AAF 2021 COVID-19 RESPONSE

Please find below all Auckland Arts Festival / Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki 2021 (AAF) shows and events from 4–14 March. This list will be updated in real-time as programmes are rescheduled.

Updated as at 8.30am on Monday 22 March 2021

RESCHEDULED
With tickets available now

• WĀHINE TOA AFI (now Fri 12 + Sat 13 March at Māngere Arts Centre as a part of Siva Afi Festival – FREE EVENT)
• LIVING WITH UNCERTAINTY (now Sun 14 March, 3.30pm at Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre)
• ARTS + CLIMATE INNOVATION: COEXISTENCE WITH OUR NATURAL WORLD (now on Sun 14 March, 7.30pm at Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre)
• THE GRIEGOL (now Tues 16–Sun 21 March)
• level up: an intergenerational discussion (now Wed 17 March)
• THE TOM SAINSBURY LOVE HOUR (now Wed 17, Thu 18, Sat 20, Sun 21 + Mon 22 March)
• RAIL LAND (now Thu 18 + Fri 19 March)
• THE AIR BETWEEN US / A FIGURE EXHALES (now Sat 20 + Sun 21 March - FREE EVENT)
• ESTÈRE – INTO THE BELLY OF CAPRICORN (now Sun 21 March)
• TAONGA MOANA – A LOVE LETTER TO THE OCEANS (now Sun 21 March)
• IN CONVERSATION: FESTIVALS OF THE FUTURE (now Sun 21 March - FREE EVENT)
• CARNIVOROUS PLANT SOCIETY (now Mon 22 March)
• THE HAKA PARTY INCIDENT (now Tues 30 March–Sat 10 April, see ATC website for more)

• REB FOUNTAIN & THE BLACK QUARTET: THE BOY NEXT DOOR (now Weds 7 April)

• SUBTLE DANCES (now Thu 8 + Fri 9 April)

• NEW MOON FOLK BALL (now Fri 9 April)
• THE THRUM OF THE TIDE (now Sat 10 April)
• TEKAU! CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF SISTEMA AOTEAROA (no Sun 11 April)

AMENDED SEASONS 

• SING TO ME (Wed 10 March cancelled; Thurs 11–Sat 13 March going ahead)
• TROPICAL LOVE BIRDS (Wed 10–Sat 13 March cancelled; Tues 16–Sat 20 March going ahead)

AS PLANNED

• ACTS OF LOVE at Smith & Caughey’s Queen St window + roving works
• SING TO ME (Thurs 11 March + Fri 12 March, at L1 or L2 Sat 13 March)
• LOVE TO SAY GOODBYE (Thurs 11 March + Fri 12 March, 7pm)
• SIVA AFI FESTIVAL (Fri 12 March + Sat 13 March, 7pm) 
• HEAVENLY BODIES (Fri 12 March at 8.30pm, Sat 13 March at 5pm + 8.30pm. Additional show added on Sun 14 March at 7.30pm!)
• OPEN STAGE: SCENES FROM A YELLOW PERIL (Sat 13 March, 1.30pm)
• TIGILAU NESS & FRIENDS (Sat 13 March, 6.30pm)
• E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL IN CONCERT (Sat 13 March, 7pm)
• LOVE TO SAY GOODBYE (Sat 13 March, 7pm)
• SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS (Sat 13 March, 7pm)
• CHE-FU & THE KRATEZ: RETURN OF THE NAVIGATOR (Sat 13 March, 8pm)
• COMMUNITY DAY (Sun 14 March, 11am–3pm)
• HE OWHA MATARUA / HAUNTOLOGY OF INHERITANCE (Sat 13 + Sun 14 March, 2.30pm)
• GITBOX REBELLION (Sun 14 March, 4pm)

CANCELLED

• ACTS OF LOVE (Week 1 only)
• TE TĪMATANGA
• TAKU TAU KAHURANGI: AN AOTEROA LOVE STORY feat. Ria Hall
• JULIA DEANS
• #TĀMAKIBEATS HEATS (Rei & Prestige Live with #TĀMAKIBEATS finalists on Sat 20 March has also been cancelled)
• NEW ZEALAND CHILDREN'S DAY ACTIVITIES
• GITBOX REBELLION (Sun 7 March – Warkworth show)
• SHOULDER TO SHOULDER
• SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS (Tues 9 March & Thurs 11 March only – check event page for dates at other venues)
• THE DIXON SIX: DIXON NACEY AND FRIENDS
• MY NAME IS MOANA (Thurs 11 March only – check event page for dates at other venues)
• JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

For more on AAF’s COVID-19 Ticketing Terms & Conditions, please click here. If you hold tickets to an event that has been cancelled, rescheduled, or is "working to reschedule", you will be communicated with directly via the appropriate ticketing agent/venue. No action is needed.

