The Datsuns, The Warratahs, Jennifer Zea, Clap Clap Riot, Hammond Gamble, Otis Mace and Dimmer are just some of the acts announced for the 2010 Music in Parks season.

This is the 17th year Auckland City Council has produced what is the largest free outdoor music and film series in New Zealand. The 2010 programme runs from January to March and features 40 events in some of Auckland’s most stunning parks and reserves.

Music in Parks is made up of four series, each with its own unique flavour; Summer Sounds features multiple billings of award winning artists offering everything from rock to reggae. Headline acts for 2010 include the The Datsuns, Dimmer, Sweet and Irie and cherished favourites, The Warratahs and Hammond Gamble.

“Currently I am in the icy grip of a chilly European winter,” says The Datsuns guitarist Christian Livingstone. “The thought of playing a show on a hot summer day in the park sounds great to me!”

Jazz at the Rotunda is Auckland’s longest running jazz festival and stages some of the city’s finest jazz musicians. This year’s series boasts 12 weekly jazz concerts set in the historic Auckland Domain Band Rotunda. Featured in the 2010 programme are Lewis McCallum, Jennifer Zea and tribute concerts to Pat Metheney and Russ Garcia .

The Culture Garden series presents a wide range of niche musical genres in Auckland’s most intimate park settings. This is an opportunity to discover new music and relish in the proven talents of Steve Abel, the New Zealand Opera and Forbidden Joe. If dancing is your cup of tea, don’t miss the ever popular ‘Tea Dances’ in March.

Movies in Parks is Auckland’s annual celebration of New Zealand achievement in cinema with a host of kiwi themed flicks. Each event opens with performances by some of Auckland’s hottest up and coming bands such as Collapsing Cities, Sons of Zion and Broken Heartbreakers. Confirmed movies for 2010 include the World’s Fastest Indian, Goodbye Pork Pie and State of Play.

“We’re thrilled to be offering Music In Parks for the 17th year running,” says Councillor Greg Moyle, chairperson of the of the Arts, Culture and Recreation Committee. “It’s great to be able to offer Aucklanders the chance to enjoy the wealth of musical and creative talent in this city, in the setting of our beautiful parks and reserves throughout the summer. I hope everyone gets out there to a range of events.”

Music in Parks 2009 is proudly sponsored by Air New Zealand Grab a Seat, The Radio Network, Juice TV, The Lion Foundation with Movies in Parks being sponsored by Wild Bean Caf and Mediaworks.

source-http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/datsuns-announced-play-music-parks-2010/5/33291

The Parnell Festival of Roses will come into flower on 31 October and 1 November, one of more than 60 free events Auckland City Council will provide this summer. Set amongst the colour and vibrancy of newly bloomed roses at the Parnell Rose Gardens, this free family festival will feature live music, fine food, poetry, craft stalls, an art exhibition and much more.

A feature of this year’s event will be a performance by legendary New Zealand singer Shona Laing, famous for classics such as ‘(Glad I’m) Not A Kennedy’ and Soviet Snow’. Laing is just one of a long list of musicians to perform throughout the weekend – names like Miho Wada, Otis Mace and Neil Watson will also take to the stage. In addition, strolling performers will surprise crowds over the weekend.

Bring a blanket, drink of choice and some nibbles because new for 2009 is the outdoor cinema. Screening on Saturday evening at sunset, the cinema will showcase Oscar Award-winning La Vie en Rose, based on the life of French singer Edith Piaf. Also new for 2009 and taking place on Saturday afternoon is a fashion show, directed by New Yorker Linda Chandler – the show will profile new season looks from local boutiques.

For those with an eye for art, there will be an art exhibition and a huge number of craft stalls on hand to satisfy your browsing and buying pleasure. There is also a new Kidzone to let the little ones find their own fun.

“This event is a wonderful way to kick-start an ever-growing calendar of free summer events,” says Councillor Greg Moyle, Arts, Community and Recreation Committee chairman.

