As we find ourselves eagerly awaiting warmer and lighter days, a calendar packed with cultural events is keeping us excited for the final month of winter. From exceptional exhibitions and captivating performances to live comedy and more, here we present our August Culture Guide, sure to satiate your creative cravings.
Modern Women: Flight of Time
When & Where: From now until February 2025, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
This fascinating and thought-provoking exhibition explores the pivotal role of female artists in the shaping and development of New Zealand’s modern art, from 1920 to 1970, revealing new connections, previously hidden themes and revelling in the theatre of modern art.
Royal New Zealand Ballet: Solace
When & Where: Thursday 8th — Saturday 10th August, Aotea Centre
The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s 2024 winter season showcase, Solace: Dance to feed your soul, features a trio of spectacular ballets. Wayne McGregor’s “Infra” explores city life through abstract dance, with twelve dancers performing solos, duets, and ensembles to Max Richter’s evocative score. Sarah Foster-Sproull’s “To Hold” delves into the human form’s intricate wonders, accompanied by Eden Mulholland’s primal score and Donna Jefferis’s fashion-inspired costumes. Alice Topp’s “High Tide,” inspired by Ólafur Arnalds’s music, reflects on life’s cycles with Jon Buswell’s transformative stage design. This season offers a rich experience of reflection, beauty, and human connection through dance.
Julia Holderness: Botanical Pursuits
When & Where: Tuesday 13th August — Sunday 15th September, Sanderson Contemporary
In her solo exhibition at Sanderson Contemporary, Julia Holderness explores the themes of garden, landscape, and still life through diverse mediums. She delves into the works of Bloomsbury painter Vanessa Bell and plantswoman Kitty Lloyd Jones, weaving their influences with her own creations. Central to her exhibition is Florence Weir, a fictional conduit representing women’s historical roles in art and horticulture. Holderness’ practice is an interplay of research, fabrication, and artistic creation, contributing significantly to New Zealand feminist art historiography.
Scenes from a Climate Era
When & Where: From now until Saturday 24th August, Silo Theatre
Scenes from the Climate Era is a powerful play by David Finnigan, diving into the climate crisis through a whirlwind of scenes blending comedy, rage, and vulnerability. Spanning past, present, and future, it tackles humanity’s biggest story. A co-production by Auckland Theatre Company and Silo Theatre, this urgent work is a collective call to action for our era.
Comedy Fest Winter Special
When & Where: Thursday 22nd — Saturday 24th August, ABS Waterfront Theatre
Following a wildly successful NZ International Comedy Festival, a trio of comedy specials is set to warm up winter at the ASB Waterfront Theatre. The three-night Comedy Festival — Winter Special features Chris Parker, Kura Forrester, and “Best Comedy Show on Earth” hosted by Tom Sainsbury. Enjoy a weekend of laughs with performances from New Zealand’s top comedic talent, bringing humour and joy to Tāmaki Makaurau’s waterfront.
Sean Beldon: The Weather, With You
When & Where: Thursday August 22nd — Saturday September 7th, The Frame Workshop & Gallery
Sean Beldon’s novel exhibition showcases 30 new works inspired by New Zealand’s ever-changing weather and the music that has influenced his life and work. Beldon’s evocative pieces capture the essence of landscapes through bold colours and dynamic atmospheres, as his South African roots and love for New Zealand’s scenery are reflected in his art, creating a compelling narrative of place and emotion through a series of sculptural, photographic, and painted works.