We’re back! After the whirlwind impacts of Alert Level 3, Auckland’s move to Alert Level 2 at 6am yesterday morning came with a sigh of relief for the Auckland Arts Festival/Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki (AAF) team.

We have been working tirelessly alongside our incredible artists, venues, and partners to respond to the impacts of last week’s lockdown, and are so grateful for everyone’s patience, understanding, and days and nights of hard mahi. Thank you also to our audience for your continued support and encouragement.

We are now over the moon to announce that our Festival relaunch will begin on Thursday 11 March, starting when A Figure Exhales takes over a Smith & Caughey’s window as part of Acts of Love, and leading into Taki Rua’s Auckland premiere of Sing to Me at Q Theatre (this show will be seated according to Alert Level 2 protocols).

On Friday 12 March, The Civic Club will burst open its doors with the hotly anticipated cabaret spectacular Heavenly Bodies, and we are excited to announce a fourth date has been added (Sunday 14 March, 7.30pm) due to demand. These and all other shows in The Civic Club will be seated according to Alert Level 2 protocols until Sunday 14 March.

Alongside the rest of Tāmaki Makaurau, we remain cautiously optimistic for a return to Alert Level 1 in time for the weekend so that we can celebrate with you and enjoy a free concert by Tigilau Ness & Friends in the Festival Square at 6.30pm on Saturday 13 March ahead of Che-Fu & The Kratez: Return of the Navigator and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in Concert with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.

Also slated for that evening as a part of our regional offering is Sorry For Your Loss at Warkworth Town Hall, and He Owha Matarua – Hauntology of Inheritance (Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 March). We look ahead as well to the rescheduled and very pertinent talk Living with Uncertainty on Sunday 14 March.

Despite the alert level change we have had to still make the difficult decision to reschedule, cancel, and revise some shows between Tuesday 9 and Sunday 14 March due to the impact on planned rehearsal and travel time for our artists and venue set-up requirements. The current status of all shows from this period can be found below. We will continue to update you as rescheduled dates are confirmed.

He aroha whakatō, he aroha puta mai
Kia haumaru te noho

CANCELLED TICKETED EVENTS

• SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS (Tuesday 9 March only – check event page for dates at other venues)
• THE DIXON SIX: DIXON NACEY AND FRIENDS (Wednesday 10 March)
• MY NAME IS MOANA (Thursday 11 March only – check event page for dates at other venues)
• JACK AND THE BEANSTALK (Friday 12–Sunday 14 March)

AMENDED SEASONS

• SING TO ME (Wednesday 10 March cancelled; Thursday 11–Saturday 13 March going ahead)
• TROPICAL LOVE BIRDS (Wednesday 10–Saturday 13 March cancelled; Tuesday 16–Saturday 20 March going ahead)

RESCHEDULED

• LIVING WITH UNCERTAINTY (now on Sunday 14 March, 3.30pm at Herald Theatre)

WORKING TO RESCHEDULE (original dates shown in brackets)

• THE HAKA PARTY INCIDENT (Tuesday 9–Saturday 13 March. Please Refer To Auckland Theatre Company)
• RAIL LAND (Tuesday 9–Thursday 11 March)
• THE TOM SAINSBURY LOVE HOUR (Wednesday 10 March)
• SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS (Thursday 11 March)
• THE THRUM OF THE TIDE (Saturday 13 March)
• NEW MOON FOLK BALL (Saturday 13 March)

AS PLANNED WITH ALERT LEVEL 2 PROTOCOL

• ACTS OF LOVE  season at Smith & Caughey's Window 
• SING TO ME  (Thursday 11 March and Friday 12 March, at L1 or L2 Saturday 13 March)
• LOVE TO SAY GOODBYE (Friday 12 March)
• SIVA AFI FESTIVAL (Friday 12 and Saturday 13)
• HEAVENLY BODIES  (Friday 12–Sunday 14 March. Additional show added!)
• OPEN STAGE: SCENES FROM A YELLOW PERIL (Saturday 13 March)
• GITBOX REBELLION  (Sunday 14 March)

AS PLANNED PENDING ALERT LEVEL ANNOUNCEMENT

• ACTS OF LOVE roving works
• HE OWHA MATARUA / HAUNTOLOGY OF INHERITANCE (Saturday 13 March and Sunday 14 March)
• TIGILAU NESS & FRIENDS CONCERT (Saturday 13 March)
• E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL IN CONCERT (Saturday 13 March)
• LOVE TO SAY GOODBYE (Saturday 13 March)
• SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS (Saturday 13 March)
• CHE-FU & THE KRATEZ: RETURN OF THE NAVIGATOR (Saturday 13 March)
• COMMUNITY DAY (Sunday 14 March)

We will provide updates on all shows and events from Thursday 4–Sunday 7 March listed as “working to reschedule” as soon as possible.

