Story Time with The Tiwhas!
FREE in the Upper Chamber
Sunday 15th September - 11:30am - 1pm
An Engaging Read with Creative Costumes: Story Time with the Tiwhas!
Please join us in celebrating Te Reo at Story Time with the Tiwhas! This event invites anyone and everyone to Toi Pōneke for an expressive afternoon to start off Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori.
The Tiwhas! are a group of drag artists that use their creativity and theatricality to spread cheer and enthusiasm. They tell stories in and around different performance genres by employing aspects of theatre, cabaret and waiata. Their perspective adds a unique twist to how people can experience music, dance and storytelling.
Story Time with the Tiwhas! will be led by queens Dame Jthan and Tina Coco Couture, who will be reading select stories in Te Reo. Each performer has worked extensively in the Wellington arts scene as actors, dancers, and choreographers. Having performed at various theatre events, they will bring a great sense of energy and passion to deliver tantalizing stories in a friendly, open space.
Feel free to add to the performance! Costumes are more than encouraged, but all are welcome no matter how snazzily dressed.
Story Time with the Tiwhas! will be held at Toi Pōneke from 11:30am to 12:45pm on Sunday, 15th September.
Want to know more about drag? Below are some helpful links for you.
5 things to know about Drag Queen Story Time (theconversation.com)
Drag Queen Storytime for Children | Psychology Today
Some historical links related to Pōneke and the recent nation wide Drag Queen Story Time initiative.
Rainbow Wellington Disappointed By Drag Story Time Cancellation - Rainbow Wellington
Open space - 11:30am
Story Time - from 11:45 – 12:45pm
Finish - 1pm
Dame Jthan - Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, Rongowhakaata, Magiagi, Sapapāli'i, Lotofaga - is a Wellington based performer, producer, choreographer, and drag queen. She is the founder and lead performer of the Māori drag girl group; 'The Tiwhas!' who have swept the nation by storm, most recently in ‘The Tiwhas! A Matariki Spectacular’. Dame Jthan is Wellington’s very own pantomime dame, appearing at Circa Theatre as part of their annual pantomime season. This year – it’s Sleeping Beauty!
Te Hāmama Hohua aka Tina Coco Couture, born and bred in the mighty Waikato, of Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Hikairo descent, is a creative who delves into a plethora of areas in the arts. Te Hāmama has done many feats, including acting for screen and theatre, singing, dancing, choreographing, composing, kapa haka, and most recently, underground ballroom and drag performance. Te Hāmama is a member of the Tiwhas, and a recent graduate of Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School, graduating with a Bachelor of Performing Arts in Acting. He was fortunate enough to be a performer and creative collaborator for the multi award winning theatre show ‘Arawhata,’ This kaupapa sparked his interest in the art of underground ballroom, in which he is now exploring further as a member of Te Whare Marama, an underground ballroom house based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara.