MASK CARNIVALE 2023

Passion is the driving force behind Charlie B, better known as Optimus Gryme, as he relentlessly follows his dreams in his pursuit of music. He’s made tunes with some heavy hitters including Shapeshifter, Tiki Taane, Truth, Six60, DubFX, The Upbeats and Shihad, hosted TV and radio shows, edited music magazines, released multiple albums, DJ’d over 1000 shows and rocked stages of more than 15,000 people at the biggest festivals in Aotearoa. Even after dedicating more than two decades of his life to music, Charlie still feels like he’s merely scratching the surface. Don’t miss what’s to come.

Theia makes unapologetic, trailblazing riot-pop. The enigmatic artist, who hails from Aotearoa New Zealand but is now based in LA, has been making waves since she first emerged in 2016 with her breakthrough hit Roam. Theia has gone on to amass a dedicated fanbase, while earning critical acclaim from the likes of Pigeons & Planes, Rolling Stone, Clash and Billboard Magazine. She is a three-time nominee at the NZ Music Awards and has been a finalist in the George FM Awards and the Waiata Māori Music Awards. Theia will also perform for the Nelson Arts Festival in Girl, In A Savage World on Saturday, 28 Oct.

MOTH (Movement of the Human) presents two performances of Tōrua as a part of Mask Carnivale. Choregraphed by Malia Johnston.

The opening event of kapa haka performed by the combined group of Nelson Colleges.

Image: Martin de Ruyter/Stuff

Roaming movement throughout the Carnivale from world-class choreographer and dancer Chloe Loftus. 

A descendant of Te Āti-Awa with links to Whakatū, Keri-Mei Zagrobelna hopes Te Pito will encourage others seeking to reclaim identity and reconnections to whakapapa. The digital sound and visual experience acts as a creative portal, telling the story of connecting to our whenua (land) and ancestry. 

Keri-Mei Zagrobelna is a contemporary jewellery and visual artist based in Wellington. For Te Pito, she weaves her jewellery practice with the movement story telling of dancer Jahra ‘Rager’ Wasasala into a short film, captured by videographer Pikihuia Haenga Shaw. 

Presented with thanks to Nelson Jewellery Week.  

Celebrating ‘Niue’ values and honouring our Tupuna by expressing Niuean language, history, ancestry and stories through song and dance is my hope for all our children. 

Presented in collaboration with Nelson Tasman Pasifika Community Trust (NTPCT) and Pasifika Arts and Culture Committee (PACC). 

The Nelson I Taukei Community group will be performing meke (traditional dances). It is a vital part of any Fijian celebratory occasion. They often relay historical events and vary widely from fast blood raising traditional spear dances to graceful fan dances. The older generations, to preserve and nurture the storytelling of historic milestones, pass it down to the younger generation. There are two groups in meke: 1. Vakatara-Orchestra (sit on the ground and chant) and 2. Matana-Dancers. 

Presented in collaboration with Nelson Tasman Pasifika Community Trust (NTPCT) and Pasifika Arts and Culture Committee (PACC). 

An all-Samoan girls and boys Pasifika Dance group who love to share their Samoan culture and traditions through dance. 

Presented in collaboration with Nelson Tasman Pasifika Community Trust (NTPCT) and Pasifika Arts and Culture Committee (PACC). 

The Kainga Tonga Nelson Tasman Community Trust (KTNTCT) started our dance group “Hakauola o Tonga” to teach and share knowledge of traditional dance and culture from our homeland. Haukauola o Tonga translates to “Successful Reefs of Tonga” which speaks to keeping our cultural dance practices alive and nourished by learning and celebrating together. It’s been fantastic to see the numbers in the group grow, particularly in our younger generations – a lot of whom had not learnt Tongan dance before coming along. We have enjoyed being able to celebrate who we are as Tongan people with everyone, performing at the launch of the KTNTCT, during Tongan Language Week 2023 and now being a part of the Nelson Arts Festival.
 
Presented in collaboration with Nelson Tasman Pasifika Community Trust (NTPCT) and Pasifika Arts and Culture Committee (PACC). 

