Gina Timberlake as Ruby and Mark Huston as Richard in The Artefact Project

charlatan clinic’s compelling latest work, The Artefact Project, begins Wednesday, February 22^nd at French Revolver Studio, a renovated warehouse loft in Auckland Central and runs until Saturday February 25^th.

The Artefact Project is the story of Ruby and Richard, split into three short plays that chronicle their relationship over two decades; their past, present and their future, as they live, love, divorce, explore, dream, mother and father – each within their own worlds.

A collaboration between charlatan clinic’s Resident Playwright and Artistic Director Melissa Fergusson and writer David Allnutt, The Artefact Project is a conversation between two friends, whose relationship remains entirely platonic.

“This gives them an ability to speak truth about themselves and their feelings without prejudice” says Fergusson.  “It means that through them we can examine the complexities of friendship and ask the question: ‘how do we define boundaries between a man and a woman?’”.

For this challenging task, Gina Timberlake has been cast as Ruby and Mark Huston as Richard.

“Gina and Mark have a fantastic chemistry that adds depth and intensity to the performance. Both actors have to maintain a connection as they transition through different phases in life,” says Fergusson.

New gallery space/hair salon, French Revolver Studio in Victoria Street West, Aucklandprovides the alternative, intimate space for up to 100 guests per show for the duration of The Artefact Project.  Tickets are available through Eventfinder and at the door.

The Artefact Project is proudly supported by Suite Bar, Broken Shed Vodka, Monin, Perrier, Phoenix Makeup and Bloomberry Cupcakes.  Ruby and Richard are dressed by New Zealand labels Strangely Normal, Loobie’s Story, Ketze-ke and Ooby Ryn.

The Artefact Project

Wednesday February 22^nd – Saturday February 25^th

French Revolver Studio (139 – 141 Victoria Street West,Auckland)

Eventfinder: http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/2012/the-artefact-project/auckland

Further details at www.charlatanclinic.com

Melissa Fergusson talks to Murry Sweetpants about The Artefact Project

Melissa Fergusson, Artistic Director of charlatan clinic caught up with Murry Sweetpants on Radio Ponsonby about her latest work The Artefact Project, which opens to the public this Thursday (Feb 23).

The Artefact Project is a collaborative work created by Fergusson and writer David Allnutt that explores the platonic relationship of Ruby and Richard across two decades as they they live, love, divorce, explore, dream, mother and father – each within their own worlds.

New gallery space/hair salon, French Revolver Studio in Victoria Street West, Auckland provides the alternative, intimate space for up to 100 guests per show for the duration of The Artefact Project season (Thursday Feb 23 – Saturday Feb 25).

Tickets are available through Eventfinder and at the door.

• Kagi jewellery
• Ooby Ryn
• Sheryl May
• Loobie’s Story
• Canterbury of New Zealand
• Ketz-ke

For links to download images please contact showroom@paulblomfield.com

Blomfield Showroom clear cut images

With amazing new attractions, a completely redesigned layout and, for the first time in the 161 year history of the event, FREE entry* for all children under the age of 12, the Coca-Cola Easter Show is the perfect way to celebrate the long weekend.

Coca-Cola Easter Show Chief Executive Officer Mark Frankham believes 2012 sets a new direction ofNew Zealand’s most historic family day out.

“Almost every Aucklander has a special place in their heart for the Easter Show,” says Mark.

“This year we’ve really challenged ourselves to search out and bring the very best in family entertainment to Auckland, from both around the country and the world. And with free entry for children under 12, we’re expecting that Aucklanders will want to stay in town to visit the show – rather than fight gridlock to somewhere else!” he said.

Highlights of the 2012 Coca-Cola Easter Show include the out-of-this-world Zirka Circus, featuring death defying acts and incredible group performances that defy gravity!  Entrance to the daily shows will be FREE for kids and adults with ticket purchase.

For the first time ever, the 100% Kylie Show is coming to town.  Starring top Australian act Lucy Holmes, this Kylie Minogue tribute show has received international critical acclaim and entrance to the daily shows will be also be FREE with ticket purchase.

Always a favourite of Auckland ‘townies’, the Coca-Cola Easter Show will once again bring the country to the city with the biggest animal zone in New Zealand on show all Easter weekend.  12,000 sq meters will showcase all kinds of champion farm and domestic animals, sheep shearing competitions and a petting zoo, little ones will be able to learn all about farm animals and their importance and value to daily life.

