Fringe in the Park: 15 Feb – 10 Mar

The leafy environs of inner city oasis, Myers Park, will again play host to Auckland Fringe Festival.  In fact, the park is the venue of choice for a preview of the myriad of performances, installations, screenings and workshops scheduled for the 2013 event which kicks off on 16 February.  With the festival providing a platform for artists with a bent toward innovation and freedom of expression, audiences can expect to be simultaneously stimulated, challenged and awed by an eclectic agenda of events.

Watch out for newcomers Three Queen’s later in the programme with their production of ‘Darling Today We’re Going to Die’. A bold mix of theatre, dance and song, it explores the strains of personal relationships juxtaposed against the looming catastrophe of the end of the world. The work is a combined effort from trio Lewis Gregory, Lana Mackintosh and Lucia Farron-Diamantis (pictured below) who each bring to their newly-formed company interchangeable skills of acting, directing, playwriting and producing.

Other performances festival goers can look forward to range from cabaret to opera, and interactive exhibition to kinetic sculpture. www.aucklandfringe.org.nz

‘Tis the Season for Skaters

Christmas celebrations kick off at skatestore, Arcade, in Cross St on 12 December.  The store’s ’12 Days of Christmas” will see different events happening daily until 24 December.  Art print sales, music performances and skateboarding demos are all on the agenda, as is the opportunity to just kick back and relax in this colourful community hub.

Bargain skate clothing and accessories are also up for grabs with deals such as New York City’s 5BORO cruiser decks for $100, NZ-made Morepork five-panel caps with pigskin suede peaks at $85 and Arcade Tees at $59 on offer.

Happy Birthday First Thursdays

 (Images Laura Forest Photography)

You’re invited to a party!  K’ Road’s late night art event, First Thursdays, is turning three on 6 December and you’re invited to help celebrate the occasion.  Having begun as a single venue arts event in St Kevin’s Arcade in December 2009, the multi-media music, arts and performance evening now delivers a programme of 30 events spread across a total of 22 venues throughout the length of K’ Road.

Sustainability is the theme this year which means events where art meets recycling will feature.  
An example, says co-ordinator Cleo Barnett, is a children’s Christmas workshop scheduled to take place in Cross St Arcade at 214 K’ Road.  The workshop will guide children through the process of creating their own personalised cards and decorations using a range of recycled materials.


Foxes craft market is returning to St Kevin’s Arcade, participating galleries will be open late and and there’ll be a short film screening at The Film Archive.  Portrait sketches while you wait, funky bands in Ironbank, breakdancing competitions and street installations all promise to make First Thursday's third birthday party a night to remember.  And you can keep up to date with new additions to FT's programme by checking them out on Facebook . 

What:    First Thursdays
Where: K' Road
When:  THursday 6 December 2012
Time:    6-9pm

Alternative Music Venue - The Wine Cellar

Owned and managed by connoisseur of independent and experimental music, Rohan Evans, The Wine Cellar,is located in the basement of St Kevin’s Arcade.  Having been variously described as a Berlin-style bunker, or ‘a dive with heart’, the eight year old venue provides a performance space for music genres bearing titles such as noise/experimental and improvised/alternative folk and blues. Offering an intimate setting and an expert pair of hands on the sound desk, its menu of mainly local music is certainly one worth checking out.

Look Exhibition

The colour white is a common thread in the Artweek exhibit currently showing in the window of Buana Satu on K’ Road.  It is woven through a range of mediums used by the artist’s collaborative Jersey in their work in paper, nylon wire, wool and ribbon which combines to create an intriguing tableau featuring a central rocking horse and floating farmyard companions.  The exhibit is part of the Look exhibition on show during Auckland Artweek from 26 October – 4 November 2012.

Corner

Image: Holly Davies (NZ) and Zainab Hikmet (NZ)

Ever wondered about the comings and goings in the window on the corner of K' Road and Edinburgh St?  Well, yes those objects which seem to just arrive unannounced are part of a programme of contemporary art and exhibitions.   Now into its eight month, the not-for-profit project space, entitiled, Corner Window Gallery, dedicates itself to featuring the work of emerging local and overseas artists, designers and architects.  Corner Window Gallery is curated by Rob Garrett and hosted by Glamuzina Paterson Architects and Kevin Soh.