Their group, consisting of Ura Tabu, Ori Here and Te Ahi Vai Ori, is dedicated to raising awareness and appreciation for Tahitian music and dance. They express their unique character through cultural performances and inspire others to participate and share in their culture. Their goal is to bring the beauty and majesty of Polynesia to Nelson Whakatū by creating an authentic yet innovative luau experience. They aim to broaden the pursuit of Polynesian entertainment by combining modern production and performance concepts with their rich cultural heritage. 

Presented in collaboration with Nelson Tasman Pasifika Community Trust (NTPCT) and Pasifika Arts and Culture Committee (PACC). 

They are the CCCS Youth and Sunday School from ‘The Samoan Congregational Christian Church Nelson. They love to perform to showcase and share their traditional culture through song and dance in their community. 

Presented in collaboration with Nelson Tasman Pasifika Community Trust (NTPCT) and Pasifika Arts and Culture Committee (PACC). 

Whether you’re a confident singer or usually too shy in public, Voice Collective provides a safe space to sing your heart out. For Mask Carnivale, the Voice Collective, together with Nelson Central School Choir, are taking on Blur’s ‘Tender’ at 1903 Stage – come join them and sing along!

Zumba with Renata brings a high-energy workout of easy-to-follow dance moves combined with Latin and international rhythms to this year’s Carnivale.

Swing Zing NZ, is a Swing Dance school based in Nelson. We teach a number of fun, social swing dances such as Lindy Hop, Balboa and Blues. We’ll be playing some sweet swingin’ tunes and dancing on the street so come down and enjoy the energy and if you’re feeling inspired, come join in! We’re always more than happy to show people the basics and get them up enjoying the music. Swing dance demonstrations and lessons for all. 

All the way from the bowels of Chile, Pablo, has been gathering knowledge for the last 10 years about dance and culture from his South-American roots. Here he is today sharing his passion and his skills with Nelsonians, as a leader of the local Latino community, and also as a creator of his own dance school. If you want to get your body moving and learn a few steps of Cuban Salsa, join now, everyone is bienvenido. Salsa dance demonstrations and lessons for all.

Originally from London, George AKA Fam was educated by the city’s labels and selectors, from Brownswood to Swamp81. Now based in Te Waiharakeke Blenheim, Fam curates dance floors in non-traditional venues, holding space for all movers and steppers. Fam leads our DJ Stage throughout the night – come to Church Street for a good boogie for all ages! 

Ngakau Moka-Tengu is a young rangatahi Māori with big dreams and points to prove. JR Domoni is an up-and-coming R&B artist from Fiji. Both artists performed as part of Commotion 2023.

Ngaio Aida is joined by Kurtis Tombs and Luke Wilkes to play an eclectic mix of laidback jazz and pop inspired songs. 

Flossie Fizzberry likes to create moments of joy for children of all ages with Balloons, Face Painting, Big Bubbles and a dash of Magic. 

Midnight Swim are five singers and an accompanying guitarist who sing songs they love in a folky style, with close harmonies and plenty of emotion. Inspired by artists like Fleetwood Mac, Leonard Cohen and Imogen Heap, Midnight Swim love teasing the essence out of an original piece and weaving it through with new harmony and texture.

The Twisty Twinz, Jola and Nele Siezen are Duo Acrobats based in the Nelson area, New Zealand. They specialize in unique aerial silk shows, Adagio, and acrobatic performances. 

Learn to make a putiputi lily with Harakeke.

A display of Morris Dancing; a form of English dancing that dates back to the mid 15th century. The performance will be a mixture of traditional and contemporary dances.

A dynamic drumming company, InRhythm‘s mission is to help people, communities and organisations connect, become present and thrive through the power of rhythm. Popping up throughout the Carnivale – come listen or join in! 

Nice Guys are exactly that! Nice guys. The aim of nice guys is to delight. Leaving you all warm and fuzzy by using kind words, gestures and even a song. If you see Nice Guys roaming the streets of Nelson looking to brighten your day, stop a while and let your light be shinned on.

Mask Carnivale 2023 will feature sculptures by the exceptionally talented Lee Woodman. 

Beautiful projections presented with thanks to Antony Hodgson bring the mural by the DJ Stage alive from dark until late. 

Nine friendly creatures from outta space have landed in Whakatū to dance in the streets with you. 

Local school band brings tunes to the people.