The popular, family-friendly programme Auckland Live Pick & Mix is back this winter to inspire young minds for an incredible tenth year, returning to Māngere Arts Centre, Takapuna’s Bruce Mason Centre, and the Aotea Centre and Auckland Town Hall, every weekend from 30 June – 2 September.

Pick & Mix has offered an incredible decade of arts adventures, and Auckland Live is celebrating with an action-packed 2018 programme that showcases the very best performances, by some of Aotearoa’s finest artists.

The 10-week programme reflects the wide-ranging talents of Tāmaki Makaurau with a line-up of artists who reflect the diversity of our communities. Showcasing Korean, Indian, Māori and Pasifika cultures are Rina Chae and her crew with K-Pop for Kids, award-winning Bollywood dancer Monisha Kumar, Hawaiki TŪ’s Haka Theatre, and Black Friars with their unique storytelling of classic fairytales with a Pasifika identity.

Returning favourites include the Royal New Zealand Ballet, New Zealand Opera, digital puppetry masters UJI Studios, Rollicking Entertainment with their fusion of circus, illusion and sideshow, and you may recognise Jandel J AKA Justin Haiu and the Funky Friends from White Face Crew, with their hilarious new clowning and physical theatre show.

A highlight for those keen to get involved on stage or behind the scenes will be when the kids ‘take over’ and literally run the show at the Aotea Centre and Bruce Mason Centre. Children will be given free rein to explore the theatre, and to take responsibility for important roles such as sound and lighting operators, ushers and MCs. The weekend will also see a spotlight on the young stars from the National Youth Theatre Company as they perform songs you know and love from recent productions including CATS and Peter Pan.

Many families have enjoyed Auckland Live Pick & Mix over the years, whether they have learnt new dance moves, picked up a few circus tricks or made their theatrical debut. The programme has sparked a lifetime of passion for the performing arts amongst children and the young, and even inspired some to pursue a career in the arts.  

 “Back in the early days of Pick & Mix (2011), we took our son to the Prestige hip hop crew performance and workshop… Our son has begun a three-year degree in dance at Unitec this year.” - Nicky Mathiesen, parent.

Auckland Live Pick & Mix is part of the Auckland Live Kids programme, an ongoing initiative to introduce children to the arts, and nurture their creativity and curiosity, and where families can discover and actively experience a diverse range of high quality live performances.

 
Pick & Mix is free to attend, but this year bookings are essential. Book your free tickets from Universe.
For details of the full Auckland Live Pick & Mix line-up , venues and timings, visit: aucklandlive.co.nz/event/pick-and-mix
#AucklandLiveKids  @aucklandlive
 
For more information, images and interviews contact the publicist:
Michelle Lafferty |michelle@elephantpublicity.co.nz | +64 27 2956450

AUCKLAND LIVE PICK & MIX EVENTS

K-Pop for Kids, Satellites
aucklandlive.co.nz/show/k-pop-for-kids
Sat 30 June, 10.30am | Aotea Centre

Sun 1 July, 10.30am | Bruce Mason Centre

The Elixir of Love, New Zealand Opera
aucklandlive.co.nz/show/pick-and-mix-nzo
Sat 7 July, 10.30am | Aotea Centre

Sat 7 July, 3pm | Māngere Arts Centre
Sun 8 July, 10.30am | Bruce Mason Centre

Sugar Plum Family Fun, Royal New Zealand Ballet
aucklandlive.co.nz/show/pick-and-mix-rnzb
Sat 14 July, 10.30am & 2pm | Aotea Centre

Sun 15 July, 10.30am | Bruce Mason Centre

Baggage, Jandel J and the Funky Friends
aucklandlive.co.nz/show/pick-and-mix-baggage
Sat 21 July, 10.30am | Aotea Centre
Sat 21 July, 3pm | Māngere Arts Centre
Sun 22 July, 10.30am | Bruce Mason Centre

Mata-ariki, Hawaiki TŪ
aucklandlive.co.nz/show/mata-ariki

Sat 28 July, 10.30am | Auckland Town Hall
Sat 28 July, 3pm | Māngere Arts Centre
Sun 29 July, 10.30am | Bruce Mason Centre

The Messy Magic Adventure, Rollicking Entertainment
aucklandlive.co.nz/show/the-messy-magic-adventure
Sat 4 August, 10.30am | Aotea Centre

Sun 5 August, 10.30am | Bruce Mason Centre

Spinderella, Black Friars
aucklandlive.co.nz/show/spinderella
Sat 11 August, 10.30am | Auckland Town Hall
Sat 11 August, 3pm | Māngere Arts Centre
Sun 12 August, 10.30am | Bruce Mason Centre

Kids Takeover – Stars of Tomorrow,  National Youth Theatre Company

aucklandlive.co.nz/show/kids-takeover
Sat 18 August, 10.30am | Aotea Centre

Sun 19 August, 10.30am | Bruce Mason Centre

The Golden Pig,  UJI Studios

aucklandlive.co.nz/show/the-golden-pig
Sat 25 August, 10.30am | Aotea Centre

Sun 26 August, 10.30am | Bruce Mason Centre

Beyond Bollywood,  Monisha Kumar
aucklandlive.co.nz/show/beyond-bollywood

Sat 1 September, 10.30am | Auckland Town Hall

Sun 2 September, 10.30am | Bruce Mason Centre