Christchurch Underground group surfaces with 3 events at the Fringe
Christchurch performing arts collective known for the training ground for some of NZ’s most successful artists such
as;- BroTown and Sione’s Wedding’s Oscar Kightley, David Fane and Shimpal Lelisi, Fat Freddy’s Drop’s Dallas Tamaira and
Scribe; Pacific Underground will offer not one event at the Dunedin Fringe but three events, as the group embarks on
it’s first ever triple offering since it’s beginnings in 1992 with - ‘Island Summer’ – featuring a 20 piece guitar
orchestra- by Pos Mavaega on 5th and 6th of October, ‘Underground Flicks’ – a showcase of emerging Pasifika video and
film-makers on 6th October, and ‘Soul Defined’ with Koilé – a night of Soul music in a monster jam of 2 big bands at The
Backstage on Saturday 7th October.
‘Island Summer’ by Pos Mavaega and his 20 piece guitar orchestra will include musicians from Dunedin. The music of
Samoa arranged by Mavaega is a tribute to the first wave of migrant families from the islands who, in the late 1940’s to
the early 1960s, brought to New Zealand all their hopes and dreams, maintaining their strong cultural customs and music.
“Underground Flicks’ by Pacific Underground and Dunedin collective pART oNE, will feature Pasifika film and video
projects including the worlds first Samoan silent film, ‘Talula Talula’ directed by Barbara Carpenter and the Naked
Samoan’s comedian David Fane.
‘Underground Flicks’ is really a small way of acknowledging the increasing number of Pasifika and Maori film, video and
documentary makers out there”, says Tanya Muagututi’a, Pacific Underground Producer. “It’s also an extension to our
commitment of telling stories of Pacific peoples living and growing up in New Zealand” says Muagututi’a.
“Soul Defined” with Dunedin reggae band Koilè is a fun night of dancing and singing to the sweet sound of Soul music
and Pasifika Reggae. Two big bands will bring you Soul classics from Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind and Fire and Aretha
Franklin adding to the warm sunny harmonies, of Pasifika Reggae at its best - ‘Koilé. In 2001 Pacific Underground
performed at Bath Street with all-girl Hip Hop group Sheelahroc as support for King Kapisi. The return of Pacific
Underground - and their 15 piece Soul Defined band - to Dunedin will be a first time collaboration with Koilè, who have
recently supported acts such as Kora, Rhombus and The Black Seeds.
The three events dubbed as the ‘Otepoti Pacific Series’ are supported by Dunedin groups pART ONE, Freedom Roadworks,
Koilé and Christchurch Maori arts group Tihei Productions; with funding support from Creative New Zealand.
ENDS