The countdown to the ASB Classic begins, with some of the world’s top tennis players set to compete in the premier tournament in one month’s time. Running from 1st – 13th January at ASB Tennis Centre in Auckland, confirmed players include US Open champion Coco Gauff, British No 1 Cam Norrie, former world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki, Tennis super-couple Gaël Monfils and Elina Svitolina, and rising stars Arthur Fils, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Ben Shelton.
“The Serve” will return with some of NZ’s best entertainment, food and beverage offerings, providing the perfect place to meet with friends and soak up the off-court atmosphere. Beverage offerings will include a gorgeous G.H. Mumm garden, an Aperol Serve Up Summer bar, an extensive range on offer at the Schweppes Social Club as well as a New Grey Goose bar serving up their Love One cocktail. Heineken will be introducing their new Heineken Silver, and Gwen by Church Road will be showcasing their finest selection of wines. Extensive food options available across the various hospitality spaces will include Summer ceviche, Wagu sliders, truffle fries and a culinary work of tennis ball art, the Mānuka Doctor Honey Ball.
Tournament Director Nicolas Lamperin comments: “Once again the ASB Classic will be the place to be in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland next January. Our fans will be cheering on their favourite tennis stars as exciting names will be gracing the courts of the ASB Tennis Arena. Beyond the sidelines, the tournament will also foster a vibrant social scene with attendees enjoying gourmet food, mingling in hospitality areas and soaking the festive atmosphere with music and entertainment.”
US Open winner and World No 3 Coco Gauff will return to Aotearoa to defend her ASB Classic title, having commented that Auckland and the event are among her favourite times on the circuit. The 19 year old American is confirmed for play on Tuesday 2nd January.
British No 1 Cam Norrie, who grew up in Auckland, has his sights set on winning the tournament after being runner-up on two occasions in the men’s singles (2023 and 2019). Norrie, 27, fell in love with the game from an early age at the Bucklands Beach Tennis Club and spent much of his youth at Stanley St watching and learning from the visiting stars.
One of the world’s most exciting rising stars, French-Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime will make his debut at the ASB Classic in 2024. The 23-year-old reached a high of sixth in the world in 2022, in a stellar year that included victories over Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, each on two occasions, and Rafael Nadal.
Danish superstar and former world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki will return to Stanley Street in her remarkable tennis comeback following the birth of her two children.
19-year-old Frenchman and ‘one to watch’ Arthur Fils is currently the highest ranked teenager in the world. Since turning professional two years ago, Fils has jumped over 600 spots in the world rankings, and more than 200 places this year.
Bright young American star Ben Shelton was given a wildcard entry to the ASB Classic this year in one of his first ATP tournaments outside the USA. Since then, the powerful left-hander has climbed inside the world’s top 20 players, having risen from No 96 in January.
The ASB Classic will be the first time that tennis super-couple Gaël Monfils and Elina Svitolina have played in the same tournament, outside of Majors or 1000-level tournaments. Monfils (37) is one of the most entertaining and enduring tennis players on the globe, rising to a career high sixth in the world on the back of 12 ATP titles. Svitolina, who has climbed over 1000 spots to 25 in the world since returning to tennis following the birth of their daughter Skai, has won 17 WTA titles along with the Tour Finals title in 2018 and the Olympic bronze medal in Tokyo.
The Serve will also feature large screens so you can keep an eye on the on-court action. Beats on the Serve will also return in 2024 featuring a soon to be announced line up of NZ’s best DJs. Closely curated to bring the party from day to night, the action and entertainment will be sure to amp up the energy ahead of the exhilarating action on-court.
The ASB Classic returns to the ASB Tennis Arena in Stanley St, with the Women’s Week (WTA) from January 1 to 7, followed by the Men’s Week (ATP) from January 8-13, 2024. Tickets are on sale now from asbclassic.flicket.co.nz
TLC ANNOUNCE 2024 CRAZYSEXYCOOL 30TH ANNIVERSARY AOTEAROA SHOW WITH SPECIAL GUESTS BUSTA RHYMES AND EN VOGUE
The best-selling American female group of all time, TLC announce their 2024 CrazySexyCool 30th Anniversary New Zealand show presented by Mai FM
Kicking off their Australasian tour in Aotearoa with one show only on February 29 at Trusts Arena Auckland, this iconic line up then heads to across the ditch to tour Australia in March. TLC - Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas – will perform selections from their 1994 Diamond-certified album, 30 years after its release plus additional hits. The ‘90s themed shows will feature fan interaction, 90s fashion, and more surprises. Joining TLC are Busta Rhymes and En Vogue.
One NZ pre-sale begins Monday, December 4 at 11am, running for 48 hours.
Live Nation pre-sale commences Wednesday, December 6 at 1pm, concluding on Thursday, December 7 at 12pm.
General public tickets go on sale on Thursday, December 7 at 1pm (All times local).
Chilli says, “I'm so excited to return to New Zealand! This is the album that put us on the map with Kiwi fans and showed the world who we really are. And to mark 30 years, this will be quite the celebration!”
CrazySexyCool is TLC’s second studio album that featured the hit single “Waterfalls”. In New Zealand the album was a massive success, reaching number 1 in the album charts and remaining in the charts for 28 weeks.
