Dark Night

Overview

It's natural, abnormal, fabulous, freaky and sometimes and epic failure. It's something we all have in common, but open conversations about sex seem few and far between. Dark Night aims to change that by questioning, challenging and celebrating sex and sexuality on the page, stage and screen.

An Auckland libraries initiative, Dark Night is a week long series of events for over-18s designed to provoke discussion around gender, sexual identity and orientation. Dark Night kicked off on Friday, June 21 with a special screening of Steve McQueen's Shame at the Academy Cinema. The compelling drama which delves into the life of a sex-addict was introduced beforehand by a panel discussion with psychologist Dr. Pani Farvid.

This week you can catch Shelley Munro on Wednesday, June 26 at the Leys Institute discussing her career as an erotic romance author. And then extending the conversation is a panel discussion entitled The new erotica? featuring Dylan Horrocks, Sam Orchard, Tosca Waerea and Lisette Ingram, who will be looking at influences of erotica in popular media and the 21st century on the Thursday night.

To top it off is the Dark Night Cabaret, featuring a live band, erotic literature readings and a performance from Auckland Fringe stars Opera Risque. It's a little bit naughty and totally free. All you have to do is book a seat.