Midwinter Carnival - This Saturday

We are happy to advertise the up and coming Mid Winter's Carnival. 

-------- Original Message --------

Subject:	Midwinter Carnival This Saturday
Date:	Thu, 23 Jun 2011 13:30:58 +1200
From:	Paul Smith
To:	creative-dunedin@lists.otago.ac.nz

Join us this Saturday, it's going to be a beautiful midwinter  celebration!

This year's theme is Night Creatures with a particular emphasis on insects! Our art team have been working overtime on creating dozens of costumes and giant lanterns and many families have made their own lantern at one of our lantern making workshops. This year's Procession is shaping up to be totally awesome so get yourself organised - it's Carnival time!

What time to get there and where to stand?

The 2011 Midwinter Carnival will take place this Saturday in the Octagon

starting at 5.30pm. The Processions starts at 6pm but we strongly recommend people come early to get a good position. With over 8,000 people last year it get's pretty packed and people who turn up late might not get to see much! Hint: the upper Octagon is usually not too crowded.

Weather decision!

The Carnival will only be postponed if the weather is seriously raining or

very windy. An announcement will be made on our website and Facebook page at midday and More FM at 1pm. In the unlikely event it is postponed the Carnival will happen the same time and same place on Sunday 26 June.

Koha entry

We are asking the public to make a small donation when they arrive or when they leave the event. This will go towards expenses for this year's event

and perhaps next year too if people are feeling generous. Remember, this is

not a Dunedin City Council-run event (though they do help fund the

Carnival). It is run by a small non profit organisation called the Dunedin

Midwinter Celebrations Trust and we really need your support to make ends

meet.

Our donation collectors will also be handing out event programmes so you

know who all the beautiful people performing actually are!

The Carnival Procession

The procession starts in Lower Stuart Street and goes around the Octagon

twice. It doesn't matter where you stand as the procession will come to you!

Leading the Procession will be the Manawa Kapahaka group from Waitati. They will be performing with poi and taiaha and are followed by seven large star lanterns forming the Matariki constellation.

Who's performing?

We have over 70 performers in the Carnival. Songbong are back with a strong drumming troupe and will be performing alongside Koru Dance. Both groups have been performing at the Carnival for years and we love them so much we have to have them every year! The Koru dancers have new costumes this year and are great movers!

We have eight stiltwalkers in three different costumes - mosquitos, beetles

and a big white spider! All their costumes have been made by local fashion designer Fieke Neuman who has done a great job of interpreting this year's theme. The spider character is to be performed by Rhys Latton who has performed internationally as an actor, stiltwalker and aerialist.

The full list of performer can be accessed here.

Where and when are the fireworks going off?

This year the fireworks will be going off from the civic centre - the Dunedin City Council building on corner of Octagon and George Street. But don't worry, you will be able to see the fireworks from where ever you are! In fact, we need people to stay away from the fireworks area and will be enforcing a 50 metre safety zone around the civic centre.

The fireworks go off immediately following the procession. Just stay where you are in the crowd and enjoy.

Thanks to all our supporters

This event wouldn't be possible without the many volunteers, funders and

businesses that have supported us. Thank you all for your time and good will and for helping make a truly unique event a reality.

Funders

Dunedin City Council, Otago Community Trust, Creative Communities Scheme (Creative NZ), Southern Trust, Sargood Bequest, Pub Charity, Lion Foundation, Puaka Matariki Steering Roopu

Sponsors

More FM, Immersion Marketing, Hirequip, Ezyprint Solutions, Lund

Construction, Otago Daily Times, Event Pro, St Johns Ambulance, the CB Club,

Custom Signs, Taste Nature, Alan Dove Photography, Treefrog Video, Fireworks

International.

See you at the Carnival!

More information at www.midwintercarnival.co.nz