Cook Islands a big highlight in the Big Bang

Motone can announce that the New Zealand festival event THE BIG BANG will now showcase the Cook Islands tamariki on their own stage with compositions that are sure to be a highlight of the event.

Maurice Newport of Motone Productions, the Cook Islands creative company that has produced this tour, says: “We are now in full rehearsals every day to get the kids up to speed with the complex compositions that they will be performing.

“The expectations of the group are high and to perform to 5000 people in Wellington with 200 other children on drums, a 200 piece choir, Strike Percussion group and band Kora is pretty mind-blowing for adults let along kids aged between 6 and 18!”

Music director Murray Hickman, who was also Motone’s first creative resident last year has outlined a clear treatment of the performance that will last approximately 90 minutes and will be simultaneously broadcast on a big screen on the Wellington waterfront. The event is the opening of the festival and is to be attended by VIPs from around New Zealand.

“The fact that TV3 is the major sponsor to the event means that the coverage for this is national. The exposure for the Cook Islands and our talented children is huge and I hope to see us tour more contemporary work from the Cook Islands to other international events as well as showcase in an arts festival for 2015 as part of our independence celebrations,” says Glenda Tuaine of Motone Productions

Katu Teiti and Mark Short will also be performing on stage and are currently composing a variety of work to be included in the event.

The programme for the children after the event is to take them to a variety of arts experiences to provide the opportunity for them to see productions they might never see such as the BBC Dr Who and New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and a contemporary dance group from Israel called DECCADANCE.

“I have designed an itinerary for this group once the show is completed that will be a real eye opener to them on what arts is and how careers can be forged in,” says Tuaine.

“We will also perform at St Patricks College and at Victoria University as well as visit Te Papa.”

The group is still fundraising and appreciate any support you can give, so look out for them this Saturday morning as they will be drumming around the island to raise funds, with the Short family organising a concert with gold coin donation on Saturday afternoon at Eric Shorts residence in Vaimaanga.

They have a quiz night scheduled for Monday, February 3 at the Golf Club – for more information and to book a team, contact Janette Olliver on 76111.

“The project is the first of Motone Productions getting Cook Islands performers included in and creating work for international festivals,” says Tuaine.

“The New Zealand festival has really grabbed a hold of what we can do and will look after us once we get to New Zealand with domestic flights, accommodation, transport and meals, but we need to fundraise for our international airfares and to look after the kids after the festival event which will cost $10,000 for the team.

“We are looking for funders and sponsors so why not start the new year by showing your supportive side and get behind the development of Cook Islands Contemporary Performing Arts.”

Motone and the Acting Up Creative Collective has also established a crowd-funding site for people overseas to donate, too. This can be accessed at http://www.boosted.org.nz/projects/cook-islands-@-the-big-bang – follow the instructions to donate.

“We really need people to support us on this site as if we do not reach our total we do not receive any of the funds – so please pass on to all your overseas friends and family to donate as soon as you can even $5 helps!” adds Tuaine.