Latest news with #ElephantPublicity
Scoop
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Billy T And Fred Award Winners Announced For The 2025 NZ International Comedy Fest
Press Release – Elephant Publicity After a month of side-splitting shows from the very best local and international comedians, the NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo wrapped up this evening at Last Laughs. After the performances, the New Zealand Comedy Trust honoured the brightest comedy talent of this year's festival with multiple awards, including the coveted 2025 Fred Award for the Best New Zealand Show in the Festival and the 2025 Billy T Award for a comedian with the most outstanding potential. Last Laughs, a showcase of the best of the best homegrown talent, was hosted by 2021 Fred Award winner Eli Matthewson, with performances from Fred Award finalists – Abby Howells, Angella Dravid, Melanie Bracewell, and the 2025 Billy T Award nominees, David Stuart, Hoani Hotene, Lesa MacLeod-Whiting, Booth the Clown & Jak Darling, and Itay Dom. Started in 1997 and inspired by comedy legend William James Te Wehi Taitoko MBE (Billy T James), The Billy T Award celebrates the growth of fresh talent in the Aotearoa comedy industry. Each year it is awarded to an outstanding emerging performer with a commitment to their comedy career. Hoani Hotene took home the prestigious Yellow Towel for the Billy T Award and a $5,000 cash grant from New Zealand Comedy Trust. The award was presented on stage at SkyCity Theatre by 2024 Billy T Award winner Lana Walters. Named in honour of much-loved comedy icon John Clarke's legendary Kiwi character Fred Dagg, The Fred Award recognises the Comedy Festival's Best Show by a New Zealand comedian. Angella Dravid was named the 2025 Fred Award winner, receiving the iconic Golden Gumboot and a cash grant of $5,000 from the New Zealand Comedy Trust. 2024 Fred Award Winner Barnie Duncan and Chris Parker (standing in as Trygve Wakenshaw) were on stage to hand over the baton to the new Fred recipient. Other award winners this year also include: Best Newcomer (Auckland): Sean Collier with Write-Off Best Newcomer (Wellington – Joint Winners): Mo Munn with Is It Off? and Liv Ward with EPIC WAY! I'm Gay? Oui oui faguette™ I LOVE KIM HILL (1999 version) Festival Director's Choice Award: Johanna Cosgrove with SWEETIE Best International (Joint Winners): Elouise Eftos with Australia's First Attractive Comedian and Rosco McClelland with Sudden Death James Nokise was also honoured in person in front of his peers with his 2024 Topp Prize by New Zealand Comedy Trust Chief Executive, Lauren Whitney.
Scoop
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
B*tch Better Have My Funny: The Queens Of Comedy Hit The NZ Comedy Fest
Press Release – Elephant Publicity One of NZs greatest stand up comedians, the evening will also feature award-winning comedian Justine Smith. Justine is much-loved from her stints on 7 Days and Taskmaster. The NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo is now in full swing, and the laughs just keep coming. The New Zealand Comedy Trust is thrilled to announce B*TCH Better Have My Funny, a night packed with great comedians, great vibes and a line-up that delivers hit after hit. Join Kiwi comedy legend Michèle A'Court as host on Saturday 17 May at Q Theatre, for this incredible line-up of pure entertainment – fast, funny, and full of energy. Host Michèle A'Court is a 2023 ONZM recipient, and winner of Female Comedian of the Decade at the NZ Comedy Guild Awards in 2010 and the 2015 Reilly Award for Excellence in Comedy. Michele has performed around the world, including in Canada, the UK, Australia, Papua New Guinea and East Timor. With her work on stage, screen and radio, Michèle is truly one of our country's best comedians. She'll be joined by this year's Best Foods Comedy Gala host, Hayley Sproull. Multi-talented comedy sensation, audiences will recognise her as co-host of ZM's Fletch, Vaughan & Hayley Breakfast Show, winner of Taskmaster season 5 and host of The Great Kiwi Bake Off. One of NZ's greatest stand up comedians, the evening will also feature award-winning comedian Justine Smith. Justine is much-loved from her stints on 7 Days and Taskmaster. She