Latest news with #BrophyAerials
Otago Daily Times
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
‘Make-up' event for those who missed out
After heavy rain forced the cancellation of the second night of the Dunedin Midwinter Carnival last Saturday, organisers have announced a special "make-up" event for affected ticket holders. Tomorrow, there will be five sessions during the evening, starting with a relaxed sensory session at 4pm, followed by general sessions at 5pm, 6pm, 7pm, and 8pm. Each session will include a mix of light, performance, and celebration. Dunedin Midwinter Carnival event co-organiser Xanthe Naylor said cancelling last Saturday's carnival event was "devastating, but ultimately it was the right decision". "The overnight damage confirmed that proceeding would not have been safe for our audience, performers, or crew," Ms Naylor said. "We are incredibly grateful to our Saturday ticket holders — their patience, understanding and messages of support meant the world to us. "This make-up concert is our way of giving something back to the community that stood by us." Sessions on Friday will include a concert inside First Church, which will glow with the Butterfly House and Beehive lantern installations, and will feature Brophy Aerials contortionists, live reading, Jay the Juggler & Magician, as well as musical musings from Tahu and the Takahes. Anyone who created a lantern in a carnival workshop can bring it along and take part in a lantern dance. After the concert, people will be guided to Burns Hall by the moa and the fun aeroplane, into an immersive space filled with Otago Polytechnic School of Design projections, accompanied by piano and dance. There will also be food and refreshments available on-site. Friday's Mini Midwinter Carnival Concert event is not open to the general public, but is reserved for ticket-holders for Saturday's cancelled carnival. If more spaces become available, the carnival team will share that information. Tickets are free but must be re-booked in advance through an email link that was sent to all Saturday ticket holders. There will be no door sales. Dunedin Midwinter Carnival co-event organiser Jonathan Cweorth said the "make-up" event was "about coming together to celebrate the strength, creativity, and kindness that define our community". "We're so excited to share a little midwinter magic with everyone who has supported us, because it's their spirit that makes this all so special," he said.
Otago Daily Times
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
World of wonder, winter fun
In a chilly workshop space in North East Valley, a world of fantastical winged beasts is taking shape, amid final preparations for next weekend's Dunedin Midwinter Carnival. The giant community event celebrating the longest nights of winter will be held next Friday and Saturday evening, June 27 and 28, transforming First Church and its grounds into a winter wonderland. Working hard to bring this year's carnival theme, "Wings of Wonder" to life is a dedicated team of lantern-making artists, led by Filipa Crofsky, who are putting the finished touches on new giant lanterns depicting Aotearoa's native birds, butterflies, soaring mythical creatures, flying spacecraft and even a hot air balloon. "The theme's focus on flight has allowed us to really use our imaginations in building some spectacular lanterns, which are going to look great in the First Church grounds," Ms Crofsky said. "We are also turning the inside of the church into a butterfly house, filled with butterfly lanterns, which we think people will enjoy." Now in its fourth year at First Church, after changing its format from the giant one-off lantern parades around the Octagon before the Covid pandemic hit, the new-look Dunedin Midwinter Carnival continues to develop in imaginative ways. This year, the event will also include a "fairy zone" containing 42 fairy houses. "We think this will be a fun area for the children to explore," Ms Crofsky said. Putting it all together is a huge task for a relatively small team of volunteers, who worked hard with limited resources to create the many lanterns, as well as running community workshops. "We have reached panic time now, when we need to get the last lanterns finished, and then get everything set up at First Church next week," Ms Crofsky said. Meanwhile, costume creator and performance co-ordinator Rochelle Brophy is also hard at work helping to bring the wonderland to life. "We will have costumed performers roving through the crowds throughout both evenings, as well as featured roles such as the Owl Queen in her chariot pulled by owls," Ms Brophy said. There will also be dance and music performances by local groups inside Burns Hall, live music stages outside in the grounds, and Brophy Aerials performers frolicking high in the trees. Local musicians Josh Botz (piano) and a dancer, and singer-songwriter Becca Caffyn will be on-hand to entertain the crowds, and the evenings will end with a main-stage performance by Tahu & The Takahes. "We will also have a spectacular aeroplane flying around the crowd, alien contortionists and an astronaut at the top of a tree — it's going to be amazing." The Dunedin Midwinter Carnival team was also working with third-year design students from Otago Polytechnic's College of Art, Design and Architecture, who had created extraordinary images to be projected on to the outside of the church, as well as some new interactive installations. Principal lecturer Denise Narciso said the students were "thrilled to once again partner with the Dunedin Midwinter Carnival — our second collaboration, and this time, it's bigger and better than ever". Local families who have taken part in lantern-making workshops will be able to showcase their work in lantern processions, which will wind through the church ground on both evenings. There will also be a selection of food trucks on site, as well as mulled wine and fire pits. Event Information: The Dunedin Midwinter Carnival When: Friday and Saturday, June 27-28 Where: First Church Times: There are three session times each night 5.30pm, 6.30pm and 7.30pm. There will also be a sensory session for those susceptible to crowds, loud music, flashing lights, or who have accessibility needs, from 4pm on Saturday, June 28. Cost: $5 for children (under 3 years free), $10 for adults or $25 for a family pass (2 adults, 2 children). Pre-purchasing tickets will ensure entry at your desired time, via The carnival is once again offering its pay-it-forward initiative, and is partnering with charity organisations in order to distribute tickets to the community.
