AK03: Mariah and Marlene, soul and funk

Their inspirations range from Mariah Carey to Marlene Dietrich, but the thing two women performing in AK03 events at the weekend have in common is a love of music.

Sara-Jane Auva'a started singing at age 3. "At church, like most Pacific Islanders," she laughs.

Now, the Auckland University law student is a vocalist for several bands, including Pacific Soul - specialists in contemporary Samoan sounds. They recently won Best Pacific Island album at the New Zealand Music awards, and are "massive" in Samoa.

"I'd say the vocal style of Pacific Islanders is probably a little more soulful," says Auva'a who will sing soul and funk with her other band, Artistry, during the weekend's free Soultana Festival.

Actor Jennifer Ward-Lealand will perform songs by the likes of Cole Porter and Edith Piaf in the style of Marlene Dietrich. Her cabaret-style performance takes place at AK03's atmospheric after-hours club in the Wintergarden at the Civic Theatre.

"But I'm not impersonating [Dietrich]," says Ward-Lealand. "I like to think I'm paying a tribute.

"I've done a lot of research on her and I was lucky enough to be able to see footage of her performing in Australia in 1962 with Burt Bacharach. She knew what people wanted and she presented that with perfection and glamour." Cathrin Schaer

The Artistry plays 11.30am-midday Saturday in Aotea Square; Jennifer Ward-Lealand sings Marlene, Friday to Sunday, 8.30pm, Wintergarden in the Civic Theatre.

Herald Feature: Auckland Festival AK03

Auckland Festival website