Raven stretches her wings

A 10-year-old from Millwater, Raven Advincula, has been selected to represent NZ with the Black Stars team at an international performing arts championship later this year.

The competition, at Anaheim Disneyland, Los Angeles, will be the 26th annual World Championships of Performing Arts. More than 60 countries will send teams to compete for medals as well as the chance to be seen on an international stage and take part in workshops.

The categories include acting, singing and dancing and Raven enjoys all three, but will compete as a solo vocalist.

Her mother Cherrie says they discovered Raven’s love of performing when she unexpectedly jumped on the Chinese Lantern Festival’s karaoke stage at the age of three and sang a song from Moana

Since then her passion for the stage has grown. She has been in the Auckland Performing Arts Academy since 2018 and has performed in a number of shows as well as at fundraising and church events. The Carmel College Year 7 student was born in the Philippines and moved to NZ with her family when she was aged 1.

WOWW on its way

Raven, aged 10, says she wants to make NZ proud when she sings in America.

She says pop music and Broadway Musicals are her favourites – her repertoire includes songs by Adele.

“When I sing, I feel free,” Raven says. Every competitor must pay their own way, so after her selection was confirmed, just a few weeks ago, the huge task of fundraising to get Raven to the competition began. The event is in July.

To support Raven, visit https://givealittle. co.nz/cause/raven-goes-to-hollywood Info on the competition: www.wcopa.com

To hear Raven sing, follow the link that is with this story on our website, www. localmatters.co.nz

The Evolution Sails Women on Water Weekend (WOWW) being hosted by Gulf Harbour Yacht Club is fast approaching and the club is keen for more women who want to get into sailing or return to the sport to sign-up. The event takes place on March 10-12, but entries close on February 23. WOWW is designed to provide an opportunity for women of all ages to get out on the water and increase their confidence and enjoyment regardless of prior experience or expertise. Entrants can provide their own boats and crew or be allocated a place on one of the yachts made available by club members. The programme of activities starts on Friday with a familiarisation sail to Tiritiri Matangi followed by a burger buffet at the club. Saturday and Sunday there will be back-to-back racing. Saturday evening will be a buffet dinner and dancing and the final prizegiving will follow the last race on Sunday. Commodore Phil Shaw says the club is privileged to have been awarded the regatta by Auckland Yacht and Boating Association, providing an opportunity to grow women’s participation in sailing. Entry is open to participants from all over the country for a weekend of fun on and off the water. Info and registration: www.ghyc.co.nz/woww-2023/woww-2023