With over 85 million records sold worldwide, TLC is not only the best-selling American girl group of all time; with 4 Grammy Awards, 4 multi-platinum albums (two of which went Diamond), four number one singles and ten Top 10 singles, theirs is an influence - across pop, hip-hop, R&B, fashion and female empowerment - which defines generations. In 2017, TLC released a self-titled album, their first in over fifteen years which hit #1 on Billboard’s Independent Album Chart.
A two-hour special “Biography: TLC” premiered in 2022, chronicling the group’s powerful, emotional journey and their survival against all odds as T-Boz and Chilli revealed their story for the first time in a feature documentary. Directed by Matt Kay, executive-produced by Academy Award-winning and Emmy Award-Winning director Roger Ross Williams (“The Apollo”) and his production company with Emmy Award-winning producer Geoff Martz, One Story Up.
NZ SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, SIGNATURE CHOIR AND LIVE NATION PRESENT MANA MOANA
A CELEBRATION OF SONGS FROM ACROSS PASIFIKA
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Te Tira Pūoro o Aotearoa (NZSO) and Signature Choir with Live Nation present Mana Moana, an incredible musical experience coming to Auckland’s Spark Arena for one night only Friday November 24, 2023.
Mana Moana is a celebration and fusion of two worlds of music colliding, with 80 choral singers and 78 NZSO musicians on stage showcasing the gorgeous harmonies and rich melodies of traditional songs from across Pasifika islands.
After selling out in 2022 in Wellington, this energetic, unique, and emotional celebration will bring traditional and contemporary songs from Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau to Auckland for this special community event.
Tickets go on sale at 12pm Thursday September 14, tickets start from $19.90.
For complete tour and ticket information, visit: livenation.co.nz
A collaborative journey to celebrate and promote the languages and stories of Pasifika, in 2022 New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Te Tira Pūoro o Aotearoa (NZSO) and Signature Choir created high-quality audio recordings and videos of Pasifika songs in partnership with RNZ, followed by a live performance at Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington. Now this incredible musical experience comes to Auckland’s Spark Arena in November 2023. Audience-recorded videos from the Wellington show have accumulated over 1 million views on social media, highlighting the massive impact Mana Moana has already made.
The Mana Moana project was curated by Helen Tupai, Music Director, Signature Choir in partnership with Wellington Pasifika communities, and orchestrated by Thomas Goss. Signature Choir draws its 80 members from across Wellington & Auckland, giving this show an even stronger connection to Auckland communities and making Mana Moana truly community-driven.
With the NZSO conducted by Brent Stewart from the NZSO, Mana Moana harnesses the huge majestic sound and varied colour palette of the NZSO to showcase the gorgeous harmonies and rich melodies of Pasifika music, creating a platform to tell these much-loved stories. It also marks one of the first times that a Pasifika choir has partnered with a fully professional orchestra to deliver a body of work that is 100% Pasifika music.
“Mana Moana re-imagines Pasifika music by fusing the power of choral harmony, with a lush and grand orchestra, making it a truly magical experience,” says Signature Choir Music Director Helen Tupai.
“Singing our songs in a really unique way, but still familiar fashion is so surreal and fun, so we are excited for our communities to see Mana Moana in person. Partnering with a world-class orchestra to sing songs that are prominent and significant to our Pasifika communities provides a huge sense of pride, so much so that it's hard to not get emotional when performing.”
The words ‘mana’ and ‘moana’ are common terms, shared across many Pasifika languages. Mana meaning sacred, spirit, prestige, power. Moana meaning the ocean, or a body of water. As our islands are all connected via the sea, with Mana Moana we wish to highlight the connectedness of our Pasifika nations through music, telling our stories and showcasing our beautiful Pasifika languages to Aotearoa and abroad.
The selection of songs was led by Wellington’s Pasifika communities and included both traditional and contemporary songs, such as ‘Faliu le la’ – a song that depicts the beauty of Samoa’s vast and beautiful landscape, ‘Siueli o e pasifiki’ written by Queen Salote Tupou III to proclaim her love for her beloved country, and ‘Isa lei’ – a Fijian farewell song, with choir arrangements by Helen Tupai and Jadrah Tupai. Key figures from Pasifika communities helped Signature Choir select songs on the basis of their prominence and significance to the Pasifika nations they represent and the stories that they tell.
Past Signature Choir member, and half of The Laughing Samoans, Tofiga Fepulea’i will MC Mana Moana at Spark Arena in November.
MANA MOANA
Presented by New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Signature Choir, Live Nation
SPARK ARENA, AUCKLAND FRIDAY NOVEMBER 24
Live Nation Presale runs Wednesday September 13, 12pm – Thursday September 14, 11am
General Public Onsale: Thursday September 14, from 12pm
For complete tour and ticket information, visit: livenation.co.nz
CONNECT WITH SIGNATURE CHOIR
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
CONNECT WITH NZSO
OFFICIAL | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
BIG FAN ANNOUNCES BIG FAN LIVE
BIG FAN BREAKS DOWN BARRIERS FOR ARTISTS & ASPIRING PROMOTERS WITH INITIATIVE FOR FREE VENUE HIRE AND SUPPORT
Continuing the kaupapa to help grow a thriving music community, BIG FAN have announced their latest programme BIG FAN LIVE , a programme designed to break down the traditional financial and access barriers when putting on a live show.
