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Summer City (Wellington)

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A Sunday afternoon crowd in the Dell during Summer '79

Summer City was a summer entertainment programme staged throughout Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand. It was run from January 1979 to 1987 by the Wellington City Council’s Parks and Recreation Department and the Wellington Community Arts Council, utilising the Department of Labour’s Temporary Employment Programme (TEP), the Project Employment Programme, and the Student Community Services Programme. After the Government's funding ceased the programme was continued by the city council directly.

Entertainment in the Dell during Summer '79

Two of the guiding philosophies of the programme were the encouragement of more diverse public use of Wellington’s many parks, reserves, and beaches, and to be a positive inducement for families to conserve energy by remaining in the Capital for their summer holidays. It was typified by the “Dell Season”, the anchor point of the programme, which attracted annual totals in excess of 100,000 attendees.[1] Artists and technical staff were employed with the purpose of gaining experience and hence future employment.

Origins: Summer '79.

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Letter from WCC

The Summer City programme started as a citywide outdoor performing arts festival, Summer ’79, created by Rohesia Hamilton Metcalfe of the Wellington City Council Parks and Recreation Department in the course of her work forming new projects to promote the public parks of Wellington.[2]

Taking inspiration from the Artists Co-op's[2] employing of artists in 1978 under the government’s TEP scheme,[3][4][5] Hamilton Metcalfe arranged full-time employment for four performing groups: Chameleon (a street theatre group headed by Aileen Davidson), Serendipity (a group of musicians headed by Michelle Scullion), Mask Theatre (a group headed by Murray Edmond) and the Gallery Dancers (a group headed by Paul Jendon and Jennifer de Leon).[2]

Graeme Nesbitt and Len Nightingale were employed to help expand the programme and organise events. Dransfield House (355 Willis Street) was converted to office and rehearsal space for the staff and artists. Nesbitt added four People’s Park Days, several rock concerts, and a programme of Gamelan music and dance. Local restaurants and other artists, including several Artists Co-op members,[2] also contributed to Summer '79 events.[2][5]

The programme opened in the Dell at Wellington Botanic Garden on 7 January with a garden party that included a full afternoon of family entertainment (theatrical, dance, music, and readings) and a temporary outdoor restaurant.[2] The programme continued until February 28, including themed events in the Dell every Sunday, performances at the Wellington Zoo and in the Town Belt, and People's Parks Days in suburban parks.[2] The programme's success led to it being continued as an annual summer festival with a new name, Summer City.[2]

The Parks Department's focus on developing family recreation and promoting more use of the parks reflected the parallel work of Barry Thomas and others to intervene and utilise otherwise vacant or under-utilised spaces in the city.[3][2][6]

Poster for Summer City 1999 Wellington, New Zealand

Summer City

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Hamilton Metcalfe left the Parks Department in June 1979 and Nesbitt became the Director of the newly-named Summer City, now established in the Arts Centre at 355 Willis Street in Dransfield House.[7][2][8][9] Artists were given relatively free rein to create tours, events, groups, art events, music, theatre, and even magic shows. Venues across the city were jointly selected and timetabled to create a rolling platter of free summer-centred events. Employment went from being housed under the Dominion Museum to the Wellington Community Arts Council.[2]

Artists, technical staff, and management were employed under the Department of Labour's Temporary Employment Programme (TEP) and Student Community Services Programme (SCSP)[2] which grew into the Project Employment Programme (PEP) from 1982.[10][11][12]

Summer City was used as branding for Wellington City Council summer events through the 1980s, 1900's and early 2000s.[13]

The Arts Centre moved to the Band Rotunda in Oriental Bay[14] then to Toi Poneke.

Events and activities

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The programme offered a very broad range of arts, entertainment and genres: concerts,[15][16] clowning,[17] portraiture,[15] face painting, circus,[18] dance,[17] modern music,[15] classical music,[9] theatre,[17] poetry,[19] film making,[2] movies,[19] story telling, festivals, comedy, magic,[17] fine art exhibitions,[20] flying lips,[21] travelling shows,[22][23] exhibitions,[15] Oriental Bay pavement painting,[24] harbour spectacular,[21] tagged fishing competition,[21] sky diving,[21] photography and making a film [1].[25]

The Sun Festival involved 3000 school children[26] and attracted 60,000 festival goers and thousands of local participants.[27][28] Composer Jenny McLeod spent three months in the lead up to the Sun Festival event (1983)