The Logan Campbell Centre will be a kid’s utopia over the Easter weekend with performances by top international children’s show The WotWots and Looney Tunes characters taking place daily – again, all FREE for kids to enter.

Cultural elements of the Coca-Cola Easter Show include live shows daily from top Polynesian Groups from around the region performing on the Cultural Stage.

Those that enjoy the finer things in life need to check out the entries of the stunning Art Show Awards – New Zealand’s largest, and the critically acclaimed Wine Award winners inside Pavilion 6 (up next to old main Greenlane Rd entrance) the ASB Showgrounds.

Live life to the extreme in the Carnival Ride area of the Coca-Cola Easter Show; featuring some of the best bust-a-gut fun rides you could dare to try including the Turbo Boost ride, back for its second hair raising year.

To top it all off, the Coca-Cola Easter Show will end Friday, Saturday and Sunday night with a bang thanks to the firework extravaganza.

“To say that we’re looking forward to this years show is an understatement’ says Mark “We have some of the best acts in the world coming to Auckland exclusively for the Coca-Cola Easter Show – you don’t want to miss this!”

*One adult must accompany up to three children to gain entry to the show.

Coca-Cola Easter Show
Thursday April 5^th to Monday April 9^th
10am – 10pm Thursday to Sunday
10am – 6pm Monday
Tickets available now through Ticketek.co.nz

www.eastershow.co.nz

Riki Carter creating one of his many innovative cocktails at Matterhorn

He was selected to beNew Zealand’s representative December 2011 when he won the national title and will now join 14 other world class mixologists to compete to be the Angostura Aromatic Bitters Global Cocktail Challenge Champion for 2012.

With first prize being US$10,000 and a contract to become Angostura’s Global Brand Ambassador, the competition is extremely tough. Competing bartenders are asked to produce four world class cocktails; all have to contain five dashes of Angostura Bitters, while one has to be rum based and the other competitor’s choice.

“I’m really looking forward to showing what we in New Zealand can do” says Riki Carter. “The level of bartenders competing is high and the competition is both mentally and creatively demanding.

“Presenting four cocktails in seven minutes is a challenge in itself, but in front of an international panel of six judges and your peers, can be a daunting experience” he said.

Matterhorn has been an incubator for creating and showcasing top mixologists for three decades, regularly featuring nationally and internationally as one of the top 50 bars in the world.

“I’ve been fortunate to be part of such an amazing team at Matterhorn” says Carter. “Creativity and innovation is the norm there; everyone pushes the boundaries to create that perfect experience for our customers. Either in the bar or in the restaurant”

“I can’t wait to bring some of that Wellington flavour toTrinidad and Tobago and learn at the same time from the others competing” he said.

The Angostura Aromatic Bitters Global Cocktail Challenge takes place on Sunday February 19^th in Trinidad and Tobago, the birthplace of Angostura and the home of the Angostura museum and rum distillery.

Will and Owen outside the Waipara Tavern. Photo: Stuff

Owen Black and Will Hall are having a fantastic journey – taking their movie Netherwood to the people in the regions, throughout the country.

This self funded, locally produced modern-day Western has been a huge success and their series of small screenings have been well attended and met with an enthusiastic response..

If you haven’t been following the tour, have a look at their blog page and see the slide show and updates from the journey.

The blog is at: http://netherwoodmovie.wordpress.com/ and if you’d like to get to a screening yourself, these will continue until the end of February. See the itinerary here.

Thanks for the support of King of Shaves for loaning the duo the famous KOS Hummer and all the shaving gear the Netherwood crew could need.

Ketz-ke designer, Jenny Drury says “We are absolutely delighted to have Sophia join our team,” “just like the Ketz-ke brand she is fun, dynamic and represents a fashion forward style.”

The Paul Blomfield PR team recently organised a photoshoot with Sophia Nash wearing the latest Ketz-ke range.

A huge fan since her discovery of the label, Sophia Nash says “as a mother of two and a model, having comfort and fashion is essential.”

“Ketz-ke is the perfect mix of casual and minimal fuss style with easy to mix statement pieces and accessible price points.”

Ketz-ke’s new winter 2012 is available in stores now.

Now, 2012 is set to be an even bigger year with two unique productions showcasing in Auckland, before heading offshore.

The Artefact Project

The first of these, The Artefact Project will premier in Auckland at French Revolver Studio to media and industry on Wednesday 22^nd February, with public performance dates from Thursday 23^rd until Saturday 25^th February, 2012. The show was piloted last year at Letham Gallery to a sell-out audience and is back for a professional season.

