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2020 is upon us. We’ve almost reached that glorious time where we don't have to wish people Happy New Year in every email. Resolutions have been made and broken, Australia is on fire and World War 3 seems to have narrowly been averted. But fear not, in the face of the looming apocalypse we still have art. 

Fire and Irony

A friend recently pointed out the irony of the Australian government cutting arts funding, and artists turning around and raising millions to help fight the fires. Back in Aotearoa there’s dozens of fundraisers happening across every genre of art. Here’s a few that jumped out. 

Hollywood Avondale is playing Peter Weir’s 1977 hypnotic classic, The Last Wave. The film is described as  “A transfixing excursion into the "dream time" of Australian myth and given the current social climate, is now even more capable of inducing chills.”

All box office income will be going to RSPCA NSW to help look after animals harmed during fires.

Hollywood Avondale, 20 St. Georges Road Avondale, Avondale, Sunday January 26th. Bar open 4pm, Main Feature 5pm. 

On the same day Generation Zero, are holding their own fundraiser at Ellen Melville Centre in the CBD. The event promises a vegan sausage sizzle, an art auction, musicians and most intriguingly a hummus competition. All proceeds will be split across a pool of wildlife, fire, and relief service providers.

Ellen Melville Centre, 2 Freyberg Place, Auckland, Sunday January 26th, 12pm

And lastly two of my favourite writers, the debonaire Chris Tse and brilliant Emily Writes (pictured) are holding a variety show fundraiser in Wellington. The night is billed as a wild, one-of-a-kind, you-just-had-to-be-there kind of night with all of your favourite writers, poets, comedians, musicians and other special guests. If you’d like to donate something to auction email Emily. All proceeds on the night will be going to the Red Cross Australia Bushfire Appeal.

Meow, 9 Edward Street, Wellington, Thursday, January 23, 7pm

Art experimenting 

On a completely different tack, there’s a couple of cool art workshops happening soon.  First up Auckland artist, Evan Woodruffe is holding a one day workshop at Mairangi Arts Centre. Combining play and intuition with more considered methods, the workshop encourages budding artists to push past their reticence and experiment with materials and techniques that will bring them to new, exciting places. And the great thing is that all materials will be provided.

Mairangi Arts Centre, 20 Hastings Rd, Mairangi Bay, Auckland, Wednesday 29 January

Paint your Pet

This last one I really wish I could go to. At the Paint 'n' Sip Studio in Christchurch they are holding a paint your pet workshop. Email in a photo of your pet and they’ll sketch it out for you and you fill in the details. For bookings or more info check out their site 

Paint 'n' Sip Studio, Christchurch, 136 Ilam Road, Saturday, January 25, 6pm.