The festival will also go beyond the rose gardens – head to the Parnell Farmers’ Market, for breakfast before buying your seasonal produce, baked foods and artisan goods.  Located between Parnell Library and the War Memorial Museum, the Farmers’ Market will also feature some great family activities inside the library itself. Also visit the Parnell Road Markets where the street will be decorated with roses and Parnell’s shops will have a range of fantastic products on sale, with street stalls, music, and entertainment for children. This is a great opportunity to grab some early Christmas bargains.

A free bus will loop around festival venues every 30 minutes from 10am to 6pm during the weekend.

source-http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0910/S00307.htm

Twilight Cinema in New Zealand continues its second annual season of outdoor movies at Queenstown Gardens with a feel-good mix of comedy, romantic, drama, thriller and classic outdoor movies for an adult audience. The popular outdoor cinema also features indie films such as the critically acclaimed and audience-beloved “Young@Heart” (2008). This arthouse documentary follows an elderly choir that covers classic rock songs from artists such as The Clash, Sonic Youth, the Ramones, and Coldplay. As comedic as it may be to watch senior citizens belting out “Should I Stay or Should I Go”, the real meat of the film are the members of the choir as they battle with issues of health, friendship, and loss. The following is a review of “Young@Heart” by Kat Brown of Empire Magazine. You can read the original blog post about the outdoor movie event here.

Plot
The Young At Heart Chorus has an average age of 81. As they prepare for a concert in their home town after a triumphant global tour, illness and personal tragedy threaten to stop the show altogether.

Review
Usually footage of the elderly failing to live up to their past-it stereotype slots right in with pratfalling kids and fluffy animals for cheap awwwws, but this engaging documentary proves that footage of old people singing Stayin’ Alive shouldn’t be restricted to YouTube. The Young At Heart Chorus from Massachusetts, with an average age of 81, have sung their versions of the Ramones and Sonic Youth in front of royalty, and while it’s funny and novel to watch them sing, it’s their personalities that provide the real heart. Hearing them talk about music and coping with growing old is inspirational, but never Hallmark sentimental. Following their preparation for a concert while facing up to health problems and tragedy, this is a well-rounded and welcome portrayal of old people who live life to the full.

Twilight Cinema Presents an Outdoor Movie Screening of "Young@Heart"

Verdict
The devil may have all the best tunes, but it’s the elderly who nail them. Charming, heartwarming and totally kick-ass, you’ll never look at your grandparents in the same way.

Source: Empire Magazine. Read full article at: http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?FID=135734.

There is nothing better than a glass of wine, a bag of Jaffas and an outdoor movie to relax a stressed mind. Earlier this year, Arthouse Cinema screened its first outdoor film at Oakura’s Butlers Reef as part of a summer-long series. The outdoor movies are scheduled to continue until the end of March. The group wants to broaden the movie-going experience by choosing arthouse films, such as “Lars and the Real Girl” (2007). Though the title may suggest a lewd premise, the film is actually surprisingly sweet and funny, and sex-free. The following is a review of the film originally published in the Colorado Springs Gazette. You can read the original blog post about the outdoor cinema here.

How exactly do you pitch a film like “Lars and the Real Girl?” “Picture this: a painfully shy young man orders a sex doll on the Internet and takes it with him everywhere he goes.”

I’m sure studios were lining up with their wallets out. Well, if they weren’t, they should have been. “Lars and the Real Girl” is an incontestable delight (and not even remotely the risqué film some might assume it to be).

Lars Lindstrom (Ryan Gosling) is not simply socially awkward, he’s socially inept. Unable to stand the touch of another human being, he prefers to sit alone in the dark, wrapped in the small blanket his mother knitted when he was born. Lars lives in the garage apartment behind his brother Gus (Paul Schneider) and pregnant sister-in-law, Karin’s (Emily Mortimer) house. Karin has made it her mission in life to extract the damaged but gentle Lars from his shell, constantly inviting him over for dinner despite his pitiful excuses as to why he is always unavailable.

