Te Papa's November Exhibitions & Events Update

Te Papa's November Exhibitions & Events Update

November highlights

November is a great time to visit. The fabulous Kiri's Dresses exhibition continues and be sure to catch three popular exhibitions before they close. This month is your last chance to see Past Presents, Wild Design, and Striking Poses. But there are some new beginnings too, and on Saturday November 29, you're invited to celebrate the opening of Te Awa Tupua: The Whanganui Iwi Exhibition, with an exciting programme of performances and historic film screenings. There's loads more happening at Te Papa this month, for the whole family. Don't miss 'A Day with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra'. It's your chance to meet the musicians, ask them questions, watch fun instrument demos, and hear our national orchestra in concert. And, kids, it's bring-a-bug time again! Te Papa entomologists will inspect your creepy-crawlies and tell you all about them.A fascinating assortment of free lectures are on offer this November. Sure to pack out Soundings Theatre is Oxford professor and best-selling author Bryan Sykes, talking about the new science of molecular genetics, in honour of the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the structure of DNA. If you want to hear him, make sure you book! That's just a sample of the events on at Te Papa this month - read on and see what takes your fancy!

Short-term Exhibitions:

Te Awa Tupua: The Whanganui Iwi Exhibition

In partnership with Te Papa, Whanganui iwi present stories and taonga from their unique Whanganui river culture, from Te Kähui Maunga (the mountain clan) to Tangaroa (the sea). The exhibition's central theme is contained in the whakatauakï (proverb), 'E rere kau mai te awa nui mai Te Kähui Maunga ki Tangaroa, ko au te awa ko te awa ko au.' (The great river flows from the mountain clan to Tangaroa, I am the river; the river is me) . Opens 29 November 2003. Free entry.

Generously sponsored by the Wanganui District Council and Horizons Regional Council.

Ngä Toko Rima | Contemporary clayworks

Out of the creation stories of fire, water, and earth, five leading Mäori artists create powerful new works in clay. Nö ngä pakiwaitara o te orokohanga, mai i te ahi, i te wai, me te oneone, ka waihangatia e ëtahi tohunga kaitoi he mahi whaimana hou ki te uku. Until April 2005. Free entry.

Kiri's Dresses: A glimpse into a Diva's wardrobe

Dresses from Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's wardrobe and her memories of them give an intimate glimpse into the life of a world-famous lyric soprano. Until September 2004. Free entry.

Wings: Nature's flying machines | Hua rere a te taiao

Wings is a rich investigation of flight in the natural world and people's ingenuity with wings. Explore the marvels of flying, highlighted by hands-on interactives and stunning audio-visuals. Until 25 April 2004. Free entry.

Wild Design: A fresh look at nature

Enjoy a rich selection of photographs, objects, and artworks that bring you up close to design in the natural world. Closes 23 November 2003. Free entry.

Striking Poses: New Zealand portrait photography

Come face to face with more than a hundred years of studio portraits from Te Papa's photographic collection. Closes 23 November 2003. Free entry.

Past Presents: looking into the art collection

See the depth and diversity of Te Papa's art collection including works by Rembrandt, McCahon, Angus, and Duchamp, as well as installations and photographs. Closes 9 November 2003. Free entry.

Aainaa: reflections through Indian weddings

Created by Te Papa in partnership with New Zealand Indian communities, this exhibition explores the wedding ritual to show both traditional and modern experiences of marriage. Featured from now until March 2004 are the wedding rituals of the Sikh community. Until late 2004. Free entry.

Events:

Wednesday 5

12.30pm-1pm: Poutu Primary School kapa haka. Poutu School, from the isolated Kaipara Peninsula, has 29 students, 27 of whom have travelled to Wellington to perform. The Marae, Level 4. Free entry.

Saturday 8

1pm-2pm: Son del Monte. Traditional and new Cuban music. The Marae, Level 4. Free entry.

2pm-2.45pm: Discovery Hour: Gold fever and the New Zealand Gold Rush. Kids! Join Hamish Campbell, Te Papa's Geologist extraordinaire, to discover why hundreds flocked to New Zealand in the mid-1800s. Then make a golden treasure box. Inspiration Station, Level 4. Free entry.

