Some of the biggest and boldest shows to ever hit Hamilton Kirikiriroa – all happening at the inaugural Hamilton Arts Festival Toi Ora ki Kirikiriroa 2023: 24 Feb-5 March.
With the award-winning Hamilton Gardens as its primary venue, the festival (formerly Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival) showcases the best of Waikato’s performing artists alongside a curated selection of some of the most compelling shows from across the country and abroad.
According to Festival Director Geoff Turkington, the 2023 programme is a joyous fusion of new works alongside some of the most eagerly awaited shows from this year’s Covid-19 thwarted programme.
“It’s all about celebrating human connection and what makes being Kiwi so special,” says Turkington.
From candlelit classical in the newly opened Egyptian Garden to the Soundtrack to Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge! performed live on the Rhododendron Lawn by an epic rock-opera ensemble, Hamilton Arts Festival is teeming with world class arts experiences.
Next year’s musical programme showcases a diverse mix of musical stylings including flamenco, folk, rock ‘n’ roll and opera.
A stellar line-up of the country’s top musicians will be gracing Hamilton Arts Festival stages, including Tami Neilson, Te Kaahu, Lawrence Arabia, Julia Deans, Tiny Ruins, Anna Coddington, Laughton Kora (Kora), Lou’ana and many more.
Kicking the festival off on 23 Feb on the Rhododendron Lawn is The Soundtrack from Bazz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge! This concert spectacular brings together Milan Borich (Pluto), Lou’ana, Zoe Moon, Sebastian Holland Dudding and opera stars Samson Setu, Taka Vuli, Manase Latu and Ipu Laga’aia for a celebration of one of cinema’s most magical musical creations.
Intimate music performances include critically acclaimed indie folk band Tiny Ruins, who will be performing new material alongside fan favourites in the Chinoiserie Garden, and rising singer songwriter Theia is bringing her critically acclaimed reo rangatira project Te Kaahu back home for a special performance in the Te Parapara Garden (New Zealand’s only traditional Maaori productive garden).
This story provided by Hamilton Arts Festival.
HAMILTON FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
Feb 24-March 5, 2023
Click here to visit the festival website