One night Lars unexpectedly shows up on their doorstep with an announcement. He has a girlfriend. Is it Lars’ perky coworker, Margo (Kelli Garner) who is always watching him from the church choir loft? Overjoyed at the news, Gus and Karin are stunned when Lars reveals a life-sized love doll whom he calls Bianca. He’s even invented a back story: Bianca is a half-Brazilian, half-Danish paraplegic missionary raised by nuns who has come to the States for furlough after meeting Lars online. She’s “very religious,” of course, and would need to stay in Gus and Karin’s guest room.

Is Lars putting on an act? It doesn’t appear that way. He treats Bianca the same in private as he does in public. Gus is appalled and considers having his brother committed, while Karin sees some glimmer of hope in Lars’ actions, however absurd they may be. When Dr. Dagmar (Patricia Clarkson, who brings a deeply compassionate intelligence to the role) recommends playing along until they can determine what part of Lars desperately needs Bianca to exist, the whole town gets into the act.

While Lars drags Bianca everywhere, even to church, the small Wisconsin town in which he lives welcomes her as if she were every bit as real as Lars believes her to be. For them, Lars — eccentricities and all — is worth the compassion and even the benefit of the doubt.

“Lars and the Real Girl” is directed by Craig Gillespie (who incongruously enough also directed this summer’s critically and commercially panned “Mr. Woodcock”) and written by Nancy Oliver (“Six Feet Under”). If the plot sounds like the perfect set-up for a raunchy comedy, think again. Bianca may have been manufactured for sex, but Lars’ relationship with her is completely chaste. Indeed, the film blessedly never once indulges in even a hint of smut, even though there were so many opportunities where it could have.

This is not to say that a grown man lugging around an anatomically correct sex doll doesn’t have inherently funny scenes. But “Lars’” genuine humor erupts from the quiet, unexpected moments, not the widely telegraphed ones to which a lesser film would succumbed.

Gosling is one of the best actors we have. His performance is a study in serenity, control and tone — too little and we’d never buy his delusion; too much and we’d be looking for a straitjacket with Gus. But Gosling plays Lars with pinpoint control and quirky believability, delivering a performance that is never creepy and always endearing.

The magic of “Lars and the Real Girl” is in its total sincerity. The characters in the film play it straight and we take our cues for how to respond based on their actions. As the community folds Lars and Bianca into their lives, so do we. So strong is Lars’ attachment and his friends’ commitment to kindness, that we suddenly find personality where before there had been only silicone.

Sure, this quiet, little film is implausible, but if you look at “Lars and the Real Girl” as a sort of parable, the film’s logic begins to make its own charming sense. You see the hardfought, satisfying conclusion coming, slowly working its way toward you, and still you are moved.

Don’t let the movie’s premise turn you off to what is one of the most affirming, gratifying films you’ll see this year. In a world of fakes, “Lars” is the real deal.

Source: “Review: Comedy isn’t overblown in charming ‘Lars’” by Brandon Fibbs -Colorado Springs Gazette. Read full article at: http://www.gazette.com/entertainment/lars_29506___article.html/real_bianca.html.

If you fancy yourself as a Pink Lady or T-Bird, can do the ‘Time Warp’ or consider yourself a ‘Dancing Queen’, then Auckland Zoo’s new series of three participation-based outdoor movies is the ‘one that you want’.

Beginning the series of late summer outdoor movies is Grease on Thursday 19 March – sure to be a blast with celebrity guest Shane Cortese performing before New Zealand’s biggest outdoor movie screen lights up. The classic sing-along movie, Rocky Horror Picture Show, follows on Thursday 26 March with a special mystery guest, and concludes on Thursday 2 April with the enormously popular Mamma Mia! You’ll want to say ‘I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do’ to this, the series finale, that also includes pre-show entertainment with celebrity guest Petra Bagust.

All three outdoor films are full of well-known tunes, catch phrases, and much-loved scenes. ZooMovie-goers are encouraged to dress up and embrace the participation-style of the event, and at each movie, every attendee will receive a bag of props to use throughout the evening.

While general admission allows you to stake out your place at the band rotunda, Gold Grass provides an adult only, premium-seating area and glass of wine. Access to the outdoor cinema area is from 6.00pm. Live entertainment begins at 6.30pm, and will incorporate hosts taking you through some fun participation moves (with your handy bag of props) before the movie gets underway at 7.45pm.

