Tickets on sale for futuristic 2023 World of WearableArt™ Show: BEYOND
After a record-smashing return to the stage in 2022, tickets for the globally-renowned World of WearableArt™ Show are now on sale. The 33rd iteration of the iconic event – the futuristic 2023 World of WearableArt™ Show: BEYOND – takes up residence in the TSB Arena in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington, from 20 September to 8 October 2023.
The 2022 WOW Show was the most-attended to date, with an audience of nearly 64,000. It generated a gross economic benefit to the Te Ūpoko O Te Ika A Maui / Wellington region of over $30million.
WOW Creative Director Brian Burke explains his vision for this year’s event: “BEYOND elevates the audience experience by taking us on an exciting visual journey to worlds beyond our imagination, featuring the winning WOW formula of incredible spectacle, high-energy performance, original music, breath-taking garments and emotional storytelling.”
On what audiences can expect with this year’s WOW Show, Show Director Malia Johnston, says, “WOW 2023 will be an unforgettable journey into the future – we are developing a show that has the audience experience at its heart.
“Alongside the incredible garments, we have gathered a next-level cast – a group of beautifully diverse performers who will deliver a boundary-pushing performance. Our creative team have also pushed themselves into ‘the beyond’. The show will be fabulous, full of joy and creativity, and loads of fun,” Johnston says.
WOW has had a wonderful response from international designers for the 2023 competition, with New Zealand entries closing in May. More than $185,000 of awards and prizes are up for grabs this year, across three recurring sections – Aotearoa, Avant-garde and Open – and three additional sections – Mars and Beyond, Gold, and the return of an iconic WOW favourite, Bizarre Bra. Finalists will be announced in early July.
WOW’s Head of Competition Sarah Nathan says, “We are seeing an extraordinary level of creativity from the global design community once again this year. The Mars and Beyond section, particularly, has inspired works of art which defy imagination. The team are so excited to welcome the entries into the Nelson wardrobe department in the coming months for judging. WOW garments are always exceptional, individually, but, once combined for the WOW Show, become virtually celestial.”
2023 brings a range of new ticket options, including, for the first time, a chance to catch a glimpse ‘behind the curtain’ at WOW. Stageside+ and VIP Table+ experiences are the ultimate WOW package – along with a number of special goodies such as bubbles and nibbles on arrival and a souvenir show programme, they include a pre-show behind-the-scenes tour.
All tickets are now on sale now at www.worldofwearableart.com.
For more information, images and interviews, please contact Siobhan Waterhouse, Publicist on siobhan@worldofwearableart.com or +64 22 126 4149.
WOW Show 2023 – key dates
Wednesday 20 & Thursday 21 September: Preview performances
Friday 22 September: Awards Night
Sunday 8 October: Final Show
Accessibility
Available in 2023 are fantastic seats for wheelchair users with accessible pricing including companion tickets, an NZSL signed performance of the Awards Night for our Deaf and hard of hearing community, and an allocation of 30 Under 30 tickets for our younger audience members.
NZSL-Interpreted Performance – 22 September 7.30pm
The live awards ceremony after the performance will be NZSL – interpreted. A limited selection of seats will be reserved close to the interpreter with a good view of the stage for the full performance. These seats will be available at our C Reserve price of $79* each and limited to two per person.
Wheelchair Access
Fantastic wheelchair seats are available on the ground level of the TSB Arena in the auditorium stalls Blocks A, B, D, E & F.
Wheelchair and companion seating is available at C Reserve prices for every performance and can be booked by calling or emailing our ticketing team tickets@worldofwearableart.com | 0800 496 974.
Please be aware that there are a limited number of suitable positions for wheelchairs and at these reduced prices each night. These are strictly reserved for wheelchair users and companions.
There is a drop-off zone at the front of the TSB Arena. Accessible parking is available at 1 Jervois Quay. There is a lift in the venue which has internal lift access from the Wilsons carpark underneath directly into the TSB Arena. There are accessible bathrooms on both the ground level and level 1.
30 Under 30
If you are 30 or under you can pre-register to be in the queue to purchase $30* show tickets. These tickets are strictly limited, and will be allocated on a first in, first served basis. 30 Under 30 tickets will not be available to purchase immediately. Successful applicants will be contacted in late May with the option to purchase ONE $30* ticket to the 2023 World of WearableArt Show. The specific performance they will be able to book for will be determined by WOW based on information provided in the Sign Up Form.
*A credit/debit card surcharge may apply.
More info on www.worldofwearableart.com