For successful applicants interested in staging an original live music show, BIG FAN LIVE will provide the music venue and cover associated costs* (production, backline, and related staffing), free of charge, with all ticket sales going directly to the acts/event organisers - affording the recipients a chance to make a profit via ticket sales. Applications for the first round of dates will open this coming Monday 11th September.
“We know that it can be hard to find available venues to play at, and it’s not always possible to take the risk and pay for everything. BIG FAN LIVE is going to take that worry away so that people can focus on putting on a great show, growing their audience and honing their live skills” says music producer, and founder of BIG FAN, Joel Little.
The devoted and experienced team at BIG FAN will also support the successful applicants with advice and guidance throughout the process, including but not limited to, budgets, lineup curation, marketing, and promotion.
With 18 opportunities from now through to October 2024, BIG FAN LIVE aims to encourage and support creatives looking to grow their live audience in Tāmaki Makaurau.
The first round (opening on Monday 11th September) will see the first three dates for 2024 on offer. Musicians are encouraged to apply with their preferred dates.
Show 1: Saturday 21 October 2023
Show 2: Thursday 23 November 2023
Show 3: Saturday 16 December 2023
Applications for the first round will open on Monday 11 September 10am via the BIG FAN website and close on Sunday 17 September at 10pm.
No prior experience is necessary, but successful applicants will need to demonstrate the need for this assistance and what their dream outcome will be. All shows must be open to the public, with ticket prices not exceeding $20.
Funded in part by the Ministry of Culture & Heritage, BIG FAN LIVE is intended for Aotearoa citizens and residents, open to all ages, and applications from outside Tāmaki Makaurau are strongly encouraged.
A purpose-built music hub, offering state-of-the-art recording studios and a licensed all-ages live venue all under the one roof, BIG FAN is dedicated to helping people fulfil their ambitions through music and created to cater to everyone.
Full Information regarding BIG FAN, how to apply and FAQ’s can be found online here
'KIWI KID' CAMERON NORRIE HEADS 'HOME' CONFIDENT THE ASB CLASSIC IS WITHIN HIS GRASP
TOURNAMENT TICKETS ON SALE TODAY FROM MIDDAY AT WWW.ASBCLASSIC.CO.NZ
One of the world’s top-ranked players, “Kiwi-Kid” Cameron Norrie, has confirmed he will return to the ASB Classic in Auckland next January.
The British No 1, who grew up in Auckland, has been runner-up on two occasions in the men’s singles at the ASB Classic, earlier this year and in 2019.
The left-hander has his sights set on winning the tournament that sparked his love of the game.
“I think one day I am going to win it. I just need to go out and do it. I don’t know when it is going to be but I will stay patient and hopefully get this one,” said Norrie.
The ASB Classic returns to the ASB Tennis Arena in Stanley St, with the WTA Women’s event from January 1-7 and the ATP Men’s event from January 8-15, with tickets on sale from today 6 September from www.flicket.co.nz with links and full information from asbclassic.co.nz.
Norrie, 27, was born in South Africa before his parents moved to New Zealand when he was three. He fell in love with the game from an early age at the Bucklands Beach Tennis Club and spent much of his youth at Stanley St watching and learning from the visiting stars.
“I was always waiting around watching all the practices, trying to get photos, get their shirts, or their wristbands …watching some really top players. And then having the honour of playing in the tournament and winning matches was pretty cool. I never thought I would be able to do that – and to play two finals there already." Norrie adds “I hope the next tournament will be unfinished business for me. I love playing there. It means a lot to play the tournament.”
The big left-hander has enjoyed one tournament victory since Auckland, beating world number 1 Carlos Alcaraz on clay at the ATP 500 in Rio de Janeiro. Norrie also made the finals in Buenos Aires, the semifinals in Lyon and the quarter-finals at the ATP 1000 event in Indian Wells.
“To have Cameron back in Auckland again is fantastic for our fans and for the tournament. He gave of his time generously off the court, especially with our adaptive players which was warmly received,” said Tournament Director, Nicolas Lamperin. “He remains one of the best players in the world, and while he has roots in Auckland where he learned the game, we do not take his appearance here for granted."
Lamperin adds: “We know he wants to have his name on the ASB Classic Trophy at a venue where he spent so much of his time as a young kid and we know he will have plenty of support. To have players of his calibre at our tournament is a thrill, and I am sure not just tennis followers, but all sports fans will flock to the ASB Tennis Arena for the chance to see one of the world’s premier players in action.”
Lamperin said he will be finalising several marque players in the coming weeks, and that fans should move quickly to secure tickets which were sold out for the 2023 event.
Norrie believes other big names will be attracted to the event.
“Auckland is a really cool tournament. It is in the middle of summer in New Zealand. It’s a great venue, great facilities, the gym is probably one of the best on tour. You are staying really close in the city. There are some good beaches nearby, some cool stuff to do and some good restaurants.
“Hopefully we get some really top players in next year’s tournament.’
In 2023, Over 90,000 attendees attended the tournament with over 13 million viewers watching the matches across broadcast and online. With presale demand already strong, organisers are confident that this years tournament will be on for the record books.
Just off centre court, The Serve will return for 2024 serving up all the off court action full of NZ’s best entertainment, food and beverage offerings. The Serve is the ideal place to meet with friends and soak up the off court atmosphere between sessions, with large screens around the venue so you can keep an eye on the On Court action. Beats on the Serve will also return in 2024 featuring a soon to be announced line up of NZ’s best musicians and DJs. Closely curated to bring the party from day to night, the action and entertainment will be sure to amp up the energy ahead of the exhilarating action on court.
