Coco Talanoa — Entertainment / Page 4

New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Te Tira Pūoro o Aotearoa (NZSO) and Signature Choir with Live Nation present Mana Moana, an incredible musical experience coming to Auckland’s Spark Arena for one night only Friday November 24, 2023.

Mana Moana is a celebration and fusion of two worlds of music colliding, with 80 choral singers and 78 NZSO musicians on stage showcasing thegorgeous harmonies and rich melodies of traditional songs from across Pasifika islands.

After selling out in 2022 in Wellington, this energetic, unique, and emotional celebration will bring traditional and contemporary songs from Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau to Auckland for this special community event.

For complete tour and ticket information, click here.

A collaborative journey to celebrate and promote the languages and stories of Pasifika, in 2022 New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Te Tira Pūoro o Aotearoa (NZSO) and Signature Choir created high-quality audio recordings and videos of Pasifika songs in partnership with RNZ, followed by a live performance at Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington.

Now this incredible musical experience comes to Auckland’s Spark Arena in November 2023.…more

The competition continues to heat up as 'The Voice Australia' moves on to the next stage of the competition in the 'Battle Rounds' 

This phase brings an entirely new level of intensity, as contestants go head-to-head in duets and sing-offs, raising the bar for their performances each time they hit the stage. 

The Battle Rounds came with a heavy heart as we bid farewell to one of the season's standout performers, Marley Sola. Marley, a fan-favourite who had impressed both judges and audiences alike with his soulful performances, faced a tough battle that ultimately marked the end of his journey on The Voice Australia.

Team Coach Guy Sebastian opted to go with Australian singer, Bella Mackenzie after both sang for their lives, sharing on his decision, "the thing that is guiding my gut is really about who I can help the most.”

As the competition intensifies, remaining Pasifika singers Razé, David Aumua, and Giaan Jordan will have their eyes on securing a coveted spot in the next round.…more

As the excitement continues to build, fans of The Voice Australia are now firmly entrenched in the Callbacks stage of the competition.

With the Blind Auditions having concluded, the stakes are higher than ever as contestants face off in groups of three, vying for a spot in the upcoming Battle Rounds. The pressure is on as one singer advances directly to the Battles, another earns a second chance in the Ultimate Callback, and sadly, one hopeful's journey comes to an end.

With emotions running high and the judges, as well as the audience, holding their breath, the Callbacks stage has proven to be a true test of both talent and skill.

This season of The Voice Australia has been particularly special for its Pasifika contestants who have captivated both the judges and the audience with their skills.

Among them, Samoan crooner Marley Sola stands out as a shining star.…more

Project Rock’s newest training gear was inspired by Hawaii’s McKinley High School, where teenage Dwayne Johnson learned his “Day One” mentality.

Whatever dream you’re chasing, no matter how long you’ve been at it, or how long it might take you: The true test will always be today. It’s either One Day, or Day One.

Then go behind the scenes of the latest campaign video with former McKinley student, Chrilen Jibewemal, to see what it’s like to play “The Rock.” Those reps are no joke! 

World-renowned live Drum&Bass group Shapeshifter, has released their latest single, 'Amokura' to celebrate Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki 'Āirani - Cook Islands Language Week 2023.

Lead singer Paora Apera, also known as P. Digsss, sits down with us to share his childhood growing up in the Cook Islands and how the song 'Amokura' came to be.

‘Amokura’ is a big electronic, jungle, island drum & bass track, synergizing Shapeshifter's energy and sonic palette with Cook Island's traditional drums.

The single honours the rhythms of the Cook Islands; the pate drums were recorded in Rarotonga by P. Digsss’ brother and cousins about five years ago when the Shapeshifter lads became transfixed by the Cook Island rhythms on a trip to Rarotonga. At the time, there wasn’t a plan for the recordings, and they sat in the archives until the idea came up to record a Cook Island Māori song - inspired by The Waiata Anthems movement.

The vocals are in te reo Māori Kūki 'Āirani.…more

Prime Video have released the official trailer for the Amazon Original series, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart starring our very own Frankie Adams alongside Sigourney Weaver, Leah Purcell and more ...

Based on Australian Holly Ringland’s best-selling debut novel, the seven-part series tells the emotionally compelling story of Alice Hart.

Samoan actress Frankie Adams plays Candy Blue - Alice’s aunt, who is also a flamboyant character with lots of swagger and her own troubles to deal with.

Three of the seven episodes will be released on the 4th of August, with one episode rolling out weekly until the series finale in September. 

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Watch our Q&A with Frankie here as we go behind the scenes with her on her leading roles in the CoconetTV original series 'Teine Sa - The Ancient Ones'

Check out the latest film Tongan actress Luciane Buchanan is starring in, out now in New Zealand theatres.

The film was inspired by a real life situation, when US based Writer/Director Scott Walker got stranded in New Zealand during the pandemic and he & his family had to move into their friend's remote beach house that was built on top of an enormous old water tank. When they ran low on water, Scott had to climb down into the tank, “all the time in its blackness I couldn’t stop thinking, what if there were creatures living in there that were going to come out at night and eat my family!?” he explains.

This experience and the nightmares that followed acted as the inspiration for The Tank.

Synopsis for 'The Tank' - After mysteriously inheriting an abandoned coastal property, Ben (Matt Whelan) and his family (Luciane plays his wife) accidentally unleash an ancient, long-dormant creature that terrorized the entire region — including his own ancestors — for generations.

'HAMILTON: The Musical' begins its first ever international tour in Aotearoa, direct from a stellar run across Australia on Friday 26th May and runs through until the 11th of June at Spark Arena.

We sat down for a chat with three of the Pasifika cast members - Elandrah Eramiha, Iosefa Laga'aia and Kirrah Amosa who share what their characters are like as well as what it's like having to play multiple characters, what it means for them to be able to represent our people on such a big stage, their favourite track to perform and more.

Don't miss out - Get your tickets to the show here  

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Credits: 

Director - Destiny Momoiseā

Camera Operator - Penina Momoiseā

Editor - Sefa Taouma 

Research/Consultant - Talia Momoiseā

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Additional Footage & photos provided from Hamilton The Musical & 818 Publicity 

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Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air 

American Idol winner has been doing the talk show rounds appearing on Live Kelly and Mark as well as on Good Morning America hosted by Michael Strahan with fellow finalist Megan Danielle.

Meanwhile his new single 'I'll be seeing you' hit number 1 after the finale on the iTunes charts.

He released the track on the 19th of May and on Sunday prior to the finale, James Blunts 'Monsters' held the top spot but moved to number 2 when 'I'll be seeing you' reached the number 1 spot overnight after Iam won.

Watch him sing the track in the American Idol finale here - 

In Tautua: Inked in Service, RNZ Social Media Journalist Faivaeselopepe Anric Sitanilei undergoes the transformative process of receiving the traditional Samoan malofie, also known as the tatau.

Through vivid storytelling and intimate interviews, the documentary unveils the evolving role of the tatau in a changing world, showcasing its enduring power as a testament to Samoan heart and spirit.

Sitanilei says the tatau has long been a shielded part of Samoan culture.

Tautua: Inked in Service is a celebration of heritage, tradition, and dedication to family and community and will be released on Sunday 28th May to coincide with the start of Samoan Language Week.