Various Artists with Nicholas & Beth

Stand Up Stand Out is an annual competition that nurtures and showcases music and dance talent from secondary schools across Auckland. The winners were announced last weekend at a sold-out Auckland Town Hall, showcasing 26 diverse acts across five categories: dance, solo instrumental, group vocal, solo vocal and bands. To hear about the competition, its unique beginnings and what it means for Rangatahi, Frances caught up with Gene Rivers, Auckland Council Arts and Culture Programmer.

On Various Artists this week:

Frances speaks to Professor Alex Sims of the University of Auckland about the future of the Arts in the face of rapidly advancing AI technologies, and with Peaceworker Laurie Ross about the Nuclear Free NZ Peacemaker Exhibition in Titirangi as part of Auckland Heritage Festival.

Liam speaks to Dylan C from Aurora Collective about Elemental Journey, a performance art/light show/ dance night happening at Silent Studios tonight, as well as Naomi Azouley about Where Are You From? at Studio One Toi Tū.

 And, to round off the show, we will take you through the art guide for Tāmaki Makarau this week.

If you were living in New Zealand in the 80s and you’re old enough to remember when milk was delivered in glass bottles, you’ll probably recall waking up to the news that the anti-nuclear Greenpeace vessel the Rainbow Warrior had been bombed in July of 1985. As the truth came to light that French Secret Service agents were responsible, it was a moment that solidified our stance as an anti-nuclear country. Of course, Liam and Frances weren’t alive when milk was delivered in glass bottles, but The Auckland Heritage Festival is making sure that our history stays alive today. The theme of this year’s Festival, which runs from 23 September - 8 October, is Peace, Love and Protest. It’s an opportunity to learn about and remember the important issues that have caused many Aucklanders to take a stand. To hear about one exhibition telling the story of our anti-nuclear past, Frances caught up with Peaceworker Laurie Ross. 

Over at the recently reopened Ponsonby Studio One Toi Tū space, one of the first post-renovation exhibitions is Naomi Azoulay Where Are You From?

This features various portraits of POC from around Tāmaki Makaurau, aiming to discuss the feeling of place as an immigrant in Aotearoa. 

Liam had a chat with Naomi about the exhibition.