Artweek: Oct 26 – Nov 4, 2012

Auckland will be celebrating Artweek again this month, with the event now into its third year.  And with an extensive programme of arts festivities scheduled to take place between October 26 and November 4 across the city, K’ Road has more than its fair share of creative happenings planned.  Kicking off in St Kevin’s Arcade will be speed dating where a panel of arts luminaries including art critics, artists, curators and gallery owners will be available to answer questions from emerging artists and art lovers.

A total of nine galleries will be exhibiting throughout the length of the street with visitors being offered the option of two-hour guided walking tours taking in both the exhibitions and a series of art installations called Look being displayed in local shop windows.  Art by cycle tour is a further option with 15 free bikes available for a 30-bike guided tour of the street’s events.

Look, which sees 10 emerging artists pairing up with 10 businesses to showcase contemporary art, will bring art to businesses as diverse as banks and menswear stores helping fulfill Artweek’s aim of growing Auckland’s visual arts audience. (Image below: Marlaina Key, Tent Collective.)

Heritage K' Road

How did K’ Road’s much-loved St Kevin’s Arcade get it’s name?  When were trams last seem rumbling down the precinct’s mainstreet?  These are some of the questions which will be answered during a series of walks and lectures being held in K’ Road during Auckland Heritage Festival 2012.  The festival runs from 29 September to 14 October and all K’ Road events will be held free of charge.  http://kroad.com/7_Heritage/700_HERITAGE.htm

K' Road Character

Carrying a range of goods which extends from fashion items such as scarves, hats and t-shirts to a choice of legal highs for the street’s revellers, Cosmic epitomizes the eclectic nature of K’ Road.  With its rainbow-coloured glass pipes, candy-striped above the knee socks and shocking pink wigs, the store exudes an atmosphere of fun and high spirits.  Whether you’re looking for a pair of headphones, a skateboard or a novelty gift, you just might find it here. 

http://cosmiccorner.co.nz/2011/10/11/cosmic-is-now-open-on-k-road-auckland/

Looking Good

Making you look beautiful is what new arrival on K” Road, Beauty Republic, is all about.  Carrying an eclectic range of beauty products extending form human hair wigs and hair accessories to professional quality make-up brands, it caters for both day and night-time looks.  Whether it’s ceramic curling tongs, a pink party wig or Halloween special effects make-up you’re seeking, this one-stop beauty bar has all the bases covered.  And its products have already found favour with make-up artists and hairdressers, making appearances on TV dramas and at hair expos.  For the full range of items in store visit www.beautyrepublic.co.nz

Continental Goodies

Curry ketchup, Swedish crispbread, fried herring – it’s not your everyday fare.  And that’s the point of Finnish immigrant Jari Jaaskelamen’s new boutique foodstore Safka at 501 K’ Road.  It’s a taste of all the Scandanavian and northern European delicacies he’s hankered for since his arrival here 13 years ago.  And he’s got a sweet tooth too!  Sumptuous Swiss, Belgian, Finnish, and Austrian chocolates grace the shelves alongside sweet treats such as German plum butter, coconut raspberry wafers and vanilla sugar.  Check it out at www.safka.co.nz

Mongolian Throat Singing Demo

Run that by me again!  Jonny Marks demonstrates the art of Mongolian throat singing to attendees at the Audio Foundation’s Now! Here! Festival on Saturday  Meanwhile, workshop members try valiantly to emulate his effort!

Free Mongolian Throat Singing Workshop

Khoomei, the ancient Mongolian art of throat singing, is a unique skill based on mimicry of the sounds of nature.  Intriguingly, mastery of it enables singers to produce different pitched sounds simultaneously and in harmony.  Interested?  Come along to Jonny Mark's free workshop at The Audio Foundation this Saturday at 1.00pm and, in his words, learn how to ‘tune your ears and throat muscles to make beautiful noise.’

