ERUPT Lake Taupo Festival to return in May
Contributors are not employed, compensated or governed by TD, opinions and statements are from the contributor directly
19 Mar 10 (TravMedia.com): ERUPT Lake Taupo Festival returns in May 2010 to move and shake us with a fresh and innovative programme including three hot festival commissions. The 8th ERUPT Lake Taupo 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.
ERUPT Lake Taupo Festival is a truly action packed programme inspired by the fiery elements of the central North Island volcanic plateau. It is the largest cultural event staged in the Lake Taupo region.
One of the first ‘appointment’ bookings is SALON a site-specific work that will be staged among the hot 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 explosive 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 and arranger 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 Lake Taupo Festival 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 ERUPT 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.
The full ERUPT Lake Taupo Festival programme is being launched in February 2010 and the Festival will rumble for 11 action-packed days, 6-16 May 2010. Staged against a palette of blazing autumn colour and the volcanic plateau, ERUPT Lake Taupo Festival is a biennial calendar highlight for the region, and its central North Island location is a boon for visitors from Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay, Taranaki and Wellington.
Erupt 2008 Went Off!
Comments are closed.