Media Release Pacific Underground 24 August, 2011
Pacific Underground homeless not show-less
Father and Sons a brand new show presented by the Christchurch Arts Festival and performing arts collective Pacific
Underground debuts on Friday 23 September in the Telstra Club. Preceded by Pacific Underground (PU)¹s offering of their
popular show Island Summer (on Sunday 11 September) in the Telstra Club, Father and Sons marks significant change for PU
since February¹s earthquake.
PU joins the many arts groups and people left homeless since February¹s earthquake. Being based in the Dux de Lux
building since 1997, their lease was terminated by the Arts Centre Trust - a contributing factor for show creators Pos
Mavaega and Tanya Muagututi¹a to move to Auckland with their three children.
³There are less venues and spaces so, no gigs for me.² Says Pos Mavaega who also played in numerous bands including
reggae group D¹sendantz. ³We¹re used to travelling between the two cities, this time though, up-routing the kids was
hard. We all miss home too, heaps.²
Back in April the PU members moved everything out of the office after a 2-month wait, while continuing remotely with
rehearsals for the Wanaka Festival of Colour, Dunedin¹s Matariki Festival and preparing for Father and Sons with the
Christchurch Arts Festival team.
Father and Sons stars NZ¹s iconic Hip Hop artist Che Fu and his Dad Tigi Ness alongside Nesian Mystik¹s Feleti
Strickson-Pua, and his poet and Reverend father Mua Strickson-Pua. PU¹s very own Drummer Chris Searle features alongside
his Dad - well-know jazz and classical pianist Laurie Searle.
³The Fathers and Sons show is looking really exciting. The opportunity for me and my dad to collaborate across art forms
is something which will truly be one of the most memorable performances of my career. It's been about 6-7 years since
the last opportunity to perform together, and a lot has changed in that time, in terms of our art forms. Can't wait to
see the result come the festival.² Says Feleti Strickson-Pua from iconic R, Hip Hop group Nesian Mystik. ³I'm stoked that the Christchurch Arts Festival has led the way in exploring the often
forgotten special dynamic of fathers and their sons, the stories and cross generational banter will be such an
experience.²
Local legend and PU¹s resident drummer Chris Searle will play with his dad Laurie Searle for the first time since in
over 25 years.
³Both Chris and Laurie have been full time musicians in two completely different circuits, so we¹re really excited to
see this new, old and familial collaboration. ² says PU Manager Tanya Muagututi¹a. ³Father and Sons is a reflection of
the strength of our families in Christchurch. Losing our office is nothing really compared to what¹s happened to our
city or the eastside where we¹re from.²
Christchurch has suffered so much since last September. Our families have got through a lot of this together. Fathers
and Sons is a celebration of that.³
ENDS