HOROSCOPES: MISS PEARL NECLIS

ARTS + CULTURE HOROSCOPES HOROSCOPES: MISS PEARL NECLIS – what your stars hold for February

Aquarius (the Water Carrier) 21 January - 19 February You’re feeling a bit anxious this month and to compensate you are surrounding yourself as much as you can with friends and family. You’re lucky to have friends who are there when you need them. Treat them well. Pisces (the Fishes) 20 February - 20 March Your opinions will get you in a few uncomfortable situations this month so you might want to rein them in a little. Let people know how you feel, but you can be more tactful. Aries (the Ram) 21 March - 20 April Your enthusiasm is infectious but not everyone has the same energy levels as you do. Try and dial it down a bit and you will find that you’re a lot more inspiring than you thought.

Taurus (the Bull) 21 April - 21 May You’re struggling to keep secrets this month and you might find that you have already said something that’s too late to take back. You may have to make a stand and deal with the fallout. Gemini (the Twins) 22 May - 21 June You don’t have to say yes to everything that comes your way because at some point you are going to start having problems. Try sharing the load a little and see what happens. Cancer (the Crab) 22 June - 22 July Don’t get frustrated because things seem to be taking longer than necessary and plans are not going the way you would like. Manage time better and you’ll be more productive.

Leo (the Lion) 23 July - 21 August You might feel that someone is carefully trying to rattle you this month or wind you up about really nothing at all. Don’t rise to the bait and just concentrate on the path you’re currently walking on. Virgo (the Virgin) 22 August - 23 September Your self-doubt is always apparent and it’s about time you showed your friends and co workers really what you are made of. You could almost reinvent yourself if you really wanted too. Libra (the Scales) 24 September - 23 October You are completely at a loss as to why you feel that everyone is being really critical. People are being brutally honest and it’s beginning to have an effect. The feedback you get can make or break you and it’s up to you to decide which way to go.

Scorpio (the Scorpion) 24 October - 22 November You don’t have the patience anymore for anyone who can’t keep up with your output and anyone who questions your motives is usually left behind or dropped. You need to communicate what’s behind your motivation for people to understand. Sagittarius (the Archer) 23 November - 22 December Don’t take things personally as they are not directed at you; you are just exceptionally sensitive this month. You can’t change the past, but you can definitely alter your future. Capricorn (the Goat) 23 December - 20 January You might want to rein in your spending. You might need to stop being so generous with your emotions too, especially when you don’t get back anything in return from those that you think you should.

FIRST TUESDAY @ ST MATTHEW-IN-THE-CITY

First Tuesday on 1 March 2022 at St Matthew-inthe-City features Auckland’s renowned Kotuku Quintet playing Dvořák's sunny Piano Quintet in A, opus 81.

This is the first First Tuesday Concert for 2022 and the series kicks off to a fine start with this experienced group of players and their beautiful choice of programme.

Composed in 1887, Dvořák's A major quintet is acknowledged as one of the masterpieces of the form. The work is scored for piano, two violins, viola and cello. Dvořák's music is always sunny, tuneful and full of rhythmic vitality and this quintet epitomises these qualities. Performers enjoy playing it as listeners enjoy the quintet's varying moods and optimistic qualities.

The April First Tuesday concert will feature John Wells playing the Goldberg Variations on piano by J.S. Bach. This music captures the serenity of the Easter season with the genius of Bach’s original keyboard theme and variations. The concert will run an additional duration to capture the full length of the piece.

Nicholas Forbes has recently been appointed Director of Music at St Matthew-in-the-City. Nick’s considerable skills as a musician are diverse in that he is both an experienced choral conductor and a celebrated church and concert organist. Nick is a singer in both National Youth Choir and Voices New Zealand and he brings these vocal skills to his role as a choral conductor.

He is well known in Auckland as conductor of the Gay and Lesbian Singers (GALS) and Harbour Voices. As keyboard player, Nick has been engaged by New Zealand Opera and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. He is a scheduled soloist in the Saint-Saëns Organ Symphony with Auckland Youth Orchestra in 2022. Nick will be heavily involved in the management and programming of the First Tuesday Concert Series.

Paul Chan, who previously held the position has become the organist of the Anglican Cathedral in Nelson.)  PN

ST MATTHEW-IN-THE-CITY, 132 Hobson Street, T: 09 379 0625 www.stmatthews.nz

Kotuku Quintet

Tuesday 1st March, 12.10-12.50pm Dvorak: Piano Quintet in A, op.81

Loneliness is a serious problem in New Zealand, and most prevalent among the young - namely Gen Z.

In March 2020, when New Zealand went into national lockdown due to Covid-19, loneliness spiked in people aged 18-24 from 5.8 percent in 2018 to 20.8 percent in 2020 according to the ‘Alone Together’ report from the Helen Clark Foundation and Loneliness NZ.

The feeling of being lonely is different for everyone and is related to wider issues around cultural, community, and family circumstances. The digital era has accelerated the issue, particularly for the younger generations. We have become heavy users of social media and screen time which is creating disconnection, lack of deep human relationships and social connection.

The World Health Organisation has reported that loneliness, social isolation, and living alone can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, dementia, and can lead to depression and suicide if left unchecked. Promoting social connection is imperative for the overall wellbeing and health of people and our communities.

“Social media was never designed to be a meaningful relationship with the world.” - Loneliness NZ

Local filmmaker, Melissa Fergusson produced a documentary film about loneliness in 2021 and her aim is to provide a deeper understanding and raise social awareness for people who are experiencing loneliness, and to find solutions to reduce the impact of being lonely.

Fergusson interviewed New Zealanders who are subject matter experts, therapists, health practitioners and charitable organisations about loneliness, including Loneliness NZ, Youthline, Student Volunteer Army, Cuddle Connection NZ and Michael Hempseed.

The ‘Loneliness in Aotearoa’ documentary explores and defines what loneliness is, and why it exists in our communities. It turns the spotlight on the generational divide and who is most impacted. It looks at how Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and other video conferencing platforms like Zoom can connect us in the virtual world, but make us feel more anxious and disconnected. Fergusson looks at what we can do together to prevent and reduce loneliness.

In the UK, Tracey Crouch was appointed as the first Minister of Loneliness in 2018 in the world and said “Nobody should feel alone or be left with no one to turn to. Loneliness is a serious issue that affects people of all ages and backgrounds, and it is right that we tackle it head on.” In 2021, Japan appointed a Minister of Loneliness to implement measures to prevent social isolation. At this present time, New Zealand does not have a Minister; however maybe we should?

Melissa Fergusson directed and produced the documentary ‘Loneliness in Aotearoa’ as part of her evidence-based research on loneliness as a Masters student at Tech Futures Lab in Auckland. Fergusson has been a writer, director and producer for screen and stage for the last 12 years.

www.lonelinessinaotearoa.com