Nature’s Symphony with Luke Gajdus

The Glenorchy Community Native Plant Nursery in collaboration with The Dark Sky Sanctuary Glenorchy is thrilled to host an intimate evening of astronomy, storytelling and music under the stars with pianist Luke Gajdus, Kaumātua Darren Rewi, and Astronomer Brian Boyle. 

To show your support for the preservation of our native biodiversity, dark skies and reforestation in Central Otago, we will be gathering for an evening of star gazing, Tātai Arorangi storytelling, kai, and tranquil compositions.

Luke Gajdus is a pianist and composer. He found the piano as a child at his uncle's house in a beech forest outside London, which quickly became his refuge. He began to improvise and compose, using the piano to tap into the unconscious, to facilitate calm, to process and reflect on emotions or to change his mood. Experiencing a profound therapeutic effect in creating music guided Luke to eventually obtain a Masters in Music Therapy. In turn, this has deepened his understanding of how music can be used to bring about balance to the mind, body and heart.
Luke's performances emphasise a state of relaxation and therapy, facilitate calm, and reflect our connectedness with the natural world. His contemporary classical compositions are deeply moving. A deep intentionality is woven through his music with live performances that reflect an eco centric perspective. Check out Luke’s 2022 debut album In Breath on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/album...

Brian is a former professional astronomer. He worked in Sydney for over 20 years, running Australia's largest optical and radio telescopes.  He was also a member of the team that discovered the acceleration of the Universe, thought to be caused by Dark Energy. Now retired, Brian has moved to the Gibbston Valley where he has built his own observatory to pursue his passion for astronomy through photography of deep space under the wonderful Otago dark skies. He loves nothing better than to share that passion of the night sky with others.

Darren Rewi is one of Central Otago’s most senior kaumātua and an exemplar of manaakitanga. Darren believes that Māori values and wisdom can extend throughout our communities, even in places we may not expect. Businesses can do as people do. A gifted storyteller and man of great mana, Darren is dedicated to his community. His work ensures local Māori have a voice within the community, and that voice is heard. His great gift is an ability to identify that unifying point of connection and act as the conduit between organisations and Kai Tahu.

In attending this event, you are directly contributing to the protection and restoration of native biodiversity of the Whakatipu Basin. All profits and donations will be allocated to the ecological work the Glenorchy Native Nursery and Dark Sky Sanctuary are committed to. What better way to show your support than enjoying an instrumental sound bath and gazing towards the heavens?

!!!PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT DUE TO THE NATURE OF THIS EVENT AND THE REQUIREMENT FOR CLEAR SKIES, A RESCHEDULING MAY OCCUR. A FULL REFUND IS GRANTED FOR THOSE INCONVENIENCED OR UNABLE TO ATTEND A SECONDARY DATE!!!

-Kids under 16 free

-This event will be camping optional as telescope viewings will be continuing into the wee hours.

-Bunk beds available in shearing quarters on site for those that do not wish to camp. $25 pp, limited spots available.

-Location: Rees Valley, Glenorchy (address given upon ticket purchase)

-Dinner included

-Parking on-site

-BYO snacks, drinks, blankets/cushions and chairs. This is an outdoor event!

“The stars, like dust, encircle me in living mists of light; and all of space I seem to see in one vast burst of sight”

Isaac Asimov