Latest news with #ElephantPublicity
Scoop
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Fam Is Back: Film Festival Edition: Karangahape Road Becomes A Living Cinema
Press Release – Elephant Publicity After the first FAM celebration lit up Karangahape Road in May, it's back this winter with a brand-new twist. On Saturday 2 August, the street transforms into a living, breathing cinema with films popping up in arcades, alleyways, shopfronts, and around all kinds of unexpected corners. FAM: Film Festival Edition will fill the street with screenings, live performances, and music from 2pm 'til late and it's all completely free. This full-street takeover, inspired by the spirit of the New Zealand International Film Festival, has a very K' Road flavour. At East Street, catch Homeward Bound with your dog (yes, furry friends are welcome), or sing your heart out at Cult Classic with Kita, an interactive, glitter-soaked evening hosted by the fabulous drag superstar Kita Mean. Settle in for a John Carpenter horror double feature at Whammy Bar. Expect big sounds outside Pitt Street Church, including a set from the one and only Bub, led by Priya Sami, will be rocking the street. Add to that nostalgic shorts, underground premieres, music videos, and showtunes from the pink piano on Pitt Street, and you've got yourself a cinematic street party like no other. ' FAM is all about bringing people together on K' Road and using all the weird and wonderful spaces we've got on this iconic street,' says Ella, Creative Producer at the Karangahape Road Business Association. ' It's fun, it's a bit chaotic, and there's something for everyone.' Other highlights of the day include Guerilla Filmmaking Workshop with Julia Reynolds (2:30pm to 4pm) A hands-on session for aspiring storytellers looking to make films. Kiri & Lou Takeover at St Kevins Arcade (2pm – 5pm) Join SMALL RAVE for a playful afternoon of Kiri and Lou magic at St Kevins Arcade. Activities include clay animation, storytime, hands-on crafts, and screenings of the BAFTA-nominated kids show. Free fun for all ages — come get silly and creative! Day One short films, local music videos, and live performances from Bub, Goodspace and dān dān (4pm – 7pm) Top of the Pitts Stage outside Pitt St Church Everything Everywhere All At Once – Step into the K' Road laundromat to watch this epic movie which will play on a loop all evening (2pm – 6pm) Beyond the Familiar: Artist Talk at RM Gallery (4pm) Beyond the Familiar is a portrayal of an in-between world, shaped by the movements of migration. Featuring Tāmaki Makaurau-based artists from South-East Asian and Pasifika backgrounds, the exhibition reflects on their diasporic experiences, where identity, belonging, and memory intersect across shifting cultural landscapes. Paraidolia: Immersive Art Exhibition at The Button Factory (from 6pm) Wander through a world of abstract paintings and sculptural lamps that play with perception and emotion. Queer Night Club CHURCH: at Neck of the Woods (10pm) An offering of sound, movement and connection, this edition features a special collaboration with illustrator and poet Māori Mermaid (Jessica Hinerangi Thompson-Carr). This event celebrates the creativity, boldness and independent spirit of Karangahape Road, where every corner has a story to tell. Full programme is launching soon! Proudly supported by Karangahape Business Association, Auckland Council and the city centre targeted rate.
Scoop
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Bach Musica NZ Celebrate Local Talent With Two World Premieres
Press Release – Elephant Publicity returns to the Auckland Town Hall on Sunday 21 September at 5pm with a presentation of world premieres by NZ composers, Gabor Tolnay, and Oliver Bramah in collaboration with Hēmi Kelly, and a selection of glorious repertoire by J.S. Bach, Barber, Vavilov and Ravel. Bach Musica NZ's Music & Artistic Director, Rita Paczian, will lead the concert as conductor, marking her second to last performance with the organisation following the recent announcement of her retirement at the end of this year. The concert will open with one of J.S. Bach's most famous cantatas for solo alto voice, Vergnügte Ruh, BWV 170, sung by NZ's leading countertenor, Stephen Diaz. The performance will continue with Barber's Adagio for Strings performed in its choral version, Agnus Dei, alongside the romantic Ave Maria by Vavilov, and Ravel's L'Aurore M. 45 sung in French by soprano, Gina Sanders. Bach Musica NZ are proud to present world premieres of two impressive works by award-winning New Zealand composers, Gabor Tolnay, and Oliver Bramah whose work has been written in collaboration with Hēmi Kelly (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Tahu-Ngāti Whāoa). Bramah and Kelly's work Kūī, Kūī (call of the bird) will be performed in te reo Māori on 21 September by Bach Musica NZ two days before the spring equinox, drawing on the tohu (sign) of the pīpīwharauroa (shining cuckoo), whose return marks the changing seasons. Tolnay's new orchestral piece Dawn at the Bay also captures the magnificence of Aotearoa's natural world, evoking the beautiful sunrise, birdsong and scenery of the remote Duncan Bay in the Marlborough Sounds. 'As ever, conductor Rita Paczian artfully and competently master-minded proceedings, driving her ensemble yet again to an overwhelming finale. They demonstrated another remarkable Bach Musica NZ characteristic: that of pronounced and assured artistic versatility.' – Rainer Buhmann, NZ Opera News Bach Musica NZ's full programme can be found here:
Scoop
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Pacific Dance Festival 2025 Proves Community Demand & Delivers On Creative NZ's Pacific Arts Strategy
