Jazz and blues with soul
Acclaimed for her jazz and blues interpretations and a leading singer in Te Reo Maori, Whirimako Black brings her "Soul Talk" national tour to the South this week, with shows in Oamaru tonight and Dunedin tomorrow.
An award-winning singer, Black's musical achievements include composing and singing the titles for the TVNZ series The New Zealand Wars, as well as revising and modernising traditional waiata, "to fulfil the dreams of my ancestors".
Accompanying her on tour is guitarist and string player Nigel Gavin, of the Nairobi Trio, the Jews Brothers Band, Bravura, Gitbox Rebellion and Robert Fripp's League of Crafty Guitarists.
Black and Gavin play tonight at the Oamaru Opera House (7.30) and tomorrow in the Glenroy Auditorium, Dunedin (8pm).
Choir chalks up 200
Last year, Dunedin's RSA Choir reached its 90th anniversary.
Next week, it will celebrate another milestone, the 200th concert for subscribers.
Appropriately titled "200 Not Out", the evening will intersperse songs from the choir with performances from guests.
Next week's guests are the Tahuna Normal Intermediate School Special Choir and a choir of pupils from Otago Boys' and Otago Girls' high schools.
RSA Choir member Kevin Tansley will feature as soloist in some of that choir's offerings.
"200 Not out" will be held on Wednesday, December 1, at the Dunedin Town Hall at 7.30pm.
Docos' new breed
Six documentaries written, produced and directed by Centre for Science Communication student film-makers have their premiere at the University of Otago's St David St lecture theatres (cnr St David and Castle streets) tomorrow and Saturday at 7pm.
The documentaries tackle subjects as diverse and difficult as what it means to be human, the state of the environment, the 57th World Ploughing Championships and the age-old question of why mountaineers do what they do.
Anniversary concert
This year is the bicentennial of the birth of Chopin and Schumann, and in celebration, there will be a Chopin Schumann Bicentennial Student Concert at Marama Hall on December 11, at 7pm.
The purpose of this concert is to let everyone, including pupils and amateurs, celebrate the anniversary of both composers.
No work is too small.
Performers should fill in the application form at www.collegiateorchestra.
otago.ac.nz/events.html and email the completed form to collegiateorchestra@gmail.com by Friday, November 26.
For further information, contact Rosemary Sadler (organiser), phone 454-4855, email: collegiateorchestra@gmail.com
North and South art
Art South Otago is holding its 2010 Exhibition along with the TrustPower Art Awards next week.
The exhibition opens on Tuesday, November 23, at 7.30pm.
It will then be open 10am-5pm daily until Sunday.
It is being held at the Creative Arts Centre, 142 Clyde St, Balclutha.
The North Otago Art Society is holding its 80th anniversary exhibition at its gallery on the corner of Tyne and Wansbeck streets, Oamaru.
The exhibition is open on Tuesdays (1-3pm) and weekends (10am-3pm), until December 4.
Slides and talk
The Japanese tradition of Pecha Kucha - "chit chat" - gets an outing in both Alexandra and Dunedin.
Alexandra's Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery hosts a session tomorrow from 7.30pm, as part of the Thyme Festival.
Presenters include Juliet Novena Sorrel, Jim Robbie, Luke Anthony, Tracy Osborne, Les Riddell, Kyle Mewburn and Deidre Copeland.
Then on Wednesday, the NZ Institute of Architects sponsors a Pecha Kucha night at the University of Otago Union Hall, from 7.30pm.
Topics include geology, poetry and bestiaries - and architecture.
Both will use the traditional form of speakers showing 20 slides and talking for 20 seconds about each.
There will be a bar and nibbles at both events.
Director approach
Dunedin's Blue Oyster Art Project Space is searching for a new director.
Current director Jaenine Parkinson is leaving after two years managing the non-profit gallery that allows artists to show experimental, non-commercial work.
"Working for the Blue Oyster has been a wonderful opportunity for me and I have learnt and experienced so much.
"It's been a privilege working with the trustees, staff, volunteers and so many talented artists," Parkinson said.
The position is being advertised nationally from tomorrow. Applications close on December 3.
