Got an idea for a story? Want to write? Looking to write but don’t know where to start? Written something but you’re not sure how good it is? Screenwriter David Mamea helps you answer these questions yourself as you take part in this workshop. D F Mamea is screenwiter, filmmaker, Banana Boat Writers Group coordinator and blogger. The workshop is proudly brought to you by Banana Boat Writers and is supported by Auckland City Creative Communities, Pasifika 2010 and Playmarket. It takes place on Tuesday 9 March from 10:00am to 12:00pm at the Council Chambers, Town Hall, Queen St Auckland. To register your interest, please email David at bananaboatnz@gmail.com by Monday 1st March. You can also call David 021668346 or Jenni Heka (09) 365 2648. Places are limited.
 The Pelorus Trust Music in Parks series is coming to Wainuiomata on Sunday 21 February 2010. The Pasifika beats of Nesian Mystik are set to resonate through Wise Park alongside Pacific Blues duo Cydel and Petone-based reggae and roots group Hikoikoi. Concert goers are in for a treat as they hear material from Nesian Mystik’s latest album Elevator musiq as well as crowd favourites. Led by David Letoa and Saipele Nili, Cydel is now an icon of the South Auckland music community. Hikoikoi are hometown favourites and combine roots-fuelled reggae, dramatic soul-flavoured vocals and a hint of jazz. (Information gathered from Citylife Wainuiomata News.)
 Pasifika: The Collection is a 40-song double-disc compilation made up of classic songs featuring established acts such as Nesian Mystik, Adeaze, LA-based hip-hop crew Boo Yaa Tribe, and Tiki Taane, and new talent, including J Williams and Smashproof, alongside “Pacific legends” like Zipso, the Yandall Sisters, Herbs and Brother Love. Andy Murnane of Dawn Raid Entertainment and co-creator of the album, says the collection also includes classics such as Elvis Presley’s Blue Hawaii which is a wedding song for many Polynesian weddings. He adds, “we’ve just had so many No 1’s from Pacific Island artists over the years, but outside of that there are all sorts of classic songs that if you go to any Polynesian or Maori party you will hear these songs.” Pasifika opens with OMC’s How Bizarre, a song by the late Pauly Fuemana who died last month. The album will be released on March 8 and the Pasifika Festival is on March 13 at Western Springs. For a list of songs on the double CD album visit the Dawn Raid Entertainment website.
 “Matua o Faiaogo Muamua: Parents Are Our First Teachers” is an exhibition by Pelenato Liufau that opens today (Thursday 18 February 2010) at Fresh Gallery Otara in South Auckland. Of his work, Pelenato says that it acknowledges “instances when children have been exposed to questionable parental practices and when the impact of prioritising cultural and religious obligations over nurturing leads to neglect and child abuse. Being a father has enabled me, with Island eyes, to witness and become aware of particular situations where the cultural traditions and religion of the local Island community have a stronghold on the individual. Children are the unacknowledged victims of change regardless of ethnicity.” Pelenato Liufau is a recent graduate of Manukau School of Visual Arts. The exhibition runs from 19 February to 13 March 2010. The artist will deliver a talk on Saturday 6 March, from 12 to 1.30 pm.
(Untitled, by Pelenato Liufau, 2009. Silkscreen print on vinyl, 1055×960mm. Image courtesy of Fresh Gallery Otara)
 Five ‘island boys’ based in the Pacific and Australia exhibit dramatic canvases, wood block, ink and watercolours and prints at Okaioceanikart’s new Reef Gallery, 69-71 Beach Rd, Auckland City from Monday March 3rd 2010. Abraham Lagi (Fiji), Daniel Waswas (Papua New Guinea), David Teata (Cook Islands), Kopotama Jacobsen (Niue), and Laben Sakale (Papua New Guinea) will exhibit their work in this new space which is larger, brighter and able to present works to a broader audience. Okaioceanikart is an art dealership representing solely contemporary artists of the Pacific and Oceania.