Your movie ticket is also your zoo entry– so come early to explore the zoo and check out your favourite animals. Bring a picnic, or purchase dinner from the zoo’s Darwin’s café (licensed venue). Please be aware the band rotunda area will be closed off in the afternoon to enable safe equipment set-up.

Tickets for the outdoor movie event are available from Auckland Zoo. Purchase tickets with Visa and you will go into the draw to win a VIP viewing spot for you and three friends.

ZooMovies is presented by Visa Entertainment, in association with The Radio Network.

Source: Press Release: Auckland City Council. Read full article at: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0903/S00054.htm.

When New Zealand brought to Sundance one of the finest films in foreign cinema, New Zealanders celebrated in style. “No.2″ premiered in Auckland, New Zealand at a special outdoor movie screening. Filmmakers attended and pre-show entertainment included indigenous dancers. The Open Air Cinema proved to be a perfect setting for the film set in their homeland. The following is Variety’s review of “No.2″, which won the dramatic World Cinema prize at Sundance. You can read the original blog post about the outdoor cinema event here.

New Zealand playwright Toa Fraser makes a smooth transition to the screen directing “No. 2,” an adaptation of his 2000 stage work. This warmly observed drama about a Fijian-Kiwi matriarch gathering her discordant clan around one last fete is formulaic at its core: One can guess grandma’s fate from the start, but only after, all wounds have been healed and every narrative string tied. Still, assured handling and an appealing cast make this a deserving crowd-pleaser (it won the dramatic World Cinema audience award at Sundance) that should find friendly theatrical and tube berth in numerous terrains. Title, however — which in the U.S. is scatalogical slang may have to go.

Still from "No.2"

Ruby Dee (the sole imported Yank thesp) plays octogenarian Nana Maria, whose ramshackle longtime house is perched on Auckland’s Mt. Raskil. Widowed, she now shares the abode with two adult grandchildren — heavy-drinking but loyal Erasmus (Rene Naufahu) and quietly soulful single mother Charlene (Mia Blake) — and Charlene’s young son. One night Nana wakes up, then wakes everybody else up, demanding they orchestrate a “great feast” for the family that very day.

It’s a daunting request, given various factions aren’t speaking to each other and Nana’s own two sons are the most bitterly divided of all — from each other and from her.

Yuppiefied grandson Tyson (Xavier Horan), her particular favorite, has distanced himself from the family as a whole. He happens to be visiting the area, but declines attending until the Danish girlfriend he’s brought — (Tuba Novotny) — persuades him to stop by. Surprising everyone, Nana treats this white stranger as an honored guest, though she’d previously insisted “no outsiders” and only grandkids (“not my kids, they’re useless”) be allowed to attend.

Among other imperious decrees, she orders a pig be roasted in traditional style — though no one wants to kill the cute live one delivered — and that the old, massive, view-blocking trees in the backyard be chopped down forthwith. Adding more tension to her beleaguered grandchildren’s day is the announcement that at the party’s climax Nana will reveal her successor, who will presumably inherit the house.

Outdoor Movie Screening of "No.2" in Auckland, New Zealand

News of the surprise celebration spreads to other relations, including the children with whom Nana has severed communication, sons Percy (Pio Terei) and John (Nathaniel Lees), along with the latter’s spouse Auntie Cat (Tanea Heke). The snobby brothers loathe each other, yet they can’t resist the pull of discovering just what Nana is up to.

Natch, the long day’s crises, spats and revelations mellow by sunset. Despite the relatively brief running time and large character roll, Fraser is able to make this evolution seem relatively natural and emotionally satisfying. Adding a layer of emotional insight are brief flashbacks to Nana’s youth on Fiji, where her noble family lived a charmed existence sorely missed once a philandering hubby moved them to New Zealand after WWII.

Dee’s aristocratic air and commanding theatricality are put to fine use, while she also limns Nana’s physical frailty and a possible streak of senility. The twenty- to thirtysomething grandkids are played by a sensationally attractive lot who subtly convey the mixed emotions and painful parental histories Fraser wisely refrains from spelling out too bluntly.

