The show featured a cast holding diverse experiences, with the youngest cast member being a 12-year-old.
Inspired by the music of Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald, Hamilton Boy’s High students and alumni formed the Big Band Jazz Spectacula - a 40-piece jazz orchestra. All proceedings from the concert would be used to help fund a US tour for the school.
Sunset Symphony joined the festival on the January 24, as well as Te Rēhia theatre’s Kōpu, which is described as a cheeky ballad of a show. Kōpu shared the songs of young wāhine Māori as they navigated the world.
Food trucks and bars are on site, and punters are encouraged to bring their own blankets and festival chairs.
This weekend, New Zealand music icon Bic Runga would headline the festival on the Rhododendron Lawn, alongside award-winning rising star Georgia Lines.
The Hamilton Arts Festival Toi Ora ki Kirikiriroa is the largest regional arts festival in the country.
Festival events were also happening beyond the Hamilton Gardens in venues, and public spaces around the CBD.
Turkington said they wanted the festival accessible to all, with affordable ticket prices and a range of free and non-ticketed experiences.
“We encourage people to come along and check out the free live entertainment while enjoying a diverse selection of food and beverages as the sun sets over the Grassroots Trust Festival Hub Stage from 5pm each night.”
The Hamilton Arts Festival is on from February 23 to March 5.
To look at the full schedule of the performances, times, and dates, visit the website here.
Upcoming programme
February 28
- Grassroots Trust Festival Hub Stage, live entertainment, February 28 to March 3, 5pm to 10pm - Free and live entertainment showcasing local talent each night.
- The Mystery of the Mummy’s Curse, experience, February 28, 6pm to 7pm, and 8pm to 9pm. March 2, 12.30pm to 1.30pm, 3pm to 4pm. March 3, 11am to 12pm - Apocalypse Lounge Room Break, is back at the Hamilton Gardens with a new mystery. Can your group of 4-6 sleuths crack the case in an hour?
- The Tempestuous, theatre, February 28, 6.30pm, and February 29, 6.45pm - A new comedy by Will Shakespeare and Penny Ashton. Award-winning comedian Penny Ashton presents her latest literary solo musical, sparking 13 characters into life in an Elizabethan tale of magic, meddling, and puffed bulls’ pizzles.
- Songs for a New World, musical theatre, February 28, 7.15pm to 8.45pm. February 29, 8.15pm to 9.45pm. March 1, 6pm to 7.30pm - From the producers of That Bloody Woman, Assassins, Dogfight, and Urinetown, this contemporary song cycle weaves characters and history together, illuminating the timelessness of self-discovery.
- Garden Giggles, Comedy show, 8pm to 9.30pm - Join Dai Henwood (7 Days, Taskmaster), Courtney Dawson (Celebrity Treasure Island), Nick Rado (Best Male Comedian NZ Comedy Guild Awards 2019, 7 Days), ‘Snapchat dude’ Tom Sainsbury (Wellington Paranormal) and Tarun Mohanbhai (Comedy Gala) for a night of world-class laughs.
- Woven, Music show, February 28, 8.30pm, and March 3, 7pm - An hour-long journey of blending ancient instruments, voice, waiata, dance, and projection, to deepen the understanding of Te Ao Māori and explore the invisible thread woven between us.
- The Locals, movie, 8.30pm to 10pm - Movie set in the wilds of the Waikato.
February 29
- Fantastic, The Birdman & Egg, Comedy show, 6pm to 7pm- Multi-award-winning duo with an out-of-world circus comedy concert spectacular. The show was nominated as the Most Original Comedy at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and features plastic bag juggling, origami extravaganzas, and a giant balloon finale.
- Prima Facie, Theatre, February 29, 6pm to 7.15pm. March 1, 7.30pm to 8.45pm. March 2, 4pm to 5.15pm - Winner of the 2023 Olivier Award for Best Play, this one-woman show is about a criminal defense lawyer, Tessa, who is at the top of her game.
- To Shiver the Sky, Music, 7.30pm to 8.30pm - Following the The Armed Man in 2023, Hamilton City Brass join forces with an epic local choir to perform the NZ premiere of Christopher Tin’s To Shiver The Sky. Conducted by Maria Colvin, and arranged by Todd Smith, Hamilton City Brass will be joined by a festival chorus of 70 singers, a chamber choir, a children’s choir, and two outstanding soloists.
