South Auckland Pacific Arts Summit

The second annual South Auckland Pacific Arts Summit is coming to venues across the city next month, celebrating a vibrant, visible and prospering culture of Pacific arts appreciation and practice in South Auckland and beyond.

In response to the overwhelmingly positive feedback generated by last year’s inaugural event, this year’s summit features a range of events with a common theme, says Ema Tavola, Pacific Arts Coordinator for Arts and Culture South, Auckland Council.

“From grassroots music concerts to Pacific visual arts exhibitions, talks and discussion, heritage arts, theatre, language and literature, this year’s summit weaves together local, national and international talent converging here, to celebrate and showcase Pacific creativity."

The lineup has a strong emphasis on site-specific events created especially for the venues they will take place in, and especially for South Auckland.

New Zealand’s celebrated collective the Pacific Sisters come together from all corners of the globe to reunite for a one night only performance of fashion and performance art and Kila Kokonut Krew present New Zealand’s first ever full-length Tongan play to be performed by a full Tongan cast with both English and Tongan dialogue.

Larrakia (Aboriginal Australian) photographer Gary Lee and Cook Islander Ani O’Neill both present visual art exhibitions created especially for the summit and its Auckland audiences.

The 2011 South Auckland Pacific Arts Summit takes place in venues across the city, from Papakura to Otara, Mangere to Manukau, in galleries, theatres, tertiary institutions and market places. Many summit events are free, so everyone can enjoy what’s on offer.

What/Where/When

What: 2011 South Auckland Pacific Arts Summit
Where: South Auckland – various venues
When: 4 May – 4 June

Event listings on the Auckland Council website.