Episode 56 with William Fitzgerald
Kung Hei Fat Choi! Gong Xi Fa Cai!
Welcome to Year of the Snake šš§§
Thank you to everyone who came through to Auckland Art Gallery on Saturday! Had an incredible time facilitating the Year of the Snake panel (more on that coming soon), and then afterwards enjoyed some good company, gossip, drinks and CAKE. While the pod turned four in November, it felt like a good time to bring out the cake.
My ācreative winterā started transforming into spring at the end of last year. There was that psychic I mentioned in the last newsletter, remember? Also, Flex fans might find it interesting that I purchased a 45 min birth cart reading/recording that has helped me see things differently. Fascinating to go beyond pop astrology and discover it as a system showing clues towards your individual flourishing, in the context of the world - poetically, the sky/the entire solar system. I used to listen to the podcast, Bobo & Flex, A LOT in 2020 (around the time I was building up the guts to start this podcast). Anyway, five-ish years later, here I am listening to Flex dissecting parts of my birth chart and reading me to filth. I know, could I BE anymore self-obsessed?! Hmmm. Well, I recommend it to anyone with the means and curiosity!
Anyway, all this to say, Iāve been thinking about hope and gratitude a lot recently. Mainly, trying to really dial up both. As I mention in this recent Instagram post, Iām finding hope in community. Specifically, in in-person hangouts. Who knew, socialising works, folks!
Segue - thereās plenty to get out and experience this Pride month. Have listed some goodies below, but seriously I feel like thereās so much on? Gigs, shows, exhibitions, festivalsā¦
I first met William (whose episode just dropped), at Steven Junil Parkās exhibition a few years ago - not only was he this tall stunner, but a ballet dancer too. Thereās MUCH more to Williamās story, so have a listen!
- JennaĀ
š§ Listen: Episode 56 with William Keane Jung-Ying Fitzgerald
A former dancer with the prestigious Royal New Zealand Ballet, William started making stage costumes and today heās at Whitecliffe studying Sustainable Fashion. Here, William opens up about his creative journey, including having dreams fall apart, ghosting friends and finding his way back to dance.
Keep an eye out for his own label Jung-Ying: @__jungying
š Pride month with Marc!
Marc Conaco - illustrator, graphic designer, zine-maker, producer - has been a busy bee in preparation for Pride month. So, I invited/forced him to send me a list of specifics:
Kia ora folks! I have three things on for Auckland Pride this month:
Ang Sininang Bulawan | The Golden Dress: This exhibition is a tribute to the divinity of queerness as a transformative power able to imbue objects with divine spirit.
Date: Open now until 20th February
Location: Studio One Toi TÅ«
Curated by Marc Conaco in collaboration with Dennis Sayat, Mariadelle Gamit and Magenta.
Pride & Protest: An exhibition of photographs from Auckland Museum's archives that look back on two pivotal decades of queer activism in the city. It is on display in Britomart's Te Ara Tahuhu and Galway Street (between Commerce and Gore Streets) from February 1 until the second week of March. Curation and graphic design by Marc Conaco.
Queer Asian Arts Market: An arts and crafts market for queer Asians, by queer Asians. All are welcome. Produced by Marc Conaco.
Date: Friday 21 February
Time: 4-8PM
Location: Ellen Melville Centre
šŖ XIN JI - BODY STORY
When was the last time your body felt happy? When did it feel the most tense? How many injuries has your body sustained? Under what circumstances have you pushed it to its limits?
The successful body. The authoritarian body. The sweaty body. The becoming body. The complete body. The eternal body. The digital body. The ancestral body. The hidden body.
What does your body remember?
In this debut solo work by dance artist Xin Ji, the story of his body unravels through moments where the emotional and physical collide. Uncertainty, recklessness and euphoria slide into an intimate personal narrative ā offering ways to consider our bodies as vehicles for resistance and alchemy.
OH I CANāT WAIT TO SEE THIS!
Get tickets here: https://www.qtheatre.co.nz/shows/pride-elevates-presents-body-story
š¶ļø Auntyās House x Migrant Maharanis
The launch party for this would have happened by the time you read this BUT you can still go to Satya Chai Lounge and check out this mahi. Hereās the info from the Auntyās House IG:
Before colonisation, South Asia celebrated gender fluidity and queer identities through its ranges of ancient texts, art, and traditions.
Beyond Taboos: Representing Us š³ļøāššŖšø exhibition pays tribute to that legacy, that queerness has always existed, while showcasing the resilience and vibrant joy of current South Asian queer ancestors alive today.
Proudly presented by Auntyās House (@auntysh0use) in collaboration with Migrant Maharanis (@migrantmaharanis), part of Auckland Pride (@aucklandpride) Festival 2025; this exhibition highlights six queer South Asian creatives in Aotearoa, their unique identities, coming to life through powerful storytelling of layered digital collages by Migrant Maharanis, blending personal narratives with cultural symbolism. šØšŖ·š
FEATURED ARTISTS:
š Amita Kala (@amitakala)
š Shawn Wimalaratne (@do.try.it)
š Adam Banoori (@adambanoori)
š Serena Mani (@serenaxmani)
š Sonya Prabha (@muditacakes)
š Amandeep Rakhra (@a_man_deeep)
Hosted inš Satya Chai Lounge (@satyanz), smack bang in the centre of the South Asian community hub in Sandringham, TÄmaki Makaurau, which will truly set the stage for this reclamation of queer South Asian heritage.š„
EXHIBITION DETAILS
šļø When: 4 - 25 February 2025
š Where: 515 Sandringham Rd, TÄmaki Makaurau
šļø Cost: FREE, this exhibition is available to view from the 5th - 25th of February, during Satya Chai Lounge business hours (Monday - Sunday, midday - 9:30 pm)
š Inclusivity: Open to all who resonate with the kaupapa & Auntyās House Safer Space Agreements
EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS
š„ Queer South Asian Dinner: Thursday 13th Feb, 6 - 9 pm, FREE* with RSVP
I meanā¦
š„ Learn more about Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Lastly, as itās Waitangi Day tomorrow, itās a good time as any to share some resources around. You might hear some politicians or dare I say family/friends say some cooked and even straight up racist things - ew. For talking points for migrant communities, histories of Asian-MÄori relations, writing, links and more, visit:
ā”ļø https://asians4tino.weebly.com/resources.html
Find the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all good pod places or visit asianinaotearoa.com.