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Love Your Hair by Richard Kavanagh

Taken from Stuff, by Bronwyn Williams.

Top Kiwi hairdresser Richard Kavanagh is writing a recipe book. But Kavanagh, who is creative director for Rodney Wayne, won't be sharing baking tips or barbecue recipes.

Instead, his book, Love Your Hair, will contain easy-to-use hair 'recipes' to create simple, classic and beautiful hair styles. Each 'recipe' indicates how long the style will take to create along with advice on what tools, products and hair type will be needed.

"Love Your Hair is essentially a recipe book for styling your hair," Kavanagh says. "I've tested all these recipes rigorously at shows and seminars, on unsuspecting punters all over the planet. I've tested them on national television, and they work."

The book, to be published by Random House, will feature 25 images shot by renowned Sydney-based photographer Steven Chee. Each image will be accompanied by a four-step recipe.

To finish the book, Kavanagh needs to raise around $12,000 to cover the cost of the photo shoots. He and his team have put together a light-hearted video to promote the book and have set up a pledge of Pozible - the Australian crowd funding platform for creative ideas and projects.

It's a labour of love for Kavanagh, who started working on the book three years ago.

"The idea of the book began three years ago when I was researching segments for my Good Morning slots. Countless women voiced their desire to know more about styling hair, and many suggested they'd love a coffee table-style 'how-to' hair book.

"It has taken the last two and a half years to write and produce the book, and now all I need is to secure the last bit of funding for the final stage of the production. This is were you come in," he says.

Those who show their support will be acknowledged in the book, and will receive advance copies when it is published. And for those who pledge the most - Kavanagh vows to come to your house and do your hair himself.

To support the project please visit the Love Your Hair website.

Warrior Princess sells 'best friends'

Taken from NZ Herald, by Kirsty Wynn.

Eco-warrior Lucy Lawless' heart is as big as her art. The wrold-renowned Greenpeace supporter is putting up pieces from her collection of New Zealand art for a global auction to help build the Rainbow Warrior III.

"I think I have maxed out what I can expect from family so these two pieces are things I have bought myself," Lawless told the Herald on Sunday. "They are the first two things I bought with my first money from Xena: Warrior Princess."

The Michael Parakowhai prints are of the Lone Ranger and Tonto titled 'You're My Best Friend' have been greeting guests at the top of the stairs in the Mission Bay home Lawless shares with film-producer husband Rob Tapert.

Read the full article here.

Gladiator gardener wins Kapiti Island Residency

Taken from The Big Idea.

A multi-talented bi-lingual writer and performer from Whaingaroa has been named the 2011 Tau Mai e Kapiti Writer in Residence.

Antonio Te Maioha (Waikato/Nga Puhi) is well known as an actor on stage and screen, most recently as the gladiator 'Barca' in the US television series Spartacus: Blood and Sand. He is also known as a co-presenter on the Maori Television series Kiwi Maara, a show which aims to revitalise Maori gardening practices.

As an emerging writer, Antonio has been composing and performing poems, stories and waiata at events throughout the North Island. He is one of a number of poets and writers invited to respond to the Oceania Exhibition at Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand when it opens later this month.

Antonio is the fourth Kapiti writer in residence and will head to the island later this month to begin his two month stay. This year's judging panel describe him as having a diverse range of writing skills and experience across different media.

"His strengths include fluency in the Maori language and appeal to audiences of all ages," said judging panel member Mei Hill. "He has energy and versatility both as a writer and a performer - a combination that is not easy to achieve."

The judges commented that they were impressed with Antonio's motivation during the residency - to "listen to the island". He expects to complete projects in hand and extend current material, including a series of stories for children featuring two adventurous characters, Pango and Puki.

The Tau Mai e Kapiti Maori Writers' Residency is funded by Te Waka Toi / Creative New Zealand and hosted by Kaitiaki o Kapiti Trust. The residency offers a grant and allows an up and coming Maori writer to live and work on the northern end of Kapiti Island for eight weeks.

"Kapiti has profound spiritual power which has inspired writers and artists for many years," said Minnie Barrett, from Kaitiaki o Kapiti Trust. "This is the only residency in the country created and run by Maori for Maori Writers. We expect this year's writer in residence will respond well to the opportunity to spend eight weeks on the island."