A collaboration between Fergusson and writer David Allnutt, The Artefact Project comprises three short plays that tell the story of the platonic relationship of Ruby and Richard over two decades; their past, their present and future, as they ‘divorced, lived, loved, explored, dreamed, mothered and fathered’, each in their own worlds.

Fergusson says The Artefact Project is a conversation between two friends whose relationship remains platonic. “This gives them an ability to speak truth about themselves and their feelings without prejudice. It means that through them we can examine the complexities of friendship and ask the question: ‘how do we define boundaries between a man and a woman?’”.

For this challenging task, Fergusson has cast Gina Timberlake as Ruby and Mark Huston as Richard.

“Gina and Mark have a fantastic chemistry that adds depth and intensity to the performance. Both actors have to maintain a connection as they transition through different phases in life,” says Fergusson.

Gina Timberlake trained at theUK’s Redroofs theatre school and has stage credits including: Grease, Pygmalion, Speed-Daters, Owl and the Pussycat, Humans and most recently “The Secret Life of a Belly Dancer” performed at the Musgrove Studio.

Mark Huston has studied ‘Method’ at Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in London, and most recently ‘Chekhov Technique’ at The Actors Studio in Auckland. Past productions include ‘The Birthday Boy’, ‘Scenes from a Separation’ and ‘They Shoot Horses Don’t They’ at Howick Little Theatre.  Film credits include several 24hr shorts and Stephen Sinclair’s debut feature ‘Russian Snark’.

Continuing Fergusson’s love of alternative spaces, the performance of The Artefact Project will be held at a new gallery space/hair salon, the French Revolver Studio inVictoria Street West,Auckland – a renovated warehouse loft providing an intimate space for up to 100 guests per show.

The Artefact Project

Thursday 23rd February – Saturday 25th February, 2012
Tickets available through Eventfinder:

Further details at www.charlatanclinic.com

To contribute to The Artefact Project visit PledgeMe

——————————————————————————————————————————————————

charlatan: n. A person who claims to have more knowledge or skill that he or she possesses; a quack.

clinic. n. An exemplary display or performance.

Melissa Fergusson

charlatan clinic is the brainchild of Melissa Fergusson, Resident Playwright & Artistic Director, ably supported by Amanda Turner, Resident Producer.

charlatan clinic is an eclectic mix of theatre, education, film and fashion, driven by providing audiences with intimate, provocative and tactile experiences. charlatan clinic’s work is emotive, diverse, and transitive, achieved through a collaborative process.

Fergusson has an organic direction style and sees collaboration as key to successful theatre-making. With more than 20 years experience in the creative arts, Fergusson is passionate about education and sharing her knowledge with others.

After returning from the UKin late 2006, Fergusson threw herself into her work. Her first production, Motherlock, was a semi-autobiographical drama that follows a woman living in theUnited Kingdom andNew Zealand over a span of fourteen years, through four pregnancies to different men.

Controversial in both subject and delivery, the one woman play challenges a number of stigmas; homelessness, addiction, dysfunction, and the choices women make to become mothers.

Motherlock, with Virginia Frankovich as ‘mother’, premiered into Shed 9, Rhubarb Lane, Auckland and show cased at Melbourne Fringe 2010. In 2011, Motherlock returned forAuckland and Wellington Fringe with Narelle Ahrens as ‘mother’.

Soon after, Fergusson won Playmarket professional license for a re-production of Skin Tight by Gary Henderson. Since its debut in 1994, Skin Tight has toured the world, and in 1998 won the coveted ‘Fringe First’ Award inEdinburgh.

Skin Tight, set in 1930’sNew Zealand, opened with a brutal and passionate physical fight between Tom and Elizabeth, played by Chris Neels and Julia Croft.

Fergusson’s Skin Tight was both a critical and commercial success, with a sold-out opening night and near full audiences during the season at Musgrove Studio. “Fergusson’s production stands alone among equals, owing little to its predecessors.” – Lexie Matheson, Theatreview.

charlatan clinic’s next work is The Artefact Project followed by a double bill, premiering in May 2012 in its lead-up to itsUSA performance later this year.

See more about charlatan clinic

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Tinsel Korey of The Twilight Saga will be attending Armageddon Hamilton and Wellington

Armageddon Expo 2012 begins its Australasian tour at Claudelands Event Centre on Saturday April 14^th and Sunday April 15^th, playing host to a mesmerizing array of gamers and fans of all ages before heading to TSB Arena in Wellington on Saturday April 21^st and Sunday April 22^nd.

