Nelson Arts Festival Masked Parade
Nelson Arts Festival Masked Parade
The Masked
Parade set the Nelson Arts Festival off with a display of
creativity celebrating the theme Playful Pacifica in
costumes and masks ranging from elaborate flights of tui to
a giant papier mache world teacup.
Central School won
the Supreme Group Award with their whole school in mask and
costume, divided into sections of earth, water, fire and
air.
The judges, Annabel Norman, Kath Bee, Darryl
Frost and Gemma Laing said Central stood out for the overall
impact of their entry.
“It was striking, it fitted
really well with the theme, it was a very powerful entry
that had taken a lot of effort and it was great to see the
whole school involved,” Ms Norman said.
Long time
Masked Parade entrant Faye Wulff won the Supreme Individual
Mask with an intricate blue papier mache creation; the
Supreme Family Mask award went to the Lowe family with their
brightly coloured entry Super Star Fish; the Family
Judges’ Pick went to the Fraser family; the Individual
Judges’ Pick went jointly to Zara Palmer and Sirpa
Alalaakkola; the Merry Makers’ Mask award went to Alegria
Beat, a Pacific musical group dressed as octopuses, who also
won the Best Community Band; Hampden Street School won the
award for Daring Diversity; Creative Unison went to Enner
Glynn School whose entry was inspired by the All Black
Silver Fern; Interesting Interpretation went to Richmond
School; the Strongest Vocal Group was Clifton Terrace School
with their kapa haka set piece, and judges made special
mention of Nelson Montessori’s fabulous flock of
pukeko.
Nelson City Council Festival Director Sophie
Kelly said there had been an excellent response from the
vast majority of young people who stayed on after the parade
to party to special guests Midnight Youth and Knives at
Noon, who appeared courtesy of the Real New Zealand Festival
and the New Zealand Music Commission.
“We had put in
a lot of effort going out and talking to assemblies with the
safe partying message and it paid off,” she said. “I’d
like to thank the young people and the police, HYPE, our
security team, ambulance staff and all the others who helped
the event to run smoothly.”
Nelson Police said the
crowd at the carnivale was generally well behaved. Police
had to deal with a number of alcohol-related issues. A 16
year-old and two 17 year-olds were arrested for breach of
the liquor ban. A 19 year-old was arrested for
detoxification and another eight intoxicated youths under 17
years of age were taken to the police station deemed to be
at risk or a potential risk to others. They were collected
by their parents. Six liquor infringement notices were also
issued for drinking or being in possession of alcohol under
age. Senior Sergeant Dave Gibson said the number of youths
who were intoxicated was disappointing.
“Overall we
were pleased with the event and the behaviour of those
attending, but as always, it’s a little disappointing when
a few individuals push the boundaries and disrupt
others.”
He said the security staff assisting at the
event did a great job.
The sound and light
installation Piki Mai received a rapt response, even though
it could not be seen to best effect for the crowds on the
Church Steps where the images are projected. The imagery
included war planes appearing to dive into the crowd from
the steps, flames that engulfed the trees as Nelson’s
first cathedral was burnt down and a rocket ship projection
that made the cathedral tower appear to blast off. Piki Mai
is officially launched at 8.30 on Saturday night and will
play every night of the festival from dark until late,
through to October 24.
The festival’s first show,
Berlin Burlesque from the Loons Theatre got a rave review
and is sold out, but Ms Kelly said there are many shows
still with plenty of tickets available. The festival
continues until October 24, with theatre, music, writers’
talks and cabaret at city venues and at Founders Heritage
Park. The festival is produced by the Nelson City Council as
an annual celebration for locals and an added attraction for
visitors. Bookings at Everyman or at
www.nelsonartsfestival.co.nz
Ends