Sunday 9

Past Presents exhibition closes!

1pm-2pm: Titan Hutt City Brass Band. Wellington Foyer, Level 2. Free entry.

Thursday 13

6.30pm-8pm: 'An introduction to the classical music of India.' A lecture and demonstration from Indian Classical music aficionado Pooshan Navathe and his enthusiastic group of music-lovers. Soundings Theatre, Level 2. Free entry.

Saturday 15

1pm-2pm: Carousel. An innovative acoustic quartet from Wellington. The Marae, Level 4. Free entry.

Sunday 16

1pm-4pm: Greater Wellington Marine Model Club. See model boats in action! Te Papa Amphitheatre and Lagoon, Level 1. Free entry.

Monday 17

7pm -8pm: 'I met a traveller from an antique land: Genetics as history'. Professor Bryan Sykes, best-selling author of The Seven Daughters of Eve, explains how the new science of molecular genetics has transformed the way we view the human past, solved issues that have perplexed scholars for centuries, and demolished any scientific basis for racism. Brought to you by the Royal Society of New Zealand, in partnership with the British High Commission and British Council New Zealand. Soundings Theatre, Level 2. Free entry but bookings essential. Email sykeswellington@rsnz.org or phone (04) 470 5755.

Saturday 22

10am-2.30pm: A Day with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. In association with The Dominion Post. A day of educational entertainment, introducing you to the workings of a professional orchestra. Throughout Te Papa. Free entry.

3pm-4pm: The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Family Concert. Conducted by recently appointed NZSO Associate Conductor Hamish McKeich. Wellington Foyer, Level 2. Free entry.

2pm-4pm: Bring-a-bug day. Kids! Insects wanted, dead or alive! Bring along any creepy-crawlies you've found, and join Te Papa entomologists Ricardo Palma and Phil Sirvid to find out more about them. NatureSpace, Level 2. Free entry.

Sunday 23

Wild Design and Striking Poses exhibitions close! 1pm-2.30pm: John, Jess and Jhan: singer/songwriter afternoon. Join three talented singer/songwriters, John Mills, Jess Chambers, and Jhan Lindsay, as they present original works. The Marae, Level 4. Free entry.

Thursday 27

6.30pm-8.30pm: 'Wellington's inlets and estuaries' lecture. Inlets and estuaries are home to many plants and animals. Learn more about the history and science of these wonderful environments. Email Greater Wellington Regional Council at info@gw.govt.nz or phone (04) 384 5708, for more information. Soundings Theatre, Level 2. Free entry.

Saturday 29

Te Awa Tupua: The Whanganui iwi exhibition opens! 11am-2.15pm: Whanganui Iwi Opening Events!

To mark the exhibition opening of Te Awa Tupua. All events free entry. 11am-12.15am: Whanganui Historic Films. A special chance to see historic films from the Whanganui region. Soundings Theatre, Level 2.

12.30pm-1pm: Te Matapihi Kapa Haka. Wellington Foyer, Level 2.

1.15pm-1.45pm: Ruia Aperahama. Well known for 'What's The Time Mr Wolf' from Once Were Warriors, Ruia performs eight well-loved waiata. The Marae, Level 4.

1.45pm-2.15pm: Te Reanga Morehu O Ratana. This 40 strong membered group performs kapa haka. The Marae, Level 4.

2.15pm-2.45pm: Ruia Aperahama. Ruia performs another eight well-known waiata. The Marae, Level 4.

Sunday 30

Whanganui Iwi Opening Events!

12 noon-3pm: Te Matapihi Variety Showcase.

The Marae, Level 4. Free entry.

Featuring:

Te Matapihi ropu. Multi-award-winning kapa haka from descendants of the Whanganui River from Taumarunui in the north to the Whanganui sea board in the south.

Manaia Singers. Top-notch entertainment from Joe & Makere Haami, veterans of the Australasian circuit.

Paradise. Singing duo, Willy Matthews and Lynaire Simon.

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