Experience the Magic at Freedom2fly Fest 2024!

Get ready to experience a captivating fusion of artistry and movement at Raglan’s only performing arts festival, FREEDOM2FLY FEST. This annual celebration of contemporary circus and dance will take place from November 7th to November 10th, 2024, transforming Raglan into a mesmerising movement fair where the extraordinary meets the rhythmic.

Freedom2fly Fest is dedicated to showcasing a diverse range of artistic talents, including contemporary circus, dance performances, and theater. The festival provides a platform for both emerging and established artists to exhibit their skills, fostering creativity and cultural appreciation within the community.

What’s New This Year? Sunday Busking Day!

We are thrilled to introduce Sunday Busking Day, an outdoor event dedicated to showcasing a variety of performances by local emerging and established performers, as well as professional international guest artists. This unique celebration brings the extraordinary into everyday life, with performances happening as audiences enjoy their Sunday routines—whether eating ice creams, drinking coffees, or shopping around town.

Join us on Bow Street, from Wyld Cafe to Raglan Library, for a day filled with spontaneous, magical moments.

Don’t miss out on this extraordinary celebration of movement and artistry. Mark your calendars and get ready for a festival experience like no other at Freedom2fly Fest 2024!

–SHOWS–

“THE BALANCING ACT” – ONE NIGHT ONLY
Thurs 7th November, 6:00pm – Te Uku Hall
$25-$35

Step right up and experience the captivating tale of love and laughter with “The Balancing Act”! This circus show takes you on a magical journey, recounting the enchanting love story of Jess and Jay, who found each other amidst the grandeur of the sea.

But it’s not just their jaw-dropping skills that will captivate you – it’s their infectious humor and genuine camaraderie.

Jess and Jay are a hilariously acrobatic couple, bringing a delightful touch of comedy to their performance. Their shared journey is not only filled with breathtaking feats, but also with heartfelt storytelling that will touch your soul.

Join us for “The Balancing Act” and let Jess and Jay transport you to a world where dreams come alive. This romantic comedy performance is an unforgettable experience that will leave you with laughter in your heart and a renewed belief in the power of love.

CABARET NIGHT  **A Dazzling Evening of Burlesque, Comedy, and international Talent**
Fri 8th – Sat 9th November, 8:30pm – Te Uku Hall
$60 | Adults Only | DRESS CODE: Gatsby

Step into the roaring 1920s with our ADULTS ONLY Gatsby-themed Cabaret Night! Join us for an electrifying evening of spicy burlesque, sexy comedy, and local talent you won’t want to miss. With an air of glamour and decadence, this night promises an unforgettable experience that will leave you wanting more.

Featuring some of the best acts in New Zealand, this is a must-see show for anyone who loves a good time. From the sultry curves of our burlesque performers to the sharp wit of our comedians, you’ll be entertained from start to finish. Our lineup of local and international talent, each more surprising than the last, will keep you on the edge of your seat.

When the performances are done, the night is far from over! Hit the dance floor Gatsby-style, as our guest DJ spins the hottest tracks, keeping the party going until 11 PM. It’s the perfect way to cap off a spectacular evening filled with roaring 20s glamour and non-stop fun.

So don your finest flapper dress or sharpest suit, and experience Cabaret Night like never before. You won’t be disappointed
Book a table of 6 for $450

F2F DANCE SHOWCASE – “HITS THROUGH THE AGES”
Fri 8th – 5pm Sat 9th November, 3pm – Te Uku Hall
$20-$25

Get ready to embark on a thrilling dance adventure with Freedom2Fly’s End of Year Student Dance Showcase, “Hits Through the Ages”! 🌍🎶 Join us as our talented tamariki take the stage to present beautiful ballet, sizzling jazz, and awe-inspiring acro-routines, each inspired by the different times we’ve lived our lives. This show is sure to entertain, inspire, and excite our performers and audience, so don’t miss the chance to travel through time with the magic of creativity and dance!

F2F CIRCUS SHOWCASE – “RUN AWAY WITH THE CIRCUS”  
Sat 9th November, 11:00am – Freedom2Fly
$20-$25

After a year of dedicated practice and hard work, Freedom2fly students have polished their routines to perfection. Join us for **Run Away to the Circus**, where you’ll witness a fascinating journey filled with amazing feats of acrobatics, juggling, trapeze, and other aerial skills.

This showcase is a testament to our students’ hard effort and motivation, bringing together a show like no other. Come and be a part of this incredible journey, brimming with imagination and determination. Witness something you have never seen before, heard before, dreamed of before, the most amazing showcase on earth.

MOONROE’S HAPPY HOUR
Sat 9th November, 5pm – Freedom2Fly
$20-$25

Marilyn Moonroe invites you to her variety happy hour – a zany cabaret overflowing with circus acts, musical numbers and comedic capers. Presented by an eccentric cast of characters played by the award-winning Jackson Cordery and Laura Oakley, this is a wild and whimsical hour not to be missed!

–WORKSHOPS–

HULA HOOPS with Laura Oakley
Thur 7th November, 3:30pm-5:30pm – Freedom2fly Studio
$40

Laura Oakley is a circus performer based in Aotearoa, originally hailing from Otautahi. Her love for Hula hoops is unmatched! circus performance has taken her around the motu with organizations such as Circus Quirkus, and further afield to the US and Canada with company, Inverted Citizens. Recent performance highlights include, Fringe World Festival 2024, Newtown Festival and Ottawa Fringe.

AERIAL SILKS with Jackson Cordery
Thur 7th November, 7:30 pm-9:30pm – Freedom2fly Studio
$60 | experience required

Jackson is a Wellington based aerialist originally from Taranaki. Since starting circus in 2014, Jackson has performed with a variety of companies here in Aotearoa and overseas. These include Inverted Citizens, a production company he co-directs, as well as large productions such as World of Wearable Arts. He’s excited to return to Raglan after visiting with Colossal’s show ‘Dream Garden’ in 2022. Jackson is very happy  to share his vast knowledge and experience on the aerial silks.

DIRECTING THE PLAY with Fraser Hooper
Sat 9th November, 9am – Raglan Old School Arts Centre -Whare Tapere
$50 | 16+ years

Exercise those funny bones with award winning funny man Fraser Hooper. Through improvisation, rhythm and play participants will discover the joys of seriously clowning around in a practical workshop that shows you how to build material into comic routines. Topics covered will include working the audience, developing style, directing and object theater. Clowns on film will provide an additional feature to the class.

Fraser Hooper has taught clowning in over twenty countries and was for twelve years the resident clown tutor at The National Institute for Circus in London. Now resident in New Zealand he juggles his year performing and teaching around the world. He concentrates on rhythm and play and specializes in teaching how to give effective feedback.

BALANCING ON CHAIRS & OTHERS with Nicole Maisey
Sat 9th November, 1:00pm-3:00pm – Freedom2fly Studio
$40 | Children free with paying adult

Nicole Maisey has performed with Circus Aotearoa in a big tent, with Cirque Lemuria on a large boat, and is now a staple at the Fringe bar with her regular, sell-out cabaret show, Circus of the Night. Any spare time not spent on stage is spent training, working behind the scenes on various events or collecting houseplants.