Latest news with #BrentStewart
Scoop
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Mana Moana Wellington Shows With Signature Choir And NZSO Now Sold Out
Press Release – NZSO Mana Moana celebrates two worlds of music, with the NZSO led by acclaimed conductor Brent Stewart, and each performance hosted by talented actor and comedian Tofiga Fepuleai. Wellington has again embraced the hit show Mana Moana and its spectacular fusion of symphony and songs of the Pacific. Both performances by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the 50-strong Wellington-based Signature Choir this Thursday and Friday at the Michael Fowler Centre are sold out. Mana Moana celebrates two worlds of music, with the NZSO led by acclaimed conductor Brent Stewart, and each performance hosted by talented actor and comedian Tofiga Fepulea'i. 'We are incredibly humbled and grateful to return home to two sold-out shows,' says Signature Choir Founder and Music Director Helen Tupai. 'After selling out back-to-back performances at the iconic Sydney Opera House in June, coming back to where our Mana Moana journey began and reuniting with the world-class NZSO is the perfect way to close our 2025 Mana Moana season. These sold-out shows are a testament to our communities' unwavering support, and we cannot wait to put on an unforgettable homecoming show!' Following 2022's sensational debut in Wellington and a hit performance with the NZSO in Auckland in 2023, Mana Moana reached new heights this year with a second show at Auckland's Spark Arena in May. Sydney audiences loved every minute of the choir's historic performances with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra last month. 'What an incredible performance! The energy in the room was electric. So privileged to experience this iconic moment,' an audience member told ABC Pacific. Wellington audiences on 24 and 25 July will again experience an energetic, unique, and emotional celebration, bringing traditional and contemporary songs from Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau. The exciting music selection blends beloved favourites from the previous shows with fresh new arrangements, offering an even richer experience for audiences. The stunning mix of traditional and contemporary songs includes the Samoan classic Manu o le Vaveao, Nepituno —written by Queen Salote Tupou III to commemorate the 1953 Royal Tour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's visit to Tonga—and an exhilarating medley featuring some of the most iconic Fijian songs, and much more. In 2022 a collaborative journey between the NZSO and Signature Choir to celebrate and promote the languages and stories of Pasifika. Their aim was to create high-quality audio recordings and videos of Pasifika songs in partnership with RNZ. This was then followed by a live performance at the Michael Fowler Centre where audience-recorded videos from the show have accumulated in over 1 million views on social media, highlighting the massive impact Mana Moana had and resulted in an incredible musical experience in 2023 and 2025 at Spark Arena.
Scoop
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Mana Moana Wellington Shows With Signature Choir And NZSO Now Sold Out
Wellington has again embraced the hit show Mana Moana and its spectacular fusion of symphony and songs of the Pacific. Both performances by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the 50-strong Wellington-based Signature Choir this Thursday and Friday at the Michael Fowler Centre are sold out. Mana Moana celebrates two worlds of music, with the NZSO led by acclaimed conductor Brent Stewart, and each performance hosted by talented actor and comedian Tofiga Fepulea'i. 'We are incredibly humbled and grateful to return home to two sold-out shows,' says Signature Choir Founder and Music Director Helen Tupai. 'After selling out back-to-back performances at the iconic Sydney Opera House in June, coming back to where our Mana Moana journey began and reuniting with the world-class NZSO is the perfect way to close our 2025 Mana Moana season. These sold-out shows are a testament to our communities' unwavering support, and we cannot wait to put on an unforgettable homecoming show!' Following 2022's sensational debut in Wellington and a hit performance with the NZSO in Auckland in 2023, Mana Moana reached new heights this year with a second show at Auckland's Spark Arena in May. Sydney audiences loved every minute of the choir's historic performances with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra last month. 'What an incredible performance! The energy in the room was electric. So privileged to experience this iconic moment,' an audience member told ABC Pacific. Wellington audiences on 24 and 25 July will again experience an energetic, unique, and emotional celebration, bringing traditional and contemporary songs from Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau. The exciting music selection blends beloved favourites from the previous shows with fresh new arrangements, offering an even richer experience for audiences. The stunning mix of traditional and contemporary songs includes the Samoan classic Manu o le Vaveao, Nepituno —written by Queen Salote Tupou III to commemorate the 1953 Royal Tour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's visit to Tonga—and an exhilarating medley featuring some of the most iconic Fijian songs, and much more. In 2022 a collaborative journey between the NZSO and Signature Choir to celebrate and promote the languages and stories of Pasifika. Their aim was to create high-quality audio recordings and videos of Pasifika songs in partnership with RNZ. This was then followed by a live performance at the Michael Fowler Centre where audience-recorded videos from the show have accumulated in over 1 million views on social media, highlighting the massive impact Mana Moana had and resulted in an incredible musical experience in 2023 and 2025 at Spark Arena.
