2 days ago
- 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.
