Auckland's Festival AK07 launched at St. Matthew-in-the-City this week. The Right Honourable Helen Clark, Prime Minister launched the programme and Festival Director, David Malacari ran through the stunning line-up of nearly 60 events including a variety of local and international theatre, dance, cabaret, music, visual arts indoor and outdoor events. Auckland's Festival AK07 launched at St. Matthew-in-the-City this week. The Right Honourable Helen Clark, Prime Minister launched the programme and Festival Director, David Malacari ran through the stunning line-up of nearly 60 events including a variety of local and international theatre, dance, cabaret, music, visual arts indoor and outdoor events.At the launch there were selected performances of Festival works. Among these will be Rawiri Paratene and Whirimako Black performing extracts from the Festival show, Tuwhare .

"The Auckland Festival programme for 2007 is a winner. It's diverse, challenging and exciting. I am very proud of what will be presented in March. Aucklanders can look forward to the best Festival they've experienced yet!", said Malacari.

Highlights of Auckland Festival, AK07 include the NZSO in a rare concert of Mahler's monumental 2nd Symphony with over 200 musicians and singers on stage; for the first time in New Zealand acclaimed French Dance Company - Compagnie Preljocaj (above) - take to the stage with its reinterpretation of Vivaldi's iconic - The Four Seasons; Black Grace presents for the first time Amata; From Germany and Switzerland renowned director Heiner Goebbels presents his seminal work, Max Black; contemporary musical genius Nitin Swahney has composed the score for the exquisitely restored silent film -A Throw of Dice. He and his orchestra join the APO for a memorable night of film and music at The Civic; the centerpiece of the Visual Arts programme is the Auckland Art Gallery's turbulence, the 3rd Auckland Triennial curated by Victoria Lynn. Complementing turbulence is a vast visual programme with 14 other exhibitions including several visiting international artists such as New York graffiti artist Eric Orr and Japanese artist Hiromi Tango who will be one of 10 artists residing in Auckland CBD shop windows throughout the Festival.

The Red Square in downtown Britomart is the hub of the Festival, housing multiple venues including The Famous Spiegeltent where the magic mirrors of this historic 1930s Belgian cabaret tent have been seducing clients all over the world for many years. The Famous Spiegeltent will feature a nightly programme of cabaret and burlesque including international acts such as La Clique. Every night the Spiegeltent will host performances by local artists among them Don McGlashan, Dave Dobbyn, the Topp Twins and Goldenhorse. An integral part of Red Square will be the Festival Club - featuring nightly performances from artists such as controversial and hilarious Eddie Perfect, also from Australia is the Spaghetti Western Orchestra, formerly the Ennio Morricone Experience, plus local talent including Nathan Haines, Whirimako Black, Tama Waipara and Jennifer Ward Leland. There will be cafes and bars in Red Square plus a specially laid lawn enhancing the festive feel of the hub and encouraging artists and audiences alike to soak up the shows and the festive spirit.

Young Red Square sees two fantastic youth projects kick-off on alternate weekends during the Festival. The first event, Westpac Young Producers, provides the chance for eager young producers (14-18) to submit an event concept and walk away with a $20,000 Westpac Student Pac Saver Account to make the event of their dreams with the assistance of the Auckland Festival. On the second weekend 6-13 years olds will be trading their creative products at their own market stalls at the Spiegelmarket.

The Festival will run from the 9th - 25th March, 2007.

Auckland Festival, AK07 Programme Highlights:

French pyrotechnicians Group F, famed internationally for lighting up the Eiffel Tower, the Stade de France for the football World Cup, the Olympic Games in Athens and the 2004 and 2005 New Years Eve celebrations in London, will officially open the Festival with a free public extravaganza at the Auckland Domain.

Theatre
- From Germany and Switzerland renowned director Heiner Goebbels presents his seminal work, Max Black.
- Penumbra; an epic and ambitious work in the style of Robert LePage
- Canadian master of marionettes, Ronnie Burkett manipulates more than 40 puppets in his award-winning show 10 Days on Earth which asks the question, "if you were alone but didn't know it would you feel lonely?"
- Auckland Theatre Company explore the slaughter of more than three million penguins for the good of the environment in Hatch.
- Silo Theatre embark on the mission of finding the 'next generation' of actors by casting two shows of 'unknowns'; one directed by Oliver Driver the other by Michael Hurst.
- A four metre Head on stage at Galatos is not a theatrical illusion. Or is it? Find out who the voices in your head really are. What?
- Also part of the Intimate Theatre Season; Tusiata Avia's Wild Dogs Under My Skirt, potent pause productions' The Homecoming, A Lethal Set's Mother/Whaea Tama/Son, and Taki Rua's Strange Resting Places.
- Devonport's Victoria Theatre is home to several shows including Façade - Comedie d'images, which is based on the poems of 1920s eccentric poet Edith Sitwell

