Culture Erupts in Taupo later this year

Erupt, Lake Taupo Festival
May 6 – 16

Lake Taupo’s “Erupt” Festival returns this May with an innovative programme including three major new festival commissions.

The largest cultural event staged in Taupo region, the festival offers everything from large scale outdoor events to intimate concerts, showcasing New Zealand and international theatre, dance, music, cabaret, comedy, visual arts and writing plus an array of community and education activities.

Among the theatre works are Taki Rua’s “Strange Resting Place” which is set in Italy during the closing stages of World War II and explores connections between Maori and Italian cultures.

There is also “The Dentists Chair” starring Jacob Rajan and the Australian “Umbilical Brothers”.

There are several works with a South American and Spanish flavour. “Another Night in Buenos Aires” takes the audinece on a tour of the history of the tango while “Arte Kanela” is a flamenco ensemble.

The Brazilian singer Alda Rezende along with two guitarists will be showcasing the music of Brazil.

New Zealand singers will include Moana and the Tribe as well as Helen Medlyn in her latest work “Hell Man”. She will; be accompanied by Penny Dodd with Medlyn demonstrating her witty take on the world of men with the words and music of some of the big boys – Bob Dylan, Samuel Barber, Fats Waller, George Frideric Handel, Billy Joel, Stephen Sondheim and Johnny Mercer.

The flautist Alexa Still will be one of the classical musical acts playing works by Bach, Poulenc and more contemporary composers. Tower Voices New Zealand and the New Zealand String Quartet team up with works by Purcell, Bach and Jenny McLeod with the NZSQ also playing Schubert’s “Death and the Maiden”.

The NZSQ will also give a concert featuring the Mendelssohn String Quartet Opus 81 Andante in E major and the Scherzo in A minor; Gillian Whitehead’s Hine Raukatauri and Puhake ki te rangi for string quartet and taonga puoro as well as Schubert’s String Quartet G major D887 Opus 161.

One of the first commissioned pieces is “Salon” a site-specific work that will be staged among the rollers and hairspray of a real hairdressing salon in Taupo. The specially commissioned show is the latest offering from the creators of “Hotel” which was the hit of “Erupt” in 2008. “Salon” is directed by Paul McLaughlin and funded by Creative NZ.

Choreographer Shonagh McCullagh and video artist Michael Hodgson (Pitch
Black) are collaborating on “Underland Domain” an interactive work inspired by the power and potency of what simmers beneath the rich volcanic plateau of the Taupo region. Fusing light, sound and movement, “Underland Domain” will allow audience participants to trigger flames, rumbles and magma-like forces to generate a living interactive score.

The third project instigated by “Erupt” is a musical project by composer Ryan Youens who will work with the local community to create a large ensemble piece encompassing the spirit of Taupo. The community commission is supported by SOUNZ.

Auckland based Youens has arranged for concerts, films and publishing, including arranging Rhian Sheehan’s latest CD “Standing in Silence” and as a composer his music has been performed through New Zealand, Europe and South America.

“Erupt” Director Drew James says: “These three commissions are an exciting development for “Erupt”. The Ryan Youens commission and Underland Domain respond to the unique environment and community of the Taupo region in quite different and innovative ways. The support of Creative NZ and SOUNZ shows strong support for the aim of creating new work, which involves our community in a relevant and meaningful way.

“The opportunity to commission “Salon” is a total coup. Since “Hotel;” toured first to the festival in 2008, it has been picked up by a number of other Festivals, and there is huge interest and anticipation about the next installment. All of these artists are at the top of their game, and will create work in Taupo that will have national significance.