The Khoomei workshop is part of an extensive programme of events being organised by The Audio Foundation as part of the Now! Here! Festival which runs from from August 9 - !2.  For the full programme of events visit http://kroad.com/index.htm

Auckland Zinefest - 2 August

Self-published magazines expressing anything from the author’s creativity to their political leanings will be available en masse at Auckland Zinefest being held in St Kevin’s Arcade this week.  A non-profit community event the festival offers a zine market, zine-making workshops as well as an exhibition of Auckland City Library’s zine collection.

Underground comics, poetry journals and recycled books elaborately hand cut to produce layered art works are just some of the publication styles on offer.   A total of 30 stall holders will be participating on the night with DJ’s Rose Quartz providing ambient background sounds.  The festival combines with K’ Road’s late-night art event First Thursdays, providing a natural fit with it’s August theme of DIY. 

Photo Bryce Galloway
What: Auckland Zinefest

Where: St Kevin’s Arcade, 179 K’ Road

When: Thursday 2 August, 6-9pm

Late Night Art on K’ Road

                                         Photo: Copyright Patric Seng 

K’ Road’s late night art festival First Thursdays, just gets better.  With 25 venues, including galleries, cafes and performance spaces participating across the length of the street next month on 2 August, attendees are promised a sensual extravaganza.

Taking pride of place in St Kevin’s Arcade will be the Auckland Zinefest – a market where self- published small magazines are exhibited for sale.   A few doors down the road at the Bizdojo Makerspace, a workshop covering the A-Z of zine making will be in progress.

Across the road in K’ Road’s Ironbank complex, local community group Tangleball will be demonstrating what a combination of a few old bike parts and a bit of creativity can produce at their Bike Rodeo display.

Moving eastward to the top of Queen St and the steps of the Auckland Baptist Tabernacle a series of light projections onto the façade of this towering Roman-inspired building will be awing spectators.

Foxes craft market will be firing up in their new location at Cross St Arcade (a.k.a. the walkway to the K’ Road car park at 214 K Road) while a fleet of tuk tuks will be available to ferry people between the plethora of photographic and art exhibitions being staged in the precinct’s galleries.

Watch out for pop-up fashion shows and a meandering art bike tour to boot.  For the full programme of First Thursdays – DIY Edition visit http://kroad.com/2_Events/200_EVENTS.htm

Sound Festival and Book Launch 10– 12 Aug 2012

Sound art – the practice of experimenting with the ways we create sound – is a well-established art in New Zealand, according to director of The Audio Foundation, Zoe Drayton.  But while our experimental artists are much admired internationally, she says, ‘in New Zealand itself, sound art is not so well known.’

It’s a situation The Audio Foundation hopes to remedy next month with the launch of ‘Erewhon Calling’ – a publication which aims to provide an overview of the range of New Zealand experimental sound on offer.  The book collates input from 41 fringe artists, who describe their work and goals through a collection of interviews, articles, drawings, collage and embroidery.

And in celebration of this ground breaking launch, The Audio Foundation is holding a three-day event, entitled the Now! Here! Festival, which invites members of the public along to band performances, sound walks, children’s workshops and film screenings, for an opportunity to extend their listening skills.   Mongolian Khoomei, or throat singing, the opportunity for children to play an amplified instrument in a real venue and a guided tour through the sounds of the CBD are among the extensive programme of events scheduled.   ‘It’ll be an interesting and enlightening experience for people,” says Zoe. The Now! Here! Festival is sponsored by Arts Live, Creative Communities and the K’ Road Business Association. www.audiofoundation.org.nz

Rare Book Bonanza

Signed photographs of Britain’s war-time Prime Minister Winston Churchill and New Zealand aviatrix Jean Batten are among items included in the rare book collection up for auction on Wednesday 11 July 2012 at Art and Object.

‘It’s a rare collection,’ says Art and Object book consultant Pam Plumbly, and because of the inclusion of Churchill-related items, ‘we’re expecting a lot of overseas interest.  ‘Although rare book collecting is a niche market, she says, ‘it’s also a strong one.’  Institutions such as The University of Auckland, Auckland Museum and the Alexander Turnbull Library have been amongst parties showing interest in past collections, along with individual collectors.  ‘People tend to collect in various categories such as natural history, Maori wars, military and nautical,’ says Pam. 