Affectionate care has been put into all the film’s visual aspects; though the majority of the pic was shot in 16mm (with exterior night scenes in 35mm), the 35mm print looks fine. Don McGlashan contributes a lovely original score, though use of pre-existing music is occasionally heavy-handed.

Source: “No.2″ by Dennis Havey -Variety. Read full article at: http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=features2006&content=jump&jump=review&head=berlin&nav=RBerlin&articleid=VE1117929437&cs=1&p=0.

After a break, Open Air Cinema is back on Waiheke Island for a four night run of outdoor movies from 7 to 10 January 2009 (with a raindate on Sunday 11 January). Ridgeview Estate, near the Airfield, hosts the biggest outdoor movie screen in New Zealand and the operators, former Waiheke residents Urs and Denise Bauer, are thrilled to offer some spectacular films to the islanders and to catch up with many friends. As always, the Open Air Cinema has a different movie every night and the broad variety gives everybody a chance to watch their favorite movie under the stars.

The outdoor movie screenings kick off with a very special experience: the masterpiece of well known director Martin Scorsese, “Shine a Light”. In an intimate atmosphere he captures the “Rolling Stones” at a concert in New York. It is an outstanding piece of cinematography- not to forget the always popular music.

On Friday night Batman is on the roll with “The Dark Knight”. It’s filmmaking at its best; its subject matter may be dark and depressing, but it’s tough not to feel exhilarated by its artistry when the credits begin to roll. Christian Bale is magnificent as the tortured hero ‘Batman’, but the movie belongs to its freaky villain ‘The Joker’ played by the late Heath Ledger, who may receive an Oscar for his splendid performance.

Saturday is the classic family night, this time with the brand new “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa”. The Open Air Cinema had the privilege to host its New Zealand premier at the Auckland Zoo to an excited audience in mid December.

The mini film festival concludes with the latest environment documentary “Earth” on Wednesday night. A very powerful film about life and the delicate balance we all share with the rest of the inhabitants of Earth. This film has some of the most breathtaking photography ever seen- it’s made for the big screen!

The Open Air Cinema program is published online: www.openair.co.nz. Tickets can be bought at the gate and prices are $12 for adults, $10 for senior citizens and students and $6 for children under twelve. Family passes are $30 (for 2 adults and 2 kids).

Sunday is kept as a raindate for any of the screenings.

Open Air Cinema UPDATE:

We had to postpone the Waiheke Open Air Cinema film festival at Ridgeview on very short notice.

The new outdoor movie dates are:

Thursday 22 Jan: Shine a Light
Friday 23 Jan: The Dark Knight
Saturday 24 Jan: Madagascar:Escape 2 Africa
Sunday 25 Jan: Earth

Read full press release at: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0901/S00028.htm

Twilight Cinema continues its second annual season of outdoor movies at Queenstown Gardens with the adventure film “Into The Wild” tonight and the musical “Grease”, starring John Travolta, tomorrow night, weather permitting. Marketing manager Lisa Carlon, of Christchurch, said Twilight Cinema was presenting a feel-good mix of comedy, romantic, drama, thriller and classic outdoor movies for an adult audience.

The yellow, cash-only box office is set up beside the tennis court and opens at 8.30pm. Films are projected on a giant inflatable screen about 9.30pm.

“Twilight Cinema is not just a night at the movies; it’s an experience of total relaxation. You can sit under the stars for three hours with friends and family and enjoy Queenstown. It’s about bringing people together. We encourage people to be comfortable and dress warmly and bring picnic hampers, beanbags, cushions, blankets and even sofas.”

Adults’ tickets cost $15, students $13, children under 7 and seniors $10, and $10 each for groups of 10 or more. A family ticket for two adults and two children is $40. Coffee, hot drinks and cakes will be sold by a Queenstown vendor.

The open air cinema is part of the Summerdaze Festival, which runs in the Queenstown Lakes District this month.

Twilight Cinema will hold a nine-night season and then relocate to North Hagley Park, in Christchurch, from January 22 to February 28.

