Every time we’ve faced a lockdown, level change, phase turn or traffic light we’ve seized the opportunity to double down on our support for independent artists. But Omicron hits differently - so we’ve decided it’s time to flip that broken record, and find new ways of keeping artists at the centre of the story.
Art is like water, it will find a way to slip through any crack and we are here to bust those cracks wide open. If that means turning off the stage lights for a time and switching up our game, we’ll do it. We were built to serve artists, and no amount of are-the-arts-essential-debates is going to stop that. Our spaces may be closed for now, but we have never missed a beat when it comes to dreaming up new models for artists to dissent, defy and rage gleefully into the night.
For the remainder of our Summer season, we are launching our B-SIDE PROGRAMME - activities that are low-risk, easy and accessible for our artists and audiences to sink their teeth into while Omicron is Omicronning. These activities speak to us in the now; they’re nimble, they put cash in artist’s pockets and they bring a whole lotta joy and heart out to you. Flip the tape and discover something new. Get to know Basement in a different light, one that refuses to be dulled no matter how expensive a cauliflower is.
Nisha Madhan, Basement Programming Manager
TBC PODCAST
“The TBC podcast is a kōrero space we’ve opened up especially for our artists who have had to cancel their shows due to Covid. A lot of us don’t realise the challenges these artists have gone through, and I think it’s important they are given the air time to share these experiences back to their communities. Or perhaps they’d rather talk about other stuff - and that’s just as important. Whatever the topic they need to be heard, and that’s what this platform is all about.” - Cat Ruka, Basement Executive Director
The first episode of TBC comes out in early April. Listen to it on our new podcast platform Basement Radio.
Artwork by msmeemo
Basement Radio is where we host all of our podcasts, all in one place. Listen to urgent and adventurous conversations from some of Tāmaki Makaurau’s most groundbreaking artists and practitioners - tearing apart your conceptions of art, live performance and the state of the world.
Subscribe to Basement Radio now to make sure you hear TBC as soon as it comes out. While you wait you can listen to our archive of existing podcasts like Disruptors and the Tautai 2021 Fale-ship podcast.
Basement Radio can be found on podcast apps and websites.
It’s Basement’s very own beer garden - now with your fave Basey artists performing live.
Named with love, The Slab is the space between our front steps and car park. You may have enjoyed a drink here in the sunshine before heading inside to see a show. We have decked it out with new furniture, and now there is enough seating and space for 44 people to enjoy live performance from the comfort of the outdoors (just bring something warm to wear!).
The Slab differs from our season shows as ALL of the ticket monies will be going to the artists performing. Woop woop! How you can support Basement on the night is by enjoying drinkies from the bar.
The Slab makes its debut on Friday 1 with Doing the Most and Saturday 2 April with DIRTY PASSPORTS. Tickets will go on sale this Thursday (24 March) at 10AM. Space is very limited, so make sure you snap up tickets quick! For more information on seating, tickets and Covid information for The Slab head here.
Psssst - if you are a Basement Mate or Basement Lover you will have early access to book tickets for The Slab! Check your inbox on tomorrow (Wednesday 23 March) for details.