Dazzling designs draw large audience

Marie Mason models a design by Joanna Mitchell and Carla Bindon at CreationFest. Photo/Ben Fraser

Plenty of glitter, lace, feathers and creativity feature in CreationFest - a show for all ages.

CreationFest, which runs until Saturday, features dozens of dancers, singers and 27 colourful, wearable works of arts.

Yesterday more than 400 spectators packed into the Blue Baths to watch a matinee, one of two this week, and were greeted by busking performers, bright lights and plumes of smoke from a smoke machine.

CreationFest event co-ordinator and Blue Baths managing director Jo Romanes was thrilled with the turnout to the shows so far, and said the matinee shows gave the elderly and families with children a chance to watch.

She said about 250 people from local rest homes had come to watch the show, many of them wearing colourful, quirky hats they'd designed and made themselves.

Several weeks before the show, organisers visited rest homes to encourage them to get involved. The 10 best hats were modelled in the show.

"I think it's important that it's a show of diversity, a show people of all ages can get involved with in one way or another."

"I think people have really enjoyed the colour and extravagance."

CreationFest builds on the former Wearable Creationz event and includes film and live performance categories, something which makes the show even more entertaining, Ms Romanes said.

About 100 people were involved in the show, on stage and backstage, some as young as 6, she said.

Eliotte Bourke-Palmer, 9, went to yesterday's show and said she thought it was amazing.

"It was awesome. The costumes were really cool, especially the one with lots of tinfoil that looked like a transformer," she said.

"All the dancers were cool too, and the big, colourful hats ... actually, everything was cool. I want to go again."

Ms Romanes said despite high demand, tickets were still available for shows tonight and tomorrow night.

A gala show featuring the awards ceremony will be held on Saturday evening.

For more information or to book tickets visit www.creationfest.co.nz.