Under the stars, in the 'hood, out in the gardens – Urbanesia 2015
Thursday 29 October 2015, 10:57AM
By Boyd PR
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Ink and needles demonstrating traditional tattooing, hip-hop dance crews straight from the world championships, a GLBTI Fafswag extravaganza; these are just some of the events happening during Urbanesia Festival in November.
The two week festival celebrates contemporary Pasifika arts and culture with more than 70 events spanning theatre, dance, music, visual arts and interactive workshops, most of which are free or low cost. The festival runs from 13-28 November.
Arts and Culture Manager Kaye Glamuzina says Urbanesia 2015 is a chance for all Aucklanders to experience and celebrate contemporary Pacific culture.
“Auckland is the largest Polynesian city in the world and Urbanesia is all about highlighting Aucklanders’ special relationship with the Pacific and expressing the diverse urban landscape of the city we live in. It’s especially important as we celebrate Auckland’s 175th anniversary.”
The festival’s line-up will feature the best indigenous tattoo artists from across Aotearoa, the South Pacific and around the world. Indigenous Ink is a two day celebration of traditional and contemporary tattooing at Vodafone Events Centre on 21-22 November.
Exhibitions by recognised and up and coming Pacific artists feature at galleries and community centres across Auckland, including #StraightOuttaŌtāhuhu, a series of pop up exhibitions from local Ōtāhuhu artists and coLAB, a live art battle staged between a select number of artists.
Battlecry, a two part showcase takes the stage on 21 November at Ōtara Town Centre during the day and at OMAC in the evening. This family-oriented event features one-on-one MC battles and a celebration of B-Boy culture.
Other must-see events include the FAFSWAG Ball, where young Māori and Pacific Islanders who identify as GLBTI take to the runway to express their diverse identity through dance and fashion; renowned dance group Black Grace celebrate their 20th anniversary with 20 for 20, a special retrospective work at Māngere Arts Centre - Ngā Tohu o Uenuku on 19 November; a world hip-hop showcase at Papakura’s Hawkins Theatre where some of Auckland’s top hip hop dance crews from Street Dance NZ will hit the floor in a free show on November 20.
Musical highlights of the festival include Urbanesia In the Gardens on 13 November at Manurewa’s Nathan Homestead, featuring performances by Cydel, Erakah, and Donell Lewis; hip-hop king Savage playing as part of Family Pasifika Day in Northcote Town Centre on 21 November and Elevated, a family day hosted by King Kapisi which brings together music, art and sport at Clendon Community Centre on 14 November.
The launch event will be held this Saturday, October 31 at the Ōtara Markets, with an official welcome and cameos performances by musicians and artists taking part in Urbanesia.