Rotorua's Wearable Creationz to return

COMEBACK: Supreme winner Ross Dunn in 2012. PHOTO/FILE

Rotorua's wearable arts show will be back in 2014 - with a new venue, categories, format and a twist to its name.

After 10 years of popular performances, last year's Wearable Creationz was the organising trust's last.

Now Blue Baths managing director Jo Romanes is taking on the mantle to bring the region's artists and their creations back to the stage.

Wearable Creationz - Out of the Blue will run across four shows at the Blue Baths from July 16 to 19.

Mrs Romanes said Wearable Creationz was a highly anticipated annual event on the local calendar and a goal for people to create an entry for the stage.

"The participation and empowerment this has given our region's youth is of particular satisfaction - and strikes a chord with our own performing arts development programme, EMERGE, here at the Blue Baths," Mrs Romanes said.

She said they were looking forward to helping the Wearable Creationz event continue to evolve by creating an inspirational, innovative show held over several days.

"It will have a fresh look, format and feel that will bring the event a new life and energy, but the fun and heart of the show will remain the same. It will be a complete entertainment experience."

Mrs Romanes said she was a supporter of the event for many years and the Blue Baths team had been past entrants, sponsors, judge, committee and audience members.

As well as entering creative pieces, next year, there would also be other chances for youth to be involved in a performing arts capacity, with entertainment forming a key part of the show.

The resurrection of Wearable Creationz has the full support and endorsement of the Rotorua Creative Arts Trust and original event creators Barbara Cook and Terry Wheeler.

The trust said it was pleased to see the event remain in Rotorua and move to the Blue Baths.

"Wearable Creationz was an amazing concept that brought so much to so many people in Rotorua and beyond, regardless of whether they were a participant, a sponsor or in the audience. We are thrilled that its legacy will live on through the new event at Blue Baths."

Blue Baths celebrates its 80th anniversary this year, after officially opening in December 1933. Mrs Romanes said in its early years, Blue Baths was known as the "social hub of the city".

"By launching Wearable Creationz - Out of the Blue, we are continuing with that theme and we look forward to welcoming entrants, performers and audiences here for the shows next year."

More information about the event will be released at a seminar for prospective entrants on Sunday, November 17, at the Blue Baths. Entry requirements and tickets will be available on the Blue Baths website in the coming weeks.