Day Three Of The Festival Of Colour

Southern Man, A Greek Epic And Pacific Islands On
Day Three Of The Festival Of Colour

The Southern Man is alive and well, with a little help from Southern Woman, according to the discussion panel during today’s programme of events at the Festival of Colour.

In a session chaired by Chris Laidlaw, poet Bill Manhire, merino farmer Christine Fernyhough and Tahu Potiki of Ngai Tahu discussed whether there was more to the Southern Man than a certain beer commercial. In her experience working on the land, Fernyhough said, “He is so much more than a macho man. He’s about compassion, empathy, kindness and sharing.” Manhire felt that poet Sam Hunt broke the mould when he took poetry to the public bar and today it is OK for a rough, tough character to have a poetic side, as illustrated by Brian Turner. But it was Potiki who stole the show with a tongue-in-cheek poem that tracked the progress of Southern Man from his arrival in his “celestial canoe” to his current incarnation as the “Sensitive New Age Guy”.

Other highlights of today’s Festival included over 200 garden enthusiasts discovering the hidden secrets of six of Lake Wanaka’s most remarkable gardens. From high country hill stations to formal romantic gardens, each was chosen for its spectacular autumn colours that give the Festival its name.

Greek tragedy and humour, ancient and modern came to the stage in Odyssey, a one-man performance by Andreas Litras who cleverly intertwined the ancient classic of Homer’s Odyssey with his own parents story of their migration from Greece to Australia.

The rich sound of the Pacific Islands ended the day with New Caledonian group, Kalaga’la playing to a full house in the Infinity Crystal Palace. Incorporating contemporary Polynesian folk music with Kanéka beats and rhythms, the music echoed Pacific Island style, culture and identity late into the night.

Highlights for day four of the Festival include leading New Zealand pianists Mike Nock and Michael Houstoun discussing the themes of jazz and classical music, a show of water, fire and glass in The Lab and rousing gospel with rock ‘n roll attitude from the Jubilation Choir. For further information, visit www.festivalofcolour.co.nz.

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