also hosted the Best Foods Comedy Gala in 2021, won the Billy T Award in 2003 and has won the NZ Comedy Guild's Best Female Comedian four times. Rounding out the first comedians on the bill is Courtney Dawson, winner of Best Newcomer at the 2024 fest. Since kicking off her comedy career in 2019 she's won the Raw Comedy Quest, starred in Celebrity Treasure Island, Paddy Gower Has Issues and Have You Been Paying Attention?, and hosted the 2024 Comedy Mixtape. The international pay gap is still sitting at 23%. If you're a teacher, nurse, midwife, healthcare worker, caregiver, early childhood, social worker, youth worker, probation officer, corrections psychologist, or anyone else impacted by the Pay Equity Amendment Bill passed under urgency this week, then the New Zealand Comedy Trust are offering 23% off your ticket. With more names still to be announced, come for the punchlines, stay for the party. It's the comedy show you'll be talking about on Sunday. The 2025 NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo runs from 2 – 25 May. The full programme is available now at Content Sourced from Original url
Scoop
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
More Pacific Dance, More Ways To Experience It This June
Article – Elephant Publicity This June, the Pacific Dance Festival invites audiences to connect more deeply with Pacific creativity, offering a rich programme of performance, rehearsal and workshop events across Tāmaki Makaurau. Alongside the return of Aruna Po-Ching's acclaimed dance-theatre work, the festival opens its doors to a series of free open rehearsals and a hands-on Cook Islands workshop with master artist Aunty Kura Taruia. PELE: The Goddess of Fire will be performed at Māngere Arts Centre – Ngā Tohu o Uenuku on Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 June at 7pm. Created and directed by Aruna Kekeha Po-Ching, the work draws on the Hawaiian myth of Pele, goddess of volcanoes, creation, and destruction. As Pele dreams of a prince and sends her sister Hi'iaka across the ocean to bring him back, the story unfolds through hula-informed choreography, theatrical storytelling, and striking Indigenous scenography. Featuring a cast of eighteen dancers and musical direction by Dr. Opeloge Ah Sam, PELE offers a rich, emotional and visually powerful experience. Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki will also open its doors for three free open rehearsals, inviting audiences behind the scenes. On Saturday 24 May, Iatua Richard Felagai Taito (Waipapa Taumata Rau – University of Auckland PhD candidate) shares a new work-in-development. On Saturday 31 May, Unitec-Te Pūkenga Performing & Screen Arts, dance students Leilani Grace Tonu'u, Lily-Mae Baird, Komai Waqalevu and Nate Gacusan present contemporary solos. All of these artists will also appear in the Moana Show on Tuesday 17 June at Māngere Arts Centre – Ngā Tohu o Uenuku, with tickets available now via Eventfinda. On Sunday 8 June, Faiva at the Museum takes place at Auckland War Memorial Museum from 11:30am to 1:30pm. This free activation is more than performance — Faiva is the living expression of Pacific identity, knowledge, and connection through movement, voice, and heart. Audiences are invited to go behind the scenes and witness the creative process in action, with open rehearsals of Shapes In The Clouds (11:30am–12:00pm) and Kuini (12:30pm–1:00pm), each followed by a public Q&A with the cast. Then on Saturday 14 June, Po-Ching and dancers from The Hula Journey open a rehearsal of PELE, offering a glimpse into its choreographic process. Following the 14 June open rehearsal, Aunty Kura Taruia leads a free public workshop exploring Cook Islands dance (ura) and flower crown-making (ei katu). A respected elder, choreographer and costume maker, Aunty Kura brings decades of knowledge to her workshops. Participants must book in advance and attend both sessions. The event is free and takes place in a public space — comfortable clothing and water bottles are encouraged. Since 2010, Pacific Dance New Zealand has nurtured Pacific artists and communities across Aotearoa. The 2025 Pacific Dance Festival continues that kaupapa, offering connection, creativity and celebration in every moment.
