The Otago Community Trust has put its support behind creativity in our city with donations to support a range of events, music, art and live performances over the coming months.
The opening of the Forsyth Barr Stadium will be celebrated with the “The Big Night In” event on the 12th November. The Trust has made a $25,000 donation to support the opportunity for an estimated 35,000 families to enjoy the performances of local, national and international artists.
Otago Community Trust Donations Manager Carol Melville said “The projects that The Trust has supported this month really showcase the diversity of our community and the opportunities to develop local talent and experience some extraordinary visiting performers”.
The Playhouse Theatre in Albany Street will literally have a roof over their heads next year thanks to a $4,500 donation from the Trust. They have been plagued by leaks and the donation will assist with much needed repairs to the roof. The Dunedin Repertory Society who own the building, are keen to continue their program for 2012 including a performance for children of Cinderella.
“We are all volunteers and love putting on the three shows for children every year during the school holidays, we always aim to have children acting the children parts, it makes the shows magical for the audiences, ” said Kay Prentice, Secretary of the Dunedin Reparatory Society.
Not many people may be aware that Port Chalmers is home to an exciting gallery run by local artists. The Trust has donated $1000 to support the Anteroom to stage Qubit, a night of performance art that will bring artists from as far away as Helsinki. The performances will run on the 15th and 16th of October.
Dunedin audiences will be able to enjoy performances across the city by an orchestra due to a helping hand from the Trust to the Collegiate Orchestra. The orchestra provides training and opportunities for musicians and conductors to perform as is available for free or at low cost to local productions, church and school concerts. It provides a vital stepping stone to professional orchestras for emerging talent and provides live music to local events.
There will also be a rare opportunity to see some of India’s most talented performers and musicians during Diwali Mela – Festival of Lights. The Trust has supported India NZ Dunedin to host the performers at the Dunedin College of education’s auditorium on the 7th October.
These donations were part of the $87,700 the Otago Community Trust granted to 18 organisations across Otago over September this year. This also included $10,000 to support the North East Valley Community Development Project.