With the action set to be hot, both on AND off the court, The ASB Classic will be the place to be this summer.
LANEWAY FESTIVAL'S 2024 LINE UP IS HERE!
Laneway Festival makes its long awaited return to Aotearoa with a stacked lineup featuring a double dose of grime royalty, a global style icon with a Bad Habit, your Euphoria fave, the artist behind the viral smash hit ‘Escapism’, a singer-songwriter from Atlanta who will make you cry in a good way and a Psychedelic rock quartet set to make a triumphant hometown return.
The Trans-Tasman touring festival will land at Western Springs in Tāmaki Makaurau - Auckland on Tuesday February 6th 2024, dripping with some of the most exciting artists from around the world and from home; including a blockbuster list of international headliners at the top of their game and ground-breaking talent who are fast becoming signifiers of the best new music from around the world.
This epic lineup will see headliners Stormzy, Steve Lacy, and Dominic Fike, alongside a bevvy of some of the world's most exciting talents perform in Aotearoa - New Zealand for the very first time. Alongside heavy hitters from across the globe including Unknown Mortal Orchestra, d4vd, Raye and more, Laneway Festival will welcome an huge lineup of local talent including Atarangi, Church (debuting his new solo show) Daily J, Erny Belle, hanbee and Molly Payton.
Laneway Festival will be the ONLY place to see these incredible international headline artists in Aotearoa this summer so ensure you get your crew together and grab your tickets quick.
Register now for access to the Laneway Festival pre-sale presented by Afterpay to score guaranteed access to 1st or 2nd release tickets. Pre-sale starts on Tuesday 12 September at 11am (local time). There are strictly limited 1st release tickets so get in quick. General on sale starts Thursday 14 September at 11am (local time).
Full lineup:
Stormzy – Steve Lacy**
Dominic Fike
Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Raye**
AJ Tracey – d4vd** – Dope Lemon – Eyedress** – Faye Webster**
horsegiirL – Nia Archives – Paris Texas**
Skin On Skin – Suki Waterhouse**
Atarangi – Blondshell** – Church – Daily J – DOMi & JD BECK** –
Erny Belle – Hanbee – Hemlocke Springs ** – Molly Payton – Pretty Girl**
** First New Zealand show
Laneway Festival 2024 Aotearoa Dates & Venue:
AUCKLAND / Tāmaki Makaurau (18+)
Tuesday 6 February
Western Springs
NILE RODGERS & CHIC ANNOUNCE NEW ZEALAND SHOW FOR OCTOBER
Nile Rodgers & CHIC have announced a New Zealand show this October. The legendary musicians will play a one-off show in Auckland at the iconic Civic Theatre. This following their already announced headline appearances at Australia’s Harvest Rock in Adelaide and at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival.
Fans can expect the legends of disco to provide a night of blockbuster singles from across the eras, with set lists that encompass Nile Rodgers & CHIC’s extensive back catalogue and the plethora of chart toppers written or produced by Nile Rodgers.
Tickets go on sale Thursday 7 September at 11am (local time).
For complete tour and ticket information, visit: livenation.co.nz & secretsounds.com
My Live Nation members can secure tickets during the pre-sale which commences at 10am (local time) on Wednesday 6 September, and concludes at 10am (local time) on Thursday 7 September.
Nile Rodgers said, “The pandemic had kept us away from our fans in Australia and New Zealand for too long but now we are coming back to kick off the summer with good times!”
Nile Rodgers is a Rock & Rock Hall of Fame inductee, Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee and a multiple Grammy Award winning songwriter, composer, producer, arranger and guitarist.
As the co-founder of CHIC, Rodgers pioneered a musical language that generated chart-topping hits and sparked the advent of hip-hop with “Good Times”.
His work in the CHIC Organization includes “We Are Family” with Sister Sledge and “I’m Coming Out” with Diana Ross and his productions for artists like David Bowie (“Let’s Dance”), Madonna (“Like A Virgin”) and Duran Duran (“The Reflex”) have sold over 500 million albums and 100 million singles worldwide while his innovative, trendsetting collaborations with Daft Punk (“Get Lucky”), Daddy Yankee (“Agua”), and Beyoncé (“Cuff It”) reflect the vanguard of contemporary hits.
NILE RODGERS AND CHIC
NEW ZEALAND 2023
CIVIC THEATRE, AUCKLAND
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 18
TICKETS ON SALE THURSDAY 7 SEPTEMBER AT 11AM (LOCAL TIME)
Live Nation pre-sale: Wed 6 Sept 10am (local time) - Thurs 7 Sept, 10am (local time)
For complete tour and ticket information, visit: livenation.co.nz & secretsounds.com
NATIONWIDE LGBT FUNDRAISER ‘GIVE OUT DAY’ RETURNS SEPTEMBER 8TH!
Following the huge success of the fundraising initiatives debut in 2022 which saw nearly $60,000 of funding go to 13 Rainbow organisations, the Rainbow NZ Charitable Trust is excited to launch GiveOUT Day 2023, taking place across four days from September 8th 2024 at www.rainbownzcharitabletrust.org.nz.
