On the 9th of January 2004 UpStage:a web-based venue for live performance will be launched...On the 9th of January 2004 UpStage:a web-based venue for live performance will be launched...UpStage has been created by the globally-dispersed cyberformance troupe Avatar Body Collision and programmer Douglas Bagnall. It aims to provide a web-based venue and tool for artists to compile digital media into live theatrical events in real time, for an online audience.

UpStage is available free to artists, students, teachers, researchers, schools, and anyone interested in exploring live performance on the internet.

The development of UpStage was funded by the Smash Palace Collaboration Fund, a joint initiative of Creative New Zealand and
the NZ Ministry for Research, Science and Technology, and undertaken with project management support from MediaLab South Pacific.

The launch kicks off at 6pm New Zealand time on 9 January 2004, with the official bit and online demo happening from 6.30pm. If you're not
in Wellington, we hope you can join us online - there will be a link from the UpStage web site on the day: http://www.upstage.org.nz

International times include (add half an hour for the start of the
official part):
USA, Cal: 9pm (Thursday 8th)
USA, NYC: 12 midnight
UK: 5am (Friday 9th)
Europe: 6am
Finland: 7am
Australia, NSW: 4pm

If you are in Wellington and would like to join us at MediaLab South
Pacific, please email helen@creative-catalyst.com for address details.

helen : )