The Katikati Avocado Food and Wine Festival
ARTbop’s Katikati-based contributor Birgitt Shannon writes about the forthcoming Katikati Avocado Food and Wine Festival.
The Katikati Avocado Food and Wine Festival is a wonderful way to spend a summer’s day. There will be over 30 excellent food and wine stalls, live music all day and for the first-time, thanks to Katch Katikati’s Jacqui Knight, art and craft stalls.
Browse stalls of artwork by Shane Walker, Birgitt Shannon, Zander Woodcraft and many more local artists.
Enjoy tasty locally produced food, wine, cheese, coffee, desserts and, of course, glorious avocados. There will be cooking demonstrations and all kinds of free fun for the kids.
Sing and dance along to live music all day with:
Tauranga’s most sought after DJ, Groove DJ 11:00-12:30
Talented Kiwi musician Mark Taipari 12:40-2:30
Fabulous blues & roots band Kokomo 2:40-4:30
New Zealand’s favorite girl band The Beat Girls 4:30-6:00
The Katikati Avocado Food and Wine Festival started life as the Katikati Funfest in 2004. Pakeke Lions Club of Katikati initiated the annual festival as a means of raising funds for local charities and in 2012 were joined by the Lions Club of Katikati. To date they have donated over $140,000. The 2017 festival is raising funds towards a new Technology Suite at Katikati College.
When: 11am – 6pm, Saturday January 14th 2017
Where: Uretara Domain, Katikati
Tickets: $16 – $20
To Book: Early bird tickets ($16) can be booked at
www.iticket.co.nz or gate sales ($20) will
be available on the day
For more information go to www.avofest.co.nz
BIRGITT SHANNON Artist, Katikati An accomplished artist of Australian descent Birgitt has participated in solo and group exhibitions. She is part of the group of artists chosen the now famous Morrinsville Cows – a street art project. Her street art work can also been seen on the large planters outside the Katikati BNZ, part of the 2015 NZ Mural Competition and Arts Festival. Birgitt has sold dozens of paintings in Australia and New Zealand and has recently sold a painting now hanging in a Research Centre at The Museum of Natural History in Los Angeles.
Birgitt’s work can be found on her website www.artbybirgitt.com and you can follow her facebook page at www.facebook.com/artbybirgittnz
Medieval Faire 2017, Tauranga
What: The NZ Medieval Faire recreating action from times past.
When: Friday 20th 2pm to 4pm; Saturday 10am to 4pm and Sunday 22nd January 2017 10am to 3pm.
Where: Southey Field (near Tauranga Boys College) Devonport Road, Tauranga 3112. (Parking on Devonport Road.)
In days of old, a knight so bold – or a roving band – could usually be relied upon to gallop to your rescue when required. In January, as the summer break draws to an end, they’ll be standing by (without the horses!) to brighten up those last few days when you think you’ve done everything, and seen all there is.
And not only knights galore, but many more characters from the Middle Ages will gather in Tauranga when Baldaquin, in association with Northern Horde and others present The 2017 Medieval Faire from Friday 20th January through to Sunday 22nd. The location is Southey Field, in Devonport Road near Tauranga Boy’s College, and here’s how the weekend will unfold with re-enactors and traders waiting for you to join in the action and ‘have a go!’.
Friday is the popular School for Squires. Here pre-booked 7-14 year olds can join and learn useful skills from the medieval past. Both boys and girls can engage in knightly combat – Game of Thrones has taught us the female is sometimes deadlier than the male. They can also learn something of heraldry; loose an arrow or two, under expert guidance, or shake a leg in a courtly or country dance. Then Hildegard of York, a lady scholar, will recount the untold tale of how George (before he became a saint) ended up in Aotearoa and slew a taniwha long before he slew that famous dragon.
On Saturday and Sunday, the focus is more general. Adults and squires and princesses are all cordially invited to come along to try their hand at a diversity of skills, or enjoy the thrill of watching knightly battles unfurl.
Entry is free, but if you want to experience the diversity of things to do or buy some pretties from the artisan traders, bring along your left-over cash or raid the piggy-bank before you join us. What will you do first? Take on a Viking in single combat? Accept the challenge of archery or fling a stone from a trebuchet?