Otago Daily Times
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Chorus fest returns, expanded
Opera Otago will host another of its popular ChorusFest events this month, offering local singers the chance to come together and learn some fun choruses. The sessions, led by conductor Brent Stewart, will be held July 12 and 13, from 1.30pm-5.30pm, at Hanover Hall. Building on what was achieved last year and the feedback received, Opera Otago has extended the ChorusFest to two afternoons. It is not necessary to attend both sessions, although that is preferred. A movement will be added to one of the choruses, with Emma Donaldson set to lead. The singers will be accompanied by pianists Tom McGrath and Ozan Biner-McGrath. Opera Otago always aims to support young Dunedin singers, and this year's ChorusFest will introduce Ripeka Potiki, who won the Opera Otago cup at last year's Junior Vocal Festival. Other soloists will include sopranos Ameera Woods and Erin Connelly-White and baritone Kieran Kelly. As with last year, there will be a short, informal concert from 7pm on Sunday, July 13. Opera Otago will provide a light meal of soups and buns for participants before the concert. To enrol follow the link
Scoop
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Hit Show Mana Moana Returns To Wellington With Signature Choir And NZSO
The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and Signature Choir are excited to bring back — a spectacular fusion of symphony and songs of the Pacific — to Wellington in July. Mana Moana celebrates two worlds of music, with the 50-strong Signature Choir joining the NZSO for two unforgettable performances at the Michael Fowler Centre on 24 and 25 July. The NZSO will again be led by acclaimed conductor Brent Stewart, and each performance hosted by talented actor and comedian Tofiga Fepulea'i of Laughing Samoans fame. Following 2022's sensational debut in Wellington and a hit performance with the NZSO in Auckland in 2023, Mana Moana has reached new heights this year, including a second show at Auckland's Spark Arena in May. This weekend Mana Moana makes its international debut with Signature Choir joined by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra for two sold-out performances at Sydney Opera House. Wellington audiences will again experience an energetic, unique, and emotional celebration, bringing traditional and contemporary songs from Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau. ' 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 unique, but still familiar fashion is so surreal and fun, so we are excited for our communities 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 exciting music selection for Mana Moana 2025 blends beloved favourites from the previous shows with fresh new arrangements, offering an even richer experience for audiences. Expect a stunning mix of traditional and contemporary songs, including the Samoan classic Manu o le Vaveao, Nepituno —written by Queen Salote Tupou III to commemorate the 1953 Royal Tour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's visit to Tonga—an exhilarating medley featuring some of the most iconic Fijian songs, and much more. In 2022 a collaborative journey between the NZSO and Wellington-based Signature Choir to celebrate and promote the languages and stories of Pasifika. Their aim was to create high-quality audio recordings and videos of Pasifika songs in partnership with RNZ. This was then followed by a live performance at the Michael Fowler Centre where audience-recorded videos from the show have accumulated in over 1 million views on social media, highlighting the massive impact Mana Moana had and resulted in an incredible musical experience in 2023 and 2025 at Auckland's Spark Arena. Tickets to Mana Moana in Wellington are on sale now at $45 via or
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Yahoo
Enumclaw, WA QFC sells $7.4M winning lottery ticket, donates $20K
The Brief The Enumclaw QFC sold a $7.4M winning lottery ticket and donated $20,000 to a local food bank. The donation will provide over 7,700 meals to community members in need. The effort supports QFC's 'Zero Hunger | Zero Waste' initiative to combat hunger and food waste. ENUMCLAW, Wash. - The Enumclaw QFC sold a winning lottery ticket, and in response, donated $20,000 to a local food bank. What we know A ticket sold by QFC ended up being the $7.4M winning Washington Lottery LOTTO ticket from the May 19 drawing, and as a way of giving back to the community, Enumclaw QFC donated $20,000 to the Plateau Outreach Ministries Food Bank. "It's not every day a winning ticket is sold in your store, and our team wanted to do something special," said Brent Stewart, president of QFC, in a statement. "Donating to the Plateau Outreach Ministries Food Bank is the perfect way to live out our purpose to feed the human spirit and help people in our community." The donation to the Plateau Outreach Food Bank will provide over 7,700 meals to community members in need while allowing the food bank to continue to stock fresh and nutritious options. The donation contributes to QFC's "Zero Hunger | Zero Waste" initiative that aims to end hunger and eliminate food waste across the state. The Source Information in this article came from a QFC press release. Bodies of 3 missing Wenatchee, WA girls found, father wanted for murder 1 arrested, 1 wanted, after drive-by shooting in West Seattle Miles Hudson found guilty on 2 counts of reckless driving in Seattle 'I am in a lot of pain': Lakewood, WA mass shooting survivors being released from hospitals Alaska Airlines announces nonstop flight from Seattle to Rome WATCH: TikTok video of woman digging for geoduck in WA goes viral Carnation fed up with traffic from Remlinger Farms concerts To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