- Rutene Spooner’s thoroughly modern Māui, Cabaret, 8.30pm to 9.30pm- Direct from their national tour, the award-winning ‘must-see’ (Stratford Press) cabaret hits the mighty Waikato this summer.
March 1
- Spark Live, Family event, March 1, 11am to 11.30am, and 2pm to 2.30pm. March 2, 11am to 11.30am - Experience an immersive multisensory story with things to touch, taste, hear, see, and smell. This journey of love and hope explores the incredible bond between a human and their horse.
- Beautiful People, Theatre, March 1, 5.30pm. March 2, 7pm - Beautiful People, a hilariously dark comedy about aging and death from the acclaimed Ridiculusmus Theatre. Beautiful People was awarded the Herald Archangel Award at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2019.
- Stories about my body, Theatre, 6.30pm to 7.45pm - Winner of the Best in Fringe at the 2022 Whangārei Fringe Festival, seen as a fist pump for body positivity.
- The Mockers with Ricki Morris, Music, 8pm to 9.30pm - Kiwi hit-makers The Mockers reform to proudly perform their pop gems including Forever Tuesday Morning, Swear It’s True, and many more.
- He’s a Rebel, Cabaret, 8.45pm to 10.15pm- The Up-Doos come for an evening of questionable dating choices and romantic misadventures with Mr Wrong. He’s A Rebel, celebrates the girl groups of the ‘60s and their iconic songs about the bad boys we hate to love.
March 2
- Box of Birds, Family event, March 2, 11am to 11.30am, and 1pm to 1,30pm. March 3, 11am to 11.30am - A magical wonder of puppetry. Made for children aged 3 to 6 years, this puppet show includes live music and interactive songs by award-winning theatre company, Birdlife Productions.
- The Art of Spirit, Experience, 11.30am to 12.30pm, 1.30pm to 2.30pm, and 3.30pm to 4.30pm - Craft your own, personalised gin beverages using meticulously distilled essences, and tinctures derived from the botanical plants in the Sustainable Garden.
- Talofa Papa, Theatre, 4pm to 5pm- A story shaped by Samoan culture and mischief, Papa will take the audience and transport them to a world of kindness and compassion.
- Merry Wives of Windsor, Theatre, March 2, 5pm to 7pm. March 3, 5am to 7am - The Summer Shakespeare is back. The Bard’s classic comedy of patriarchal norms and barely disguised misogyny gets a modern reimagining fit for a Joe Rogan podcast.
- Songs from the Road, Music show, 6pm to 7.10pm - The Road Crew, reform for the first time since the pandemic. Observations of the ups and downs of the last few years are reflected in original songs that ponder slices of life along one big road trip.
- Deeply Unprofessional, Musical Theatre, 8pm to 9.40pm - Peak behind the curtain at a deeply (un)professional life in the theatre. Hilariously awful auditions, truly terrible jobs, and everything in between.
- Bic Runga and Georgia Lines, Music show, 8pm to 10pm - Live sunset session filled with Kiwi music.
- Garden Giggles Encore, Comedy show, 8.30pm to 10pm - Join Dai Henwood (7 Days, Taskmaster), Courtney Dawson (Celebrity Treasure Island), Nick Rado (Best Male Comedian NZ Comedy Guild Awards 2019, 7 Days), ‘Snapchat dude’ Tom Sainsbury (Wellington Paranormal) and Tarun Mohanbhai (Comedy Gala) for a night of world-class laughs.
March 3
- Sculpture meets Dance, Dance show, 12pm to 1pm, and 3pm to 4pm - A contemporary dance troupe on a tour around the Boon Sculpture Trail in Garden Place, and the Civic Square.
- This is Kiwi, Indigo Festival, Experience, 3pm to 8pm - This special free event brings together more than 300 performers proudly representing the many cultural groups that make up our beautiful community.
- The Twits, Family event, 4pm to 5.15pm - The Twits by Roald Dahl, adapted for the stage by David Wood, tells the story of the spiteful Mr and Mrs Twit.