Music
- Contemporary musical genius Nitin Sawhney has composed the score for the exquisitely restored silent film - A Throw of Dice. He and his orchestra join the APO for a memorable night of film and music at the Civic.
- The NZSO celebrates its 60th anniversary with an exclusive to-Auckland concert of Mahler's monumental Second Symphony - The Resurrection.
- Top New Zealand recording artists bring music to the beautiful words of loved New Zealand writer Hone Tuwhare for one night only in the acclaimed show Tuwhare, narrated by Whale Rider star Rawiri Paratene.
- Three Australian improvisational jazz concerts will be performed by the Australian Art Orchestra and accompanied by renowned indigenous musicians Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter.
- The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra present a masterful Pacific Rim concert with music by Gareth Farr, Toru Takemitsu and John Adams' Harmonielehre. Conducted by Giancarlo Guerrero.
- Sit back and relax to the traditional music and rituals of Korean Tea making. Presented by the Creative Korean Music Society this majestical performance blends the traditional and modern transporting audience members to another time and place.
- For the first time a full Chamber Music Season is programmed, and indeed it is An Hour of Quality Time. Held at the St-Matthew-in-the-City at 6pm each night.
- Instructions for Modern Living, performed by Duncan Sarkies and composed by Nic McGowan is performance music at its maddest, with a story - or three.
- Discovering new sounds has never been easier according to the leading experimental sound geniuses behind the three-day sound workshop S3D.

Dance
- Black Grace presents its new work Amata
- For the first time in New Zealand acclaimed French Dance Company - Compagnie Preljocaj - take to the stage with its reinterpretation of Vivaldi's iconic - The Four Seasons.
- Lemi Ponifasio and MAU perform Tempest before taking the show overseas
- Two provocative shows by Rifleman Productions, Dark Tourist and Terrain, transport audiences to new places and are not to be missed.

Red Square
- At downtown Britomart is the hub of the Festival, housing multiple venues including The Famous Spiegeltent where the magic mirrors of this historic 1930s Belgian cabaret tent have been seducing clients all over the world for many years; the Festival Club and an outdoor stage for free music weekends
- There will be cafes and bars in Red Square plus a specially laid lawn enhancing the Festive feel of the Hub and encouraging artists and audiences alike to soak up the shows and the Festive spirit..
- The Famous Spiegeltent will feature a nightly programme of cabaret and burlesque including international acts such as La Clique.
- Every night the Spiegeltent will host performances by local artists among them Don McGlashan, Dave Dobbyn, the Topp Twins and Goldenhorse.
- An integral part of Red Square will be the Festival Club where artists such as controversial and hilarious Eddie Perfect will perform alongside the famed Spaghetti Western Orchestra, formerly the Ennio Morricone Experience, and local talents including Nathan Haines, Whirimako Black, Tama Waipara and Jennifer Ward Leland.
- The Two for One Box Office at Red Square means you have no excuse not to have fun!
- Young Red Square sees two fantastic youth projects kick-off on alternate weekends during the Festival. The first event, Westpac Young Producers, provides the chance for eager young producers (14-18) to submit an event concept and walk a $20,000 Westpac Student Pac Saver Account to make their dreams come true. On the second weekend 6-13 years olds will be trading their creative products at their own market stalls at the Spiegelmarket.
Visual Arts
The Auckland Art Gallery's 3rd Auckland Triennial, turbulence is proud to be part of the Auckland Festival, AK07.
- Complementing turbulence is a vast visual programme comprising 14 other exhibitions including several visiting international artists such as New York graffiti artist Eric Orr and Japanese artist Hiromi Tango who will be one of 10 artists residing in Auckland CBD shop windows throughout the Festival.
- Local exhibitions include; Blow; by Sue Gallagher and Tracey Collins, Elam-Up Front, Joc-Jewellery Out of Context, Len Lye film screening at Tahaki Reserve Mt Eden, Mirror Worlds-Contemporary Video Installation from Asia, Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf, Wonder-land, Contemporary Visual Art of New Caledonia, Rare View, and Sky- A Projection Event.

pic: Ballet Preljocaj
For more information please contact:
Email: amy.saunders@aucklandfestival.co.nz
Phone: 09 374 0318
Mobile: 021 899 569
www.aucklandfestival.co.nz