It’s already started! Are you missing your Capital E Festival fix this year? Don’t worry, the NZ Arts Festival has lots of shows and events for families.

We are in the midst of a heat wave and what better time than to be outdoors!
All the way from Catalonia, the NZ festival brings The Contact Festival Playground, Arquitectura de Feria. No. 8 wire style, this carnival has seven fantastical hand-cranked rides put together from recycled materials and scrap iron, all run on old fashioned parent-power. The company Antigua I Barbuda’s actors will be on site to fuel the surreal atmosphere of celebration.

Sat 27 Feb – Sat 19 March, 2-10pm (except Mondays), Frank Kitts Park.

FOR THE BIRDS
Gather the whanau together for an adventure in the bush, at this enchanting celebration of light, flight and birdsong from the makers of 2014 Festival hit Power Plant. Through ingenious use of light, sound and moving sculpture, the artists will get you thinking about the mystery and beauty of the avian world – and why it should be protected. See the Festival website for important information regarding parking, alternate forms of transport and weather updates. Thurs 3 March – Saturday 19 March (Except Mondays), Otari-Wilton’s Bush.

CHALK ABOUT
A generous-hearted, funny, moving show about identity performed on a stage transformed into a giant blackboard, with helium balloons and disco dancing for good measure.
Tuesday 1 Mar – Sunday 6 March, Hannah Playhouse (Also On the Road in Greytown 8 Mar, Upper Hutt 9 Mar and Porirua 10 Mar).

Quirky humour, playfulness and intergenerational love are at the heart of this adaptation of Kate De Goldi’s 2012 novel, The ABC with Honora Lee.

A charming exploration of kindness, patience and acceptance, it follows the relationship between young Perry and her eccentric Gran, Honora Lee, who’s losing her memory.
Sat 27 Feb – Sat 26 Mar, Tues – Sat 6.30pm, Sun, 4pm, Circa Theatre