- Jazmine Mary, Music, 5.15pm to 6.15pm - Taite Music prize-winning artist, Jazmine Mary plays idiosyncratic folk music that sparks melancholy and joy.
- SO..., Theatre, 6pm to 7pm - Two long-lost brothers overcome their differences while sorting through their late mother’s estate. Conceived during lockdown via Zoom, So… began as a response to Brexit and the pandemic, evolving into a lament on separation.
Open daily
- Wharenui Harikoa, Experience, December to March 17, 10am to 5pm - A vibrant and colourful wharenui coming to the Waikato Museum.
- Boon Sculpture Trail, Experience, February to March 31, 8am to 6pm - 23 temporary outdoor sculptures across eight public sites, the Trail transforms Hamilton Central into an artscape.
- Grassroots Trust Festival Hub Stage, live entertainment, February to March 3, 5pm to 10pm - Free and live entertainment showcasing local talent each night.
On Sunday at the Clarence Street Theatre, Figaro! Figaro! Figaro!, a much talked about collaboration between NZ Opera and Opus Orchestra, celebrates some of opera’s most cherished characters.
Tomorrow night at the Meteor Theatre, Footnote New Zealand Dance are set to present an electrifying double-bill of contemporary dance performances. The two works explore the human condition from ‘a game-like lens, posing questions like, ‘how do you win at the game of life?’’.
Also happening in the CBD, at midday on both Saturday and Sunday a contemporary dance troupe will be interacting with some of the brand new sculptures in Gardens Place and Civic Square as part of the Boon Street Sculpture Trail.
Elsewhere storyteller Tanya Batt invites audiences into the nocturnal world of the pekapeka (controversially winner of the ‘bird of the year’ award in 2021), reminding audiences of Hamilton’s surprisingly large bat population. Tanya Batt also appears in Mary Bumby’s Hive of Story, a theatre show about an ‘Aotearoa’s honey bee pioneer, re-imagined’.
The latter show takes place appropriately in the English Flower Garden. There is also a large ‘free and live’ component with the festival’s free stage (Festival Hub Grassroots Trust stage) highlighting local performing arts talent from 5pm every day of the festival.
This weekend’s highlights include a drag show by Piper Blaster, a performance by Hamilton Big Band, and Merry Wives of Windsor (this year’s iteration of the much loved ‘Summer Shakespeare’). Turkington says there’s an emphasis on making the programme accessible to all, with affordable ticket prices and a huge range of free non-ticketed experiences.
“We encourage people to come along and check out the free live entertainment while enjoying a diverse selection of food and beverages as the sun sets over the Grassroots Trust Festival Hub Stage from 5pm each night.
During the day you might witness an impromptu classical piano performance, meet a puppet called Paco or have an unexpected encounter with a drag queen as you meander through the gardens,” says Turkington.
HAMILTON ARTS FESTIVAL TOI ORA KI KIRIKIRIROA 23 FEB - 5 MARCH, 2024 The Hamilton Arts Festival ‘24 programme listed alphabetically according to genre. MUSIC BIC RUNGA - LIVE SUNSET SESSION WITH GEORGIA LINES: With songs like Sway, Drive, Listening to the Weather and Something Good cemented in the canon of Kiwi music, Bic Runga is that rare artist that needs no introduction. Bic will be joined by a phenomenal live band and supported by award-winning Georgia Lines. BIG BAND JAZZ SPECTACULAR: A big band jazz spectacular featuring an all star line-up of current and past students and associates of Hamilton Boys’ High School. CLASSICAL JAZZ BY CANDLELIGHT: Back by popular demand, the Ancient Egyptian Garden comes alive by candlelight with classical jazz from Ensemble Aaru and OCT Ensemble. Featuring music by George Gershwin, NZ composer Philip Norman and much more. FIGARO! FIGARO! FIGARO!: New Zealand Opera and Opus Orchestra take you on a musical journey celebrating some of opera’s most cherished characters including Figaro, The Countess, and the ever-alluring Susanna! FORCE OF NATURE: CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF FOREST & BIRD: This gorgeous, rejuvenating performance of Aotearoa chamber music celebrates the vital conservation work of Forest & Bird. JAZMINE MARY: Taite Music Prize winning artist Jazmine Mary plays idiosyncratic folk music that sparks melancholy and joy. KŌPŪ: KŌPŪ calls you into to a cheeky ballad of a show sharing the songs of our young wāhine Māori as they navigate this world, hairy nipples first, following in the footsteps of our naughty nannies from the kāuta. SONGS FROM THE ROAD: Local band, The Road Crew, reform for the first time since the pandemic. Observations of the ups and downs of the last few years are reflected in original songs that ponder slices of life along one big road trip. SUNSET SYMPHONY: One of the Waikato’s most iconic and beloved events. For over a decade, Sunset Symphony has brought our city together to celebrate the best things in life… Glorious music, whānau, friends and food all against the stunning backdrop of a Rhododendron Lawn sunset. THE MOCKERS WITH RIKKI MORRIS: Kiwi hit-makers The Mockers reform to proudly perform their pop gems including Forever Tuesday Morning, Swear It’s True, One Black Friday, My Girl Thinks She’s Cleopatra, Shield Yourself, and many more. TO SHIVER THE SKY: Following the success of The Armed Man in 2023, Hamilton City Brass join forces with an epic local choir to perform the NZ premiere of Christopher Tin’s To Shiver The Sky. Conducted by Maria Colvin, and expertly arranged by Todd Smith, Hamilton City Brass will be joined by a festival chorus of 70 singers, a chamber choir, a children’s choir, and two outstanding soloists. WOVEN: Deepen your understanding of Te Ao Māori and explore the invisible thread woven between us. Woven is an hour-long journey that blends ancient instruments, voice, waiata, dance, spoken word and projection. THEATRE BAT’S INCREDIBLE: Storyteller Tanya Batt and musician Peter Forster invite you into the twilight realm of the bat. BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE: Described as ‘existential clowning’ by The Guardian, Beautiful People is a hilariously dark comedy about ageing and death from critically acclaimed Ridiculusmus Theatre. Beautiful People was awarded the Herald Archangel Award at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2019. MARY BUMBY’S HIVE OF STORY: A prophecy, a hive of story and plenty of cross pollination.Meet Mary Bumby, Aotearoa’s honey bee pioneer, re-imagined and returned to earth to re-awaken the bee-ing in humans. MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR: The Summer Shakespeare is back! The Bard’s classic comedy of patriarchal norms and barely disguised misogyny gets a modern reimagining fit for a Joe Rogan podcast. PRIMA FACIE: Tessa is a criminal defence lawyer at the top of her game and is loving it: defending, cross-examining, and playing the rules of the law to win. Winner of the 2023 Olivier Award for Best Play, this vital, witty, gripping one-woman show had a sell-out season at Circa Theatre, Wellington. SO…: Two long-lost brothers overcome their differences while sorting through their late mother’s estate. Conceived during lockdown via Zoom, So… began as a response to Brexit and the pandemic, evolving into a lament on separation. Written and performed by the directors and founders of Ridiculusmus, a 30-year artistic partnership of international acclaim. SOCIAL ANIMAL: The funniest show on four legs. Stephen Papps plays twelve characters - three of them dogs - in this gloriously funny tour de force. STORIES ABOUT MY BODY: A glorious fist-pump for body positivity and the winner of Best in Fringe - Whangārei Fringe Festival 2022. TALOFA PAPA: Come on a journey with your grandparents in the comfort of your jandals! Expertly shaping his audience’s story using Samoan culture and mischief, Papa takes you by the hand and transports you to a world of kindness and compassion. THE TEMPESTUOUS: A SHREW’D NEW COMEDY BY WILL SHAKESPEARE & PENNY ASHTON: Award-winning Comedian Penny Ashton (Promise and Promiscuity, Olive Copperbottom) presents her latest literary solo musical, sparking 13 characters into life in an Elizabethan tale of magic, meddling and puffed bull’s pizzles. MUSICAL THEATRE CHEEHOO! JANDALS TO JAZZHANDS: Weaving musical theatre with traditional Pasifika culture, Cheehoo! Jandals to Jazzhands is a celebration of the beautiful Pasifika talent we have