A photo of musician Fonotī Pati Umaga who is wearing black and sunglasses.
Fonotī Pati Umaga is the star of Music Portrait of a Humble Disabled Samoan, on this week in Wellington. (Photo: Lou Hatton).

Pop Cultureabout 8 hours ago

Fringe festivals, Fur Patrol, and Fonotī Pati Umaga: The Spinoff event guide

Books editor
A photo of musician Fonotī Pati Umaga who is wearing black and sunglasses.
Fonotī Pati Umaga is the star of Music Portrait of a Humble Disabled Samoan, on this week in Wellington. (Photo: Lou Hatton).

The Spinoff’s top pick of events from around the motu. Here’s the best for the week March 12–19.

Welcome to The Spinoff event guide, your weekly, curated selection of gigs, events and exhibitions happening across Aotearoa. If you want to pitch your event for future guides then please use this handy form.

Tāmaki Makaurau

A photograph of a woman painting at a very large canvas showing a garden scene.

Visual art: A Letter to Them – Rachael Mayne

Turua Gallery, 372 Broadway, Newmarket
March 13 – 18 (opening 5pm, March 13)
Free

Mayne’s latest exhibition draws on her 15 years as a clinical psychologist and the people whose stories informed and shaped her creative practice. “The exhibition reflects what she learned while bearing witness to trauma and hardship, alongside the extraordinary human capacity for resilience, courage, kindness and change.

In honour of that bravery, this new collection sees Mayne pushing herself creatively through increased scale, new colour palettes, and greater artistic risk. Her signature garden paintings function as both a processing space and a dedication to the courage and resilience of her clients.”

Ngāmotu

Film: Big Bike Film Night

4th Wall Theatre
7pm, March 18 –20; 4pm, March 22
$14 – $24.50

A homegrown, international film festival dedicated to short films about bikes. This year’s offering includes: “a dazzling mountain bike ride exploring the breathtaking landscapes of Norway, embracing the magic of the midnight sun”, “a life-changing experience for two adventurous women as they embark to cycle to all the ski-fields in New Zealand in one gigantic attempt”, and lots more.

Te Whanganui-a-Tara

A photo of five Pasifika people standing side by side, all dressed as if going somewhere important, and looking at the camera.

Music-theatre: Music Portrait of a Humble Disabled Samoan

Tāwhiri Warehouse
7pm, March 12–14; 2.30pm, March 13

A ground-breaking piece of theatre that tells the story of how musician Fonotī Pati Umaga went from being an able-bodied person then, due to a fall, became disabled and a wheelchair user. The show premieres in Wellington at stunning new arts venue the Tāwhiri Warehouse as part of the Aotearoa NZ Festival of the Arts. Read up about the making show on the D*List, here.

Whakatū

Four high school kids outside on grass, in various poses.
Four high school kids who think they’re kinda funny.

Festival: Nelson Fringe Festival

Multi venues
March 12 – 14
Various prices

Don’t miss the final days of Nelson’s very own Fringe Festival, with shows including Bunny Boiler, Embarrassed Naked Female, and Four high school kids who think they’re kinda funny.

Ōhinehou

A promotional banner for the band Fur Patrol.

Music: Fur Patrol

The Loons
8pm Fri, March 13
$50

“Julia Deans (guitar, vocals), Andrew Bain (bass), and Simon Braxton (drums) are hitting the road once more, joined by longtime collaborator and Pet producer David Long (The Mutton Birds). David brings his inimitable guitar wizardry to weave rich sonic layers through the trio’s unmistakable foundation.”

Ōtepoti

A young man in a cheetah suit on looks as if he has fallen down the stairs and is look up at the camera.
James Mustapic yourself up.

Festival: Dunedin Fringe Festival

Various venues
March 11 – 22
Various prices

A jam-packed line-up of indie shows from the sublime to the ridic. Including: Bat’s Incredible, CatGPT, Pub Tales, and James Mustapic Yourself Up And Get Back On That Saddle Girlfriend.

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