We hope you are all staying safe and following government guidelines so that we can see you at an Auckland Arts Festival/Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki (AAF) show or event soon.

For more on AAF’s COVID-19 Ticketing Terms & Conditions, please click here. If you hold tickets to an event that has been cancelled, rescheduled, or is "working to reschedule", you will be communicated with directly via the appropriate ticketing agent/venue. No action is needed.

Happy Sunday at Level 2 Tāmaki Makaurau! A reminder of the status of the following AAF shows and events originally scheduled for today and tomorrow:

SUNDAY 7 MARCH, 2021

• Children’s Day in Aotea Square – cancelled 
• Living with Uncertainty at The Civic Club – working to reschedule
• The Griegol  at Q Theatre – working to reschedule
• Reb Fountain & The Black Quartet: The Boy Next Door at The Civic Club – working to reschedule
• Gitbox Rebellion at Warkworth Town Hall – cancelled, but we are encouraging bookings for Gitbox Rebellion at The Civic Club on Sunday 14 March

MONDAY 8 MARCH, 2021

• level up: an intergenerational discussion at The Civic Club – working to reschedule
• Wāhine Toa Afi in Aotea Square – rescheduled to go ahead as a part of the Siva Afi Festival on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 March at Māngere Arts Centre
• Shoulder to Shoulder with the APO at the Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall – cancelled 

We will be updating you shortly on the status of shows and events scheduled between Tuesday 9–Sunday 14 March as well as shows and events originally scheduled between Thursday 4–Saturday 6 March, currently listed as “working to reschedule”. 

Arohanui and watch this space!

The Festival team is thrilled at the news from yesterday’s government announcement that Auckland will move to Alert Level 2 at 6am tomorrow, Sunday 7 March.

We are currently working through a revised schedule for next week and will be in touch as quickly as we can.

Kia kaha and see you soon!

Auckland Arts Festival/Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki (AAF) sends aroha to our whānau across Tāmaki Makaurau at Alert Level 3 and the rest of Aotearoa at Alert Level 2. We hope you are all staying safe, staying home and following government guidelines so that we can share space together again soon.

Today, we are reflecting on what should have been our Festival opening. We are deeply saddened that some of our artists have been affected by cancellations and possible reschedules due to this week’s lockdown. Making these decisions has been far from easy and we are continuing to operate at hyper speed to reschedule as many shows and events as possible. Join us in crossing fingers and toes for good news of a drop in alert levels this weekend!

Unfortunately, we have also been forced to make some changes to our planned programming for Monday 8 March:

• We are working to reschedule level up: an intergenerational discussion and will provide more information when it’s available.
• Shoulder to Shoulder, our co-presentation with Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra (APO), has been cancelled. We are incredibly disappointed that this important show can’t go ahead and remain cautiously optimistic that our additional presentation with the APO E.T. The Extraterrestrial in Concert will still hit the stage and screen on Saturday 13 March.
• Wāhine Toa Afi has been rescheduled to be presented as part of Siva Afi Festival, where – alert levels pending – you may still be able to marvel at the traditional, exhilarating Samoan artform of fire knife dancing on Friday 12 March and Saturday 13 March at Māngere Arts Centre – Ngā Tohu o Uenuku.

Please refer to our update on 1 March below for the status of shows from 4-7 March.

We will provide an update on shows beyond Monday once we have clarity around whether the current lockdown will end on Sunday 7 March.

In the meantime, we want to thank all of our venues, artists, suppliers, administrators, and crew for their flexibility, willingness, and hard mahi in helping us to recalibrate our 2021 Festival. We also want to express gratitude to our audience for their faith, enthusiasm and patience while we undergo this process. The support across the board is truly inspiring and we can’t wait to finally showcase the work of our wonderful artists with you all, hopefully very soon!

In the event of cancellation of a ticketed performance, ticketholders will be refunded. No action is needed. If you wish to donate to AAF in the spirit of aroha, please click here. If you hold tickets to a show that is listed as ‘working to reschedule’, we will inform you of the new date and time as soon as details are confirmed. For more on AAF’s COVID-19 Ticketing Terms & Conditions, please click here.

Auckland Arts Festival/Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki (AAF) is sadly unable to open this Thursday 4 March as planned, due to Auckland being at Alert Level 3. We are working hard to reschedule as many shows from our first four days as possible, in alignment with artist and venue availability. Our priority is the safety of our audience, crew and artists.

While we anticipate being able to reschedule much of the activity from the first part of our programme, we have been forced to cancel a small number of shows and events. These are listed below.

In the event of cancellation of a ticketed performance, ticketholders will be refunded. You do not need to do anything. If you wish to donate to AAF in the spirit of aroha, please click here.

