The Tauranga Art Festival team is sticking to its mantra that art should be accessible to young people, with free events on offer.

Thanks to the generosity of Taylor Bros Transport, four shows – which promise to inspire, entertain and educate – will be free to Western Bay of Plenty school students. Free buses will be provided to the performances for low decile schools.

Tauranga Arts Festival general manager Sarah Cotter said the shows are inspiring performances designed especially for young audiences.

All will be matinee performances held at Baycourt and the “magical” Carrus Crystal Palace.

Imaginative, live experiences

“The aim is to introduce our young people to powerful, imaginative live experiences and as part of that journey, the intention is to spark curiosity, encourage creativity, and ignite a lifelong love for the arts,” Cotter said.

The shows are called: ‘The Griegol’, ‘Creation Creation’ and ‘All the Things I Wish I Could Be’ – with two matinee performances of the latter – and will be held on October 28, 30 and 31, respectively. There’s the opportunity for whānau to attend these too, in evening time slots.

The shows are part of a whole array of events scheduled for the October 23-November 2 Tauranga Arts Festival. See the full programme at: www.taurangafestival.co.nz

Puppetry

Cotter said ‘The Griegol’ utilises silhouettes, smoke, puppetry, live music and live animation to present what’s described as an eerie, elegant tale without words about death, love and monsters.

“It is recommended for audiences aged seven and more and is the mastermind of NZ’s Trick of the Light Theatre.”

Comedy (

Creation Creation by Australia’s Windmill Theatre Company, is a comedy about life’s big, burning questions like: How did we get here? Are aliens real? Is it possible to lick your elbow?

‘Creation Creation’ promises a “hilarious explosion of art, sculpture and puppetry”. Its target audience is aged 10 and above, and the show comes to Tauranga from Australia, said Cotter.

Very Kiwi

‘All the Things I Wish I Could Be’ is a “very Kiwi” comedy – a wild, musical adventure about two loveable dads who dream of becoming everything from All Blacks to ballerinas, mad monkeys to silly monsters, said Cotter.

All the Things I Wish I Could Be’ is a “very Kiwi” comedy, which will be on show at Tauranga Art Festival. Photo / Supplied

“The Dad duo dish up original songs, high energy, a celebration of imagination, and plenty of hilarity – tailored to suit those aged between four and 10.”

Cotter said Tauranga Arts Festival is proud to deliver a designated schools’ programme. There’s also the opportunity for school pupils to enjoy, at low-cost, workshops with musical duo, Aro.

“Aro’s work explores themes of kaitiakitanga and manaakitanga, caring for ourselves, one another, and the world around us. The festival team is working with Yellow Eye to offer what festival organisers are describing as a highly exciting opportunity.”

And for children younger still, Opus Pocket Orchestra will delivering live music for free via 30-minute concerts with a special focus on introducing orchestral music to little listeners at Tauranga library at 10am on November 1-2.

Various festival delights would please young audiences too – for example a large-scale installation called Obelisk Natura, which will bring light, colour and energy to Tauranga waterfront.

For more details, visit: www.taurangafestival.

Schools keen to make the most of the free performances can email festival co-ordinator Katy Bain at: katy.bain@taurangafestival.co.nz with opportunities subject to availability.