Winter Wonderfest on its way to Whanganui

Carla Donson and Sarah Williams say the music gigs upstairs at Space will be some of the highlights of Winter Wonderfest. Photo / Stuart Munro

Once again, the Whanganui Women's Network and Space Studio and Gallery have teamed up to bring the Winter Wonderfest to town.

Started as a sister event to the summer La Fiesta Programme, Winter Wonderfest, facilitated by Carla Donson and Sarah Williams, is intended to bring winter cheer while raising much-needed funds for the Women's Network.

The festival will be launched with the Fresh Start group exhibition featuring a "brilliant lineup of artists" at Space exhibition opening at Space Gallery on Saturday, August 18, followed by music from Tai Uru upstairs from the gallery.

Tai Uru are duo Leonie Matou and Ora Hohaia who play very appealing indigenous soul music, says Donson.

"They play their own, brilliant original songs and they do some very cool cover versions sung in te reo."

There will be more live music on Sunday from previous festival favourite Juliet McLean from New Plymouth, and this time she will perform in a duo with Renee Millner.

Winter Wonderfest continues until September 2 with events to nourish the mind, soul and body.

"My mum, Sue Jex, will be running classes to show people how to make cheese as well as butter and yoghurt," says Williams.

"People always enjoy her cheeses when I serve them at openings so she is going to take some classes."

The film screening on August 29 is Gaylene Preston's My Year With Helen delivering a fascinating portrait of the former prime minister on a mission.

Helen Clarke, a prolific social media messager, has been sharing news of Winter Wonderfest around her networks.

"She has single-handedly increased the traffic to the Wonderfest programme," says Donson.

Winter Wonderfest brochures are available at Whanganui locations or online at spacestudiogallery.co.nz

The 2018 Winter Wonderfest is dedicated to the life and memory of the much-loved Whanganui personality Karen Ellett who died suddenly in April.