Oi is to be in continuous motion or to stir constantly. And that’s exactly what Oi producers Rihari Taratoa-Bannister and Kelly Tikao are all about, in their lives and with their crafts.

  Since the sell out debut season of Oi in 2007, these two creative souls have been gently simmering their ideas for another season of Oi in 2009. 

For starters, Oi has prepared alongside the Atamira Dance Collective, a community dance workshop, facilitated by celebrated Dunedin choreographer and film-maker, Louise Potiki Bryant. This workshop takes place on Saturday, 13th June from 10-5pm.  The second taster ready for sampling is a physical theatre workshop taught by experienced actor and theatre teacher from Auckland, Chris Graham.  This workshop will be run over the 13th and 14th June. 

Both workshops, thanks to Oi sponsors, have been subsidised and will cost $5 for dance workshop and $10 for the physical theatre.  Both workshops have limited numbers, so the idea is to get in early and make a booking.

The Oi producers follow with a feast of short film, theatre and music to be served over five performances at the Academy Cinema, commencing June 17th, 7.30pm sharp.

The audience will be teased, pleased and uneased by a buffet of live performance that offer an array of Maori flavoured hip hop, tavern meat packs, saucy poetry and soul searching delectable’s.  Oi have plucked local Otepoti talent and selected Maori talent from further afield.  The short films indulge the senses and make the audience laugh, cry or want to come back for a second serving.

Oi is produced to celebrate the stars Pauka and Matariki during the festivities of the Maori New Year.