All such activities are great for ridding you of those adult frustrations life presents too often, or for getting your kids to fill their day with action. If you want to join in the spirit of the Medieval Faire and come in costume, you’ll have plenty of scope to choose what suits you best. Pick from Roman times to the late Renaissance. High-born or low-born peasant, it doesn’t matter to us. You’ll be warmly welcomed.
Want to know more – or enquire about signing up as a participant? Check us out on Facebook at http://taupomedievalfaire.webs.com/. Then make a date to join us at the 2017 NZ Medieval Faire in Tauranga.
What: The NZ Medieval Faire recreating action from times past.
When: Friday 20th 2pm to 4pm; Saturday 10am to 4pm and Sunday 22nd January 2017 10am to 3pm.
Where: Southey Field, (near Tauranga Boys College) Devonport Road, Tauranga 3112. (Parking on Devonport Road.)
Why: To share a sense of the historical past from 9th to 14th century.
Who: Facilitated by Baldaquin Inc., but participants come from all over New Zealand.
CONTACT:
Andria Goodliffe
Mobile: 021 022 55 898
Landline 075702445
ROTORUA SULPHUR LAKES SCULPTURE TRAIL
Although the historic Rotorua Museum is closed indefinitely the other buildings in the wonderful Government Gardens remain open. The gardens are worth a day out in Rotorua and while there include a walk around the Sulphur Lakes Sculpture Trail. This project was begun in 2014 with 2016 seeing the second Sculpture Symposium.
In November 2016 wielding chisels, hammers and power tools artists descended on Rotorua Arts Village Green to transform 25 tonnes of stone and logs into works of art. Seventeen of New Zealand’s top local and national sculptors had nine days to create pieces of art during the 2016 Sulphur Lakes Sculpture Symposium. The finished pieces of art became part of Rotorua’s Sulphur Lake Sculpture Trail.
Artists were able to use all styles; traditional, abstract and contemporary. Their artwork had reflect the theme of ‘The Energy Within,’ capturing Rotorua’s unique geothermal and cultural environment.
In November 2016 Council community arts advisor and symposium coordinator, Marc Spijkerbosch, said the sculpture symposium is an exciting event for the city.
“This is a thrilling event for the artists and the wider community. Rotorua is very fortunate. There are only a couple of events like this across the country. It’s great for the artists and a rare opportunity for locals and tourists to see sculptures being created.
Spijkerbosch also noted:
“These artists are seasoned professionals. It’s mesmerising to watch them cut down, shape and mould these huge blocks and boulders,” he says.
The artists have the choice to create pieces from Oamaru limestone, Taranaki andesite or macrocarpa logs.
“The artists all work in an open space and we encourage locals and visitors to come down to watch the sculptors work and see the artworks take shape.”
At the end of the nine days, one of the works will be selected for the judges’ award and will become a permanent part of the district’s public art collection. Up to a further four pieces could be selected to enhance the new boulevard in Rotorua’s Kuirau Park.
All the finished sculptures are installed along the Sulphur Lakes Sculpture Trail in Government Gardens to form The Energy Within Exhibition. The pieces will remain on public display along the trail until the next sculpture symposium in 2018.
The works are for sale at prices set by the artists, and any sold from the sculpture trail would be replaced with alternative pieces.
2014 saw the inaugural Rotorua Sulphur Lake Symposium
Seventeen pieces produced to the theme ‘The Returning Soldier,’ as part of the World War 1 100 year commemorations.
Sculptures have been displayed as part of the Sulphur Lake Sculpture Trail.
Judges selected Anna Korver’s piece ‘The White Mouse’, depicting New Zealand war heroine Nancy Wake, to win the $10,000 prize and be part of the Council’s permanent art collection.
Only five pieces from the 2014 symposium remain available for sale. There is a comprehensive brochure available (free) at both ends of the trail. Make sure you get one of these before you walk through this sculpture park. Free parking is available in the Government Gardens and near-by streets. There are clean public toilet facilities. The cafe at the Polynesian Spa is a good place for a coffee or walk into Downtown Rotorua to find a variety of cafes and international food chains.
