As we find ourselves well and truly into the swing of the year, a calendar packed with cultural events is keeping us excited for the months ahead. From exceptional exhibitions and uproarious comedy shows to live music, art installations and more, here we present our full April Culture Guide, sure satiate your creative needs this season.
Les Biches by Natasha Wright — Sanderson Contemporary
When: on from Tuesday 16th April — Sunday 12th May
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New York-based New Zealand painter Natasha Wright is bringing her new solo exhibition ‘Les Biches‘ to Sanderson Contemporary. A darker, more complex offering from the renowned artist, this show sees Wright exploring the significance of the female body as an icon, with large-scale paintings that delve into the dichotomy between vulnerability and power, seduction and aggression.
Arborialis Luminarium — Aotea Square
When: on from Saturday 13th April — Sunday 23rd April
Tickets: FOC, see more information here.
This school holidays, a fantastical labyrinth of colour and light is descending on Aotea Square. A multi-sensory experience for all ages, Arborialis Luminarium is an expansive inflatable installation created by Alan Parkinson of Architects of Air which echoes aspects of being lost in a forest, accompanied by an immersive, ambient score by Irish composer Dr Michael Morris. This dazzling inflatable maze of winding paths and soaring domes invites visitors to immerse themselves in an amazing world of light and hues for a unique sensory experience, where rest and meditation is encouraged and the senses are evoked.
The Effect — ASB Waterfront Theatre
When: on from Tuesday 16th April — Saturday 11th May
Tickets: book here
Auckland Theatre Company will showcase the new play from renowned British playwright (and Succession’s Executive Producer) Lucy Prebble. Set within a clinical trial for an antidepressant, The Effect explores love and ethics, where sizzling chemistry between protagonists Connie and Tristan blurs the lines between genuine emotion and drug-induced feelings. Against a backdrop of medical and personal intrigue, the play delves into the complexities of human attraction, leaving the audience pondering the supremacy of the heart or the head.
Atsuko Okatsuka — Q Theatre
When: on from Tuesday 16th & Wednesday 17th April
Tickets: book here
Multifaceted stand-up comedian, actor and writer, Atsuko Okatsuka, is bringing her unique perspective to delight and enthral Auckland audiences in April. With a standout debut special on HBO, accolades from the New York Times, and recognition as one of Variety’s ‘Comics to Watch’, Okatsuka promises a night of insightful humour and engaging storytelling. Don’t miss this comedic force in action.
Mansfield Park — Settlers Country Manor
When: on Sunday 21st April
Tickets: book here
Open the door on the hidden world of the regency drawing room, as Mansfield Park dives into Jane Austen’s timeless tale of manners, marriage and money. This unique production, staged in an exquisite historic venue, promises an intimate musical experience with Jonathan Dove’s elegant score, inviting operaphiles to step back in time and explore the delicate dance of love, ambition, and societal expectations in Austen’s world.
Also showing in Wellington at the Public Trust Hall on the 17th & 18th of April.
James Taylor — Spark Arena
When: on Tuesday 30th April
Tickets: book here
Grammy Award-winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee James Taylor brings his timeless melodies to Auckland in April. With a career spanning over 50 years, Taylor’s warm baritone voice and acclaimed songwriting promise an unforgettable evening. Join him and his All-Star Band for a musical journey through his iconic repertoire.
Webb’s Design Live — Webb’s Auckland
When: on Monday 15th April
Webb’s’ new, quarterly Design Live auction is taking place this month, showcasing the best of mid-century, modern and contemporary design in what is set to be a celebration of craftsmanship, materials and the designers who brought these pieces to life. Here, collectors and novices alike can expect to find furniture, homewares, art and more, in a lively event showcasing some of the country’s most coveted pieces.
Gibbs Farm Tour for Child Cancer — Gibbs Farm
When: on Friday 19th April
Tickets: book here
Gibbs Farm is an often-undiscovered collection of sculptural art that is usually open to the public by appointment only, meaning that a visit to this curation of significant works is not something many of us get the chance to do. That said, in the name of fundraising for the Child Cancer Foundation, Gibbs Farm will be opening for a day this April, offering a rare opportunity to view the open-air sculptures in person. And given the popularity of previous fundraisers, you’ll want to secure your tickets ASAP.