GiveOUT Day is four days of national fundraising for LGBTTQIA+ community groups, not-for-profit organisations, events and projects. The online fundraising platform will go live on Friday Sept 8th at 7PM as part of the fabulous GALA Launch Event at Phoenix Cabaret which will be livestreamed nationwide.
GiveOUT Day is all about kiwis heading online to see the amazing work being done by rainbow organisations all around Aotearoa New Zealand and supporting them by donating directly to them via the online portal. In addition to the funds raised by the public, donations made across the four days will be doubled by our sponsors through the Matching Funding Pool. To date the Trust has raised $42,000 in Matching Funding.
GiveOUT Day would not be possible without the generosity and support of our amazing Sponsors: Kiwibank (Gold), ISS, MARS, PWC, Southern Cross Health Society and, Z Energy (Bronze) and supporters - Aurecon and the Newmarket Business Association. Prominent LGBT personalities and change makers Nikki Kaye, Lousia Wall, Sam Johnson and Campbell Johnstone are the initiatives ambassadors, ensuring visibility and awareness for this important fundraising drive.
The funds raised will go direct to organisations working directly on LGBTTQIA+ issues such as PRIDE groups, physical and mental health support, community events and advocacy for rainbow people. GiveOUT Day works to increase the capacity of the LGBTTQIA+ sector, provides rainbow organisations with the opportunity to build awareness of their causes and for services they provide. A full list of the participating charities and groups is as below:
Adikaar Aotearoa
Body Positive
Burnett Foundation Aotearoa
Charlotte Museum Trust
Christchurch Heroes
Christchurch Pride
Ethic Rainbow Alliance
Inside Out
"LAGANZ Te Pūranga Takatāpui o Aotearoa - Lesbian and Gay Archives of New Zealand"
Nelson Pride
Nevertheless NZ Trust
NZ Falcons
Outline
Pride Whanganui
Qtopia
Rainbow Auckland, Inc.
Rainbow Games
Rainbow Wellington
Rainbow Pride Auckland
Same Same But Different
Tauranga Moana Pride
Wellington Pride Festival
For more information about GiveOUT Day and Tickets for the GiveOUT Day Launch Gala please visit www.rainbownzcharitabletrust.org.nz.
WORLD NO 7 COCO GAUFF TO DEFEND ASB CLASSIC TITLE IN AUCKLAND
World No 7 ranked tennis star, Coco Gauff has today confirmed that she will defend her title at the ASB Classic in January 2024.
The 19-year-old American made her announcement after claiming victory in the WTA 500 Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington this week, beating world No 8 Maria Sakkari (GRE) in straight sets in the final.
It is her first victory of 2023 since the victory at the ASB Classic in Auckland, on top of two doubles titles.
Gauff said that Auckland and the event are among her favourite times on the circuit.
“Auckland was one of the first tournaments that we pencilled in,” said Gauff.
“That is not just because it is important to defend the title that I was honoured to win last year, but it is a great way to start my year as the lead-in to the Australian Open.
“My family all came with me and we love New Zealand and Auckland and everything it has to offer.”
Gauff said she looks forward to returning with her family to defend her title.
ASB Classic tournament director Nicolas Lamperin said the organisation is thrilled to have Gauff return.
“We forget that Coco is still such a young player but remains in the top echelon of the women’s game,” said Lamperin.
“On the court she is one of the most exciting players on the circuit and she remains the only teenager in the top 50 on the WTA rankings, which means that our tennis fans are privileged to watch one of the world’s great players in action.
“Coco is not only an exciting player, she is a wonderful young person who is extremely grounded in her desire to give back to young players, especially those from areas where opportunities in tennis are more difficult establish.”
Lamperin said he expects to name several exciting players in the coming weeks.
“This tournament remains popular because the players enjoy the tennis, the city and how they are looked after, while we remain well positioned as a lead-up to the Australian Open.
“If you look at our history, and this year was no exception, the fans were treated to world-class performances from several players who have gone on this year to produce great results and rise sharply in the world rankings.
“We will continue to focus on providing the opportunity for fans to support tomorrow’s stars today.”
The ASB Tennis Classic dates have been confirmed with the women’s tournament to run from January 1 to 7, followed by the men’s tournament from the January 8-13, 2024.
Tickets will be on sale soon. Keep up to date at www.asbclassic.co.nz for more information and ticketing links.
ABLE PARTNERS WITH TVNZ TO LAUNCH EARCATCH APP FOR NZ USERS
RESEARCH SHOWS AUDIO DESCRIPTION USED BY 7% OF NZ POPULATION
On Monday 14 August, actor and comedian Tom Sainsbury provided the audio description for the first episode of Taskmaster NZ Season Four on TVNZ+ to celebrate the launch of Earcatch. Able, a not-for-profit organisation working towards a more inclusive Aotearoa, has partnered with TVNZ+ to launch audio description (AD) app Earcatch, enabling users of audio description to access it on demand. This has been made possible thanks to funding from the Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage via their Cultural Sector Regeneration Fund.
AD provides access to New Zealanders who are blind or who have low vision. An alternate audio track, AD provides a description of what’s happening on screen for the 180,000+ New Zealanders who are blind or have low vision.
Through the international app Earcatch, Able is launching a New Zealand-based library of audio description available for AD users to access and enjoy content on TVNZ+ whenever they want. The Earcatch app provides pre-recorded audio description via smartphone or tablet, and automatically syncs the AD with the soundtrack.
