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News | 1 February 2022
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The Performance Arcade 2022

Opening this month, The Performance Arcade is a beloved free, award-winning summer festival that celebrates artists, live art, music and performances, delighting audiences with contemporary art and performance on the waterfront – outside the constraints of gallery or theatre spaces.

Performance Arcade performer The Ever Changing Boy on site

The Performance Arcade 2022 full programme is out now with 15 Performance Art experiences, a Fortune Favours Music Series with over 40 performances, plus a pop-up bar, various food truck and beverage options, and spontaneous explosions of art over two exciting weekends from 17-27 February.

New for the eleventh Performance Arcade, the structural layout pays homage to pre-colonial hakari structures that were used to host hapū from across the motu with feasting, kōrero, and performance.

Based on this model, The Performance Arcade is creating a unique space for audiences and artists to come together through a raranga of action and interaction.

To help us with this ongoing kaupapa we are very lucky to be working with Warren Maxwell (Southside of Bombay, Trinity Roots, Little Bushman & ex. Fat Freddys Drop) as our opening guest and respondent to the themes being explored this year.

His sonic installation Kia Tūhono explores narratives and sounds on ‘Koro’ – an ancient log procured from Wairarapa Moana, which will be performed by Maxwell at the Arcade opening event, 8.45pm, Thursday 17 February, before opening to the public to explore 18-20 February.

The Performance Arcade is free entry, family friendly, accessible and the perfect date night or sunny summer hang with friends – there is something for everyone at Te Whanganui-a-Tara / behind Te Papa, 17-27 February. COVID governmental guidelines will be in place, with vaccine passes and capacity numbers applicable.

Check out the programme today at www.theperformancearcade.com/programme.