH 30
THE REGENT ON BROADWAY, PALMERSTON NORTH WEDNESDAY MARCH 31
MICHAEL FOWLER CENTRE (MFC), WELLINGTON THURSDAY APRIL 1

TICKETS ON SALE 1PM THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26
Vodafone customers can secure tickets first during the exclusive pre-sale beginning: Monday November 23 at 1pm

The Wiggles team are committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for our fans to attend our shows, and our COVID-19 health and safety plan will be implemented across all of our shows, with the appropriate cleaning and disinfecting measures in place to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of our fans, employees and the general public. For more info go to: https://www.thewiggles.com.au/tours/

For complete tour, ticket and VIP Experience information, visit: www.livenation.co.nz

VAN GOGH ALIVE TO TOUR NEW ZEALAND WITH LIMITED SEASONS IN WELLINGTON, CHRISTCHURCH AND AUCKLAND IN 2021

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BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND, Van Gogh Alive returns to New Zealand with its large-scale, indoor experience in Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland in 2021 following its incredibly successful, outdoor ‘Digital Nights’ experience that wowed sold-out audiences on Wellington’s waterfront in 2020.

Grande Experiences, AKA Australia and Live Nation, alongside official media partner Sky NZ, present Van Gogh Alive, a multi-sensory experience to entertain the whole family. Van Gogh’s works have been displayed and enjoyed around the world for over a century – but never like this. For a limited time only, audiences will have the unique opportunity to fully experience Van Gogh’s artistry, and truly immerse themselves in his world.  Van Gogh Alive opens in Wellington at TSB Arena on January 11th  for a strictly limited season before opening in Christchurch at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand on February 18th, then Auckland at Spark Arena on Wednesday 14thApril.

Make no mistake – this is no ordinary art exhibition. Created by Grande Experiences, Van Gogh Alive sets aside traditions of tiptoeing through silent galleries and viewing paintings from afar in quiet contemplation as visitors find themselves interacting with art in ways they never imagined. From start to finish, visitors are surrounded by a vibrant symphony of light, colour, sound and fragrance that has been called an ‘unforgettable’ multi-sensory experience. Van Gogh's masterpieces come to life, giving the sensation of walking right into his paintings, a feeling that is simultaneously enchanting, entertaining and educational. Adults and children delight in the super-scale show, viewing artworks from new angles and discovering unique perspectives, all contact-free and naturally socially distanced. But for many, the greatest pleasure lies in simply standing still, indulging the senses as waves of sights and sounds, intense and beautiful, wash over them. Don’t worry about the kids getting bored – they’ll love it as much as you do!
 
Live Nation New Zealand Managing Director, Mark Kneebone says: “Over 6 million people around the world have experienced this incredible immersive experience, including sold out seasons across Australia. We can’t wait to share the magic of Van Gogh with Kiwis in 2021”

Vodafone customers can be among the first to secure tickets to the opening 10 days of Van Gogh Alive in each location, during the Vodafone presale starting 12pm Thursday 19 November. Go to vodafone.co.nz/events. Live Nation and Ticketmaster Presale Tickets will go on sale at 11am on Monday 23rd November with general tickets going on sale on Wednesday 25th November at 11am from Ticketmaster. 

VAN GOGH ALIVE


WELLINGTON TSB ARENA FROM JAN 11TH 2020
CHRISTCHURCH AIR FORCE MUSEUM OF NEW ZEALAND FROM FEB 19TH 2020
AUCKLAND SPARK ARENA FROM APRIL 14TH 2020

TICKETS ON SALE WEDNESDAY 25TH NOVEMBER AT 11AM

Vodafone customers can secure tickets first during the exclusive pre-sale beginning 12pm Thursday 19th November with Live Nation and Ticketmaster Presale tickets on sale 11am on Monday 23rd November.

For complete tour and ticket information, visit: www.livenation.co.nz

VILLAGE SOUNDS NZ LAUNCHES WITH PREMIUM ROSTER OF LOCAL ARTISTS

The Village Sounds NZ booking agency today announces its opening, with a strong roster of local artists already attached. Village Sounds NZ is a joint venture between Village Sounds Australia, a leading Australian agency founded in 1999, and New Zealand’s CRS Music Management. The agency will represent the live touring of Australasian artists, nurturing artist careers across all genres. The New Zealand roster will include a host of well-known musicians, including Benee, Leisure, Teeks, Connan Mockasin, Church & AP, Vayne and many more.
 

