Brilliant Things To Do in Wellington this September

The function of photography as a ‘hesitation in time’ is used to great yet unsettling effect in Fiona Pardington’s new exhibition at the City Gallery.

Pardington’s work intends to disarm audiences’ views and understanding of our world, in a thematically diverse presentation of still life photography. Composed of found objects, Pardington’s works use the historic European craft of still-life photography and threads of both the personal and political.

There’s nothing quite so grand as a night at the ballet. Especially if the production is The Sleeping Beauty, the decadent fairytale portrayal brought to the stage by the Russian National Ballet Theatre. With a score sweepingly composed by Tchaikovsky, the fairytale’s sweeping grandeur will transport audiences into the heyday of classical ballet. With Artistic Director Evgeny Amosov at the helm and a 50-strong cast, this classic story will come to life on the boards of the Opera House.

Max Patté’s iconic work Solace in the Wind, on Wellington’s waterfront will be familiar to many. Now, he brings his newest artistic venture to Shed 11. A strong focus on elemental directions such as light and space see his works transform the gallery using spatial design, new technologies and media to immerse the audience. Custom-built technology in conjunction with Weta Workshop will imperceptibly change the mood and tone of the show in an exciting multimedia exhibition.

Terry Gilliam’s black comedy road trip film finds Raoul Duke, a journalist and Dr. Gonzo, his lawyer on a drug-fuelled drive from LA to Las Vegas.

As they follow a motorcycle race Duke has been commissioned to write about, they sink further and further into a psychedelic, binged underworld of colourful yet haunting characters.

A deeply marvellous story of a 20th century New Zealand marriage which has had critics and audiences gushing over its personality and familiarity. Inspired by her own parents, playwright Rochelle Bright brings Wellington audiences a bittersweet story. Leading image maker Garth Badger provides a backdrop accompaniment of 1960s photoslides, home movies and fashion photography. A banger soundtrack of New Zealand’s greatest pop-rock hits are performed by a live three-piece band, with tunes ranging from Crowded House, Dave Dobbyn, Th’Dudes and The Muttonbirds to Bic Runga.

Circa Theatre presents The Travelling Squirrel, written by master New Zealand playwright Robert Lord. A satirical exploration of the entertainment industry, the show highlights the tension between life and art. The two protagonists, husband and wife Bart and Jane are both on the path to stardom, though unfortunately not at parallel points in their respective careers.

After a sold-out January show at Auckland’s Kings Arms Tavern, Seattle electronic duo Odesza are back again with their brand of eclectic instrumental hip hop at San Fran Bathhouse. After releasing their first full length album, Summer’s Gone, the pair have gained increased international attention. Their followup recording, the My Friends Never Die EP came in conjunction with their introduction to the festival touring circuit. Last September saw their first headline tour. Now, they’re back with their radical sounds in a show that’s bound to have you cutting shapes in a big way.

A motley collection of moments, the World Press Photo exhibition demonstrates the power of visual journalism to reflect the human condition. 2014’s news translated into a potent collection of entries. Difficult societal themes are echoed throughout the threads of the exhibition- contemporary issues, news stories, daily life and portraiture form some of the categories. The images received have been narrowed down to a select few that distil the essence of human nature, in its many forms, exchanges and components.

A visually saturated feast of the avant-garde, the radical and the brilliant, World of Wearable Art performs to over 50,000 in a twelve-show season beginning 27th September at the TSB Bank Arena on Wellington’s waterfront. From small beginnings in a Nelson gallery in 1987, the show is a two-hour, visually dazzling show that truly wows. The passionate artistry shown in the pieces is complemented by a sensational stage production integrating theatre, art and performance. The consistent popularity of the show is testament to its evolutionary nature, one of the most sensational seen on New Zealand (or indeed; the world) stage.