Christmas comes but once a year, but for an iconic arts community in Wellington, New Zealand, it seems even those opportunities are numbered. The Morrisons Building at 13-15 Garrett Street has recently – and perhaps inevitably – been put up for sale, meaning that over 20 years of artist experimentation and innovation is going to be buried under the developers’ bulldozers soon – unless an earthquake gets there first of course.
This Christmas saw the artists opening their doors to anyone who hadn’t been hypnotised into the usual Christmas festivities with an invitation of kai, conversation and open-mic opportunities. So, given the open-mic opportunity what else was an Evangelista to do but return the favour and offer them musical gifts in the form of Jacque Brel’s Grimsby Town (aka Amsterdam) and some of Ray Davies’ finest moments in the form of Demon Alcohol and Acute Schizophrenia Blues. Much fun and appreciation was shown and hopefully this unique community will live to fight for a few more Christmases to come.
Meet The Evangelistas! 