The items will be available for viewing in the week leading up to the auction and gloves are not a requirement for closer inspection.  While some experts favour this practice, Pam believes freshly washed hands are sufficient.   To ensure the preservation of these heritage items, it’s advised buyers keep them in dry conditions away from sunlight and preferably behind glass – actions which work to avoid the appearance of little brown marks or ‘foxing’

Future Plans for Myers Park

Myers Park, an often under-appreciated asset in the central city, with its collection of near 100-year-old trees including an avenue of phoenix palms, was the focus of attention last weekend at an Auckland Council open day.  The open day, centred in the heritage Myers Park Kindergarten building, featured the launch of a draft development plan compiled by council which proposes a major revamp of the park and its amenities.

Members of the public were invited to view details of the plan and representatives from both council and the Waitemata Local Board were on hand to answer questions.  Free heritage walks taking in the park’s artworks, historic buildings and entranceways were also scheduled.

Submissions on the plan are invited before 24 June and more information on the proposal can be found here.     Funds of $500,000 have been set aside by the Waitemata Local Board for implementation of the proposed works while a CBD advisory board to council has recommended a further $3million be set aside for the project as part of its City Transformation – Public Realm Upgrade Programme.

     

   

Craft Tattooing

The establishment of The Tattooed Heart at 202 K’ Road in 2009 by owner Adam Craft continues an historical link the tattoo artist has with the precinct.  Adam’s great-great-grandfather Charles Blomfield, a renowned New Zealand landscape artist, once worked from rooms on the corner of K’ Road and Queen St.

With Blomfield’s considerable artistic talent having been passed down through the generations, producing further painters, sculptors and commercial artists, the artistic gene is now evident in the work produced by Adam at his K’ Road studio.  Having tattooed professionally since 1997, Adam specializes in producing traditional Japanese art work based on the country’s 6,000 year-old art form depicting stories from Buddhist mythology.

He is joined in his efforts at the company’s two level premises by four other tattooists whose combined focus is on producing custom work for clients interpreted in a classic style.  Learning the classic styles before moving on to adapt them to your own is essential, Adam believes.  Shuhari – loosely translated from the Japanese as ‘walk before you run’ – is his motto.  The Tattooed Heart also has a Ta Moko specialist on staff apprenticed under internationally renowned Maori tattooist Gordon Hatfield.  http://www.thetattooedheart.co.nz/

Verona - Mark IV

    

It’s had a lick of paint and a change of management, but K’ Road’s iconic Verona Café, which has variously doubled in its twenty-year lifespan as a gallery, poet’s corner and music venue, lives on.

We never considered changing the name,’ says Tim Mercer, one third of the new management trio which has moved into the heritage building.  We’re respectful of the history of the place and see ourselves as caretakers of the ongoing Verona entity.’

Along with husband and wife team Annabelle Guinness and Phil Randle, founders of the Leigh Sawmill Café, Tim will be enticing K’ Roaders into the new incarnation of the cafe with a tapas-style menu based on that which Annabelle and Phil have been wowing Matakana locals with until recently at the area’s village farmer’s market.

‘It’s modelled on the concept of slow food,’– food which has been prepared unhurriedly but can be heated and served up fast - he says.  There’s also an emphasis on using organic produce wherever possible.

Examples of the flavoursome dishes on offer from the slow-cooked menu are duck and lentil chilli on organic brown basmati rice and venison, fig and cavolo nero ragout on potato gratin which come in $5 tapa or $15 main sizes.  These are complemented with a variety of wines including local Warkworth and Matakana varieties.

New artwork supplied by Annabelle’s sister and Agee jars of Annabelle’s own preserves decorate the walls giving the revamped café an old world homely feel.  Which is pretty much how the threesome see their new K’ Road venture   With Annabelle and Phil living practically next door and Tim domiciled on neighbouring Symonds St, ‘it’s like being at home,’ he says.

You can check out this new addition to K’ Road’s dining scene at www.facebook.com/veronacafe

Hours:

Wed – Sat 10.30-1.30am

Sun-Tues 10.30-11pm.

