Tuatara Collective and Basement Theatre are bringing Winter/Matariki audiences HAU [te Hī me te Hā], a two-week festival at Basement Theatre this August. Made up of new original indigenous, Pasifika and LGBTQi+ stories, the festival incorporates song, dance and text to celebrate the movement of the atmosphere, the winds of change and the shifting vibrations of energy and light.
In HAU Festival’s first week, an all female BIPOC cast perform HINE-TE-RĒHIA, a devised, bilingual theatre experience that features singing, dance, haka and authentic storytelling through monologue and poetry. The performers will boldly share the stories, issues and experiences that they engage with in today’s world. With Aotearoa songs, contemporary and hip-hop dance, traditional Pasifika Siva and haka, Basement audiences are in for powerful and moving performances showcasing the immense mana of our incredibly talented rangatahi.
In HAU Festival’s second week, singer-songwriter Pati brings her highly anticipated new show KA’A. Alongside dancers and live musicians, KA’A (little shit) unapologetically explores Pasifika women and their bodies, identity and belonging. Challenging her own position in Samoan culture, Pati’s piece is deeply personal and pushes the boundaries of sexuality, body image and the role of wāhine. Pati (formerly Disciple Pati) is a singer-songwriter making her presence known in Auckland’s theatre and music scenes. Her music accolades include opening for The Beths in 2020, performing at Auckland Arts Festival in 2021, and winning Best Pacific Music Video in 2021 for the song The Boy Who Cried Woman. Well-known to theatre audiences too, Pati performed in the critically acclaimed Fala Muncher in 2021 at Basement, and Over My Dead Body: UNINVITED during Auckland Pride, also in 2021.
The third and final piece of HAU Festival gathers together an awesome line-up of singers to perform at a one-night-only Garage Party. A free event, Garage Party will be an old-school jam session with live performances and a sing-a-long. Featuring Liana Frangipani, Kārena Hunter and Brooke Ora (Ora.Vida.Life), Pati and the phenomenal Daughters of Ally, Jessie and Georgina Matthews.
HAU Festival is a co-production between Tuatara Collective and Basement Theatre led by Jason Te Mete and Tāwera Ormsby, with generous support from Auckland Regional Council. Tuatara Collective provides the space for New Zealand artists to create and share stories with an authentic lens - either Te Ao Māori, Pasifika or LGBTQi+. All projects are created to provide community and facilitate kōrero.
Tuatara Collective has developed the Rātā initiative, an innovative arts practice supporting mental health in the arts industry (for artists and audiences). Professional mental health support is provided to all artists involved, and present at each show for the audience to engage with post-show. This is a core value of Tuatara Collective, and informs their kaupapa and mahi.
“Once artists and audiences alike have support within the spaces where they experience art, the quality of work will be elevated, improving community and audience engagement and participation.” - Jason Te Mete, Tuatara Collective
Te Mete says their intention for the HAU Festival was always to pay it forward - giving these artists a platform to present something new, original and meaningful. They feel hugely thankful to be able to support young artists at Basement Theatre and to help build and shape their ideas into kick-ass works of art that are not only entertaining, but pack a punch with political, cultural and social relevance too.
HAU Festival is on at Basement Theatre from 2 to 12 August. Come and experience the power of our voice, our music and our dance, performed by Aotearoa’s future artistic leaders.
HAU FESTIVAL
2-12 August
HINE-TE-RĒHIA
2-5 August 8pm, 6 August 6.30pm
KA’A
Dates: 9-12 August 8pm
GARAGE PARTY - Free event
6 August, from 8pm
