A new and exciting lineup has been announced for the Rā season of Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival (TTAF), which will run from 4 to 13 October.
Rutene Spooner will return to the festival with his show ‘Be Like Billy?,’ which will debut in Tairāwhiti this season. Additionally, the crowd-favourite Te Ara I Whiti – the light trail – will return for its sixth year.
“Melanie Tangaere-Baldwin thoughtfully curates such a clever installation – a beautiful mix of artists with the expert knowledge of Angus Muir Design supercharging their already powerful creativity,” says TTAF Chief Executive and Artistic Director, Tama Waipara.
Other featured events include ‘The Savage Coloniser,’ a spoken word performance that tackles race and racism with sharp humour and a focus on women’s empowerment, Tyna Keelan’s album release for ‘Otherside,’ debuting his latest work, and ‘Oro Māia,’ a concert-style production that reimagines Dr. Maya Angelou’s poetry in te reo Māori. Featuring powerful performances by wāhine Māori, ‘Oro Māia’ is a development piece that blends live music, acting and visual art for an immersive experience.
TTAF has evolved to become one of the biggest events on the region’s annual calendar. It has grown from a one-week annual festival to offering events year-round across three seasons: Tai, Rā and Whiti.
Waipara highlights the importance of this evolution in ensuring the festival continues to grow while staying true to its Tairāwhiti roots.
“Our region has faced intense disruption and devastation, but the community's power helps inform and determine what the festival can be.
“I have always believed in the power of our artists and the depth of our communities. Everyone who has contributed past and present is woven into the layers of what it has become.”
“I will always be grateful for the foresight of Trust Tairāwhiti and Creative New Zealand to see the potential in amplifying our creative economy and celebrating the artists of our place.”
The Rā season opening night is Friday, 4 October, from 5 to 10 pm at the Marina car park. Experience Te Ara i Whiti, kai karts, live entertainment, and a range of stalls for the whole whānau to enjoy.
Trust Tairāwhiti has committed to funding TTAF with $1.3 million spread across two years.
For more information on the events and ticketing, visit the TTAF website.