26 October 2005

Parnell looking bloomin' rosy

Auckland's much-loved Parnell Festival of Roses promises a first taste of summer with a floral fiesta of free entertainment and displays.

The festival will be held on Saturday 12 November (noon to 5pm) and Sunday 13 November (noon to 6pm). Events will be held at a number of iconic Parnell venues - Sir Dove-Myer Robinson Park (Parnell Rose Gardens), Parnell Road, Selwyn Library and Parnell Community Centre.

A special feature this year will be the Parnell Road Market Day on Saturday 12 November from 10am to 4pm. With Christmas fast approaching, this will be a wonderful day to stroll along Parnell Road and shop for gifts.

The Parnell Rose Gardens will be buzzing over the weekend with New Zealand craft stalls, art exhibitions, music, strolling performers and an appearance by kids' favourite, Fairy Claire.

Visitors to the Bell Roses display will get a first look at the "Parnell Heritage" rose, Parnell's very own rose celebrating the suburb's rich history. The rose was named by historian Rendell McIntosh, whose suggestion won the 'Nameless Rose' competition held by Auckland City in August.

The hugely popular concert in the park and performance by the Auckland Theatre Company (ATC) introduced last year will be continued. People can bring a picnic down to the Pohutukawa green to take in musical theatre, jazz music and opera performances on Saturday afternoon.

The Auckland Theatre Company will perform numbers from Cole Porter's High Society, adapted by Carolyn Burns. This classic musical is the grand finale to the ATC's 2005 season and features a blend of toe-tapping songs, fizzing one-liners and champagne-fuelled comedy. Stay on after their performance to enjoy some soulful jazz from the Grand Central Band, followed by a bouquet of opera by the Opera Factory.

The Auckland Rose Society Inc will be hosting an Exhibition of Roses over the weekend at Selwyn Library. Experts will be on hand to answer questions on rose culture, and China Painting of Roses by Audrey Moorhouse will be for sale.

Festival-goers can visit the Jubilee Building to round off their rose experience with an outdoor display of roses from Bell Roses, rose activities, and a selection of Anna Killgour-Wilson's botanic photographs on exhibition and for sale.

Other events happening in Parnell over the weekend of the festival include: * 20 Days in Bloom: an exhibition of works based around a flower theme by Pamela Wolfe, Karl Maughan and Pat Hanly at Artis Gallery, 280 Parnell Road * a special exhibition by Allison's Acquisitions at the Old Parnell Library Lecture Hall, 380 Parnell Road from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 November where rose lovers will have the opportunity to admire and purchase exquisitely realistic artificial English roses, including the new Phase II David Austin English Roses Collection * Parnell Craft Market at the Holy Trinity Cathedral forecourt on Saturday 12 November from 10am to 3pm * La Cigale French-style market at 69 St Georges Bay Road, every Saturday from 8am to 1pm.

Visitors can take advantage of the free bus that will loop around the festival venues every 20 minutes from 10am to 5pm both days. The route has been extended this year to include the Broadway roundabout.

Parnell Festival of Roses is just one of more than 60 free Ak@Play summer events provided by Auckland City and is run in partnership with Parnell Mainstreet Inc., and supported by Viva 98.2FM.

ENDS

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