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