CupcakeCreations

The cupcake craze which is sweeping the country is now being catered to in our very own precinct.  Cupcake catering, which recently established itself in Abbey St, offer an extensive range of these delectable delights, all with hand crafted edible toppings.  A selection are on sale daily while orders for special occasions can be placed the day before.

Learn how to craft these multi-coloured creations at one of the company’s regular cake making classes or check out the full range of their culinary repertoire at http://www.cupcake.co.nz/.

Free Dance Classes

K’ Road precinct has a new Latin dance school opening in East St on Monday 14 May with an offer that will be hard to resist.  Free dance classes will be on offer at Latinissimo from 28 May - 28 June – no experience needed and no partner required.  Check it out at www.salsadance.co.nz .

Painting & Soft Sculpture Installation

Viaje del Croazon, 2011, or Journey of the Heart, an installation at window gallery ‘Corner’ at 478 K’ Road, is an expression of recent Whitecliffe College of Art and Design graduate, Priscilla Hunter’s love of Mexico.

Although never having actually visited the country, Hunter has let her imagination run wild with her creation of a collection of exotic and brightly coloured cacti embedded in an assembly of elaborate and uniquely decorated pots.  The cacti, variously quilted, sewn and stuffed, all express the considerable artistic and handcraft skills of this upcoming talent.

Pecha Kucha

It began in Tokyo in 2003 as a gimmick to attract people to an experimental event space.  Nine years on, it’s a worldwide phenomenon which has spread across Europe, Asia, the US and England.

Literally meaning chit-chat in Japanese, Pecha Kucha is an evening where 20 creatives and young designers are each given opportunity to present 20 slides for 20 seconds on a subject of their choosing.  It provides a unique way for people to learn more about the individuals who make up their community as well as a vehicle for them to get together over a drink. 

The K’ Road chapter of Pecha Kucha is scheduled to takes place at 7.30pm on Thursday 10 May at Samoa House and promises to deliver the same fast-paced, variety-packed entertainment the event has become renowned for globally. 

La Ressurezione

Enjoy the thrill of a live performance of Handel’s La Resurrezione at the Pitt St Methodist Church on Saturday 21 April 2012 at 5pm.  Performed by the church’s own Handel Consort and Quire and directed by Robert Howell, the concert features five soloists and accompaniment which includes string and woodwind instruments embellished with the addition of recorders, trumpets and a viola de gambe.

Maaike + Co

            Designer Duo

Two more good reasons to gravitate to Karangahape Ridge come in the form of young designer stores Maaike + Co and The Keep, which have recently established themselves there.  Maaike + Co, who hail from the South Island specialise in layered pieces and knits, while The Keep, originating in Wellington, aim for androgynous appeal in their signature monochromatic palette.

The Keep

K' Road - a Mecca for Frugal Travellers

The New York Times’ ‘Frugal Traveler’ has discovered what old time K’ Roaders have known intuitively all along – K’ Road is cool  Check out Seth Kugel’s column, Seeing the World on a Budget at http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/20/in-auckland-new-zealand-a-frugal-trifecta/?src=me&ref=travel for his appraisal of Auckland and K’ Road in particular.

Fashion Competition Winner

Psychology student Alice Darragh, winner of the K' Road Business Association (KBA) Fashion Trip competition, receives her prize from Flight Centre K' Road Manager Kelly Richards.  The trip, offered as part of New Zealand Fashion Week, entitles Alice to a return trip for two to either Sydney or Melbourne courtesy of Flight Centre and an additional $500 accommodation spending sponsored by the KBA.

Coffee with Eelco

Enjoy coffee and dessert amidst the elegance of K’ Road’s heritage St Kevin’s Arcade and be entertained at the same time.  The theatrical biography of The World of Wearable Arts patron Eelco Bosnijk will be playing here next week for three nights with tickets at a very reasonable $18.  www.kroad.com

'What the Frock' K' Road

Eleven artists used their many and varied skills at this month's First Thursdays to help tell the story of K' Road, its past and present. Visit K' Road Facebook and judge for yourself who did it best.  www.kroad.com

First Thursdays

Only a day to go to the first First Thursdays of the year being held across 20 venues.in and around K’ Road.

