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Wellington has long been considered the cultural center of New Zealand, being the home of most major musical, dance and performing arts schools, museums, theaters and now the new national Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (Our Place). All of these entertainment options are located in a small picturesque city on one of the world's most beautiful harbors.
Theatres
The prime theatre in Wellington is the WestpacTrust Saint James Theatre, which was renovated for over NZD28 million in 1997. This beautiful state of the art theatre hosts the Royal New Zealand Ballet and many productions on the programme of the highly successful biennial Wellington International Festival of the Arts. The more specialized playhouses Downstage Theatre and Circa Theatre, are renowned for performances featuring the best of local and overseas dramatic talent. The "grand old lady" of Wellington drama, the Opera House, is host to a variety of musicals and plays. Bats Theatre is the home of avant-garde productions and Stagecraft Theatre covers a wide spectrum of theatrical experiences.
The Wellington Festival & Convention Centre is actually an umbrella for three distinct theatres including the Michael Fowler Centre which plays host to a variety of international acts. The other two are the venerable Town Hall and the small Ilott Theatre. Other top grade theatres for hire include the Phoenix, the Te Papa Soundings Theatre and the Victoria University Memorial Theatre.
In this theater crazy city it is no surprise to find specialized children's theaters including the McKenzie Theatre at Capital E. A final mention must be made of the top quality amateur theatrical groups that abound including Mana Little Theatre and Hutt Repertory Theatre.
Performing Arts and Music
Classical music is well served in Wellington as it is home to the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Wellington Youth Orchestra, Wellington Chamber Music Society, the Wellington Sinfonia and various other string orchestras. Vocal choral groups such as the Baroque Voices are world class.
Venues for local popular and rock music groups also abound with Bar Bogeda and Blue Note being well worth a visit. Top international acts can be seen at many sites including the Queens Wharf Events Centre and occasionally at the WestpacTrust Stadium. The New Zealand College of Performing Arts, the Wellington Performing Arts Centre, Footnote Dance Company and the New Zealand School of Dance and Drama perform various concerts throughout the year.
Museums
The showpiece of the city is the new national Museum of New Zealand, the NZD300 million Te Papa Tongarewa (Our Place). With technological interactive displays, virtual reality rides, and the unique national art collection, this facility is a must see. A close second runner for Wellington’s arts attraction award is the City Gallery, one of the most proactive and provocative fine arts museums in New Zealand. Other interesting exhibitions can be found at the birthplace of Katherine Mansfield, the Museum of Wellington City & Sea and the Dowse Art Museum. If you have time, travel 50 minutes north of the city to the incredible Southwards Car Museum that hosts some of the rarest vintage cars in the world.
Cinema
The last of the palatial picture theatres, the Embassy (1924) has been refurbished by a trust including the Wellington City Council and Lord of the Rings director and local resident Peter Jackson. In conjunction with its sister theatre the historic Paramount (1917), the Embassy hosts the annual Wellington International Film Festival and the Beck's Incredible Film Festival. Alternative and art house movies are shown at the Penthouse and the Rialto three-theatre complex. Hoyts have two multiplex cinemas in Manners Street and other partners in the suburbs to exhibit the latest Hollywood releases. Local historic films can be viewed at the Film Centre and the unique Time Cinema plays old and cherished international films. With more than ten television series and four feature films being made in Wellington annually some humorists have dubbed the city Wellywood.
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