Press Release – Auckland Council
From next week Aucklanders can indulge their passion for music, culture and festivals with the start of the summer events programme.

This time last year, Aucklanders were enjoying the festivities around Rugby World Cup 2011 with the city embracing the event like nothing before.

“This spring and summer, you’ll be able to savour everything from performances by J.Lo’s choreographer during the Southside Arts Festival through to recognising the centenary of the death of ‘the father of Auckland’ Sir John Logan Campbell as part of the Auckland Heritage Festival,” says Mayor Len Brown.

Last summer’s events were a big hit with Aucklanders – 89 per cent of people at Auckland Council events last summer loved the event they attended and 83 per cent would return to the event the following year. The top two reasons for attending events were to spend time with friends and family, and to have fun.

That fun starts next week with the Auckland Heritage Festival – a celebration of the city’s natural, cultural and built heritage at more than 200 events. The festival runs from 29 September to 14 October with activities all over the region including tours of historic sites, concerts, family-tree workshops, heritage walks, film screenings and lots of fun activities for families.

Next on the schedule is Ambury Farm Day on 7 October – where urban Aucklanders can get a touch of country in the big smoke. From sheep shearing and gumboot throwing to pony rides, farm animal feeding and sack races – come and experience a real working farm up close.

The action heads south on 12 October for the Southside Arts Festival, a vibrant month-long showcase of local talent and creative enterprise in fashion, music, art, theatre and dance.

The festival has scored a real coup with internationally-renowned dancer and choreographer Parris Goebel as this year’s ambassador. The south Aucklander was named top female choreographer at this year’s World of Dance Awards and has also been choreographing music videos for megastar Jennifer Lopez.

One of the marquee events of the festival is Cult Couture on 20 October – where emerging designers push the boundaries of fashion in front of a high profile judging panel.

Aotea Square is the focal point for the annual public art event known as Living Room, choreographed by MaryJane O’Reilly and running from 26 October to 4 November.

Performances include choreographed BMX displays, a unique window show at the Smith and Caughey’s Queen Street store, hip hop fused with digital video art, and an unforgettable bus tour around the city centre with the Java Dance Company.

In November, the Parnell Festival of Roses is the main event on the calendar. Set among the colour and vibrancy of newly-bloomed roses, this free family festival on November 3-4 features horticulture-themed craft and food stalls, and entertainment.

Christmas cheer rolls out from 3 December with a wealth of community Christmas events around the region.

The ever-popular Music in Parks summer concert series kicks things off in the New Year with plenty of Kiwi favourites including rock, jazz, blues, opera and much more – running through until the end of March.

There are hundreds of other events happening across the city. To check out your favourites or what’s happening in your neighbourhood, visit www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/events

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