here in the Waikato. DEAF-DEFYING CUNNING STUNT: A cabaret performed by a nearly deaf singer - what could possibly go wrong? DEEPLY UNPROFESSIONAL: Peak behind the curtain at a deeply (un)professional life in the theatre. Hilariously awful auditions, truly terrible jobs and everything in between. SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD: This contemporary song cycle weaves characters and history together, illuminating the timelessness of self-discovery. From the producers of That Bloody Woman, Assassins, Dogfight and Urinetown. COMEDY FANTASTIC: THE BIRDMANN & EGG: Multi-award-winning duo The Birdmann & Egg bring you an out of this world circus comedy concert spectacular. The show was nominated as the Most Original Comedy at Edinburgh Festival Fringe and features plastic bag juggling, origami extravaganzas and a giant balloon finale. GARDEN GIGGLES: Join Dai Henwood (7 Days, Taskmaster), Courtney Dawson (Celebrity Treasure Island), Nick Rado (Best Male Comedian NZ Comedy Guild Awards 2019, 7 Days), ‘Snapchat dude’ Tom Sainsbury (Wellington Paranormal) and Tarun Mohanbhai (Comedy Gala) for a night of world-class laughs. LA SOUPCO: Award-winning comedy that takes on love, nautical trauma and buying Impulse for your mum. A nautical romance set in the wake of World War II, La Soupco was written by comedian Abby Howells (7 Days, Shortland Street) when she was eleven years old. No historical research, verification or corroboration was undertaken. CABARET HE’S A REBEL: Join The Up-Doos for an evening of questionable dating choices and romantic misadventures with Mr Wrong. He’s A Rebel celebrates the girl groups of the ‘60s and their iconic songs about the bad boys we hate to love, featuring a repertoire of hits including Leader of the Pack, Please Mr Postman and My Boyfriend’s Back. RUTENE SPOONER’S THOROUGHLY MODERN MĀUI: Direct from their national tour, the award-winning ‘must-see’ (Stratford Press) cabaret finally hits the mighty Waikato this summer! DANCE IYKYK: Footnote New Zealand Dance returns with IYKYK (If You Know You Know), an electrifying double-bill of contemporary dance works by choreographers Holly Newsome and Forest Kapo. SCULPTURE MEETS DANCE: Encounter a contemporary dance troupe on a tour around the Boon Sculpture Trail in Garden Place and Civic Square. EXPERIENCE BOON SCULPTURE TRAIL: With 23 temporary outdoor sculptures across eight public sites, the Boon Sculpture Trail will transform Hamilton Central into an artscape for everyone to enjoy! THE ART OF SPIRIT: Craft your own personalised gin beverages using meticulously distilled essences and tinctures derived from the botanical plants in the Sustainable Garden. THE MYSTERY OF THE MUMMY’S CURSE: Festival favourites Apocalypse Lounge Room Break is back at the Hamilton Gardens with a new mystery. Can your group of 4-6 sleuths crack the case in an hour? THIS IS KIWI - INDIGO FESTIVAL: This special free event brings together more than 300 performers proudly representing the many cultural groups that make up our beautiful community. WHARENUI HARIKOA: The most vibrant and colourful wharenui you will ever see is coming to Waikato Museum! FAMILY BOX OF BIRDS: Experience the magical wonder of puppetry at the cutest little show in Aotearoa! Made especially for children aged 3 to 6 years and their caregivers, this gorgeous puppet show includes live music and interactive songs by award-winning theatre company Birdlife Productions. CAPTAIN FESTUS MCBOYLE’S TRAVELLIN’ VARIETY SHOW: From the ashes of a 25-year, non-illustrious rock ‘n’ roll career comes the unwashed, semi-toothed and slightly uncouth Piratical ‘cheese’ Captain Festus McBoyle. SPARK LIVE: Experience an immersive multisensory story with things to touch, taste, hear, see and smell. This journey of love and hope explores the incredible bond between a human and their horse. THE ICECREAM IS MELTING!: A silly, fun and sweet story told through the wonders of circus from The Dust Palace. This loveable whānau-friendly show is sprinkled with aerial acrobatics, contortion and ice cream juggling. THE TWITS: The Twits by Roald Dahl, adapted for the stage by David Wood, tells the story of the spiteful Mr and Mrs Twit
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