Outdoor Movie Program

“Into the Wild” (M), January 9
“Grease” (PG), Hanuary 10
“Happy Go Lucky” (M), January 11
“Young At Heart” (PG), music documentary, January 12
“Lars And The Real Girl” (M), comedy, January 13
“Edge Of Heaven” (M), arthouse drama, January 14
“No Country For Old Men” (R16), thriller, January 15
“Second Hand Wedding” (PG) NZ comedy, January 16
“Shine A Light” (M) music documentary, January 17

Source: “Twilight Cinema at the Queenstown Gardens”- Otago Daily Times. Read full article at: http://www.odt.co.nz/your-town/queenstown/38710/twilight-cinema-queenstown-gardens.

Photo Credit: Cameron Burnell

There is nothing better than a glass of wine, a bag of Jaffas and an outdoor movie to relax a stressed mind. On Tuesday, Arthouse Cinema will screen its first outdoor film at Oakura’s Butlers Reef as part of a summer-long series.

The group has embraced everything retro for the arthouse film screening, which will show in Butlers’ garden bar on Tuesdays and Wednesdays until the end of March.

Maryanne Rossiter Bennett says the group wants to broaden the movie- going experience by choosing arthouse films.

“A lot of people want to be able to watch these kinds of films but they are not usually available,” Mrs Rossiter Bennett explains.

“We have gone a bit retro in our approach with the candy girl and a traditional intermission like the good old days, but that is the kind of feel we are going for.”

The group has even considered the age-old complaint of sore bums in hard cinema seats by offering cushions for rent for $2.

“Our candy girl will be selling retro confectionary during the intermission such as Jaffas and Milk Bottles, as well as some luxury items.

“It’s almost irresistible, some might say.”

Adding to the vintage look are eight old yellow cinema seats which the group rescued from sale.

The garden bar will seat 70 and movies on this month’s agenda include Married Life, Rain Of The Children and Lars And The Real Girl.

“Before each movie we are showing short films by locals and other New Zealand film-makers. It’s a chance for them to show their work to an audience,” Mrs Rossiter Bennett says.

If the summer outdoor movie nights are successful, Arthouse Cinema is hoping to see it run during the winter in a venue in New Plymouth.

There are so many people in the community who want to see these kind of films and it’s right on their back door, it’s just adding another gem to the crown in Oakura, Mrs Rossiter Bennett says.

Source: “Cameras roll for arthouse project” by Felicity Rookes- Taranaki Daily News. Read full article at: http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/dailynews/4814238a6554.html.

The festive period may be over but Queenstown is just getting warmed up with its summer family-orientated activities, and this weekend looks to be the busiest yet, with outdoor movies, farm animals, and more.

The Lake Hayes Agricultural and Pastoral Show, the Pub Charity rugby sevens tournament, Thomas and Friends at the Kingston Flyer, twilight cinema’s outdoor movies and the Wakatipu one-day horse trial are all on this weekend.

The 94th annual Lake Hayes A and P Show will display the district’s finest farm animals, entertain young and old and host tradespeople from around the South Island on Saturday.

Up to 16 teams from Auckland to Southland will compete in the Pub Charity rugby sevens tournament at the Queenstown Recreation Ground.

More than 3000 people attended the tournament last year and similar numbers are expected this weekend.

The Kingston Flyer’s popular Thomas and Friends event will be held for the second and final weekend, with trips leaving the station at 10am and 1.30pm on both Saturday and Sunday. The vintage locomotive is dressed as the fictional tank engine and a magician’s show awaits youngsters and parents at the Fairlight stop.

Up to 125 riders from Otago-Southland, New Zealand and overseas will compete in the third Wakatipu one-day horse trial, which takes place at the corner of Hunter and Speargrass Flat Rds on Sunday.

Twilight cinema, in the Queenstown Gardens, is preparing to present an outdoor movie: Grease, starring John Travolta, on its inflatable screen on Saturday.

The yellow, cash-only box office opens at 8.30pm and the movie will begin about 9.30pm.

