So much to do at La Fiesta events

With two weeks of the festival programme completed, there are still 10 days to go, with many more interesting and diverse activities to enjoy this La Fiesta.

It has been such a joy to meet and chat with so many interesting people. We have had international visitors joining in the festival fun, notably from Dusseldorf in Germany, and some delightful Canadians from Ottawa.
They have all commented on the warm hospitality they have received while visiting Whanganui, and have been utterly amazed at all of the activities on offer this La Fiesta.

We have also enjoyed meeting with folk from around the country. In the last week we have had people from Auckland, Warkworth and Tauranga participating in our events.
Festivals like this provide people with numerous opportunities to make social connections, and to feel a sense of belonging.

There are significant numbers of new Whanganui residents involving themselves in what La Fiesta has on offer, including some very appreciative men.

The last weekend saw our team directly involved with running several events in the festival programme too. It is always a highlight to host the supremely talented and ever kind Juliet McLean and the Navigators, notably Rob Ju, Hamish Cameron and Richie Isaacs.
Juliet and her merry band of men wowed an attentive and engaging audience on Friday evening in the elegant dining room of the Grand Hotel.
Their unique jazz acoustic sound of original songs filled the space with rich musicality, each performer a delight to watch individually.
Collectively their stage chemistry is a rare thing, and the audience certainly appreciated this.
Hailing from Taranaki, the band was delighted to take centre stage in the La Fiesta programme, and had glowing things to say about the vast variety of events on offer during the festival.

Saturday saw a fine array of art activities on offer with the opening of Rita Dibert's wonderful exhibition featuring photographic portraits of women aged 70-plus.
The opening of At 70 at the Art Centre was attended by a large and enthusiastic crowd, many of them family members of the women featured.
The exhibition runs for two weeks so do take the opportunity to appreciate its tribute to some remarkable women of our community, who have dedicated much of their lives to serving our people in such a myriad of ways.

Remember also to check out our other feature exhibition at Space Studio and Gallery which runs through until Friday this week.

Another wonderful array of wares were on offer at the Night Market there last Saturday.
One hundred people wandered on through, many stopping to enjoy the feature exhibition, and to chat about other festival events they have been to, or are looking forward to attending.

On Sunday afternoon another fabulous Frocks On Bikes event wheeled its way around the town centre. What a delight to see so many people dressing up!
There were some exquisite frocks on display, wonderfully decorated helmets, and a slew of super hero costumes. With runner bikes, rollerskates, scooters, and trusty old bicycles, there was a fine array of wheels on display too.
It was great to see some regulars return for another fun ride, as well as a heap of first-timers and families. This event is such a celebration of active transport, and a unique way to enjoy our town.

There were lots of interesting activities to enjoy along the way, dancing, solving puzzles, climbing trees, forming a human pyramid, and locating the alphabet.

There's lots on offer this week. Take some time this coming Saturday to enjoy Marton's fashion parade celebrating women past, present and future at the Centennial Pavilion. There's quite a bit to choose from locally this weekend.

We are excited to be partnering with Amdram this festival as they get set to launch their season run of Behind Closed Doors.

More on that next week. In the meantime, email: womnet.wang@callplus.net.nz for more info, or check out the full festival line up at: lafiestanz.com