What's Hot this July in Auckland
NBR New Zealand Opera - Hansel and Gretel
Written by Engelbert Humperdinck, this opera brings to life the popular Grimm fairytale with an all New Zealand cast and creative team. It’s fairytale theatre with a kick and guaranteed to both enchant audiences and to make them think. Actor Michael Hurst makes his opera directing debut and leading mezzo-soprano Helen Medlyn plays the twin roles of Witch and Mother. Two rising opera stars, soprano Ana James and mezzo-soprano Anna Pierard, play Gretel and Hansel (respectively). Sung in English.
3 & 5 July, Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna, phone Ticketmaster 970 9700 or visit www.ticketmaster.co.nz
7 July, TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre, Manukau City, phone TicketDirect 0800 484 25 or visit www.ticketdirect.co.nz
Minus 5°
If chilling out is what you have in mind, then Minus 5° can guarantee a very cool experience – literally. Created in New Zealand, this supercool ice lounge keeps the temperature at a chilly -5°. Ice guides will take you through two chambers then into the ice lounge, where everything you see and touch is made entirely of ice, including the walls, bar and seats. Relax on the deer-skin covered couches or explore the stunning handcrafted ice sculptures. All guests are supplied with a sheepskin lined jacket, gloves and boots. Entry is $30 for adults, $13 for children before 6pm and a family pass is $69.95.
Princes Wharf, Quay Street, reception open from 10.30am, phone 377 6702, email info@minus5.co.nz or visit www.minus5experience.com
Cinderella on Ice
Enjoy the magic and dazzling skating brilliance of the Imperial Ice Stars in this world premiere of their new production, performed on a frozen theatre stage. Featuring dazzling displays of skill from 23 championship skaters, this stunning production boasts special effects rivalling Cirque du Soleil, including fire and rain, glorious costumes and lavish sets depicting Siberian snowscapes and gypsy carnivals. In this retelling of the traditional story, Cinderella is a prima ballerina whose dancing captivates the Mayor’s son. Despite rival attempts by her stepsisters to steal his heart, the kindly Watchmakers and Gypsy Fortune teller ensure that true love triumphs.
11-20 July, ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre, The Edge®, phone Ticketek 307 5000 or visit www.ticketek.co.nz
Kelly Tarlton’s Shark Survival
Brave the waters and swim with sharks at Kelly Tarlton’s. This exciting underwater tour brings you up close and personal with bronze whaler, sevengill and wobbegong sharks, as well as giant stingrays. Qualified instructors ensure you are in safe hands at all times. All equipment, including wetsuits, is provided. Shark Survival costs $149 for certified divers and an extra $99 for non-divers, who need to learn the basics at a Discover Scuba session. Bring your togs, towel and closed in footwear. Discover Scuba sessions are available daily at 9.30am; Shark Survival sessions take place daily at 12 noon except on Tuesday and Thursday.
Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World, Tamaki Drive, Mission Bay, call 0800 80 50 50, email ktinfo@kellytarltons.co.nz or visit www.kellytarltons.co.nz
Royal New Zealand Ballet – Romeo and Juliet
The world’s most famous love story returns to the stage in this dramatic and visually stunning production staged by the UK’s Christopher Hampson. With their families locked in a bitter feud, Romeo and Juliet’s fate is doomed. They will do anything to be together, but their families will do anything to tear them apart. Set to Sergei Prokofiev’s ravishing score, the production features dancers Cameron McMillan and Amy Hollingsworth who return from London to play the star-crossed lovers.
23-27 July, ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre, THE EDGE®, phone Ticketek 307 5000 or visit www.ticketek.co.nz
SkyWalk 360º
Step into Auckland’s newest urban adventure as you walk around the pergola ring of Auckland’s famous Sky Tower – the Southern Hemisphere’s tallest tower. Suspended high above Auckland city on a narrow 1.2m platform, there is only a harness between you and a sheer 192m drop on either side! Unlike the Sydney Tower walk, there is no protective railing or balcony, but each walker is harnessed to an overhead railing to prevent them swinging off the edge. As you walk, you’ll enjoy spectacular views of Auckland’s skyline and harbour, while a guide points out the city’s best known landmarks. $115 for adults, $85 for children (10-15yrs only). See ad page XX.
Sky Tower, SKYCITY Auckland, Level P3, enter main Sky City Atrium and take escalator down to check in. For bookings, phone 0800 759 586 or visit www.skywalk.co.nz
40th Auckland International Film Festival
Join Auckland’s mid-winter theatre-goers as the city’s cinemas showcase the best of contemporary and retrospective cinema from around the world. Vincent Ward’s exquisite drama documentary Rain of the Children kicks off the festival at the Civic Theatre on 12 July .Other highlights include Married Life, a Hitchcockian tale of adultery and murder starring Pierce Brosnan; Pietra Brettkelly's provocative documentary The Art Star and The Sudanese Twins; the engrossing Nazi counterfeiting tale The Counterfeiters, winner of the Best Foreign Language Film at the 2008 Academy Awards; and Shooting Sharks, an eco-doc that takes a bite out of the shark mythology created by Jaws. The Auckland Philharmonia will also perform Carl Davis' score for Harold Lloyd's The Kid Brother, one of the great comedies of the silent era.
10-27 July, for venues, booking and a full programme visit www.nzff.co.nz
Rainbow’s End
New Zealand’s largest theme park promises all the thrills you can handle with state-of-the-art amusement rides. For a real adrenalin rush, the Fear Fall sends its riders plunging earthward at 80km/h before a magnetic breaking system brings them gently to the ground, or defy fear on New Zealand’s only corkscrew roller coaster, famous for its teeth-rattling double corkscrew loop. Families can enjoy the Enchanted Forest Log Flume, with its dramatic water chute plunge, or hitch a ride through an abandoned goldmine on The Goldrush. Plus there’s mini golf, bumper cars, a pirate ship, Can Am cars, sideshows and the Cadbury Land Castle for the kids.
Open daily from 10am, Corner Wiri Station Road and Great South Road, Manukau City, phone 09 262 2030,
www.rainbowsend.co.nz