Excerpt from “Fun of the fair and more this weekend” from the Otago Daily Times. Read full article at: http://www.odt.co.nz/your-town/queenstown/38464/fun-fair-and-more-weekend.

Photo Credit: Open Air Cinema Ltd.; New Zealand

North Shore City Council’s free programme of Open Air Moonlight Movies has proved a hit with residents across the city this summer. It is estimated over 11,000 locals have attended the 12 free outdoor movie screenings that have taken place across our city to date.

Despite three screenings being weather threatened, and as many cancelled due to wind and rain, the public response has been resoundingly positive says North Shore City Council’s events spokesperson.

North Shore City Council’s website has received more hits for Moonlight Movies than any other single event or issue over the past two months. There have been few issues, with those attending practicing a healthy respect for others and the city’s parks.

“It’s been really nice to see so many people of all ages getting out and enjoying these films,” says Mayor Andrew Williams.

Actionline, the council’s contact centre, has reported high caller interest in the movies and logged overwhelmingly positive feedback from the public for this programme. Thus far, Saturday night screenings at Browns Bay Beach Reserve and Fort Takapuna have netted the largest audiences with around 2,000 people attending each of those. With nine exciting screenings still to go, the North Shore City Council events team are hoping for more settled weather so they can get big audiences in Takapuna and Northcote.

Open Air Cinema Ltd owner and operator Urs Baur, believes North Shore City is just the third city worldwide after New York and Paris to offer residents such a high quality and comprehensive free-to-all outdoor film programme.

The attached photograph is from Friday night’s screening at Collins Park in Greenhithe where it is estimated around 500 turned up to enjoy action film The Bourne Ultimatum.

To view the movie schedule, as well as video film trailers and location information, please visit www.northshorecity.govt.nz key word: Moonlight Movies.

For further information, please contact:
Communications advisor for community services, Francis Martin on 486 8668 or 027 2865697, or
Open Air Cinema owner and operator, Urs Baur on 021 140 3803.

Source: North Shore City. Read full article at: http://www.northshorecity.govt.nz/default.asp?src=http://www.northshorecity.govt.nz/your_council/News_Releases/Releases-2008/March/Moonlight-Movies-prove-hit-with-public.html

Be one of the first to “move it move it” at the New Zealand outdoor movie premiere of the highly anticipated Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa at Auckland Zoo on Friday 12 December.

The zoo is the perfect place to catch up with your favourite movie characters and their real-life Auckland Zoo counterparts. Along with access to the zoo, there will be special movie-themed encounters with the lemurs and hippo, along with Madagascar-styled entertainment and giveaways.

As night falls, the zoo will transform into a unique open air cinema, with the animated feature premiering to celebrity guests and public on a giant 18-metre outdoor movie screen. Also on offer will be traditional movie offerings of popcorn and ice creams; however, moviegoers are encouraged to bring their own beanbags and blankets.

In this sequel to Madagascar – the number one family movie of 2005 – the New York zoo-raised crew embark on a new adventure in the vast plains of Africa, an unscheduled stop aboard Air Penguin on their return home.

Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe and Gloria the hippo, King Julien, Maurice and the penguins encounter species of their own kind for the very first time. While discovering their roots, they quickly find the differences between the zoo and the heart of Africa. Despite long-lost relatives, romantic rivals and scheming hunters, Africa seems like a great place…but is it better than their Central Park home?

Auckland Zoo is the first place to see Madagascar 2: Escape to Africa that opens in cinemas 18 December and is brought to you by DreamWorks Animation, the studio that brought you SHREK and Kung Fu Panda.

Event Details:

Madagascar : Escape 2 Africa, 6pm – 10pm Friday 12 December (rain date Sunday 14 December)
Gates open 6pm and movie starts 8.45pm (nightfall)
Animal encounters 6.30pm – 7.15pm followed by entertainment until movie premiere
Tickets available from Auckland Zoo www.aucklandzoo.co.nzService fee applies.
Limited capacity venue. Tickets are expected to sell fast – advance booking recommended Prices: Adults $25, Children (4 – 15yrs) $15
This is a licensed event and no BYO is permitted.

Official Press Release: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0811/S00195.htm