Last year's Kapiti writer in residence, Nuki Takao, described the experience as "a dream come true".

Louise Tu'u joins 5th deciBel Performing Arts Showcase

Taken from deciBel.

Eight high profile arts professionals from six countris have been named as recipients of a Visiting Arts International Connections bursary scheme. The International Connections programme will enable the selected experts to share their experience with UK-based arts professionals at Arts Council England's 5th deciBel Performing Arts Showcase in Manchester from 13 - 16 September 2011.

The arts professionals selected for International Connections come from as far afield as Australia, China, USA, New Zealand and India. They are:

- Sam Cook, Director of The Dreaming: International Indigenous Festival, Australia
- Sasha Dees, independent curator and producer, Holland
- Kath Duncan, multi-media producer and cultural commentator, Australia
- Anjum Katyal, Editor, Art in the City, India
- Monique Martin, Director of Family Programming, CityParks Foundation, USA
- Leroy Franklin Moore Jr., Founder of Krip-Hop Nation, USA
- Louise Tu'u, writer, director and producer, New Zealand
- WANG Chong, Program Director of Beijing International Fringe Festival, China

At the deciBel Performing Arts Showcase, International Connections participants will be able to share ideas with their UK peers and experience cutting-edge work from England's culturally rich performing arts scene. In return, Showcase artists and delegates can gain insights into international markets, make connections and find out about opportunities to present work outside of the UK.

Nike Jonah, deciBel Performing Arts Showcase Project Manager, Arts Council England, said: "International Connections encourages the sharing of best practice in the international performing arts, while at the same time enabling overseas professionals to see the excellent work being made by artists from diverse backgrounds in England."

Find out more about the International Connections here.

My Big Week: Liesha Ward Knox

Taken from NZ Herald, TimeOut.

Friday night drinks? Meet me at:
The Wine Cellar. It's quirky, relaxed and has an authentic air of unpredictability.

Where I'll be wearing my new:
Winter boots. I don't care what the dress code is, I'm wearing them, it's cold.

And this weekend I'm planning on:
Sneaking in a few rehearsals for a play I'm doing in this year's Short+Sweet festival. It's a cool little 10 minute, 2 person piece called Perfect. The people I am working with are wonderful - it's nice when life dishes up the good stuff.

But first I'll need to refuel at my favourite cafe:
Jaffa on Richmond Rd. Try the Balinese sticky rice, it tastes like summer.

Saturday evening. If my dreams come true there would be a gig by:
Dream gig would be: An Evolution of Pop Spectacular, starting from the 50s right through to now, all of the main players performing their hits live. Gah, that would be cool.

Reality based Gig:
There are two Wellington bands that really make me smile till it hurts, the recently disbanded (excuse the pun) Odessa and The Wellington International Ukelele Orchestra.

But if there's nothing else doing I'll probably just:
Mooch. Slowly doing everything and nothing.

On my stereo/headphones right now is:
This American Life - great podcast; they make fun of it on The Simpsons, so it must be good.

The books I can't put down are:
Any book of riddles - Google "Who owns the fish?" Einstein came up with it and said 98 per cent of the population wouldn't work it out. I know someone who solved it in half an hour, while watching TV. I have 3 pages of DIY flow charts and am still going ...

The TV show I take the phone off the hook for:
NZ's Next Top Model, for so many reasons.

The movie I've been dying to see:
Russian Snark, a NZ film playing at Rialto about a Russian film-maker who comes to NZ to realise his dreams. Apparently it's fantastic.

A non-cooking Monday night means takeaways from:
Ponsonby Rd Food Court, where you are guaranteed to find good food and a friend to share it with.

Or a splash-out Wednesday night restaurant would be:
Clooney, they make food into foam and foam into food, just magic.

Liesha Ward Knox is in Perfect at the Herald Theatre until Saturday. Short+Sweet Theatre runs until 17 July.

Capital's Big Lie has cultural & economic lessons for Super City

Taken from NZ Herald, by Brian Rudman.

Last year, I gently mocked the pre-election claim of Wellington's then mayor, Kerry Prendergast, that her town was "recognised as the arts and culture capital" of the country.

