Auckland Festival 2009 Announces Mad, Sexy, Sophisticated Red Square Programme
03.02.09
Sizzling cabaret, dazzling musical comedy, and virtuoso performance across musical genres feature in a programme of contemporary music and cabaret that will make Red Square the high-energy entertainment hub of Auckland Festival 2009.
When Auckland Festival 2009 lights up the city's arts and entertainment venues, galleries, and outdoor spaces this March, the Aotea Precinct will be transformed into the Festival's party zone, Red Square; a multi-venue hub incorporating The Famous Spiegeltent, the Festival Club, and the Stella Artois Festival Bar.
Programme Manager Jessica Smith says the Red Square line-up, announced tonight with the launch of the Red Square programme brochure, will make the Aotea Precinct Auckland's most exciting music destination during the Festival.
"We are proud to be bringing some of the freshest, most sought-after international cabaret and contemporary music acts to Auckland, and to programme them alongside an excellent line-up of many of New Zealand's best musicians, and some of our most exciting emerging talent." says Smith.
"I urge all music lovers to make the most of the chance to experience the madness, exuberance, and sheer entertainment of the world class Red Square programme"
With up to six performances each night - plus a few spur-of-the-moment late night gigs - the Red Square programme is a feast for music lovers. Auckland favourites, and worldwide sensations, La Clique, are back in Red Square performing at The Famous Spiegeltent, while former La Clique performer, Camille O'Sullivan (recently dubbed 'the wildcat who made Cabaret cool again' by iconic London magazine TimeOut), and brilliant, irreverent musical comedian Tim Minchin, headline a spectacular Festival Club line-up.
Equally irreverent and unpredictable are Die Roten Punkte, billed as Berlin's Prince and Princess of Punk ('wink wink'), while Tama Waipara's new alter ego - Sir Plus & The Requirements - promises a fresh 'musical hangi' described as the 'long lost Polynesian cousin of Sergeant Pepper.' Cultural institutions The Topp Twins guarantee a hugely entertaining night of music, comedy and, of course, yodelling.
Red Square showcases several of New Zealand's best vocalists. One-night-only performances include soulstress Ladi6 after the successful release of her debut solo album), sparkling soul and jazz singer/songwriter LA Mitchell, the remarkable soulful melodies of Iva Lamkum, the wonderful Anika Moa, a late night Spiegeltent session from SJD, and the legendary Jordan Luck.
Jennifer Ward-Lealand brings the songs of Marlene Dietrich back to The Famous Spiegeltent with Falling In Love Again, first of two glamorous and sophisticated shows; while Parisianborn Caroline Nin's Hymne Á Piaf has been described as the very essence of Edith Piaf.
Rome-based New Zealander Leila Adu, whose seductive, sultry style has earned her a significant international reputation, performs two homecoming concerts, one solo and one with her band, while Greg Johnson returns home with Cocktail Club, a selection of songs from his new album plus old favourites.
New Zealander Darryn Harkness and New Telepathics are also heading home after nine years in London, for a Red Square party that celebrates the release of their new album. Red Square audiences will also have the chance to see the first New Zealand performance of London hit Nosferatu, a screening of the earliest surviving screen adaption of Bram Stoker's Dracula, featuring an extraordinary new score by Harkness.
The recent renaissance of European folk music is reflected in performances from real deal acoustic folk musicians Paprika Balcanicus; La Clique alumni Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentlemen; local gypsy-style troupe The Benka Boradovsky Bordello Band (who hail from Auckland, the 'Prague of the South'); the heady evocative Balkan-influenced music of Kiwi band Dr Colossus; and the unique Eastern/Psychedelic sounds of An Emerald City, playing one of their final New Zealand gigs before they relocate to Europe in May.
Serious jazz lovers, and those excited by cross-cultural collaborations also have plenty to celebrate with a programme that includes virtuoso group The Wide Alley's innovative fusion of Chinese and Western sounds, the stunning, experimental cross media show Dogs of Auckland; the Samson Nacey Haines Trio, which boasts three of New Zealand's top jazz artists; and Zig Zag, an innovative audio-visual homage to the work of Len Lye.
Those who love music that both stirs your soul, and makes you move your feet, will relish the intoxicating French/Pacifica grooves of The Mamaku Project; the soulful afrobeats of The Hot Grits; one of New Zealand's best funk and soul revues, The Tornadoes and Tyra Hammond; and the inspired tropical techno-funk, and blazing musicianship of The Recloose Live Band.
Night owls will also flock to Club Spiegel, the late night reincarnation of The Famous Spiegeltent, and Club Sessions in the Festival Club featuring the incomparable DJ Manuel Bundy and friends, The Electric Luau Lounge with Brother J, and much, much more. Look for updates on late night Red Square offerings at http://www.aucklandfestival.co.nz/.
Red Square is also proud to host a very special event on 15 March, a musical tribute to Inia Te Wiata. Celebrating the legacy and spirit of this acclaimed artist, the tribute features many of our most gifted Maori musicians and performers, including Rima Te Wiata and Whirimako Black.
From the opening act, an unforgettable journey into the mesmerising sonic world of Richard Nunns' taonga puoro and Phil Dadson's inventions (gloop-string-spring-drums, sprongs and zitherum), to the hilarious and moving closing performance Happy Heartbreak from the über talented Sami Sisters (Madeleine, Anji and Priya), Red Square's mad, sexy and sophisticated line-up is sure to have Auckland City humming.
Red Square | Auckland Festival 2009
5 - 22 March, 2009
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