Anzac Theatre manager Vern Woods and Rotary Dargaville's area governor Brian Burnett encourage people to head along to The Classics Film Festival.
Anzac Theatre manager Vern Woods and Rotary Dargaville's area governor Brian Burnett encourage people to head along to The Classics Film Festival.
Anzac Theatre's fourth annual Classics Film Festival opens its doors tonight and those who long for a little nostalgia won't want to miss it.
The theme as always is cars, guns and dames, and tonight movie-goers will get to dress to theme for the opening flick, West Side Story.
Anzac Theatre manager Vern Woods said there will be food and drinks available and movie-goers are encouraged to dress up to theme, which is of course 1950s New York, early rock 'n' roll.
"People who come to it, love it and enjoy it. We try to reflect the films that our customers are familiar with from days gone by. So for many it's about experiencing a sort of nostalgia."
Dargaville Rotary area governor Brian Burnett said Rotary sponsors the event because it's an opportunity to give something of a cultural nature back to the community.
"It's not a fundraiser, but it is a chance to support the Anzac Theatre, for which we have a high regard.
"It also takes away the need for people to travel to the movies in Whangarei, therefore supporting local business here."
This year classic film buffs, or just lovers of great cinema, can take their pick from the following films on offer: West Side Story, Those Magnificent Men in their flying machines, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, Easy Rider, To Sir With Love, The Magnificent Seven, Blazing Saddles, Funny Girl, Taxi Driver, Elvis: That's the Way It Is and Gone With The Wind.
Doors open 6pm. Finger food and light refreshments provided. Dress to theme is encouraged but not necessary.
Te Wairua O Matariki – Spirit of Matariki festival. There will be something for everyone at this year's fourth annual Te Wairua O Matariki Spirit of Matariki Festival.
The Matariki Fire Show is always a big draw card at the festival, pictured is Circus Kumarani Jo Carvalho.
Circus Kumarani manager and event organiser Abbe Clark says this year's theme is about the community, whanau and raising the awareness of Matariki.
"During the day there will be markets with food and crafts, an open stage and we welcome anyone to get up and perform or showcase their talents. We also have workshops, kite flying, an art space, photo booth, hangi and if you bring a drawing/creation of what matariki means to you, you could win a prize.
"Every year we end the Matariki celebrations with a fire show, in this year's fire show we will be performing alongside students from the Te Kopuru primary school's kapa haka group.
"This free event brings community and whanau together to celebrate and raise awareness of the Maori New Year and we are proud to be part of a community that makes this event grow stronger and stronger," Clark said
The festival kicks off on Saturday from 2pm at Selwyn Park in Dargaville, with a fire show in the evening finishing off at 7pm.
Magical Mike Lindsay – comes to Dargaville From small town Ruawai to the national stage – Magical Mike Lindsay is heading back home to Northland after touring around the country in a large scale production of a magic show called It's Showtime.
Magical Mike Lindsay.
We spoke to him about his humble beginnings doing magic tricks at kids' birthday parties to showcasing a 90-minute stage show and orchestrating a production that has seen him tour the country.
Q: What made you choose Magic as a career? I just kind of picked it up as a hobby when I was 12 as most kids do at some point. I enjoyed it so much I decided to make a job out of it!
Q: In what way - if at all - do you think growing up in Ruawai had an impact on your decision to become a magician? I think the only thing that had an impact is knowing I didn't want to wake up at 5am to milk cows so I was motivated to find a career path where that wasn't required. I do believe the "rural isolation", gave me more opportunity to be independent and make my own decisions though.
Q: When did you first start doing magic shows? I got into the hobby at 12, did my first gig at 15 and started promoting myself as a magician at 16. I've just turned 23 so it's been a job for nearly seven years now.
Q: How has your chosen career/changed progressed over that time? I started with a lot of small shows, kids' parties, small gatherings and while I still do a few of those most of my shows currently are larger stage shows with big illusions, etc. I quite enjoy the production side of putting together a large stage show.
Q: What does your family think of your career choice - are they supportive of you? Like most people they were certainly curious how stable of a career it would be when I first started, but have always been super supportive. But it's been making me a fulltime living for over four years now so they're stoked to see me doing something I love!
Mike Lindsay's Magic and Illusion Spectacular "It's Showtime": Dargaville, Town Hall, Wednesday, June 20, 7pm Kaitaia, Te Ahu Centre, Thursday, June 21, 7pm Kerikeri, Turner Centre, Friday, June 22, 7pm Whangarei, Forum North, Saturday, June 23, 2pm and 7pm Tickets at www.ItsShowtime.co.nz.
■ Email Rose — if you have news that you would like to share with Northern Advocate readers. Rose.stirling@gmail.com.