If you hold tickets to a show that is listed as ‘working to reschedule’, we will inform you of the new date and time as soon as details are confirmed.

CANCELLED TICKETED EVENTS

• TAKU TAU KAHURANGI: AN AOTEAROA LOVE STORY featuring RIA HALL
• JULIA DEANS
• GITBOX REBELLION – WARKWORTH SHOW (please consider purchasing a new ticket to Gitbox Rebellion at The Civic Club at Auckland’s The Civic on 14 March)

CANCELLED FREE EVENTS

• TE TĪMATANGA
• ACTS OF LOVE (Week 1 only)
• #TĀMAKIBEATS HEATS (REI & PRESTIGE LIVE WITH #TĀMAKIBEATS FINALISTS on 20 MARCH has also been cancelled)
• NEW ZEALAND CHILDREN'S DAY ACTIVITIES

WORKING TO RESCHEDULE

• THE TOM SAINSBURY LOVE HOUR (4, 5 & 6 March)
• ESTÉRE – INTO THE BELLY OF CAPRICORN
• THE GRIEGOL
• IN CONVERSATION: FESTIVALS OF THE FUTURE
• THE AIR BETWEEN US / A FIGURE EXHALES
• SUBTLE DANCES
• THE HAKA PARTY INCIDENT – PLEASE REFER TO AUCKLAND THEATRE COMPANY
• CARNIVOROUS PLANT SOCIETY
• TEKAU! CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF SISTEMA AOTEAROA
• ARTS + CLIMATE INNOVATION: COEXISTENCE WITH OUR NATURAL WORLD
• TAONGA MOANA – A LOVE LETTER TO THE OCEANS
• LIVING WITH UNCERTAINTY
• REB FOUNTAIN & THE BLACK QUARTET: THE BOY NEXT DOOR (4.30pm and 7.30pm shows)

POSTPONED VISUAL ARTS OPENINGS

• ‘AMUI’ ‘I MU’A: ANCIENT FUTURES
• KA MUA, KA MURI
• POUWĀTU: ACTIVE PRESENCE
• THE THRUM OF THE TIDE

For more on AAF’s COVID-19 Ticketing Terms & Conditions, please click here. 

Tēnā koutou i raro i ngā tini āhuatanga o te wā
Sending much aroha to you, as Auckland enters yet another lockdown.

The Auckland Arts Festival/Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki (AAF) whānau want to reassure you that we are currently working through the implications of Auckland’s return to Alert Level 3 for our programme, and will provide a full update of our plan for this week and beyond as soon as we can.

Though we will not be able to launch in the way we had anticipated on Thursday 4 March, and won’t be able to deliver our planned performances in the first few days of the Festival due to Auckland being at Alert Level 3, we are energised and working swiftly in the hope that we will be able to bring some of the works to audiences in the near future. 

More information regarding specific shows will be communicated over the next few days. We are fully committed to keeping our artists, crew, staff, and audiences safe, and have a clear ticket refund policy in the event of cancellation due to COVID, which you can check out here.

Kia kaha tonu tātou, and thank you for continuing to ride this unpredictable wave with us. Your support and enthusiasm for the arts is so crucial, and we hope to see you very soon.

Kia haumaru te noho
He aroha whakatō, he aroha puta mai
Nā mātou katoa

For media: view the media release issued 28 February here.

Safe to say, the Festival team are over the moon to hear that Tāmaki Makaurau will return to Level 1 at midnight tonight.

We are running full steam ahead, to launch our programme in full on 4 March.

If you've been waiting to buy your tickets, now's the time to do it.

Let's have some fun! Because we can.

We are thrilled that Auckland has been able to return to Level 2 today, and the rest of Aotearoa to Level 1.

The Festival team is continuing to work towards launching our full programme on 4 March, and we can’t wait to celebrate all the amazing artistic talent New Zealand has to offer.

With 70+ shows and events planned to take place around Tāmaki Makaurau between 4-21 March, there is no shortage of uplifting experiences to line up for yourself, your whānau and your friends.

Take a look at our events calendar, and book early to avoid disappointment!

Sending aroha.

The Festival team sends aroha to you all as Auckland has entered into another Level 3 lockdown and the rest of the country is at alert Level 2.

We're thinking of our friends at Auckland Pride, Auckland Fringe, and across the sector, who have had to put some of their events on pause this week. While we know firsthand the difficulty that causes, we're thankful to be part of a country and community that takes public wellbeing so seriously. Together, we've got this – ­again!

Here's hoping we'll be out and about in a few days, but in the meantime, we encourage you to stay positive and join us in looking forward to Auckland Arts Festival/Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki.

We are fully committed to keeping our artists, crew, staff, and audiences safe, and have a clear ticket refund policy in the event of cancellation due to COVID, which you can check out here.

Stay home, stay safe – we can't wait to press play in March!