Upbeat

Gustavo Gimeno was born to be a conductor - according to former mentor Mariss Jansons at the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra where Gimeno used to be principal percussionist. The endearing young Spaniard… Read more Audio

Sir David Hare has had many highlights in 45 years of writing for the stage. Here as a guest of the Auckland Writers Festival this weekend, he talks about how culture has changed since his… Read more Audio

The New Zealand International Comedy festival is coming to a close this week. Some comics take weeks, months or even years to craft their set. But for improv comedian Jennifer O'Sullivan and improv… Read more Audio

Our visual arts reviewer David Alsop is back, taking a look at the Auckland Art Fair, which is New Zealand premier international showcase for contemporary art. This year the Art Fair has works from… Read more Audio

Scottish born Kiwi glass artist Elizabeth McClure has been busy setting up her latest works for the Auckland Art Fair. Her series Dapple includes hand blown glass that's been sandblasted then… Read more Audio

Successful Dutch novelist, journalist and actor Herman Koch has the ability to create characters that do vile things, but still make them likeable. His best-selling novels include The Dinner and… Read more Audio

Len Lye's work is highly creative. His sculptures dot the landscape and draw on the energy from the surrounding environment. Many of his works never eventuated, but Lye's 1960's piece called Sun, Land… Read more Audio

He's been labelled Britain's greatest living pianist - and now Stephen Hough will join forces with the NZSO and fast-rising conducting star Gustavo Gimeno to present the mighty Johannes Brahms Piano… Read more Audio

Brass player, conductor and presenter of Brilliant Brass David Bremner on Home and Away. The celebration of Kiwi composers alongside international counterparts features the NZ premiere of the Paul… Read more Audio

Eve de Castro and Callum Blackmore from The Karlheinz Company presents Turtle Time, marking the anniversary of the death of composers who created hallucinogenic classics, including NZ composer Jack… Read more Audio

The arts industry is facing a $2.3 million drop in funding from the NZ Lottery Grants board this year, so what better way to raise awareness for funding in the arts than holding a bingo night… Read more Audio