30 August 2024 - 0 Comments

Celebrating thirty years as the country’s longest running annual arts festival, the Nelson Arts Festival announces its full 2024 programme, bursting with outstanding art, theatre, literary talks, free community events, music, comedy and more.

The 2024 festival boasts an impressive line-up of over 56 events across 11 days from 24 October – 3 November. It’s going to be one epic birthday party in Whakatū Nelson! The full programme is now live at www.nelsonartsfestival.nz

The festival’s free programme of visual arts experiences is a feast for the senses. Crochet extraordinaires Lissy and Rudi Robinson-Cole are among THE most exciting contemporary visual artists in Aotearoa right now. Lauded for their vibrant fusion of Māori art and contemporary craft, the Nelson Arts Festival has commissioned them along with multi-disciplinary artist Hollie Tawhiao for the debut of their new large-scale project Waka Of Dreams: Punanga Pohewa. Via ceramics, papier maché, textiles, poetry, pen and ink, artist Sam Duckor-Jones builds communities, casting a fluorescent pink lens across the fears and triumphs of an aspirationally shimmering live-alone gay in 21st century Aotearoa, with Myths & Legends. Experience Sculpt in Nature, a week-long eco sculpture symposium with six Aotearoa artists creating sustainable art from natural materials, plus talks & workshops.

An exploration of identity, desire, family, and of being disabled and Pasifika,AIGA is ground-breaking theatre by Touch Compass telling the story of Pacific Toa award-winner Lusi Faiva. The exceptional Aotearoa production of internationally acclaimed theatre work Prima Facie finally heads to Whakatū during its national tour, and Melbourne based dancer and choreographer Rebecca Jensen presents Slip, in collaboration with sound artist Aviva Endean. A three-day rave condensed into a 70-minute endurance based award-winning art performance, The Butterfly Who Flew Into the Rave from Oli Mathiesen with Lucy Lunch and Sharvon Mortimer will be partying on following performances in Melbourne and Sydney’s esteemed Liveworks Festival.

Join some of the biggest names in the Aotearoa comedy scene for some good laughs, including Taskmaster NZ star Abby Howells and her Billy T Award winning comedy show La Soupco, broke solo mum turned comedy and Celebrity Treasure Island contestant, Courtney Dawson, and Rhys Mathewson, a familiar face from Dancing with the Stars and 7 Days, with his award-winning show 10th Rodeo.

The annual Pukapuka Talks programme offers up thoughtful conversations and talks with more than 16 authors and storytellers, including stellar debut author Saraid de Silva, and the incomparable Patricia Grace in an intimate kōrero with Becky Manawatu. Manawatu will also make her first festival appearance since the release of her book Kataraina, the highly anticipated follow-on from Auē, alongside Talia Marshall. MasterChef NZ 2022 winner Sam Low discusses his bestselling cookbook and offers up a mouthwatering cooking demo, and in a world first, Jacqueline Bublitz talks about her new novel, Leave the Girls Behind on the day of its international release.

Returning favourites from festivals past include songstress Tami Neilson, performing beloved songs from Willie Nelson while sharing stories of working with the man himself. Pōneke based renowned theatre makers Trick of the Light head to town after a stint in Edinburgh with Suitcase Show, and comedian Barnie Duncan (2024 Fred Award for Best Show winner) returns alongside musician Alistair Deverick with their hilariously silly kids show, Moon. Back following the 2022 festival, Rutene Spooner brings his brand-new show Be Like Billy? to Whakatū and from the creators of the smash-hit installation Piki Mai, Michael Hodgson (Misled Convoy) returns alongside his brother Antony in Eldritch Echoes: A Cinematic Soundscape.

Likened to Kate Bush, Anna Meredith and Björk, all the way from Scotland harpist Esther Swift presents a special performance this festival, spanning genres from classical chamber to Scottish folk music. The Deville Music Hub is back for another year featuring true icons of Aotearoa music alongside the most exciting new talent, including epic Pasifika metal Shepherds Reign, acclaimed saxophonist Thabani Gapara, iconic south pacific funk, reggae and electronic dub Rhombus and more. Nature lovers and music aficionados alike can also immerse themselves in a fusion of music and the natural world as the New Zealand String Quartet presents an unforgettable experience with Sounds of the Sanctuary.

Paying homage to the festivals original signature event, the celebrations continue as the all-time favourite street party Mask Carnivale is back for another year. The much-loved parade takes over the city centre streets along with pop-up performances, the Pasefika Arts and Culture Collective curated zone, a stellar music line-up, and delicious kai. And finally, looking back to where it all started alongside World of Wearable Art is WOW Stories: On Creativity, Tenacity and Dreams. Join WOW Founder Dame Suzie Moncrieff, Show Director Malia Johnston and award-winning designer Gill Saunders for an entertaining evening of memories.

The innovative Pay What You Can (PWYC) ticketing initiative is back following the success in the past two festivals. Five tiers of ticket prices will be available across all events with the support of festival partner NBS, offering greater financial accessibility for audiences to engage with the festival.

Check out these performances, events and more in the full programme live now at www.nelsonartsfestival.nz

Photo Credit: Melissa Banks

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