Show celebrates Auckland

A Herald Event

Auckland's Aotea Square will be flooded to provide a watery venue for a free stage show.

Called The Launching, the performance will be held over three days, starting next Friday.

The event will be the first step on the way towards the Auckland Festival, an arts and cultural event to be held in 2003.

The square will be lined with a 2500 sq m pool liner to prevent leaks and will be flooded with 540,000 litres of water.

During the day the pond will be fenced off and security guards will patrol 24 hours a day.

The Launching will feature top kapa haka teams, the Auckland Philharmonia and Black Grace dance company.

Renowned composer and percussionist Gareth Farr has been involved in composing a contemporary opera for the event.

Auckland Festival project manager Margi Mellsop said the show would be a preview of the 2003 festival.

"The Auckland Festival is aimed at celebrating Auckland's distinct and unique characteristics - its vibrancy and youth, its Pacific style and the geography and oceans that surround it."

The Herald is one of the festival's sponsors. a year. In December last year, a further $550,000 was committed. nte

Free wristbands will be available from Ticketek outlets and Westfield Shoppingtowns until March 18.

Entry to The Launching is free, but access to the seated area costs $25.