The Performance Arcade

The Performance Arcade is an annual festival held on Wellington's waterfront of live-art and music events held in a temporary installation of shipping containers.[1] It is free entry and designed to attract passers-by and be family friendly.[2]

The Performance Arcade
A large pink light box with a diagonal banner PE2019 next to an open shipping container and people walking past - image taken at night time.
The Performance Arcade 2019
Genrelive-art and music
Frequencyannual
VenueWellington waterfront
CountryNew Zealand
Founded2011
FoundersSam Trubridge
Websitehttps://www.theperformancearcade.com/about

History edit

 
Artistic director and curator Sam Trubridge

The Performance Arcade was first held in 2011[2] and was founded and is led by the Director, Sam Trubridge.[3][4] It often attracts up to 60,000 people.[5] In 2021 Sam Trubridge received the Arts Wellingtonian of the Year award as founder of The Performance Arcade.[6]

 
Performance Arcade at night 2019

Programme edit

The programme is a range of performance art, theatre artists and music. The Performance Arcade was part of the 2014 New Zealand Festival and featured 14 container works from both New Zealand and international artists (Australia, Canada and USA). New Zealand companies included Java Dance, Binge Culture, Barbarian Productions and Touch Compass.[7] Three video works from the 2108 and 2019 programmes were presented by The Wallace Art Trust at the Pah Homestead in 2019 showing 'performance art, dance and drawing practices'.[8]

In 2022 there were 15 performance art 'experiences' including Kia Tūhono, a sonic installation made from sound from an ancient log from the Wairarapa created by Warren Maxwell (of band TrinityRoots), and a music series with 40 performances.[2] The Floating Theatre by director and designer Stephen Bain was part of the programme in 2023.[9] The Performance Arcade in 2023 was in the New Zealand Fringe Festival programme.[10]

References edit

  1. ^ "The Performance Arcade 2023". Stuff Events. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "The Performance Arcade 2022". Wellington City Council. 19 November 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  3. ^ "Summer Fixture On Wellington Waterfront, The Performance Arcade Returns For 13th Year". www.scoop.co.nz. 15 December 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  4. ^ "Sam Trubridge: making the city a theatre during Covid". RNZ. 19 February 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  5. ^ "Performance Arcade". www.wellingtonnz.com. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  6. ^ "2021 Recipients & Finalists". Wellys. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  7. ^ "Largest Performance Arcade ever". www.scoop.co.nz. 11 February 2014. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  8. ^ "The Performance Arcade – Video Series". Artnow. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  9. ^ "The Floatign Theatre". Theatreview. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  10. ^ "Performance Arcade". NZ Fringe Festival. Retrieved 26 February 2023.