Scoop
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
More Pacific Dance, More Ways To Experience It This June
Article – Elephant Publicity Since 2010, Pacific Dance New Zealand has nurtured Pacific artists and communities across Aotearoa. The 2025 Pacific Dance Festival continues that kaupapa, offering connection, creativity and celebration in every moment. This June, the Pacific Dance Festival invites audiences to connect more deeply with Pacific creativity, offering a rich programme of performance, rehearsal and workshop events across Tāmaki Makaurau. Alongside the return of Aruna Po-Ching's acclaimed dance-theatre work, the festival opens its doors to a series of free open rehearsals and a hands-on Cook Islands workshop with master artist Aunty Kura Taruia. PELE: The Goddess of Fire will be performed at Māngere Arts Centre – Ngā Tohu o Uenuku on Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 June at 7pm. Created and directed by Aruna Kekeha Po-Ching, the work draws on the Hawaiian myth of Pele, goddess of volcanoes, creation, and destruction. As Pele dreams of a prince and sends her sister Hi'iaka across the ocean to bring him back, the story unfolds through hula-informed choreography, theatrical storytelling, and striking Indigenous scenography. Featuring a cast of eighteen dancers and musical direction by Dr. Opeloge Ah Sam, PELE offers a rich, emotional and visually powerful experience. Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki will also open its doors for three free open rehearsals, inviting audiences behind the scenes. On Saturday 24 May, Iatua Richard Felagai Taito (Waipapa Taumata Rau – University of Auckland PhD candidate) shares a new work-in-development. On Saturday 31 May, Unitec-Te Pūkenga Performing & Screen Arts, dance students Leilani Grace Tonu'u, Lily-Mae Baird, Komai Waqalevu and Nate Gacusan present contemporary solos. All of these artists will also appear in the Moana Show on Tuesday 17 June at Māngere Arts Centre – Ngā Tohu o Uenuku, with tickets available now via Eventfinda. On Sunday 8 June, Faiva at the Museum takes place at Auckland War Memorial Museum from 11:30am to 1:30pm. This free activation is more than performance — Faiva is the living expression of Pacific identity, knowledge, and connection through movement, voice, and heart. Audiences are invited to go behind the scenes and witness the creative process in action, with open rehearsals of Shapes In The Clouds (11:30am–12:00pm) and Kuini (12:30pm–1:00pm), each followed by a public Q&A with the cast. Then on Saturday 14 June, Po-Ching and dancers from The Hula Journey open a rehearsal of PELE, offering a glimpse into its choreographic process. Following the 14 June open rehearsal, Aunty Kura Taruia leads a free public workshop exploring Cook Islands dance (ura) and flower crown-making (ei katu). A respected elder, choreographer and costume maker, Aunty Kura brings decades of knowledge to her workshops. Participants must book in advance and attend both sessions. The event is free and takes place in a public space — comfortable clothing and water bottles are encouraged. Since 2010, Pacific Dance New Zealand has nurtured Pacific artists and communities across Aotearoa. The 2025 Pacific Dance Festival continues that kaupapa, offering connection, creativity and celebration in every moment.
Scoop
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Doc Edge Announces New Chair And Board Member
Press Release – Elephant Publicity As Doc Edge celebrates its 20th year, these leadership changes mark an exciting new chapter, with the Doc Edge Festival 2025 programme launching on 9 May, featuring 90 films and immersive projects. Doc Edge is delighted to announce the appointment of Matthew Metcalfe ONZM as the new Chair of the Doc Edge Board. Matthew joined the board in August 2024, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a deep passion for documentary and the screen industry. One of New Zealand's leading screen producers, Matthew has a distinguished career supporting powerful, globally resonant storytelling. His portfolio spans both documentary and drama, and he has long been a champion of factual storytelling's role in shaping culture and sparking dialogue. 'I am deeply honoured to take on the role of Chair' says Matthew. 'Doc Edge is an essential platform for bold, authentic voices from New Zealand and beyond. As the organisation celebrates its 20th anniversary, I look forward to helping shape its future and supporting its growth as the Asia Pacific centre for documentary.' Matthew steps into the role following the departure of Glenn Johnstone, who has served as Chair over the past several years. 'It has been a privilege to serve on the board and contribute to the important work of Doc Edge,' says Glenn. Doc Edge Co-Directors Dan Shanan and Alex Lee say: 'It has been a privilege to work alongside Glenn, and we are incredibly proud of what we have achieved together, especially during the past few challenging years. Glenn's dedication to Doc Edge has been invaluable, and we are deeply grateful for his leadership and commitment.' Doc Edge is also pleased to welcome Sarah Stuart to the board. Sarah is a strategic communications expert, and former editorial leader with senior experience across media, politics, and corporate leadership. Her past roles include leading communications at KiwiRail and Fletcher Construction, as well as Director of Communications for the Opposition Leader. She recently established a new commercial integration unit at Stuff Group. Storytelling has been at the centre of Sarah's career for decades and she says joining Doc Edge at a time of major growth and opportunity is a privilege. 'In our chaotic world, documentary storytelling brings connection, emotional resonance and insights that enlighten and uplift us,' she says. 'Doc Edge is a world class festival that every Kiwi should have the opportunity to experience. I am so excited to help it on its next stage of growth.' As Doc Edge celebrates its 20th year, these leadership changes mark an exciting new chapter, with the Doc Edge Festival 2025 programme launching on 9 May, featuring 90 films and immersive projects. The festival will run from 25 June to 24 August 2025 in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and nationwide online. About Doc Edge: Doc Edge is New Zealand's leading documentary organisation and charity, dedicated to promoting and showcasing documentary storytelling. Since 2004, it has fostered a vibrant documentary culture both locally and internationally.
