KOKOMAI - Adults

Dark to Light: NZ Guitar Quartet artist microconcert

koko — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 03:27:04 +0000

The re-appearance of the Matariki constellation signifies the beginning of the Maori new year-a transition from dark to light, as the days lengthen, and moods change. Composer Mike Hogan's Matariki suite for classical guitar premiered in London before being revised in 2013 and recorded by Christopher Hill on the album Dark to Light, with four of Mike's other contemporary compositions.

Christopher is a founding member of the New Zealand Guitar Quartet and the Wellington Guitar Duo, and has toured extensively throughout New Zealand and Australia with these groups. As well as classical guitar, Chris specialises in Flamenco and featured as soloist with the NZSO in the 2014 New Zealand International Arts Festival performance of 'Áinadamar.’

The concert takes place in the intimate setting of the gallery, during Martine Bijker's 'Dark to Light' exhibition of paintings in large part inspired by the album and its themes. Mike will be present to introduce, and Chris will play compositions from the album as well as some of his own favourite pieces.

Age:

Adults

Len Lye: “The least boring person who ever existed”

koko — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 03:55:41 +0000

A talk by Roger Horrocks, illustrated with images and films

Len Lye, born in New Zealand in 1901, was an extraordinary creative figure who made an international reputation not only in film-making but in kinetic sculpture. He also did unique work in painting, photography and poetry. He was a friend and contemporary of artists such as Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth and poets such as Dylan Thomas and Robert Graves.

Len was famous for his colourful personality. He was described by fellow artist Kenneth Snelson as a “crazy, excited and exciting guy” and by poet Alastair Reid as “the least boring person who ever existed”.

Roger Horrocks worked as Len Lye’s assistant in New York in the last year of his life, wrote his biography, and has now published Zizz!: The Life and Art of Len Lye, a book that weaves together Lye’s writings, many not previously published, into the story of the artist’s life in his own words.

“Zizz” was Lye’s favourite word for the power of good art. He wrote: “When I’m working, the main thing is to find something that looks kind of magical, that keeps fascinating me. I’m interested in the business of energy and getting a feeling of zizz!”

The book, published by Awa Press with the Govett-Brewster Gallery, has become an instant best-seller as people all over the country rediscover the life and work of this artist, acclaimed by some as one of the most important of the 20^th century. Len bequeathed his work to the people of New Zealand to be administered by the Len Lye Foundation, and it has been held in the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery in New Plymouth. On July 24, 2015 the gallery opens a stunning new ten-million-dollar building to house the Len Lye Centre – the first gallery in New Zealand to be devoted to a single artist.

Roger Horrocks is an Emeritus Professor of the University of Auckland. He is also a film-maker and poet, whose collection Song of the Ghost in the Machine was published this year by Victoria University Press. He wrote the libretto for Len Lye, an opera based on theartist’s colourful life, with music by Eve de Castro-Robinson, which had a sell-out season in Auckland.

Age:

Adults

Listen To Me Marlon

koko — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 11:37:39 +0000

The on and off-screen life of the acting giant Marlon Brando is detailed in this biography, using hours of audio recordings to chart the cinema legend’s life with Brando himself as the narrator.

"Brando was one of the most acclaimed and influential actors of all time. He also was one of the most elusive and enigmatic. Featuring exclusive access to Brando's previously unseen and unheard personal archive, including hundreds of hours of audio, Listen to Me Marlon sheds light on the artist and the man. Charting Brando's exceptional career and extraordinary personal life with the actor himself as guide, the film explores his complexities, telling the story entirely in his own voice. No talking heads, no interviewees: just Brando on Brando."

M. 1 hr 37 min.

Age:

Adults

He Named Me Malala

koko — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 11:33:28 +0000

Documentary from the director of An Inconvenient Truth and Waiting for Superman, on the life and work of Malala Yousafzai - the young Pakistani school girl who was shot by the Taliban. Yousafzai fully recovered and become an unassuming activist for the rights and education of Pakistani women. In 2014 she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Book for dinner before the show at the Circus Cinema's licensed restaurant which offers a fresh seasonal menu at affordable prices. Enjoy your meal in front of the open fire or outdoors in the sunny courtyard. Their chefs: Nigel and Kiely, have created a delicious menu including a selection of gourmet pizza and homemade deserts. We offer gluten free options through out our menu including the desserts.

Age:

Adults

The Italian Job

koko — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 11:15:59 +0000

This Labour Weekend Masterton hosts the 21st Minis Nationals on Queen Street with over 150 of these iconic cars out on display around town. To celebrate the Regent screens this absolute classic from the 60s.

Regent 3 Cinemas

Age:

Adults

Hiraeth

koko — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 09:02:59 +0000

This is a comical, heart-warming show all the way from Wales, which comments on the situation rural communities are currently having to face with the influence of globalisation and urbanisation. With live music and welsh cakes, Hiraeth explores the decline of welsh tradition and identity through one woman's struggle to escape and let go. “There are laughs and tears, both on and off stage, in a charming piece . . .” British Theatre Guide, 5 Stars

In the summer of 1989 a farmer's wife gives birth to a baby girl named Buddug James Jones. In this moment she became heir to the family's 300 year old farming dynasty. Desperate to leave, Bud wrestles with the knowledge that her departure sounds the death knell for the family farm. Leaving five generations of tradition behind her, she sets out alone into the big smoke of London.

Finish this fantastic evening of comedy by dancing it away with the Hiraeth Twmpath Band. Join Buddug, David, Max and Tom for an evening of folk music from across the British Isles. Strip the Willow, dance the Ffarmers Jig, Buddug will teach you Cylch Y Cymry and polka to Gay Gordon's. Twmpath is a Welsh word literally meaning a hump or tump, once applied to the mound or village green upon which the musicians sat and played for the community to dance. Itis the Welsh equivalent to a Scottish Ceilidh.

Pre-order your Tui platter for Tui Brewery show: $20.00 for two when you buy your tickets.

Cash bar and snacks available at Pirinoa and Whareama shows.

What the reviewers said:

“Sweetly hilarious lo-fi comedy” TIME OUT ****

“Undoubtedly this year’s find” EVENING STANDARD ****

“It’s a real charmer” THE TELEGRAPH ****

“A show of real charm on a universal theme that explores the things that hold us together but sometimes also tear us apart.” THE GUARDIAN

Awards:

Hiraeth was premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2014 after winning the Underbelly Ideas Tap Award 2014, to great success.

Age:

Adults

http://kokomai.co.nz/tui-brewery-hq

http://www.pggwrightson.co.nz/

http://www.morefm.co.nz/

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Patricia Grace

koko — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 07:03:32 +0000

Experience one hour with award winning novelist Patricia Grace. Patricia Grace is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated writers. She has published six novels and seven short story collections, as well as a number of books for children and non-fiction. In “Chappy” her first novel in ten years, Patricia explores racial intolerance, cross-cultural conflicts and the universal desire to belong.

Awards: New Zealand Fiction Award for Potiki in 1987; Children’s Picture Book of the Year.

Age:

Adults