(”Mother Nature 9/22″, Daniel Waswas, 2007. Lino reduction print on paper. Image from Okaioceanikart website)
 A new exhibition featuring Fatu Feu’u, Vanya Taule’alo, and Isabelle Staron-Tutugoro explores the connection between artists who operate in different realms of the Pacific. “Between Two Worlds” brings together the work of Fatu Feu’u, the elder statesman of Pacific Island art in New Zealand, and a selection of pieces by Vanya Taule’alo, and Isabelle Staron-Tutugoro both of whom are long-time residents of Samoa and New Caledonia respectively. The exhibition opens at Christchurch’s Salamander Gallery on Monday 15 February (today) and continues until 7 March 2010. The Salamander Gallery specialises in art of the Pacific and represents artists such as Fatu Feu’u, Michel Tuffery, Dagmar Dyck, Nanette Lela’ulu and Sheyne Tuffery.
(”Pale Auro” by Fatu Feu’u, 1989. Lithograph printed in colour from multiple stones; 51 x 70 cm. Image from Print and Printmaking Australia, Asia and Pacific Website)
 The American Indian Community House on Broadway, New York, will host “Manuia”, an exhibition by acclaimed Wellington-based artist Michel Tuffery from March 15 to May 29, 2010. This is another significant achievement for the artist of Samoan, Cook Islands and Tahitian heritage. “Manuia” follows hot on the heels of “Arts Encompassing” another exhibition featuring several Tuffery pieces. This exhibition includes paintings, pottery, woodwork, glass, fibre arts, and jewellery by other artists and celebrates a decade of art at the Cathedral of St Paul from 6 to 19 March, 2010. For more details about Michel’s upcoming exhibitions and other currently available work, see Michel Tuffery’s website.
(“Mt Taranaki view from Whanganui River Head Tasi” by Michel Tuffery, 2010. Image courtesy of the artist)
 Tongan cultural giant, Professor Futa Helu has died at the Vaiola Hospital in Tonga, aged 75. Renowned for his profound knowledge of traditional Tongan cultural expressions, Professor Helu was at the forefront of intellectual thinking about education and the arts in the Pacific. As a young man, Futa Helu studied at the Newington College in New South Wales and then attended Sydney University where he studied philosophy, English literature, mathematics and physics. Back in Tonga, he founded Atenisi University, an institution that championed innovative and critical thinking and which grew from a night school into a university that now confers Masters and PhD degrees. He was the author of several ground-breaking articles most of which were published in Critical Essays: Cultural Perspectives from the South Seas (Journal of Pacific History, 1999). Paying tribute to him, the Chief Executive of the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs, Dr. Colin Tukuitonga said “He was truly one of the great academic giants of the South Pacific and our condolences go out to his children and grandchildren.”
 Christchurch-based artist Andy Leleisi’uao is the first New Zealander to be selected for an inaugural arts residency opportunity in Taiwan. The residency is offered to New Zealand artists by the Asia New Zealand Foundation in partnership with the Taipei Artist Village. Andy Leleisi’uao is an accomplished and critically acclaimed artist whose work blends his Samoan legacy with his New Zealand born heritage. He grew up in Mangere and has been hailed as a social commentator on issues affecting South Auckland communities. Mr Leleisi’uao began exhibiting in 1995 and after receiving a scholarship to attend AUT University, he graduated with an MA in Art and Design in 2002. He has exhibited throughout New Zealand and has been involved in solo and group exhibitions in Rarotonga, Australia, the United States, Germany and Taiwan. In Taipei, he intends to embark on a new body of work entitled Cryptid Amologies.
(”Fea’gafe Heads”, Andy Leleisi’uao, 2009. Acrylic on canvas, 760 x 1150 mm. Image courtesy of Whitespace Gallery)
 This year’s Ten Pacific Festival introduces a brand new Pecha Kucha ™ night featuring significant Pasifika artists who originate from Christchurch. Among the confirmed participants are Anton Carter also known as Antsman of Rhombus and The Nomad, Pacific art historian Stephanie Oberg, writer and poet Tusiata Avia, actor and filmmaker Barbara Carpenter, and playwright Victor Rodger. The event will be held at the Dux de Lux on Thursday 4 February from 7.00pm. The Pecha Kucha is immediately followed by a Mark Vanilau concert at the same venue. Mark has a long history with the festival which started with Tribalincs, a five piece soul jazz fusion group. In 2006 when Mark embarked on a solo career, he toured as Dave Dobbyn’s keyboardist, vocalist, and still tours with him today. Mark will also join Anton Carter on Friday 4 February at 6pm for a Songmakers and Creative NZ workshop, before local reggae band D’sendantz and jazz artists K.T.O take to the stage from 8.30pm until late. The Ten Festival is organised by Christchurch’s Pacific Underground.
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