Funky Oriental Beats started as a platform for Kiwi-Asian performing artists to reach out to the wider community and showcase their unique work. Our voices come from the collision of cultures.

Funky Oriental Beats started as a platform for Kiwi-Asian performing artists to reach out to the wider community and showcase their unique work. Our voices come from the collision of cultures. Now three years and two concerts on, FOB is evolving. Thanks to a grant from Creative Communities and support from STAMP at The EDGE, writing and performance workshops are being offered, open to all (not just Asians).

Tea, Coffee and biscuits provided – please bring lunch (or buy).  Koha of $5 requested to cover refreshment cost for all except Emerging artists forum.  Numbers are limited so booking ahead to docrnz@gmail.com is highly recommended.

Songwriting (Sat 10th April 1030-1500, includes 30 min lunch): Tutors: Karen Hunter and Bex Peterson.  Explore with your voice, mind and body with exercises to unleash your creativity, followed by ideas on how to craft a good song.  Karen will tutor from 1030-1230 and Bex will follow up from 1300-1500.  Suitable for beginners, and artists from other genres wanting to explore are especially welcomed.  Bring an instrument (optional) and a packed lunch please.
Venue: Lower NZI, Level 2, Aotea Centre.

Performance 2 (Sat 10th April 1500-1930): Tutors Renee Liang and Callum Stembridge.  Work on your voice, preparation, mic technique and stage presence - group or individual clinics according to who registers.
Venue: Lower NZI, Level 2, Aotea Centre.

Emerging Artists mini forum (Sunday 11th April 1300-1600):
If you’re an emerging artist in any genre, come join us for a few hours to discuss issues relevant to all of  us - Al Kwun (publicist), Renee Liang (writer), Meghan Geliza (visual artist) and Yee Yang Lee (producer) will facilitate. Topics will include developing a career as an independent artist, collaboration, promotion, reaching the Asian audience, pros and cons of training and development, funding, and negotiating the culture/identity question.  Since this is a topic much bigger than just "Asian artists" everyone is welcome.  This is FREE and followed afterwards by a networking pearl milk tea at a suitable location.

Proposed schedule:
1300 -1315 - arrive (we won't be able to do drinks as the bar won't be open, but I can do juice and chocolate!)
1315 - 1345 - Al opens discussion reaching the right audience, strategies to get exposure as an artist, marketing vs publicity. Roundtable discussion on what people have found useful.
1345 - 1415 - Meghan leads discussion on collaboration, setting up a collective, and what artists can do to help each other.
1415 - 1445 - Renee discusses developing a career as an independent artist, pros and cons of training and development, and finding a mentor.
1445 - 1515 - Square discusses the producer's role using Oryza as case study. Funding.
1515 - 1545 - everyone - The big C word - roundtable discussion on the cultural questions - pigeonholing, managing expectations (of audience, community, funders etc), the double edged sword etc.
1545 - 1600 - wrap up. Where to now - do we want to do this again? and those that want to can head off for more food/coffee/talk.

Venue: Te Karanga Gallery, 208 K’Rd upstairs and opp St Kevins Arcade

NOTE: Access points for Aotea Centre
From Mayoral Drive , walk down the pathway from Mayoral Drive behind the Aotea Centre to the Temporary Stairs.  Continue along the balcony and walk around the external part of the Aotea Centre until you reach the Limelight Foyer doors.  Once inside these doors, head for the lifts and continue up to the 4th floor.  
 If coming in from Greys Ave , walk around the hoardings until you reach the Limelight Foyer Doors (we’ll have signage, please keep a close eye out for these), continue same way to 4th floor.