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 .