Long-time member of Blind Citizens NZ Thomas Bryan says “For many years now many in the blind community (blind, deafblind, vision-impaired or have low vision and many other communities), have not been able to access AD on TVNZ+ the on-demand TVNZ platform. This has been frustrating to say the least for those of us who depend on AD to know what is happening on screen. Our only option up until now has been if we need AD content has been to watch terrestrial/linear TV or pay for a subscription to one of the many providers who do provide a range of content with AD.”
On Monday 14 August, the library of audio-described programs will be available for AD users to access via the free Earcatch App, with more content being added over the year ahead.
Able CE, Dan Buckingham says: “It's been an exciting journey to figure out how to make this happen so that the people we serve have a taste of what every other New Zealander has - the ability to watch what they want when they want.”
TVNZ Acting Director of Content, Nevak Rogers said: “We want our audiences to be able to access our content in the ways that suits them best. We’ve been working hard to make TVNZ+ more accessible so it can be enjoyed by all New Zealanders, but until now, we haven’t had the ability to replicate the audio-described service we provide in the broadcast environment in the streaming world. We’re excited to partner with Able on the Earcatch App to open up the accessibility of a huge range of our local titles on TVNZ+. Local storytelling that reflects our people, places and communities connects us and provides a sense of belonging. We know this increased access is going to be valued by our blind and low vision users.”
“While it's fantastic to be part of launching this initiative we won't be putting our feet up just yet as we’re still a long way from job done; we see this as a short-term solution while we continue to work with broadcasters as they seek to increase the accessibility of their platforms and the content on their platforms” continues Dan Buckingham.
Thanks to funding from Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage, TVNZ and Able are able to provide AD users with access to content on their own terms and in their own time. It includes AD users in the move towards digital platforms as the primary place to access media.
“We are excited to be able to support this mahi to increase accessibility of free audio-described cultural content for New Zealanders,” says Manatū Taonga acting Deputy Chief Executive, Investment and Outcomes, Kristy Allen.
“Able’s mahi will unlock access to on-demand content, creating an immediate impact for the community. We are privileged to be able to support Able through the Cultural Sector Regeneration Fund and we are confident it will create sustained change for improved content accessibility,” says Kristy.
Research indicates that access services are increasingly important to people when consuming media. The proportion of New Zealanders who use audio description has continued to grow, doubling since 2016, and is now up to 7% (Where Are The Audiences 2021). Notably, the numbers of people using captions and audio description are larger than the numbers of people identified as deaf (18.9%) or blind (3.5%) in Aotearoa. Audio description also benefits people with a variety of access needs, including autism and neurodiversity.
Thomas continues “Most people today will watch a mixture of live TV and on-demand TV, so the introduction of Earcatch is a great initiative by Able to provide an option for us so we too can access programmes with AD on the TVNZ+ platform. We will now be able to watch shows with AD when we want to, just like everyone else.”.
Whilst research around use of captions and audio description on streaming services in Aotearoa is limited due to the limited accessibility of New Zealand platforms, international research indicates that access services are well utilised on streaming services. “Netflix said [...] that people had been watching thousands of hours worth of shows such as Ozark, Lucifer, and Seinfeld with audio description turned on.” (FE Tech Bytes, The Financial Express.)
“I have already downloaded the app and can’t wait for it to go live and be able to watch my first TVNZ+ show with AD. This will make a huge difference in how I watch TV. I will be able to watch shows when it suits me, and not be tied to being home at a specific time to watch my favourite show with AD. While we know this option won’t work for everyone as one has to have a smartphone and or tablet, it’s a great move forward while TVNZ builds and introduces an accessible platform that will support AD,” says Thomas.
Earcatch is the next step towards a more inclusive Aotearoa where news, entertainment and culture are more accessible to New Zealanders.
Full instructions of how to use the New Zealand library on Earcatch: link.
360 ALLSTARS BRING THEIR 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY WORLD TOUR TO AOTEAROA THESE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
360 ALLSTARS BRING THEIR 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY WORLD TOUR TO AOTEAROA THESE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
Featuring BMX, basketball, breakdancing, acrobatics, drumming and more, the international smash hit returns to Kiwi shores this September.
A phenomenal physical performance exploring all forms of rotation, 360 ALLSTARS connects the street with the elite to deliver a supercharged urban circus and will perform four special shows at The Civic during the September school holidays presented by Auckland Live, a division of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited. Boasting a stellar cast of World Champion and World Record-holding artists and athletes, this show is guaranteed to engage and exhilarate the whole family, suitable for children ages 8+.
For the first time since 2016, 360 ALLSTARS will bring the magic to Aotearoa shores, transforming The Civic’s main stage into a spectacular fusion of the extraordinary artistry that emerges from street culture. Adding to this, a stunning live soundtrack delivered by award-winning musicians, coupled with spectacular video projections, 360 ALLSTARS is as aurally exciting as it is visually astounding.
Celebrating their 10th Anniversary, 360 ALLSTARS are hot off a sell-out world tour, wowing audiences in Edinburgh and Australia and seen by over 1 million people worldwide.
A magnificent, colourful & astonishing expression of a generation that has reinvented the circus, this full hour of urban circus and street dance is a revolutionary production that will leave you dizzy with excitement!