Joe Bleakley designed Sun Festival tower being erected prior to being towed into Oriental Bay carrying fireworks

teaching 1000 school children to sing her compositions, with the vision for them to be singing together in Oriental Parade in a massive open-air concert.[29]

Town and Country Players toured the whole South Island by ferry and train,[23] Gestetner People's News published a daily newspaper,[2] live farm animals[2] madrigal singing, travelling tree house with native trees[2] Punch and Judy,[2] puppetry,[9] Night Dance and lighting extravaganza,[2] demonstrations of sky diving, dog trials, show jumping and trampolines, Peter Pan Pirate day, video games, donkey and cart, jazzercize, kitemaking,[30] Birdman competition, rock barge,[31] teaching: potting, yarn spinning[15] hangis[32] All Nations Day,[32] hang gliders,[19] Town and Country day,[19] motorcycle road race,[18] haggis hurling,[18] contemporary day,[33] National Play Day.[34]

Artists and groups

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There were many employed and involved in Summer City and many went on to have established careers. In 1980 there were between 40-50 artists employed with the Student Community Service and the Temporary Employment Programme (TEP).[9]

Artists (employed on temporary, project or one off contracts)

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Up to the mid 1980s some of the artists employed included: Stephanie Arlidge, Paul Baeyertz,[2] John Bailey,[2] Ian Barbie,[2] Rose Beauchamp, Jean Betts, Joe Bleakley,[27] Callie Blood,[35] Peter Boyd,[2] Allan Brunton,[31] Debra Bustin, Clive Carter, Peter Cathro, Allan Clouston, Andrew Clouston, Russel Collins, Jonathan Crayford, Terry Crayford, Gerard Crewdson,[2][35] Alastair Cuthil,[2] Peter Daly,[9] David Daniela,[36] Peter Dasent,[37] John Davies,[31] Tim Denton,[20] Anthony Donaldson, Neil Duncan, Murray Edmond,[2] Martin Edmond,[31] Janet Elepans, Fane Flaws, Rodger Fox,[30] Garth Frost,[2] Andrea Gilkison,[2] Shelley Graham,[2] Pamela Gray,[9] Mike Gubb,[2] Peter Hambleton,[35] Megan Hanley, Neil Hannan.[31] Ross Harris,[30] Anna Holmes,[30] Geoff Hughes, Deborah Hunt,[31] Timothy Hyde,[2] Alison Isadora, Paul Jenden, Bruno Lawrence, Jennifer de Leon, Stephen Jessup,[2] May Lloyd, Louise Loft, Stephen McCurdy, Jenny McLeod,[27][38][29] Kassie McCluskie, Bill McDowell,[2] Blair McLaren, Jon McLeary, Rob Mahoney,[27] Tina Matthews,[2] Joanne Mildenhall, Jenny Morris,[2] Michael Mulheron,[3] Sarah Mulheron, Bronwen Murray,[4] Liz Ngan, David O'Donnell,[35] Mary Paul, Stuart Porter,[35] Jan Preston,[31] Shaun Preston, Ian Prior, Jorge Quevedo, Alistair Riddell,[2] Sally Rodwell,[31] Barrie Saunders,[2] Michelle Scullion, Roger Sellers, Brian Sergent, Duncan Sergent, Harry Sinclair,[9] Rima Te Wiata,[35] Allan Thomas, Barry Thomas,[24][21] Edwina Thorne,[2] Rochelle Vincent,[2] The Wizard[39][40] Tim Woon,[17] Sally Zwartz[2]

Groups

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The programme up to the mid 1980s showcased some of the following groups of musicians and theatre companies:

