The Otago Festival of the Arts will again envelope Dunedin in a whirlwind of captivating music, thought-provoking theatre, magical dance, avant-garde opera and much, much more. Otago's major cultural event presents a stellar array of international and New Zealand performers - along with Dunedin's finest artists.   With no less than six premieres of new works, and guest artists coming from eight countries, the Otago Festival promises to be a startling celebration of creative endeavour.

Festival runs 29th September - 10th October

Image: Raewyn Hill's When Love Comes Calling
The Otago Festival of the Arts will again envelope Dunedin in a whirlwind of captivating music, thought-provoking theatre, magical dance, avant-garde opera and much, much more. Otago's major cultural event presents a stellar array of international and New Zealand performers - along with Dunedin's finest artists.   With no less than six premieres of new works, and guest artists coming from eight countries, the Otago Festival promises to be a startling celebration of creative endeavour.

Festival runs 29th September - 10th October

Image: Raewyn Hill's When Love Comes Calling
The Festival programme will be rich and varied.   For eleven dynamic days and nights, there will be something for everyone, from vocal 'pop art' to rare indigenous music; from our country's finest ballet to cutting-edge contemporary dance-theatre; from side splitting comedy to stimulating theatre.

The city will be infused with festival fever as churches and museums are turned into theatres, and an enticing medley of lunchtime concerts and late-night cabaret is on offer. Once again, the Otago Festival of the Arts will confirm this region's passion for the arts. The Festival programme will be officially launched at 6.00pm Friday 6 August.   The full Festival programme will be available on line and in the official brochure from 7 August 2004. Check out the Festival's website www.otagofestival.co.nz for full details.

Runs Until 9 October 2004

Contact for enquiries: Jessica Garland, phone (03) 477 7600 or 021 504 524

Contact for Bookings: NZ Ticketek outlets

Dunedin Fringe Festival 2004

The Dunedin Fringe Festival takes to the streets with a programme of innovative art and street performances every day in the Octagon, an arts trail of installations in shop windows, a drive-in short film festival and the ever popular and amazing Suburban Circus - a devised human circus which tours Dunedin's suburbs to sell-out shows.

A festival within a festival of experimental music, Lines of Flight, presents 16 hours of free noise and improvisation by New Zealand's leading exponents of this genre. International guests include a dance troupe from Nepal and three world-class comedy acts from Melbourne. The three artists will arrive at the Dunedin Fringe fresh from sell out shows at Melbourne Fringe where they won best solo and best comedian choice. The trio will make their New Zealand debut at the Dunedin Fringe Festival.

Well known Christchurch multimedia theatre group The Clinic will also attend this year's Festival to perform The Peculiar Case of Clara Parsons. National Radio's Off the Wire live recording will be on location at the Fringe Club. Add to this over 80 other events by New Zealand artists from all over the country and you have one hell-of-a festival you won't want to miss! For further information check out the Festival's website at www.dunedinfringe.org.nz