Latest news with #DunedinFringe
Otago Daily Times
11-07-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Dunedin makes global list of LGBTQ+-friendly destinations
An international travel site has proclaimed Dunedin to be a friendly place for the LGBTQ+ community, but advocates say much work is yet to be done. Wanderlust Magazine recently published a list of nine up-and-coming LGBTQ+ destinations across the globe, in which it described Dunedin as a "safe haven" for members of the community, as well as acknowledging the city as "the wildlife capital of the country". "Throughout the year, the city hosts LGBTQ+-friendly events, including the Dunedin Fringe, as well as having numerous local queer-friendly and queer-owned eateries and businesses in Dunedin." It comes off the back of the latest census, which reveals Dunedin has a high LGBTQ+ adult proportion of individuals at 7.5%, second only to Wellington at 12%. The national median is about 5%. Dunedin Pride secretary Eliot Weir said while it was always encouraging to get such publicity, constant work and development were always needed. "I think it's definitely a culmination of countless people in the community creating some really cool community spaces. "You've got bars like Woof and other queer-friendly businesses, cafes, board game shops, all that, that are just welcoming spaces, but have also been hosts to Pride Month events or whatever else. "I think, in particular, institutions like Toitū [Otago] Settlers Museum and the Hocken Collection have also definitely taken a lead in that as well." Dunedin was a place where people could be "unapologetically themselves", they said. "It's definitely a close-knit community, both the queer community but also the Dunedin community itself." Dunedin Fringe Arts Trust operations manager Katrina Thomson said she was pleased to hear about the publicity. "It's wonderful that Ōtepoti is building the reputation of being a diverse and inclusive community. "We are lucky to have amazing groups in Ōtepoti that celebrate LGBTQ+-identifying people such as Dunedin Pride, UniQ, our drag community and queer-owned businesses like our friends at Woof!, to name a few." Ms Thomson said there were plenty of opportunities. "Keep supporting queer communities and platforms that champion diversity, and challenge discrimination when you see it." The other destinations listed were Nepal, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Mauritius, Sardinia, Italy, Slovenia, Montevideo, Uruguay, Puerto Rico and Salt Lake City, Utah.
Otago Daily Times
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Festival offers ‘unique opportunity'
New Zealand Young Writers Festival tuakana (guide) Josiah Morgan (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Maniapoto). PHOTO: SUPPLIED The Dunedin Fringe Arts Trust is gearing up to host a new-look New Zealand Young Writers Festival in September. And to get the ball rolling, the call has gone out for young writers aged 15-35 years to put their hands up to be part of the festival as presenters and to take part in a three-day wānanga beforehand. The NZ Young Writers Festival, to be held on September 13-14 this year, is a literary-focused festival celebrating a broad range of writing. Dunedin Fringe co-director Kate Schrader said the wānanga, which would be held at Puketeraki Marae on September 10-12, would be a ''unique opportunity for young writers to connect and build skills''. ''In the 11th year of the festival, we are leaning into the model of reciprocal learning, and will be holding workshops at the marae and during the festival,'' she said. New Zealand Young Writers Festival tuakana (guide) Ruby Macomber (Rotuma/Ngāpuhi). PHOTO: SUPPLIED ''The wa ¯nanga is part of our offering to the young writers who are participating in the festival, so they can build those important connections before getting into the festival.'' Holding the wa ¯nanga was the brainchild of Dunedin Fringe leadership team members Jessica Latton (Nga ¯ti Wheke, Waitaha, Ka ¯i Tahu) and Anthony Deaker (Ka ¯i Tahu), who would be involved and would be taking on the roles of tuakana (guides) for the festival. Rather than a curator, this year's festival will be led by three newly appointed young writer tuakana, Josiah Morgan (Nga ¯i Tahu, Nga ¯ti Maniapoto), Ruby Macomber (Rotuma/ Nga ¯puhi) and Rauhina Scott-Fyfe (Ka ¯i Tahu, Ka ¯ti Ma ¯moe, Nga ¯i Pa ¯keha ¯), all of whom have had long involvement with the festival. ''These three young writers will have an important role in uplifting others.'' New Zealand Young Writers Festival tuakana (guide) Rauhina Scott-Fyfe (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Ngāti Pākehā). PHOTO: SUPPLIED Ms Schrader also announced that the New Zealand Young Writers Festival Young Writer in Residence for 2025 is Dunedin writer and performer Nick Tipa (Ka ¯i Tahu), who will be based at the Robert Lord Cottage for the duration of the residency. ''We are very excited that Nick, our young writer in residence, is a local person and is working on a project that is very connected to place,'' she said. The NZ Young Writers Festival would offer fewer events due to funding constraints, but would continue to celebrate a range of writing, including poetry, playwriting, songwriting, short fiction, novels, zines, podcasts and more, Ms Schrader said. ''As part of the festival's public programme, there will be a chance to hear from all the writers who have participated in the wa ¯nanga,'' she said. ''There will be a mix-andmingle event, which will include readings, giving young writers the opportunity to step into the spotlight.'' There were 15 spots available for young writers to actively participate in the festival, and expressions of interest were open until this Sunday, Ms Schrader said. New Zealand Young Writers Festival Young Writer in Residence 2025 Nick Tipa (Kāi Tahu). PHOTO: SUPPLIED ''We are keen to hear from young people involved in any writing practice — we want to open up the festival to as many storytellers as possible. ''We welcome anyone who is curious to reach out to us with their questions.'' For more information, visit the NZ Young Writers Festival website, or find NZYoungWritersFest on Facebook or Instagram. -
Scoop
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Forecast Shows 100% Chance Of Campy, Comedy, Cabaret!
Two Billy T nominated genderfluid powerhouses come together in holy(ish) matrimony to showcase their talents in their award winning cabaret. The show is a raucous hour of music, clown, magic, stand-up, poetry, dance, theatre, mime, and… emus? Our duo flip gender norms through marital satire, imitating a campy heteronormative couple with reversed gender roles; they skillfully weave this dynamic through the show creating an outlandishly silly and lovable couple. Unapologetically queer, and unabashedly themselves, Delightfool is a joyous and heartwarming celebration of friendship and self-acceptance. Our stars gravitated towards each other while performing in the Pōneke comedy circuit. They came together like a supernova with their debut season of Delightfool in the Wellington Fringe Festival 2024 winning the Auckland tour ready award. After their Auckland Fringe 2024 season they frolicked away with the Outstanding theatre, Outstanding Performance (Collective), and Dunedin Fringe tour ready awards. The duo are now performing in the NZICF as 2025 Billy T Nominees. With many aforementioned skills under their belts they showcase them in a cabaret styled comedy show, giving both moments to shine on their own but ultimately come together to create a chemistry unlike any other. 'An hour of wit, sparkle, and innuendo that would be hard to beat anywhere' Margaret Austin, Theatreview, NZ 'It's queer joy that asks us to be shameless - It's laughter as rebellion. It's joy as an act of resistance.' Sazzok (Sarah) Kreig, Bad Apple Reviews, NZ Booth the Clown and Jak Darling - Delightfool Wellington Dates: Tues 13th - Sat 17th of May, 7:00pm - 8:00pm Venue: The Fringe Bar, 26 Allen St Tickets: $22 - $28 Bookings: Auckland Dates: Tues 20th - Sat 24th of May, 7:00pm - 8:00pm Venue: Basement Theatre The Studio, Lower Greys Avenue Tickets: $22 - $28 Bookings:
