Print Page

Newsletter / October 2010

�

Hi and Kia ora!

Welcome to the October newsletter of the 2nd AsiaPacific Outgames. This is your last month to register for sports at the earlybird prices. Depending on your sport, you can save up to NZ$80 if you register and pay by 31 October, and sports teams can save hundreds of dollars. Update your existing registration or register and pay online today.

Sing Out! Choral workshop and concert

If you enjoy singing, you'll love the latest addition to the Outgames programme. Sing Out! offers practical and inspiring workshops on Saturday 12 March, followed by a public concert in Wellington's magnificent Town Hall on Sunday.

The event is hosted by The Homophones, Wellington Gay Men's Chorus, and will feature the participation of GALS, Auckland's Gay and Lesbian Singers, but you don't need to be a member of a choir to take part. Add the Sing Out event to your Outgames registration now.

Football

Thanks to those football (soccer) players who have been patient with us while we've tried to tie down enough pitches for the competition. We'll make an announcement on our website and through our Facebook page when registrations for this, our 18th sport, are open.

Conference update

We've announced keynote speakers from 6 countries for the conference.

And our conference team received over 100 proposals from people who want to give presentations, or be part of panels. Proposals came from throughout Australia and New Zealand, the Pacific (Samoa, Fiji, Tonga), Asia (India, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Mongolia, Nepal) and beyond (Venezuela and Germany). We'll be announcing the conference programme in November.

The earlybird fees for our conference run through to 30 November - but if you are planning to attend the conference, you can still save NZ$30 by making the first part of your registration before 31 October.

Arts and culture

As promised, we've added a lot more events to the arts and culture programme - and we have more to come. Apart from our own programme, Wellington has other big events over the Outgames week, including the NZ Opera production of Xerxes.

Accommodation

March is a busy time for Wellington, but we've managed to secure some great hotels deals for Outgames participants. The Ibis hotel, for example, is located in the heart of the city, and a room for 2 costs less than NZ$70 +GST per person per night. To get the discount, see the details on our website.

Wellington fundraisers

Chocolate and wine evening at Butlers Chocolate Caf�, 103 Willis St, 7pm, Friday 29th October. A perfect way to end the week: wine matched to Butlers superb chocolates! Be entertained by your wonderful host, Peter Kelly. $25.00 Tickets limited
Quiz nights at S&M's Bar, , Wellington, guarantee prizes, great company and laughter every Thursday at 7pm. It costs just $5. Bring a team or join a team when you get there. All welcome.
Bollywood night is coming up before the end of the year - we'll give you details in the next newsletter and via Facebook.

New Wellington Mayor

We want to offer a huge thanks to the outgoing Mayor of Wellington, Kerry Prendergast. Kerry has been supportive of the Wellington Outgames right from the start, she has opened doors for us, and the event will be stronger for her input. And we welcome in new Mayor Celia Wade-Brown, a Green Party member. Celia, we look forward to working with you.