This instalment of 360 ALLSTARS offers a variety of world-class workshops. From breakdancing to live looping to circus skills, these workshops are on offer as an add-on upon purchasing tickets. Attendees will have the opportunity to be face-to-face with the talented cast of 360 ALLSTARS, and get a taste of their skills, fresh off the stage!
Don’t miss this chance to catch 360 ALLSTARS live in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
HILARIOUS JAW-DROPPING BOYLESQUE TROUPE BRIEFS RETURN TO AOTEAROA FOR THE FESTIVE PARTY SEASON!
After 10 years of selling out festivals worldwide, the Briefs boys are returning to Aotearoa ready to air their Dirty Laundry in this brand-new, can't-miss, party-cabaret for the festive season.
From Thursday 16 November – Saturday 9 December at Q Theatre, the infectious energy from this internationally acclaimed “boy-lesque” troupe will be the best entertainment for a gaggle of friends, the office party, or simply a fun night out for anyone who needs one.
Created by Briefs Factory International and fresh from sell-out tours across Australia and Canada, Dirty Laundry is led by Fez Faanana aka Shivanana, featuring a line-up of classic Briefs boys as well as some shiny new boys AND toys.
With more glitter stains and ballsy attitude than ever before, the Briefs misfits give you a night of intoxifying physicality, gob-smacking comedy, unapologetic truths, and ridiculous showmanship.
Fez Faanana says, “I was born in Aotearoa so it’s an extra special place for me and for Briefs Factory. We’ve been lucky enough to hit it off with Auckland audiences and after a little global interruption we are finally back at Q theatre with our biggest production with more boys, more feathers and more ridiculousness.”
See Dirty Laundry in action here
Q Theatre also has a private underground bar space, The Laundromat, available for groups of 30- 50 people with special Dirty Laundry packages available. The Laundromat is situated directly under Q’s Lounge - a neon underground laundromat perfect for groups wanting to get together ahead of a night of frivolity with the Briefs crew.
Email groups@qtheatre.co.nz for more details.
Special ‘Friends of Q’ tickets are available from Wednesday 9 August 2023, 12pm. Sign up to Q’s newsletter or follow Q Theatre to get the code for the best tickets at the cheapest price! Limited time only.
Tickets for Dirty Laundry go on sale Friday 11 August 2023, 12pm.
★★★★★
“Briefs is the drag party you always wish you’d be invited to!” Glam Adelaide
★★★★★
“The perfect blend of flesh, acrobats, dance, boylesque and brilliance.” FRINGEWORLD 2019
Q Theatre presents
BRIEFS - DIRTY LAUNDRY
Thu 16, Fri 17, Sat 18 November 7:30pm
Wed 22*, Thu 23, Fri 24, Sat 25 7:30pm & Sun 26* November 6pm
Wed 29*, Thu 30 November & Fri 1, Sat 2 7:30pm & Sun 3* December 6pm
Tue 5, Wed 6, Thu 7, Fri 8 & Sat 9 December 7:30pm
Tickets, packages and Christmas function offers are available at https://www.qtheatre.co.nz/
RUGBY LEGENDS ISRAEL DAGG AND STEPHEN DONALD ARE BACK ON BRAVO TO TAKE ON FRANCE!
With the upcoming Rugby World Cup to be held in France next month, rugby greats Israel (Izzy) Dagg and Stephen (Beaver) Donald reunite on Bravo New Zealand for a jam-packed trip of a lifetime to experience all the country has to offer!
Izzy and Beaver take Kiwi audiences on a journey to a land where many of New Zealand’s rugby greats gravitate. From Toulouse and Nice to locations in between, together they hit the road to visit some of the country’s sights.
With a shared love of adventure, fun and meeting new people, they embark on a journey of wine tasting, cheese making and a bit of mischief. From 1000-year-old churches and castles to 2000-year-old Roman arenas and temples in Nimes; to idyllic vineyards, olive groves in Gordes and spectacular national parks in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie; and quaint countryside villages to the beaches and glamour of the casinos of the French Riviera, they fall in love with everything France has to offer.
Chance encounters with fellow rugby greats, other sporting peers, musicians, and actors, as well as the locals they meet along the way, give them a true taste of what it’s like to live like the French.
In episode one, Izzy and Beaver arrive in Paris where they begin their epic French journey. Starting with an overnight train to the famed southern city of Toulouse, the boys find themselves riding a giant mechanical bull, discovering 1000-year-old churches, eating their body weight in cheese and breaking a billion-dollar robot.
Izzy and Beaver’s French Connection is created and produced by Stripe Studios, New Zealand’s leading independent television production company and producer of Bravo’s Snow Crew and The Circus.
BIOS
Israel ‘Izzy’ Dagg – Israel is one of New Zealand’s most loved All Blacks, having held the Rugby World Cup aloft at Eden Park in 2011. A knee injury saw him retire from rugby early and since then he has gone on to become an in-demand broadcaster with Sky Sports and has his own breakfast radio show. He recently starred in Bravo’s Clubhouse Rescue, lending a hand in bringing grassroots sports clubs back to life. In Izzy and Beaver’s French Connection, his love of food, wine and culture is top of mind throughout the series, mixed in with a bit of mischief.
Stephen ‘Beaver’ Donald – Stephen is the Kiwi dream personified. His famous last-minute call up to the All Blacks in the middle of the final of the 2011 Rugby World Cup saw him step up and transform the match with a winning kick that turned him into an overnight super star. A feature film documenting that incredible event followed, as well as a stint on The Masked Singer and Bravo’s Clubhouse Rescue, alongside Israel. In Izzy and Beaver’s French Connection, Stephen indulges his love of history and takes the lead on planning every detail of the trip.
