The energy, innovation and creative excellence of Manukau's arts community will be showcased at the inaugural Manukau Festival of Arts 08 from October 30 to November 17. Mayor Len Brown says the arts play a special role in the community and reflects the environment and pride of place. "It drives your emotions and reflects our hopes and dreams, with the fusion of culture and talent.""I really encourage the community to come along and feel the heart of the city and the richness of culture that exists in Manukau." "We have one of the most diverse communities in the world and this is a unique opportunity for our community to see the brilliance of our local artists.

Events with local origins include Once Were Samoans (pictured), Manukau Youth Art Awards, Explosion Latina and the Manukau Film Festival. Manurewa-based entertainment company Kila Kokonut Krew will bring their highly-anticipated play 'Once Were Samoans' to Manukau for the first time. Popular comedian Mike Loder, a Manurewa resident and Billy T award winner, is headlining the hugely successful Southside Comedy. This is comedy at its best, with a great line up of acts from top comedians who tour internationally. Mr Loder will also moderate The Great Comedy Debate where six comedians from across the country will be hotly debating the moot "That Manukau is the new black". Mayor Brown says, "Comedy acts such as the Kila Kokonut Krew are the bomb". "They bring a fantastic flavour of our wonderful city drawing on their 'southside' roots to make us laugh until we cry".

Promising Manukau secondary students will be painting the walls of Te Tuhi Centre for the Arts when their talent is recognised at the Manukau Youth Art Awards. "We are proud of our young people and I encourage them to follow their dreams. These young artists are brilliant."

Explosion Latina featuring Bucklands Beach resident Gerardo Torres brings a spice of international flavour to the arts festival. Come along on November 1 to enjoy Latin music, dance, drinks and food.

The first Manukau Film Festival will mark this arts festival with screenings of short films, documentaries, animation works and more from November 5 to 8. In addition, there will be many visual arts exhibitions held in the city's arts centres, galleries and at the Auckland Botanic Gardens.

The people of Manukau will have the opportunity to see top performers that tour nationally and internationally in their own backyard. "We are renowned for our arts and culture and this is something we want to celebrate by creating an event that we can build on into the future. Our artists have so much to offer our community and we want to provide the platform they need to showcase their brilliance", says Mayor Brown.

Internationally-acclaimed contemporary dance company, Black Grace will perform a collection of short dance pieces on November 6. Artistic director Neil Ieremia will also provide a glimpse of some of his new work before its official 2009 debut.

Lovers of opera will be delighted to hear that Geoffery Knight and special guest Grant Dickson are performing on stage at the TelstraClear Pacific events centre. Mr Knight was once a member of a motorcycle gang, but has now reinvented himself as one of the country's finest emerging singers.

The festival is also proud to host Creative New Zealand's Arts Pasifika Awards, now in their 12th year. 

Image: 'Once were Samoans' Photo by Lawrence Smith  

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