Press Release – Elephant Publicity After years of instability, shifting audience habits, rising living costs, and increased competition from digital entertainment, Pacific Dance NZ is proud to celebrate the conclusion of the 2025 Pacific Dance Festival. This season reconnected communities, revitalised live performance, and reaffirmed the powerful role of Pacific stories on Aotearoa's stages. This year's festival wasn't just about box-office success, though sell-out shows and full houses hearten us. It was about demonstrating that, when invested in thoughtfully and delivered with integrity, Pacific arts continue to matter — deeply — to our people. Audiences returned not just to be entertained, but to feel seen, heard, and moved. From free workshops to weekend gallery activations, from youth-led productions to intergenerational casts, the festival met people where they are — on their terms, in their language, through their own lens. We are grateful and recognise our longstanding partnerships with Māngere Arts Centre – Ngā Tohu o Uenuku and Te Pou Theatre in Henderson, whose leadership and location play a vital role in ensuring the arts remain accessible, local, and culturally grounded. These strategically positioned venues are more than just stages; they are anchors within their communities, enabling whānau and wider audiences to access and participate in Pacific storytelling close to home. The diversity of shows in this year's programme reflects the communities we serve: from Stories About Us with Phab Pasifika — highlighting inclusive, youth-led stories — to the lively school matinee Shapes in the Clouds, which welcomed hundreds of tamariki into the world of dance, and the passionate, feminist retelling of Pele: The Goddess of Fire. Each show brought something special and meaningful. Audience surveys confirm what we observed firsthand: families want to see more — especially content they can enjoy together. Intergenerational audiences expressed great appreciation for the chance to share Pacific cultural stories outside formal education systems that often omit or marginalise these narratives. Festival Director Iosefa Enari expressed gratitude to everyone who attended, spread the word, supported the Kaupapa, or brought their families. They emphasised that the arts are not a luxury but a vital part of life, signifying a heartbeat that continues to thrive within our communities. A Snapshot of Festival Impact Across five weeks, the festival connected with many New Zealanders in theatres, galleries, public spaces, and online, featuring one of the most diverse and intergenerational Pacific casts in our history. Live shows demonstrated strong engagement, with MOANA — a flagship, family-friendly, large ensemble work — selling out a week before its opening. Our data confirms what many have long known: when the right show is programmed, with the correct scale, story, and values, audiences turn out. Meanwhile, more than 1,300 people engaged with our free activations, including dance pop-ups in the Auckland Art Gallery foyer, a Sunday event at the Auckland Museum, and a short film activation showcasing Pacific dance on screen. These events acted as crucial access points, bringing Pacific dance to new and non-traditional audiences, and tracking direct conversions into ticket buyers and new followers. On social media, the numbers tell a powerful story: 417,000+ people reached, 10,138 direct clicks to our ticketing platform, and over 80 user-generated posts from attendees tagging their experience. Our Approach: Values in Practice Pacific Dance NZ's approach to programming and community engagement remains shaped by a strong commitment to Pacific values, intergenerational exchange, and sector-wide collaboration. These values guided every aspect of the 2025 Festival, from artist support to venue partnerships and audience development. Throughout this year's festival, we: · Empowered people and communities, ensuring participation from youth, elders, and artists at all stages of their creative journeys. Audiences of all ages came together, affirming the strength of Pacific identity on stage. · Strengthened capability and future leadership by mentoring emerging choreographers and producers, and creating spaces where community workshops led to real-world opportunities. · Built bridges across ecosystems, through long-term partnerships with Auckland Museum, Auckland Art Gallery, Toi o Tamaki, 275 Times, Pacific Media Network and Sunpix. These collaborations helped deepen reach and trust. · Connected globally, welcoming guest artist Thomas E. Kelly of KARUL Project from Queensland, Australia — a Ni-Van Aboriginal storyteller — opened up a new dimension of cross-regional exchange from Queensland and extended our digital footprint across the Pacific diaspora. Our programme is not only a celebration of Pacific dance but a strategic and intentional response to the aspirations of our people, ensuring that the art we present reflects the realities, hopes, and richness of our communities. Strategic Impact and Return on Investment In a funding environment that increasingly demands proof of value, the Pacific Dance Festival 2025 provided both complex data and a human story to justify public and partner investment. The campaign generated significant direct tracked revenue, alongside thousands more in indirect value through awareness, audience development, and content reach.' Our digital campaigns outperformed sector benchmarks, achieving CTR rates above 2.4%, with engagement peaking during show weeks. Radio advertising, social content, PR hits, and free activations worked in tandem to build both frequency and cultural trust, especially among communities not always reached by mainstream marketing. 'We've learned over the years that success isn't about doing more — it's about doing it right,' says Enari .'We now know how to match story, location, cast, price, and platform to reach our audience where they are. The data confirms it. The people confirm it. It's time to keep going.' Looking Ahead Pacific Dance NZ has heard the call from our community: to keep telling our stories, to keep growing our talent, and to ensure the arts feel like home for everyone. The 2025 festival confirms that Pacific-led creative leadership is not only culturally vital but also economically viable, socially impactful, and strategically aligned with national goals. We invite our government leaders, local councils, and community partners to continue walking with us as we build on this momentum. Because when we invest in Pacific arts, we invest in identity, wellbeing, jobs, joy, and future generations.