Highlights are;

A vintage fashion show on bikes
Art Tours
Live Painting
B Boy/Popping Battle
Handmade Craft Market
10+ Art Exhibitions
Live Music
Movie Screenings
Street Installations
Workshops
Acrobatics
Steam Punk Goodness
Live Poetry
DJ's
and heaps more including artists flying up from Wellington to do some live painting!
ALL FREE

Paper Doll Postscript

Congratulations to all our Paper Doll competition entrants who helped make K’ Road’s NZ Fashion Festival evening last Friday an outstanding event.  Winner Annemiek Taylor’s origami-inspired skirt and crop top took the main prize while the remaining  creations ranging in influence from zulu cultural costume to cute cocktail number also impressed judges with their originality and style.  The four designer works can be viewed at K' Road Business Association offices at Shop 8, 59 Pitt St, entrance via Beresford Square next to Barretta Cafe. www.kroad.com

PaperDolls’ Designers Confirmed

Four designers are now confirmed to compete in our Paper Dolls competition in Cross St Arcade this Friday.  They will each be fashioning wearable creations out of paper offcuts on mannequins in front of a live audience, Judges Amanda LInnell, editor of Viva, designer Cybele Wiren from Cybele and Natasha Poznanovic, manager of Rocket Print, will be selecting a winner who will receive prizes including a $500 credit with Rocket Print and a one-year membership at car share company Cityhop.

Get yourself along to 214 K’ Road at 6pm and enjoy a complimentary glass of wine as you watch the event unfold.  K' Road

Event Cancelled 
Street Fashion Show - Saturday 3 March 2012 
Hot on the heels of her successful December Fashion Show last year, Cherry Bishop is inviting viewers back to 500 K’ Road for a preview of her new winter collection.  Sign up here for an email invite to the free Saturday March 3^rd 2012 event which kicks off at 12 midday and be in the draw to win one of her designer lawn peasant dresses.

1960's Campbell's Soup dress inspired by the work of Andy Warhol source 

Paper Dolls - 24 Feb 2012

Watch three designers create recycle wearable art live at newly renovated Cross St Arcade.   The designers will be chosen ahead of time by a panel and teamed up with three mannequins and three piles of paper offcuts on the night.  Professional judges will then select a winner who will receive a super prize.  The event will be held alongside Fashion Speed Dating which will be running simultaneously in the arcade at 214 K Road.  Designers wanting to participate need to apply to planning@kroad or phone 377 5086 by 3 February. Only 3 places available.

Fashion Speed Dating - 24 Feb 2012

Are you an aspiring designer, fashion blogger or new recruit to the fashion industry?  If so, K' Road's Fashion Speed Dating event could be for you.  On Friday 24 February from 6-8pm, K' Road Business Association have arranged for 10 leading lights from the Auckland fashion world to be available to answer questions from a selection of 30 ‘dates’ throughout the evening.  From the editor of Viva’ to Trelise Cooper’s artistic director, fashion’s elite will be giving up their time in three-minute slots at Cross St Arcade in support of NZ Fashion Festival.   To register for this one-off event, email planning@kroad.com or phone 377 5086.

Guerilla Fashion & More at First Thursdays - 1 March 2012

It’s first Thursdays time again and, because our event coincides with NZ Fashion Festival this year, fashion will be a big theme – fashion with a K’ Road twist that is.  On the programme for  1 March we’re planning a vintage fashion parade with models on bicycles (courtesy of Waitemata Local Board), a blogger's closet raid, guerilla street fashion showcased on the street’s rubbish bins and workshops on home crafts such as knitting, mending and fabric printing.

Highlights being introduced by The Big Idea manager, Margaret Lewis, include a ‘Dress Up Box Space’ where young designers without a retail presence will make themselves and their designs available to the public and a ‘What the Frock’   project where K’ Road rubbish bins will sport skirts themed to match their location on the street.  For example, a bin outside a local bank could be adorned with a skirt crafted from former deposit slips.

All the usual drawcards including the Foxes craft market in St Kevin’s Arcade, live entertainment in Ironbank, street entertainment and exhibitions at numerous local cafes and galleries will also still be on the agenda. 


K Road Schedule of Events - NZ Fashion Festival 2012