Wellingtonians have long fantasised that if they chanted this mantra enough times, it would come true. Or at least, that they'd fool the rest of us into believing it must be so.

But deep down, they knew it wasn't so. And now, poor things, they've got the reports to prove it. And it's thrown them into an awful tizzwass.

Last week, Dominion Post arts editor Tom Cardy cast envious eyes northwards in a dispairing piece headlined "Can Wellington retain its art capital title?" Which was guilding the lily more than a little, given the reports he quotes from indicate that title - if it ever deserved it - is now firmly Auckland's.

Consultancy firm Martin Jenkins is not quite that blunt in its January report "Economy of the Arts in Wellington".

No doubt it wanted to let its clients down gently when it refers, in its opening breath, to Wellington's "reputation as New Zealand's cultural capital".

Like Mrs Prendergast, the report makes no bald claims that Wellington IS the arts capital, just that it has the "reputation" for being so. The former mayor's trick was to say "recognised" as such.

The Martin Jenkins report provides evidence aplenty that the reputation is unjustified. On page one of the executive summary, we learn that, "After Auckland city, Wellington city ... has the second highest share of arts and culture sector employees in New Zealand".

The report writers note "considerable concern about the northward drift of corporate sponsorships dollars and artists. Auckland is seen as an attractive city for young and emerging artists who feel there is 'a buzz' in Auckland. There was also seen to be greater job opportunities and the Auckland Council is seen to be more proactive in establishing arts and culture infrastructure".

We read that Wellington City has 14 per cent of the country's arts and culture sector employees - add another 2.5 per cent if you include Porirua and Upper and Lower Hutt. The old Auckland City had 32.5 per cent, the Super City has 45 per cent.

Wellington region accounted for around 15 per cent of the total direct economic contribution of the arts and culture sector and Auckland more than half. In cash terms, Wellington's contribution to the economy from arts and culture is around $378 million; Auckland's is as much as $1.31 billion.

In a section labelled "The Auckland Challenge", we learn that while focus groups supported "the concept of Wellington as the arts and culture capital, many felt that the city was a tipping point". Interviewees were "candid" about the opportunities Auckland presented for both artists and organisations in terms of financial support, employment, larger audiences and infrastructure. Those surveyed were concerned about the "northward migration" of sponsors and "artistic talent" and called for greater local and central government support.

There was also concern among Wellingtonians that Creative New Zealand will shift funds away from Wellington-based companies "to fit more proportionately to the distribution of New Zealand population (ie especially Auckland)."

A subsequent report to this month's meeting of Wellington city's strategy and policy committee by Martin Rodgers, manager city arts, bemoans the fact that investment in the arts in other centres is "diminishing Wellington's clear leadership" as the "cultural capital".

Without explaining how it will happen, he notes the "urgent need" to "propel Wellington's cultural capital status to the next stage of its development". Mind you, I can understand his vagueness. How do you come up with a policy that propels you to the next stage of a Big Lie?

While there's a certain enjoyment in watching Wellington cultural snobbocracy having to face up to the reality that Auckland is the happening place, there's also a serious lesson to be learned by Auckland politicians.

At least Wellington politicians see arts and culture as something to brag and lie about. During last year's mayoral election campaign, the Auckland candidates seemed to go out of their way to avoid any mention of the subject.

Similarly, this month, Auckland Council's Major Events Strategy was fixated with a marathon, a boat show, fashion week and tennis. Arts and culture hardly got a sideways glance. What a shame our politicians don't see the strength and pull of Auckland's culture scene that so alarms the Wellingtonians.

Jimmy Keen

Tragically Jimmy Keen passed away 16 May 2011.

A service was Saturday 21 May 2011. Our thoughts are with his mother Hilary and family.

If you wish to send your condolences to his family we are happy to forward your correspodence. Please send to our PO Box and we will send on.


c/- Auckland Actors
PO Box 56-460
Dominion Road
Auckland 1446

Wellington slips as arts leader

Taken from The Dominion Post, by Tom Cardy.

Wellington's status as New Zealand's "cultural capital" is at risk, despite the arts injecting more than half a billion dollars into the city's economy each year.

Two reports commissioned by Wellington City Council say other centres have heavily invested in cultural activities "diminishing Wellington's clear leadership in this area".