Scoop
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
A Window Into Humanity: World Press Photo Exhibition Opens This Month In Auckland
Press Release – Elephant Publicity The prestigious annual World Press Photo Exhibition opens this month, bringing the past year's most captivating and thought-provoking photojournalism and documentary photography from around the globe to Auckland, from 26 July – 24 August at 131 Queen Street. Presenting the 2025 World Press Photo Contest winning photographs, the exhibition will display a selection of powerful images by 42 international photographers. It offers a rare opportunity to step away from our screens and engage with the stories behind the headlines. 2025 marks 70 years of World Press Photo. To celebrate, this year will also include a special anniversary exhibition in addition to the 2025 contest winning photographs. Curated by Cristina de Middel and titled What Have We Done? Unpacking Seven Decades of Photojournalism Through the World Press Photo Archive, the exhibition will feature images pulled from the World Press Photo archives. It invites audiences to rethink not just how photojournalism has evolved but how we, as viewers and citizens, should be learning to read images with a sharper and more critical eye. A media preview of the exhibition will be held on Friday 25 July between 2 – 4pm, with Nelson-based 2025 World Press Photo Contest winning photographer Tatsiana Chypsana, and travelling curator Martha Echevarria available for interview. If you wish to attend, please contact ali@ An exclusive public preview and panel discussion is available on Thursday 24 July, 6pm. Tickets are available via Eventfinda. Viewers will get to take in the exhibition ahead of the opening, and hear from a World Press Photo curator, judge, and winning photographer, talking about the importance of press freedom and how photography helps tell the stories the world needs to hear. In addition, you'll get an exclusive look at additional images from photographer Tatsiana Chypsanava's long term project Te Uruwera – The Living Ancestor of Tūhoe People, which are not in the main exhibition. The Rotary Club of Auckland is proud to bring the World Press Photo Exhibition to Auckland, with all proceeds from the event going towards Rotary youth charities and disability charity PHAB. Content Sourced from Original url
Scoop
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Rita Paczian To Retire As Bach Musica NZ Music Director
Press Release – Elephant Publicity has announced the retirement of Rita Paczian from her position as Music & Artistic Director at the end of the 2025 season. Rita has been the driving force behind the organisation's high standard of musicianship for over 31 years. Her dedication, enthusiasm, drive, energy and passion for music have transformed the group to firmly establish its position in the New Zealand performing arts. A native of Germany, Rita became Bach Musica NZ's music director in 1994. She brought with her to New Zealand her outstanding qualifications as a conductor, singer, organist and harpsichordist, her love of historically informed Baroque and Classical interpretation and her high standards of musicianship. In her non-negotiable dedication to excellence, a particular hallmark of her style is the ability to meaningfully model and patiently coach musical phrasing. As she will retire at the end of the 2025 season, the Committee is actively seeking a replacement. Bach Musica NZ is the country's leading, combined vocal and choral ensemble. Performances range from Baroque through to modern. The organisation regularly supports emerging young vocal and instrumental talent as well as premiere performances of new compositions, providing an opportunity to perform with a world-class choir and orchestra. Audiences will still have the chance to see Rita with Bach Musica NZ's upcoming performances on Sunday 21 September and Sunday 7 December at the Auckland Town Hall. BACH MUSICA NZ 2025 PROGRAMME: World Premieres & Bach Sunday 21 September 2025 at 5pm – Auckland Town Hall Tickets are available via Ticketmaster. Rita Paczian Conductor Gina Sanders Soprano Stephen Diaz Countertenor Best of Bach & Handel Sunday 7 December 2025 at 5pm – Auckland Town Hall Tickets are available via Ticketmaster. Rita Paczian Conductor Elizabeth Mandeno Soprano Christie Cook Alto Iain Tetley Tenor James Harrison Baritone Content Sourced from Original url
