10 February 2022 - 0 Comments

The Performance Arcade is a beloved free, award-winning summer festival that celebrates artists, live art, music and performances, delighting audiences with contemporary art and performance on the waterfront - outside the constraints of gallery or theatre spaces.

Amidst COVID Red Level restrictions, The Performance Arcade is proceeding with all possible care, becoming one of the few small-scale, open air events capable of going ahead under red.

Fortune Favours Music Series Director Reuben Topzand is proud to be celebrating the work of over 100 local artists, saying; “This year’s music series truly showcases some of the best of Pōneke’s music scene, with a massively diverse lineup of music, dance and drag.”

“This year features some exciting collaborations and firsts for the Arcade. These include local collectives such as Femme n Bass, who have curated a lineup of femme and non binary DJs, Pōneke Classical, who’ll be bringing us a string of classical performances, and MAWSA, who’ll be putting on an afternoon of top picks from Massey University music students. Each of these collaborations have helped widen the communities involved in the event, while also bringing a unique and diverse range of performers to the stage, helping to make this year’s programme so vibrant and enticing!”

The Arcade is lucky to be working with the passionate beer people from Fortune Favours, who have come on board as our Music Series naming sponsor and will be hosting our pop-up bar experience. It's a perfect match, with Fortune's manifesto of; “We celebrate those who are like us and seek to make their mark on the world. The Kiwi’s who create the extraordinary. The ‘I’m going to give it a crack’, ‘go hard’, ‘go all in’ types. You know who you are.”

Our artists come from all over Aotearoa and include crowd favourites such as KITA (pictured), Miles Calder, Sheeps, Alba Rose, Chica La Cumbia, Will McClean & The Zooks, Wiri Donna, Louis TM, SMP Ensemble and many more.

A few Fortune Favours Music Series highlights includes;

One third of the Femme n Bass crew, Lexi (aka DJ Gallexi) has became known for playing sets consisting exclusively of Britney Spears Toxic mashups at some of NZ’s finest underground festivals and currently co-hosts the Friday Drive with Stella-Rae on Radio Active FM. “With my love for femme hip hop & soul expect 100% pleasure, 0% guilt.” Gallexi will be performing at 9pm, Sunday 27 February.

The capital's coolest classical music series is hitting The Performance Arcade to host a two hour set of experimental and explorative classical music from 5.30pm, Sunday 20 February. Clarinettist and Pōneke Classical Manager Leah Thomas says: “Get ready for bass saxophone loops, to be serenaded by flute and guitar, and push the boundaries on what is "classical music" with Martin Greshoff's string ensemble. Whether you know your Mozart from your Beethoven, or never listened to classical music before - this set will have something for you!”

Bringing the motivational, self-loving, aunty-energy that you never knew you needed is soul-pop singer Taylah Barker, who has opened for bands such as: Fly my Pretties, Troy Kingi and Hollie Smith, and will be performing 6pm, Friday 18 February. "More like The Performance ArcYAYde! I am thrilled to be performing again at the PA22. I'll be coming in hot with some brand spankin' new songs to share making this a uniquely intimate show, where I'll be showcasing a stripped back version of my tracks. I can't wait!"

South African-born artist InDuna brings his afro-pop infused, alternative hip-hop sound and sends a positive message of hope with a new EP that addresses acceptance, having pride in his heritage, saying: “Come along the waterfront on the 25th of February at 8pm and get a little taste of Africa in Wellington. I’m excited for our community to finally come together and to share my new EP with you all. Let’s look forward to the good days!”

Family friendly, accessible and the perfect date night or summer hang with friends - there is something for everyone at The Performance Arcade 2022 this summer on the beautiful Wellington Waterfront, Te Whanganui-a-Tara, (the site is behind Te Papa).

Check out the full Fortune Favours Music Series programme today at https://www.theperformancearcade.com/programme

Trustpower presents
The Performance Arcade 2022

FREE ENTRY | PUBLIC LIVE ART & MUSIC | POP-UP BAR

Opening Night: 5pm, 17 February - all welcome.
18-27 February 2022 / open 10am-11pm, Thursday-Sunday

Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington Waterfront (behind Te Papa)

theperformancearcade.com / @theperformancearcade / #PA22

COVID-19 LEVEL RED STATEMENT

We are happy to share that it is our intention to proceed with The Performance Arcade under COVID-19 Level Red. The safety of our artists, audience and crew is our top priority so we are adopting a cautionary approach and will be observing how the virus proceeds over the following weeks.

This is a difficult time for many people working in the events industry, and we recognise how fortunate we are to have an event that can safely adapt to the change in COVID setting. By making the most of Wellington’s fresh air and open spaces of the Wellington Waterfront as our stage we are confident that we can safely deliver the event within COVID governmental guidelines.

The Performance Arcade will be split into two main outdoor zones with a max capacity of 100 each and plenty of room for social distancing:

ZONE ONE: Fortune Favours Pop-Up Bar and Music Stage area (a "seated and separated" hospitality zone)

ZONE TWO: The Performance Arcade Container site (a free-flowing exhibition zone).

- Please stay home if you have any cold or flu-like symptoms, or are meant to be isolating.

- QR Code Scan In / Record Keeping is compulsory.

- Face masks are required for all attendees.

- Performance Arcade is committed to regular cleaning and sanitising of touch surfaces throughout the site during the event.

As well as the physical event we will also be running an engaging online presentation of the Arcade to relieve pressure in our venue and to enable those of you at home or across the motu to be part of the performance.

We look forward to welcoming you safely to The Performance Arcade, 17-27 February.

Please check our website for the most up-to-date messaging around attending the event -https://www.theperformancearcade.com/

Accessibility at The Performance Arcade

The Performance Arcade is committed to being accessible to everyone. Our festival has a casual atmosphere and all interactive works are wheelchair accessible. The Arcade is family friendly, dog friendly and free for all to attend.

Please feel free to contact our accessibility team with any questions:

[email protected] / 022 033 4566

Photo Credit: KITA - Lara Gilks Photography

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