The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra will kick-off a special Labour Weekend programme of free family fun, entertainment
and new experiences at Te Papa.
On Saturday, 21 October 2000, the public will get the chance to meet players and hear live the sections that make up our
own New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, recently back from playing at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Arts Festival.
Te Papa's chief executive Cheryll Sotheran said "The NZSO at Te Papa programme would give people a chance to experience
a world-class symphony orchestra 'up close'."
"The NZSO will take some of the mystery out of music making by showing how different instruments work in everyday terms
and how the sections work together to produce the music we hear in concerts, on film soundtracks and on CDs," she said.
The fun will start at Te Papa at 10.00am with a brass fanfare by New Zealand composer John Psathas. This will be
followed by demonstrations from other sections and a chance to meet some of the players.
At 3.30pm, the NZSO, conducted by Principal Guest Conductor Matthias Bamert, will also give a free family concert, which
will include some lively well-known music, by Strauss, Sousa and Ravel, as well as a New Zealand work, by Douglas
Lilburn.
The NZSO's Principal Guest Conductor Matthias Bamert said the concept for the day came from his visit to Te Papa last
year. "What makes Te Papa stand out from the other museums around the world is its originality in presentation and
interaction throughout the different exhibitions" he said. "It is important that the public are able to come and touch,
play and hear the workings of a professional orchestra without the formality of a concert hall".
The NZSO at Te Papa programme is the first day of a three day programme of free family fun at Te Papa over Labour
Weekend, celebrating our culture and heritage.
On Sunday, 22 October, New Zealand's funniest comedy duo, the Topp Twins, will appear throughout the day at various
locations around Te Papa, while on Monday, 23 October, Te Papa hosts Pacifica Performance Day, a colourful,
action-packed day of traditional and contemporary Pacific song and dance, including Soljahz Culjahz, the winners of the
Smokefree Pacific Beat 2000.
"Te Papa is passionate about encouraging education, imagination and pride in our rich culture and heritage. We are
delighted to be working with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Topp Twins and the many Pacific Island groups to
add to the Te Papa experience by giving families the opportunity to have fun together and experience new things." said
Dame Cheryll.
ENDS
For further information: Vicki Connor 04 381 7083 025 620 8321
LABOUR WEEKEND PROGRAMME AT TE PAPA
Saturday 21 October - New Zealand Symphony Orchestra at Te Papa Enjoy a whole day at Te Papa with the New Zealand
Symphony Orchestra! Meet each section, and learn about their instruments and roles within the orchestra. The fun starts
with a brass fanfare at 10.00am, and is followed by demonstrations from other sections, and you'll hear some homemade
instruments as well! All the sections join together at 3.30pm to perform a fantastic family concert under the baton of
Principal Guest Conductor Matthias Bamert.
Sunday 22 October - The Topp Twins Meet Camp Mother and Camp Leader, Ken and Ken, and heaps of other popular characters
from New Zealand's funniest comedy duo as they pop up throughout the day at various locations around Te Papa.
The Topp Twins are "New Zealand's finest artistic export since lamb cutlets" (The Herald, Glasgow) and "national
treasures" (The Listener, 1997). Cultural icons in NZ now for more than a decade, and awarded New Zealand's Best
Entertainers several times, they have their own successful television series and tour regularly overseas.
The Topp Twins grew up on a dairy farm in the Waikato and after a brief stint in the Army started busking on the streets
of Auckland. They were very active as political performers during the 1980s and today these previously fringe performers
are today one of the most popular mainstream cultural acts in NZ.
The Twins' rural upbringing explains their country roots and mastery of yodelling. It is their unique blend of original
music, character comedy and spontaneity which makes them distinctive entertainers and best described as "Twin talents on
song....a comedy act to treasure" (The Times, London) Monday 23 October - Pacifica Performance Day Talofa! Kia orana!
Mälö e lelei! Nisa bula vinaka! Fakälofa atu! Enjoy a colourful, action-packed day of traditional and contemporary
Pacific song and dance, as different Pacific Island groups celebrate Pacifica Performance Day throughout Te Papa.
Performances include Soljahz Culjahz, the winners of the Smokefree Pacific Beat 2000.
10am - 11am: Ei Tiare Cook Island Drummers.
Main Entrance, Level 1.
11am - 12noon: Niuean Congregation of St. James Church.
Te Marae, Level 4.
12noon- 1pm: Lower Hutt Fiji Community Group.
The Wellington Foyer, Te Papa; Level 2.
1pm - 2pm: Soljahz Culjahz (winners of the Smokefree Pacific
Beat 2000).
Te Marae, Level 4
2pm - 3pm: Lower Hutt Fiji Community Group.
The Wellington Foyer, Te Papa; Level 2.
3pm - 4pm: Cook Island Catholic Youth Group.
Te Marae, Level 4.
Vicki Connor
Communications & Marketing Co-ordinator
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
PO Box 467, Wellington 1, New Zealand
phone (64 4) 381 7083
fax (64 4) 381 7080
email vickic@tepapa.govt.nz