A Song in the Night

Christchurch. July 2009. Ajr

This was a dramatic moment at the opening of the Christchurch Arts Festival Winter Garden in Christchurch's Cathedral Square on Thursday night. With thousands of people gathered below her, Wellington-based singer Toni Huata - raised 15-20 feet in the air and spotlit - sang a hauntingly beautiful Maori wiata (song), that rang out across the Square and silenced the crowd. I took these photos with a telephoto lens, with no flash and unsupported by a tripod, hence the crazy movement in the bottom image. But I kinda like that. For me it speaks of a festive mood. www.artsfestival.co.nz You can read more about Toni in the Meet the People Series on this blog. Click on her name below.