Izzy and Beaver’s French Connection premieres on Bravo (channel 4 or SKY channel 12) on Friday, 8th September at 7:30 pm NZST, continuing weekly on Fridays.
DILJIT DOSANJH ANNOUNCES NZ BORN TO SHINE TOUR
Fresh off the back of a ground-breaking Coachella performance, triple threat singer, actor and global entertainer Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh has been making an epic splash on the world stage with his highly publicised Born To Shine tour, and New Zealand is up next. Presented by Ripple Effect Studio, Saregama Live and TEG Live, Dosanjh is set to delight his legions of fans in New Zealand, today announcing a one night only arena show for later this year at Spark Arena, Auckland on October 15.
Tickets to the Born To Shine tour will go on sale to the general public at 10am (local time) on Monday 7 August from Ticketek. There will be a TEG Live presale that will commence at 1pm (local time) on Thursday 3 August followed by a My Ticketek presale at 12 pm on Friday 4 August.
The first Indian artist ever to perform at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Diljit Dosanjh says, “The Born to Shine World tour has been an incredible experience for me. It has been 10 long years since I performed in New Zealand and it’s the perfect time to meet and entertain my fans there. It takes a lot to pull off shows like these and I really look forward perform for my fans down under.”
Sonali Singh, owner of Event company Ripple Effect Studio who also manages Diljit Dosanjh says, “We are immensely proud of the fact that Diljit has a great fanbase not only In India but also Internationally. The kind of response we received in US, Canada & UK has been beyond expectations. We have been getting a lot of messages from fans in New Zealand requesting Diljit to perform here. It’s time for us to listen to them and we are here, roaring to perform and enthrall our fans.”
Siddharth Anand Kumar, Sr. Vice President, Films & Events at Saregama India Ltd. Says, “We have had a great time working with Diljit Dosanjh on the Born To Shine World Tour. At Saregama, our motive is to organize events that give the audience a wholesome experience, something that they take with them back home and cherish for a long time. Diljit has a great fan base across the world and we are looking forward to an amazing response in New Zealand.”
TEG CEO Geoff Jones said “TEG is delighted to be bringing Punjabi sensation – Diljit Dosanjh to New Zealand after a long time. From entertaining fans all over India for many years now, through to selling out shows in the UK, to becoming the first ever Punjabi artist to perform at Coachella Festival in 2023, there’s no doubt that his Kiwi fans are in for a very special evening!”
Australian multi-platinum artist Illy and Goodna-based hip hop force Lisi have teamed up with Dosanjh for an official remix of his viral smash Chauffeur (Stream the remix HERE). With over 52million views on the original music video, Chauffeur broke into the top 5 on the New Zealand YouTube charts and has clocked almost 30million Spotify streams globally.
Dosanjh is the only Indian artist to ever sell out Birmingham’s 15,000 capacity Utilita Arena, the first turbaned artist to be featured on the cover of Vogue India and the first turbaned artist to have his own wax figure at Madame Tussauds India.
Having performed in India, USA, Canada & UK, New Zealand is next up on the Born To Shine tour.
ON A GOOD DAY: THREE-DAY CONCERT SERIES COMES TO WELLINGTON THIS DECEMBER
You can’t beat Wellington On A Good Day – especially this December!
Live Nation is excited to launch a new concert series, On A Good Day, in Wellington this year presenting internationally acclaimed Irish singer-songwriter Dermot Kennedy and GRAMMY-award winning indie-rock group The War On Drugs to the stage at Anderson Park. The final lineup will be revealed soon.
In partnership with WellingtonNZ, Live Nation will once again bring live music to the unbeatable setting of Anderson Park in Wellington’s Botanic Gardens this summer.
Warrick Dent, GM Events & Experience WellingtonNZ, “On a Good Day is a great addition to Wellington’s events calendar. The Botanic Gardens is the perfect spot for the series and will continue to ensure the capital retains its reputation as a destination for great events.”
Mark Kneebone, Managing Director of Live Nation New Zealand, “Continuing to invest in Wellington’s entertainment landscape and bring world-class acts to Pōneke is an ongoing priority for us and we look forward to On a Good Day becoming a calendar event showcasing top international and domestic talent in the capital.”
Dermot’s The Sonder Tour will grace the stage at Anderson Park, Wellington in 2023 for On A Good Day. From busking on the streets of Dublin to selling out stadiums around the world, Dermot has won over fan after fan with his passionate and burning lyrics that speak truth and honesty, delivering compelling music from the heart that connects with people across the globe. He exudes authenticity, both onstage and in his songs.
The War On Drugs head to New Zealand for the first time since 2018. With special guests Spoon, plus Indigo Sparke, the band head to Anderson Park in December 2023 in support of I Don’t Live Here Anymore, praised by GQ as “the band’s clearest, most vibrant, and upbeat.”
The final act to complete the series lineup will be announced soon.
ON A GOOD DAY – WELLINGTON 2023
DERMOT KENNEDY – THURSDAY NOVEMBER 30
THE WAR ON DRUGS – FRIDAY DECEMBER 1
ACT TO BE ANNOUNCED – SATURDAY DECEMBER 2