Operating out of the CRS office in Morningside, Auckland, Village Sounds NZ will be managed by CRS’ Campbell Smith, with Julian Carswell (Laneway NZ Festival Director) as lead agent. 
 

Campbell Smith says: “CRS is delighted to join forces with Village Sounds Australia to launch Village Sounds New Zealand. For more than 20 years VS Australia has delivered the kind of skilled and creative representation for its roster that I have long admired and wanted to replicate in NZ. We will strive to deliver that same service for our clients here. I have known and worked with Paul Piticco and the VSA folks for many years and I have long regarded Julian Carswell to be the best booking agent in the country. We have a great team, an amazing artist roster to kick off with, and we are ready to go!”
 

Secret Sounds Co-CEO Paul Piticco adds: “Extremely proud to have found partners in New Zealand like Julian and Campbell. Campbell and I go way way back to when we shared an office in NYC and I think Julian’s ear for Kiwi talent is second to none. Having a contemporary and progressive agency in New Zealand, run by New Zealanders for the betterment of the local community is the same as how Village Sounds and Secret Sounds started in Australia. This bridge we have now built will create awesome opportunities for our rosters on both sides of the ditch to connect with more fans…. which is what it’s all about.”
 

The full roster for Village Sounds NZ can be viewed on their website www.villagesounds.nz. Village Sounds Australia’s roster includes Courtney Barnett, Vance Joy, Violent Soho, G Flip, Bernard Fanning, Cub Sport & DMA’S to name a select few. 

THE BRITISH FILM FESTIVAL RETURNS TO NEW ZEALAND SCREENING THE BEST OF BRITISH CINEMA

The British Film Festival returns to New Zealand this November, serving a stellar selection of prestige film and English box office hits. The premium festival will run from 19th - 29th November in Auckland and Wellington, 2nd - 13th December in Tauranga and from 26th November – 6th December around the rest of the country.
 
Following its successful debut in New Zealand last year, the British Film Festival will once again celebrate the finest filmmakers and acting talent the British Isles has to offer. From coming of age comedies and Palm d’Or nominated dramas, to cutting-edge music documentaries and heart-warming romances, there’s something for everyone.
 
Screening 20 specially curated films, the British Film Festival will feature a host of British cinema royalty including Academy Award-nominated actress Kiera Knightley (MISBEHAVIOUR), Quantum of Solace star Gemma Arterton (SUMMERLAND), and BAFTA and Golden Globe-nominated actor Rupert Everett (WARRIOR QUEEN). The all-star line-up also includes Love Actually’s Rhys Ifans (MISBEHAVIOUR), multi-award-winning actress Lesley Manville (MISBEHAVIOUR), and Emmy-winning actor Derek Jacobi (WARRIOR QUEEN). They’ll be joined on-screen by some of Britain’s finest up-and-coming young talent.  
 
The festival programme features a wide range of premieres such as A Street Cat Named Bob’s hotly-anticipated follow-up – A GIFT FROM BOB; the star-studded comedy MISBEHAVIOUR; the sweeping WWII drama SUMMERLAND; the Belle & Sebastian-scored indie-darling DAYS OF THE BAGNOLD SUMMER; rock 'n' roll doc ROCKFIELD: THE STUDIO ON THE FARM featuring performances by Queen, Robert Plant, Iggy Pop and Oasis; the inspiring true story of Churchill's all-female spy agency in A CALL TO SPY; as well as the timeless and anarchic comedy brilliance of Monty Python's THE HOLY GRAIL and LIFE OF BRIAN.
 
Kelly Rogers, CEO of the British Film Festival commented: “Last year’s inaugural British Film Festival was such a hit with Kiwi audiences, we’re over the moon to announce its return. New Zealanders love the romance and escapism of going to the cinema, and our carefully curated line-up is rather special indeed, featuring a wide range of comedies, dramas, romances and audience favourites.”
 
A selection of films screening/premiering at the 2020 British Film Festival:

  • A GIFT FROM BOB

  • A CALL TO SPY

  • SUMMERLAND

  • MISBEHAVIOUR

  • ROCKFIELD: THE STUDIO ON THE FARM

  • DAYS OF THE BAGNOLD SUMMER

  • FANNY LYE DELIVER’D

  • THE HOLY GRAIL (MONTY PYTHON)

  • LIFE OF BRIAN (MONTY PYTHON)