What the Oscar-winning 2009 documentary The Cove did for dolphin slaughter in Japan, Blackfish may do for killer whales living in captivity while performing at marine parks. Blackfish, explores what may have caused Tilikum, a 12,000-pound orca, to kill three people, including veteran SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau in 2010.
Tag Archives: national
The Block site causes chaos
Neighbours of the four houses being used for The Block TV series in the North Shore suburb of Takapuna say the huge construction effort is affecting their daily lives and impinging on their privacy. Linda Haynes lives next door and says her biggest concern is that the council is letting the production company break “all sorts of rules” to allow the show to go ahead
The clickety-clack of little feet
The future of tap dancing in America may rest on the small shoulders of a four-foot-tall, 52-pound, 10-year-old boy from Ashburn, Virginia. Luke Spring is a YouTube darling who is even more astonishing in person
Help the WIUO to meet unicorns
The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra is off to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival to make new friends and meet some unicorns. With their residency at the world’s largest arts festival, the ukulele ensemble, formed in a Wellington caf
Joan Rivers’ Fashion Police writers lash out
Joan Rivers is experiencing a backlash from the writers of Fashion Police. The E! network show’s writers are on strike for unpaid wages that amount to around US$15 million collectively.
Devo drummer Alan Myers dies from cancer
Chances are when you’re reading about percussionist Alan Myers in the coming days, the word “metronomic” will be used.
New Zealand Dance Company ready for launch
Until the formation of the Auckland-based The New Zealand Dance Company two years ago, there was only one national dance company – the Royal New Zealand Ballet.
Toni Gibson more Winehouse than Westenra
Gray Bartlett, veteran Auckland musician, composer, producer and promoter, takes the credit for discovering and guiding the amazingly successful singing career of Hayley Westenra. Now he has the career of Wellington classical crossover songstress Toni Gibson in his care and declares her just as inspiring
Virginity auction now reality TV
An Australian film-maker who found two young virgins willing to sell their bodies to the highest bidder has scored again. Justin Sisely’s controversial documentary film Virgins Wanted is to be re-packaged for the small screen as a reality TV series.
Dick Frizzell’s ‘little idea’ attracting big money
It’s arguably the most recognisable and reproduced image in New Zealand art – and judging from the results of a current online auction, the most desirable.