Nelson's close links with its sister cities in China will be celebrated during this year's China Week, from 6 - 11 November.
Coinciding with New Zealand's Chinese Language Week, the event will once again bring together an exciting array of activities, exhibitions, performances and business talks to celebrate and promote cross-cultural relationships and connectivity.
Our Night of Music & Theatre celebrates the talents of the Minzhu Road and Guiya Road Primary Schools both visiting Nelson from China and guest artists.
Following their participation in the US premiere, the Nelson Civic Choir present the latest work by Sir Karl Jenkins, one of the most performed contemporary choral composers: Cantata Memoria: For the children of Aberfan. The Nelson concert, under the direction of Chris Lukies, will be the first New Zealand performance of this work.
Cantata Memoria commemorates the tragedy in Aberfan, South Wales 50 years ago, where a mining tip engulfed a primary school, killing 116 children and 28 adults. Through the power and beauty of Karl Jenkins' music, the work depicts the story of that day, together with the process of grieving and finding meaning in life after tragedy.
With singers and instrumentalists from the Top of the South, Christchurch and Wellington, a youth choir, full orchestra, and a specially commissioned video to complement the music, this promises to be an emotional and memorable event. The soloists are Sarah-Jane Rennie (Soprano) and Joel Amosa (Baritone).
Singer-songwriter Jasper Hawkins is set to return to his home town with a five-piece band and his sister Jane on vocals.
He last played in Nelson in 2016 to a sold out audience at The Boathouse. Hawkins is beginning to gain traction in the musical world with his classic sound reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac and Simon & Garfunkel.
He is now based in Auckland and returns for the launch of his debut album recorded at Neil Finn's Roundhead Studio. La Vida String Quartet will join him and the band, playing his original compositions and a number of covers.
In August this year Hawkins' hauntingly beautiful song Letter to my Mother, was featured on Jesse Mulligan's show on Radio NZ. He will be performing this live at his concert and copies of his new album will be for sale on the night.
Jasper encourages you to "Come along and be inspired by beautiful instrumentation and soaring harmonies".
Celebrate with Nelson City Brass as the oldest brass band in NZ.
Celebration Brass is a concert to celebrate the 160th Anniversary of the Nelson's own band - Nelson City Brass. Musical Director Nigel Weeks will conduct the band playing bright entertaining brass music that all will enjoy.
This year the band's Special Guest Artist is Jackie Clarke. Entertainer, singer and comedian, Jackie was named 2016 Top Female Artist by the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand. Jackie has performed with everyone from Dave Dobbyn to the NZSO, has been a judge on TV's NZ Idol and was part of the successful group When The Cats Been Spayed.
The band will also feature champion euphonium player, Steve Miles. Regarded as one of the finest Euphonium players of his generation, Steve has held principal positions with some of the world's finest Brass Bands including the National Band of New Zealand, Brighouse & Rastrick, Black Dyke and Williams Fairey with whom he has produced many commercial recordings and toured as a featured soloist.
Rockshop Bandquest is a new platform for the next generation of contemporary musicians to step out and perform in a supportive and encouraging competition format, with a focus on education, inspiration and entertainment.
This event is the Nelson Regional Final of the Nationwide Intermediate school band competition.
by Die Roten Punkte (Germany)
Dysfunctional siblings Otto & Astrid are back with their latest show Eurosmash!, one of the most irreverent and funny gigs you are ever likely to see!
Otto & Astrid are Berlin's (self-appointed) Prince and Princess of Art Rock and Europop. They are unparalleled performers of stellar proportions - gigantic and explosive. Tragically orphaned as children, they ran away from their small rural hometown to Berlin, and knew instantly they had found a place among the counterculture and the solace and saviour of rock 'n' roll music.
A lipstick-smeared, tantrum-loving, sonic collision between the B52s, Kraftwerk and the early Ramones, Die Roten Punkte are truly one of a kind. Astrid's avant-garde style and legendary antics inspire both reverence and fear, while Otto's dynamic stage presence brings to mind a whirling dervish on meth.
Fans of Spinal Tap and Flight of the Conchords, say 'Hallo!' to your new favourite band!
"Orgasmic rock-und-roll experience." MONDAY MAGAZINE, CANADA
"Pitch-perfect pop parody." THE SCOTSMAN, UK
"Wild cabaret rock!" HERALD SUN, AUSTRALIA
Awards
Best Cabaret production - Melbourne Greenroom Awards 2015
Most Outstanding Show - London Fringe 2015
Best in Fest - Winnipeg Fringe 2008 & 2010
A musical imagining of Shakespeare's great soliloquies.
After a stunning sold-out show at Auckland's Pop-Up Globe, we are thrilled to have Play On in Nelson.
From Tui-nominated songwriter and award-winning composer Paul McLaney, and the producers behind Fly My Pretties, Play On is a celebration of Shakespeare set to contemporary music with an amazing New Zealand cast. McLaney has enlisted the help of high-profile musicians to perform a number of Shakespeare's most well-loved soliloquies as a song cycle.
Play On features performances from McLaney himself, alongside Julia Deans and Mara TK (Electric Wire Hustle), with accompaniment from the EDIN string section, featuring Rachel Wells, Jessica Hindin and Mahuia Bridgeman-Cooper.
The brainchild of McLaney along with actor/directors Ian Mune and Peter Elliot, Play On combines the best in acting and music for an unforgettable experience.
"If music be the food of love, play on." WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
Following their highly successful season of Fiddler on the Roof, Nelson Theatrix is delighted to present Love in the Spotlight - songs of love and heartbreak from some of the world's greatest musicals! If you loved Wicked Women of the Stage then Love in the Spotlight is the perfect 'winter' feel good show you can't miss!
Join us for some love - 'in love' heartbroken, quirky longs songs and the most important unrequited love!
Join the New Zealand String Quartet on their 30th anniversary tour for a concert filled with passion, yearning, joy and heartache. Their Dangerous Liaisons programme explores themes of love and desire and will take you on an emotional journey through some of the great works of the repertoire.
Mendelsohn's first love and Janacek's obsession with a woman half his age were both doomed to failure yet inspired some of their most beautiful works. Jack Body's Saetas takes its inspiration from the fire and passion of flamenco songs and reveals Rolf Gjelsten's secret talent as an accomplished accordionist.
Music and art harmonise in this concert at the Suter Gallery. A word of warning: it'll be an intimate affair and the music may steal your heart!
Programme
Janacek: String Quartet no 2, Intimate Letters
Jack Body: Saetas
Mendelssohn: String Quartet no 2 in A minor, op 13
Scotland’s legendary singer/songwriter Isla Grant returns to New Zealand with exciting new songs - plus her extensive repertoire of most loved music.
As an internationally acclaimed recording artist, Isla’s beautiful voice encompasses everything from country folk songs to easy listening - Isla’s spellbinding concert features her wonderful hit songs and takes a nostalgic look at her long and successful career.
Isla’s Concert will be a grand international concert not to be missed.