Event Director Bill Geradts says he’s thrilled to be bringing the expo to the city. “To say we’ve been looking forward to being hosted by our Hamilton fans is an understatement; we’ve waited a long time to bring Armageddon to Hamilton, and we’ve got some cult icons from the small and big screens coming to Claudelands to be part of it,” said Geradts.

Celebrity guests currently headed to Hamilton and Wellington include stars from the Twilight films including wolf pack duo Tinsel Korey (Emily) and Bronson Pelletier (Jared), along with Volturi vampire (Demitri) Charlie Bewley.  They’ll be joined by iconic Matt Frewer of Max Headroom fame as well as Paul McGillion (Dr. Carson Beckett) from Stargate Atlantis and John Levene (Sergeant John Benton) from the Classic Doctor Who series. Armageddon is looking at additional guests to join these amazing actors, so stay tuned.

Anime and Manga fans will be lining up to meet voice over artists Vic Mignogna of Full Metal Alchemist and Dragonball Z, the incredibly versatile Brian Beacock of Digimon, Naruto and Battle BDaman series as well as Dave Wittenburg of Naruto fame.

For die-hard Anime fans wanting to expand their creative horizons this year, the Armageddon Expo Anime Music Video Competition is the perfect opportunity to share some of their favorite anime and music with others.  Cash prizes are up for grabs, and entries are being called for now.  Competitors are encouraged to check out www.armageddonexpo.com/nz for more details, as finalist videos will be played during the Armageddon Expo.

Renowned artist of Superman: Red Son and 100 Bullets, Dave Johnson is bringing his 20 years of comic and animation experience and knowledge to Armageddon Hamilton and Wellington, he is joined by international comic writer, Ron Marz; the man responsible for an epic run on ‘Green Lantern’ as well as Witchblade, Artifacts and more from DC Comics and Image comics.  Alongside him, the creators of New Zealand’s biggest online comics publisher, Beyond Reality Media are releasing their first hard cover book ‘The Complete Inspiration Duncans’ exclusively at the expo.

For those that want to challenge their stomach strength and eating dexterity, the special Twilight Fear Factor competition is the perfect opportunity to do just that.  Team Edward vs Team Jacob will compete in a testing series of eating comps that will be judged by the stars of the Twilight films attending the expo.

Whether a participant or just an enthusiast, the realms of Cosplay continue to be a ‘must be seen to be believed’ attraction of Armageddon.  The colorful Cosplay Parades, Cosplay Games, and Kamehameha Competitions are endlessly entertaining for both fans and spectators, and 2012 is the first official Trans Tasman Cosplay Competition, proudly presented by Trinity Treasures.

Gamers will love the hugely impressive stands of PlayStation and Dell computers at Armageddon, a showcase of the latest in gaming and technology, while anyone that loves movie memorabilia, toys, guns, swords or costumes will be fascinated by the array of exhibitor stands and stalls that form the backbone of the Armageddon Expo.

From it’s inception in 1995, the Armageddon Expo has grown to become the largest fantasy event in Australasia.  With shows in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Melbourne and now Hamilton it’s clear to see the Armageddon Expo continues to embody the ever growing pulp culture phenomenon.

“Armageddon is a real melting pot of Twilighters, anime enthusiasts, comic collectors, Transformers fans and cult tv show devotees all mixed in and generally having a fantastic weekend” says Event Director Bill Geradts.

“We see trends come and go, but with ongoing rise of festivals like ours, being considered a ‘geek’ is now more acceptable than ever – it’s even considered to be pretty ‘mainstream’ and cool!” says Bill.

Show information available at: www.armageddonexpo.com/nz

TICKETS

One day entry – General Admission Tickets:

Adults (13 and above) – $20.00

Student (with ID) – $17.00

Children (5-12) – $10.00 (or free entry for one child with one full paying adult)

Family Pass (2 adults and 3 children) $45.00 ($40.00 on presale)

Two day entry – General Admission Tickets:

Adult – $35.00

Student – $30.00

Child – $15.00

Tickets available through www.ticketek.co.nz from February 1, 2012.

Armageddon Expo Hamilton
Saturday April 14^th and Sunday April 15^th

Claudelands Event Centre, Hamilton

Armageddon Expo Wellington

Saturday April 21^st and Sunday April 22^nd

TSB Bank Arena, Wellington