There was "an urgent need" for a more detailed and focused strategy to tackle issues and propel the city as the cultural capital.

One of the reports, Economy of the Arts in Wellington, said Auckland was now seen by young and emerging artists as a desirable place to live as it had a "buzz", while others were attracted to its growing theatre scene and television industry.

There were fears this would exacerbate "a northward drift of artists and arts organisations".

Auckland Council this month voted to boost funding from $6 million to $18 million next year to attract more events. Creative New Zealand had also increased its funding for the Auckland Arts Festival as well as Auckland theatre.

This years' Auckland Writers and Readers Festival had a record attendance of 32,000.

The report said possible cuts to Creative NZ funding for some Wellington arts bodies was also a concern and that "established institutions will have to curb their activity or many will cease to exist".

The council's reports said in 2009 the arts injected up to $292 million into Wellington's economy and up to $583 million to flow on effects were accounted for. The same year it employed up to 5300 people - a similar size to the transport and storage industry.

Being the cultural capital was the main reason at least a third of international tourists came to Wellington.

Council arts and culture portfolio leader Ray Ahipene-Mercer said changes were needed "or the brand could be diminished".

"We are keeping a really close eye on what is going on around the country. But I need to say, if there was no Auckland, we would still be doing this [strategy]. It is not driven by Auckland."

Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown did not believe the city's status was threatened but said a new strategy was needed. The council spent $22 million a year on the arts, including $6 million on tourism and marketing.

She would not rule out increasing funding for the arts. "The arts are essential, so we may want to spend more."

Next month she will ask other mayors in the region to contribute to some larger events, including the New Zealand International Arts Festival.

What I Pack: Peter Rowley

Taken from NZ Herald.

Do you travel light or heavy?
Light but I am a little overweight at present.

Cattle or first class?
Cattle but I always try a little sweet talking to upgrade.

I can't travel without ...
Sunnies and a huge smile.

What type of suitcase do you carry?
As big as allowed carry-on bag.

What's always in your hand luggage?
Everything I need.

Are you a planner or last minute packer?
Planner, hence one bag.

What's the best thing you've bought back from a trip?
Buddha the fat bugga.

Favourite or most exciting airport to land in?
Detroit - it's huge, with a fast train to the terminal.

Best packing tip?
Clean your bag ... "But that's from a party back home officer!"

Most memorable trip?
Apart from acid in the 1970s, best trip would be Scotland, where I'm from and I did the Edinburgh Festival ... sensational.

What do you do while on the plane?
Meet people ... flirt ... movies ... fun ... flirt ...

Peter Rowley will be performing Billy T & Me as part of the NZ International Comedy Festival, at the Auckland Town Hall from May 17-21. Tickets from 0800 BUY TICKETS.

My Big Week: Leighton Cardno

Taken from NZ Herald.

Friday night drinks?
Chapel always has a great spot in the sun on a Friday arvo.

Where I'll be wearing my new:
Silver one-piece lycra suit with moon boots until someone phones the police.

And this weekend I'm planning on:
Catching up with my best friend who's back from the Middle East, and then we're road-tripping to a wedding in the Wairarapa. I love the Wairarapa... that is a fact.

But first I'll need to refuel at my favourite cafe:
Agnes Curran... and maybe a boysenberry danish from Rob's Patisserie if it's a Sunday.

Saturday evening. If my dreams came true there would be a gig by:
Neil Young, with my dad standing by my side would certainly be a dream come true.

But if there's nothing else doing I'll probably just:
Surf the net looking for parties or take a drive down Queen St.

On my stereo/headphones right now is:
Royal Falcon.

The books I can't put down are:
The Life and Work of Harold Pinter by Michael Billington and The Book of the Story of My Life by William Brandt.

The TV show I take the phone off the hook for:
Life with David Attenborough.

The movie I've been dying to see:
Jake, an indie feature film by Hybrid Motion Pictures, Ghostshark 2: Urban Jaws and Netherwood.

A non-cooking Monday night means takeaways from:
Taqueria - burritos and Coronas is a great way to kick the week off.

Or a splash-out Wednesday night restaurant would be:
Rocco on Ponsonby Rd but it has since closed down, so now it's the foodcourt across the road.

Leighton Cardno plays Leo who has his eye on Britta on Go Girls.