For further information please contact:
Ingrid Tiriana
Public Relations Advisor
DDI: 351-8110
Mob: 021-190 8868
Email: Ingrid.tiriana@rdc.govt.nz
Hello from Miranda Farm Gallery,
The Summer show is now up and open for viewing. There are some sculptures out doors in the orchard, and many beautiful paintings, prints, ceramics and sculptures in the gallery. Artists this year include Michael Smither, Fatu Feu’u, Neil Miller,Christine Hellyar, Warren Viscoe, Clovis Viscoe, James Wright, Uli Christofferson, Samantha Lisette, Suzy Dunser. We will be open on all the public holidays through the Summer, and the farm shop/cafe also. We look forward to seeing you here, and have a safe and happy Christmas from us all. Annie Wilson Miranda Farm Gallery 1107 Miranda Rd 09 238 2608 www.mirandafarm.co.nz OPEN 8AM TO 4PM every day
WHAT’S ON AT THE COTTLESTON:
Hello everyone. Here’s wishing you all a great 2017 and hoping you find time to relax and enjoy the summer.
Just finished:
10 – 17 December. Decision A short exhibition of the work that has been completed in the Cottleston studio during the last two months by Artist in Residence Sheena Mayer. You can see images of some of her work, a virtual walkthrough the gallery and more information on the Cottleston website. A limited print edition of only 10 of each original monotype from this exhibition is available through the gallery
4 – 17 January 2017
Remains of the Day.
Deborah Forkert has again this year been a finalist in the Tauranga Art Gallery Miles Award. Her unusual medium – teabags – may surprise you.
You can read more about her exhibition here on the Cottleston website and art practice on the Creative BoP website here.
Opening night 4th January at 6pm. All welcome.
24 Feb – 19 Mar 2017
The Bee Appreciation Society AGM.
Paintings by Katherine Steeds. A unique and painstaking installation of tiny human portraits in homage to the humble bee.
(Due to an unexpected opportunity to develop the gallery in a new direction, please note that the advertised dates of this latter show have been changed to these new dates.)
During exhibitions the Gallery’s usual opening hours: 11am – 4.30pm every day except Mondays.
But visitors are welcome to browse the gallery outside these hours. Please simply phone for an appointment.
The Cottleston Gallery
128 Oropi Road, Greerton, Tauranga.
Contact Katherine Steeds 578 5242 or 0204783337
0204 STEEDS (0204 783337)
cottlestongallery.blogspot.com
BOP Symphonia RISING STARS Competition. Applications now open to all Bay of Plenty secondary school students. Entries close February 2017. More info from Maggie Gething, President Bay of Plenty Symphonia P: 021 144 2028
HAMILTON GARDENS
Travelling through Hamilton and the Waikato? Make sure you take time to stop and walk through the Hamilton Gardens. Forty years of effort on a disused quarry and swamp site has created and international standard botanical garden. Lots of parking, clean toilets and an onsite cafe. Hamilton also has a Museum and art centre on Victoria Street.
ZOETICA – life – passion – bravery 30 August to 02
September 2017 Tarnished Frocks & Divas in association with Carrus W: tarnishedfrocksanddivas.co.nz F: Tarnished Frocks and Divas
ARTbop promotes:
John Baxter is the host of ARTbop alternative’s online show Altercation. With Dhaivat Mehta and Polly Moore John interviews and talks to Bay of Plenty creatives. He is also one of ARTbop’s contributing photographers. Multi-talented Baxter is one of the team who started up The Incubator art-space at Tauranga’s Historic Village. He is currently their Music Manager, a prop maker, event organiser, exhibition curator and event photographer. With a keen interest in music John can be seen as a singer and guitar play in the local Punk band Liberated Squid. He’s also the bass and singer with the Tauranga band, The Carradines. An avid artist, John has exhibited at Gallery 59, the Incubator and more recently at Macandmor Gallery, Goddard Centre, Tauranga. He’s become a member of the Poetry Incubator and has recited his own work; both poetry and lyrics at the 2016 National Poetry Day.
Do not leave me hanging by a thread: a spoken word – poetry YouTube project to support the work of Medecins sans frontieres MSF – Doctors Without Borders. You can see Tauranga locals reading their work at the Creative Bay of Plenty Gallery. Read the promotional article here online.
Corinne Rutherford of PixelFarie Photography. Band and Event Photographer from Tauranga.
FB: https://www.facebook.com/PixelFaeriePhotography INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/pixelfaerie_photography
