Tauranga Arts Festival holds family and community close to its heart and is celebrating both with some special shows.
Opening weekend of the festival you will need to buckle ya’ seat belts, Tauranga, because the Zinefest is back in town! But hold up, let’s first set the zine scene…
Pronounced “zeen”, zines are short-run, self-published (maga)zines, touching on a variety of topics from music and art, to politics, sexuality and humour. Content can be written, drawn, painted, collaged, or any other form the zine maker desires. Historically zines have served as a powerful outlet for content considered to be outside the mainstream, and can provide a safe and independent platform of expression for under-represented and marginalised voices. We’re talking Māori and other BIPOC communities, rangatahi, disabled people, and the LGBTQIA+ community.
Tauranga Zinefest is a free, highly visual community event, dedicated to promoting and exploring this unique sub-culture. Pop in, bring your best mate, tamariki, heck why not Nanny and Koro too, for a fun-filled day of zines, cartoons, workshops, makers’ table, photo booth, zine library and so much more! Sunday 22 October – Cargo Shed Dive Crescent
The entire whānau can also enjoy a free, community singalong at Waiata Mai on Saturday, October 28, led by local legends like Ria Hall and the Tuatara Collective Choir. Words will be provided for songs ranging from Tū Tira Mai Ngā Iwi to Hallelujah in te reo Māori. Waiata Mai is at The Edgewater Fan from 4pm.
A free street dance workshop on Wednesday, October 25 is the curtain-raiser to Biggie & Smalls the next night, a dance battle where improv is front and centre – an awesome opportunity for youngsters to be guided by a ‘Biggie’ and try out their moves. New and emerging freestyle dancers can learn breaking, footwork, freezes and power moves. The audience helps judge the battle rounds and a champion will be crowned. Both events are at The Cargo Shed, Dive Cresc, from 6.30pm. Register here.
A show for anyone who has ever wanted to go into space, Mission Control: Mars is not just a sit-back-and-enjoy show – it’s an interactive event that has its audience working in teams to save a human colony on Mars in 2034. The Mission Commander guides teams through co-operative games, challenging tasks and digital puzzles, all with multiple outcomes. For ages 7-plus, Mission Control: Mars is at the X-Space, Baycourt on Friday, October 20 (4pm, 5pm, 6pm) and Saturday and Sunday, October 21 and 22, on the hour from 10am to 5pm, $15-$25.
Children under 7 can travel to the Moon, where some very strange – and funny – things are going on in a wild comedy show especially devised for their age group by two new dads. Moon is at The Cargo Shed, October 28 and 29, 11am and 2pm daily, $10-$15.
More information on Tauranga Arts Festival from taurangafestival.co.nz.
Tickets available now from Ticketek.
