Magical night at Arts Village fills families with joy

ENTHRALLED: Soraya Parkinson reads to a group of children at the Night Magic event. PHOTO/BRIDIE WITTON

A cold, drizzly night became magical at the Arts Village, where hundreds of people were transported through story and performance for the Night Magic event.

Storytelling, puppeteering, art and music were all on display at the free event last night, which has been running for 10 years. Every nook and cranny of the Arts Village filled with colour and storytelling, as families bustled from one tale to the next.

Night Magic committee member Kay Hall said the story night was always popular.

"It's so magical: the whole concept of stories and storytelling. We were just trying to make it as special as possible."

She said organiser Jill Walker had a passion for sharing stories with children and adults alike. She wanted to celebrate New Zealand literature by inviting Aunty Bea to read one of her stories, as well as Taupo writer Rore Habib, who read from his children's book The Building That Ate Trees.

Rotorua mother Michelle Marino took her son Lucan, 3, and daughter Peyton, 2, to the event for the first time.

She said they had enjoyed listening to stories. "It has been really good, especially for the kids. They have been definitely into it."

Thirteen-year-old Constance Jefferson also went along.

"I am reading The Anzac Puppy. It's pretty cool and awesome down here."

Puppeteer Anna Bailey from String Bean Puppets in Wellington also performed two shows last night.

Event attendees were also treated to a kapa haka performance from Rotorua Intermediate's Tunohopu House group.