Auckland Museum and leading musicians get together on Sonic Museum

Adding music and sound inspired by galleries at the museum.

Auckland Museum has joined forces with some of the biggest names in New Zealand music to work on a ground breaking project called ‘Sonic Museum’, which will see the production of a series of exclusive new music tracks inspired by galleries at Auckland Museum.

Musicians and sound artists from the dance, rock, ambient, orchestral and jazz scenes have been invited to write and record a track inspired by a gallery of their choice in the museum. The project will be launched on Thursday 7th May to coincide with the LATE at the Museum event and the launch of New Zealand Music Month. Visitors to Auckland Museum can hear tracks by donning a special set of headphones and embarking on a sonic exploration of the collections. The tracks will also be available for download onto portable music players from the museum website.

“The collections in Auckland Museum affect each of us in different ways. In Sonic Museum, a diverse selection of original music accompanies you through the galleries,” says Auckland Museum Director Dr Vanda Vitali.

“This exciting project highlights the way in which our thoughts, feelings and sensations are constantly reorganised by new experiences. On the one hand the music allows us to consider how others, in this case a group of New Zealand’s top musicians, can be inspired by galleries in the Museum. At the same time the tracks develop our own experience of the displays, encouraging a new awareness of the collections, of ourselves, and of the world in which we live.”

Musicians taking part in Sonic Museum and the galleries they have chosen are: Tiki Taane (Maori Court), Tim Coster (Landmarks: International Design and Decrorative Arts), Don McGlashan (Origins), Richard Francis (Land), Nathan Haines (Oceans), Rachel Shearer (Volcanoes), Phil Dadson (Ancient Worlds), Chris Adams (World War I Sanctuary), Rosy Parlane (World War II Hall of Memories).

Sonic Museum provides a rare opportunity to hear music and sound in the setting which inspired the composition, and in some cases in which it was recorded. It will run from Thursday 7th May to Monday 31st August at Auckland Museum and will cost $10.00 to hire headphones and audioplayer. Information about each composition plus a biography on each of the musicians is also included. Alternatively, all tracks will be able to be downloaded from www.sonicmuseum.co.nz

Universal Studios Singapore embarks on global talent search

Universal Studios Singapore is set to embark on an 11-city audition world tour, in search of the world’s best stunt performers, stilt walkers, puppeteers, vocal impersonators, singers, dancers and celebrity look-alikes.

The talent search kicks off in Singapore next Monday and Tuesday, before moving to Kuala Lumpur (May 4-5), Hong Kong (May 10-11), Manila(May 15-16), Australia's Gold Coast (May 20-21), Melbourne (May 25-27), Auckland (May 31-June 1), Orlando (June 6-7), Toronto (June 13-14), Salt Lake City (June 18-19) and Hollywood (June 23-25).

Ms Andrea Teo, Vice President of RWS Entertainment, said: “In keeping with the world-class entertainment standards of Universal Studios theme parks, we want to attract the world's best talents, making Universal Studios Singapore an experience that will leave everyone breathless.

“We are offering full-time jobs to a group of skilled performers who have traditionally relied on short-term gigs and ad-hoc performances as livelihood.

“And of course, the chance to work in cosmopolitan Singapore, and become the pioneer term of performers in the latest Universal Studios them park in the world.”

Successful applicants will be notified by August and offered a contract with Singapore’s new USD$4.32 billion integrated family resort, Resorts World at Sentosa – home of Universal Studios Singapore.

In addition to training with show directors and stunt coordinators for their performances at the park, this might be a chance in a lifetime for some talents to relocate to Singapore by years end, in preparation for the park’s early 2010 opening.
Universal studios Singapore will feature 24 rides- including the world’s first ‘Transformers’ ride- shows and attractions spread across seven themed zones.

Queensland's Hottest Deals

It's no secret travellers are looking for more value for their holiday dollar! Here's the first of Tourism Queensland's regular new updates on the hottest holiday deals on offer. Please contact us for high res images and hope Queensland's hottest holiday deals help your readers warm up in Queensland for less.

Queensland Islands
* Voyages Hotel & Resorts will offer meal-inclusive packages from May 1. Guests booking four nights or more on Brampton Island, Dunk Island or Heron Island receive breakfast, lunch and dinner included for free and kids still stay and eat free on Dunk and Heron Islands. The offer is valid until September 30, 2009. Bookings 1300 134 044, www.voyages.com.au

* Stay at Queensland's newest island resort, Koala Adventure Island, for guests aged 18 years and over only, from $49 per person per night including ferry transfers. Bookings must be for a minimum of two nights and offer is valid until June 30, 2009. Bookings 1800 466 444. www.koalaadvetureisland.com.au

* Escape to Fraser Island and Kingfisher Bay Resort before September 20, 2009 and receive a third night free for every two nights booked. Twin-share hotel resort accommodation starts from $99 per person. Triple share in a two-bedroom villa is also just $99 per person, per night. Bookings 1800 FRASER or www.kingfisherbay.com

Brisbane
* Sofitel Brisbane Central Met NY packages start from $275 per night including superior room accommodation, breakfast for two at Thyme2 Interactive Restaurant and two tickets to the exclusive "American Impressionism and Realism exhibition: A Landmark Exhibition from the MET" at the Queensland Art Gallery from May 30-September 20, 2009. Bookings 07 3835 4444. www.sofitelbrisbane.com.au.

* The Novotel Brisbane Sunday Breeze package offers overnight Sunday accommodation, full buffet breakfast for two and free parking until 6pm Monday for $159 per room until July 6, 2009. Bookings 07 3309 3309, www.novotelbrisbane.com

Sunshine Coast
* Noosa's annual Mayfiesta is a month filled with fun, food and frivolity and this year includes a selection of great holiday deals offering 25% off select accommodation, wellbeing, shopping, tours and restaurants. Mayfiesta events include the Settler's Cove Noosa Food and Wine Festival and Streetfest on Thomas, the Noosa Blue Water Swim and the Noosa Journal Riverfest Regatta. More information www.mayfiesta.com.au