  • Serendipity - Michelle Scullion, Carmel McGlone, Belinda Carey, Edwina Thorne[2]
  • The Gallery dancers[2]
  • Earthsong[2]
  • Chameleon - Aileen Davidson, Timothy Hyde, Ray Calcutt, Liz, May Lloyd[2]
  • Gamelan orchestra - Allan Thomas
  • Mask Theatre - Murray Edmond[2][41]
  • Town and Country Players - Murray Edmond and Mary Paul toured throughout NZ. South Island tour - Aileen Davidson, Barry Thomas, Michael Mulheron, Shelley Graham[23]
  • Negative Theatre - Louise Loft, Jon McLeary
  • The Buccaneers - Stuart Porter, Phil Bowering, Roger Sellers, Callie Blood, Neil Duncan
  • Red Mole (Theatre Company) was employed to entertain bathers at Oriental Bay on a floating barge stage[31]
  • Rough Justice[42] - Rick Bryant, Nick Bollinger[2][43]
  • Wide Mouth Frogs - Tina Matthews, Sally Zwartz, Jenny Morris, Andrea Gilkison, Katie Brokie, Sarah Mulheron, Bronwen Murray, Tony Backhouse, Michelle Scullion, Michael Mulheron, Callie Blood[2][44]
  • The Warratahs - Barry Saunders, Wayne Mason, Nik Brown, John Donahue, Marty Jorgensen, Clinton Brown, Rob Clarkson
  • Jasmin - Jonathan Crayford, Bruno Lawrence, Dave Ades, Geoff Hughes, Jorge Quevedo, Patrick Bleakley
  • The Maori Sidesteps
  • Rodger Fox Big Band[30]
  • Topp Twins[30]
  • Valley Stompers[30]
  • Free Radicals - Jonathan Besser, Ross Harris[30]
  • Blue Ladder Theatre/Soluble Fish Ensemble - Shadow puppets, music and stage performance at The Dell, Oriental Parade and Brooklyn Park: Bill Direen, Carol Woodward and various including children participants.[45]
  • Splints[15]
  • Sydney Street West Quartet[15]
  • Footnote Dancers[33][21]
  • Captain Frootkakes Punch and Judy Show[WCC Archives 1]
  • Sun Chasers[21]
  • Hot City Cats[21]
  • Family Mallet [35]
  • Buccaneers[35]
  • Classic Comments[35]

Programme Directors

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The first three managers worked from The Arts Centre at 355 Willis street[2]

Staff and Technicians

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Summer City staff

[edit]
  • Peter Frater - Technical Manager[48]
  • Tom Wilton - Electrician
  • Malcom McSporran - Journalist
  • Rod Bryant - Journalist[2]
  • Ray Calcutt - Staging
  • Jane Armstrong - Secretary
  • Len Nightingale - Outdoor stage manager[2]
  • Delia Shanly - Events Coordinator

Wellington City Council staff

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  • Ian Galloway - Director of Parks and Reserves[2]
  • Colin Knox - Deputy Town Clark[2]
  • Dave Lee - Recreation Officer[2]
  • John Dawson - Manager summer city for Parks 1980 - Parks[1][49]
  • Di Jordan - Assistant to John Dawson - Parks[1][49]

Radio

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Ken Sparks and Deborah Nation were employed under the Art Centre to deliver regular radio information about Summer city for Radio New Zealand's National Programme.

Photographers

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Venues

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Venues were found throughout the city:

