Festival Director Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival- Pitsch Leiser Photo: Florence Charvin
Every week on Culture 101 we check the pulse of a different area of Aotearoa. This week, we’re off to Hastings, ahead of the Hawkes Bay Arts Festival 13-29 October.
Maggie Tweedie speaks to Pitsch Leiser, who has been festival director for nine years and is a passionate cultural advocate for his region.
Curators Darryl Thomson and Kirsty Babington in front of 'Revenge of Tawhirimatea' by Sandy Adsett Photo: Tim Whittaker
This year’s festival features the exhibition Ha-Wai-Ki Nui, a big showcase responding to the devastating floods earlier this year at the Hastings Community Arts Centre.
Ko Au Malosi Photo: supplied
Another local gem is Ko Au: Malosi, a collaboration between Karamu High School hip hop dance teacher Seidah Tuaoi and Joshua Mitikulena that fuses Siva samoan dance, hip hop and a new dance style Seidah has created called ‘popping puletasi’.
The Machine Wreckers Photo: supplied
Also local are The Machine Wreckers, a four piece psychedelic prog rock band who are creating an immersive space in St Matthews Hall that will "pay homage to the enchanting melodies of the native birds of Aotearoa".