  • Botanic Garden's Dell[2]
  • Ben Burn Park[2][6][42]
  • Anderson Park[1]
  • Wellington East Girls College, Onslow College, Town Belt, Berhampore Golf Course, Plimmer Park, Hataitai Park, Central Park
  • Sound Shell
  • Oriental Bay[31]
  • Cuba Mall[2]
  • Seatoun Park[2]
  • Scorching Bay
  • Strathmore park[52]
  • Island Bay Playground
  • Wellington Zoo[2]
  • Frank Kitts Park
  • Prince of Wales Park[32][2]
  • Lyall Bay[18]
  • Queen Elizabeth Park[49]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Sturm, Debra (11 February 1982). "Making Fun for the City". Evening Post.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg Bryant, Rod (1980). "City of Wellington Summer '79". Action (Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council of New Zealand). 12: 15–18. ISSN 0111-3720.
  3. ^ a b "Vacant Lot of Cabbages | Curating Cities: A Database Of Eco Public Art". eco-publicart.org. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  4. ^ "Artist displays different art". Dominion. 14 July 1978. p. 6.
  5. ^ a b "The Co-op History". Sheepmeat. 1. August 1978. OCLC 173414523.
  6. ^ "10 ExhibitionsWLGNR | Art New Zealand". Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  7. ^ Klein-Nixon, Kylie (28 June 2020). "Dransfield House closes: End of era for first mayor's home, party venue". Stuff. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  8. ^ "Dransfield House - Wellington Heritage - Absolutely Positively Wellington City Council Me Heke Ki Poneke". wellingtoncityheritage.org.nz. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g "Garden Entertainment". Evening Post. 2 January 1980.
  10. ^ McMillan, Ian (Spring 1983). "Artwork: An Experiment in Artwork for the Community". Art New Zealand. 28.
  11. ^ Dodds, Andrea (18 August 1983). "Sun Festival Closer to Dawning". Evening Post.
  12. ^ "Kia Ora Chief". www.tpk.govt.nz. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  13. ^ Rice, Geoffrey (11 March 2010). "Summer City concert". Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu Taonga. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  14. ^ "Search the List | Oriental Parade Band Rotunda (Former) | Heritage New Zealand". www.heritage.org.nz. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g Mackley, Ian (January 1984). "Arty Day at Dell". Evening Post. p. 2.
  16. ^ "Cusion Concert". Dominion. 17 February 1984.
  17. ^ a b c d e "Party in the Dell". Evening Post. 26 January 1980.
  18. ^ a b c d "Festivities even Better". Evening Post. 8 December 1981.
  19. ^ a b c d "1981 Emphasis on participation Summertime Entertainment". Evening Post. 12 December 1981.
  20. ^ a b WCC archive memorandum 9 November 1979 DL4/64. D. Lee to Director of Parks re programme of events, artists, costs.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i Sawyers, Terry (13 February 1981). "Airborne Lips over Harbour". Evening Post.
  22. ^ "Lively Mixture of Music and Satire". Wairarapa Times Age. December 1982.
  23. ^ a b c Maunder, Paul (2013). Rebellious mirrors: community-based theatre in Aotearoa / New Zealand. ISBN 978-1-927145-45-6. OCLC 861221640.
  24. ^ a b "Festival street artists". Evening Post. 6 December 1983. p. 6.
  25. ^ "Yiorgos starts school". Ephemera of quarto size relating to cinemas, movies, films and film screenings in New Zealand. 1980-1983. 1981.
  26. ^ Sturm, Debra (12 December 1983). "Dazzling colour, lights, welcome summer sun". Evening Post. p. 3.
  27. ^ a b c d "Sun Festivities draw thousands". Dominion. 19 December 1983. p. 5.
  28. ^ "Sun Festival". joebleakley.com. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  29. ^ a b "Festival's 1000 kids light her eyes". Evening Post. 8 December 1983.
  30. ^ a b c d e f g h "Summer City Festival offers fun for all the family". Capital Times. 20 December 1982. p. 7.
  31. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Big Harbour show now on Wednesday". Evening Post. 13 February 1980.
  32. ^ a b c "Newtown to be small world". Evening Post. 9 February 1980.
  33. ^ a b McAllister, Ralph (11 January 1982). "Dell Day Enthrals". Dominion.
  34. ^ "Everyone is welcome to National Play Day". Evening Post. 22 January 1980.
  35. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Band's Beach Beat". Evening Post. 22 January 1985.
  36. ^ Swinnen, Lucy (16 January 2017). "From the summer of 1979 to 2017: a look back at Wellington's Summer City events". Stuff. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
  37. ^ "Memorandum to Director of Parks" (9 November 1979). Wellington City Council Archives, Series: WCC, Summer City Files, File: 00012-1-5. Wellington, New Zealand: Wellington City Council.
  38. ^ Sturm, Debra (9 December 1983). "Dazzling colour, lights welcome summer sun". Evening Post.
  39. ^ "Wizard to visit Capital". Evening Post. 14 December 1984.
  40. ^ "Close Encounter". Dominion. 20 December 1984.
  41. ^ "Festival '79, parks, summer '79 programmes" (1979). Wellington City Council Archives, File: 00068-64. Wellington, New Zealand: Wellington City Council.
  42. ^ a b c "Ben Burn Park, Karori, Wellington. Westra, Ans, 1936-2023". natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  43. ^ "Rick Bryant on Rough Justice - Article". AudioCulture. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  44. ^ "Wide Mouthed Frogs - AudioCulture". www.audioculture.co.nz. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  45. ^ Rip It Up (1 April 1986)
  46. ^ "Maori artist uses colour to communicate". Stuff. 26 August 2011. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  47. ^ "Toi Poneke arts centre". RNZ. 17 March 2011. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  48. ^ Hunt, Tom (5 May 2019). "A 59-year career with the arts in Wellington ends with an email". Stuff. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  49. ^ a b c "WCC, Summer City files 00012". Archives Online. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  50. ^ Black, Peter (1980). "Summer City, The Dell, Wellington, 1980".
  51. ^ "Photographs relating to Town and Country Players 1980". natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  52. ^ "Plucking up Courage". Evening Post. 8 January 1980.
  1. ^ Letter from WCC to Garth Frost 20 March 1979
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