Gig Guide
Shoppers at Invercargill Central Mall were treated to a scene straight out of the roaring twenties on Saturday morning, as glamorous Gatsby showgirls, gangsters, and a stunning 1925 Chrysler transformed the mall into a theatrical slice of vintage spectacle.
The unique promotional photoshoot was created to build excitement for Alzheimer’s Society Southland’s upcoming Great Gatsby Charity Dinner & Circus, taking place June 6 at Ascot Park Hotel.
Board chairman Kerran Larson and accountant Jayden Prattley posed as gangsters alongside the vintage car, which had been moved into the mall earlier in the week.
Prop designer Devon DeGroot crafted the wooden Tommy gun for the shoot. Showgirls in sparkling vintage costumes drew crowds throughout the morning as photographers captured the scene.
"Most people in Southland would not equate dementia with exciting entertainment. However, we think otherwise," Larson said.
"In support of the community and to raise awareness and education around dementia, Alzheimer's Southland is hosting a Charity Dinner & Cabaret Circus on the 6th of June. With stunning entertainment acts from across New Zealand, live auctions, and a two-course dinner plus dessert, the event promises to be one of grandeur and spectacle."
Larson encouraged people to "dress up and enjoy a night of Great Gatsby-themed elegance, while supporting persons and families affected by dementia."
"We look forward to seeing you there in your best flapper dresses and pinstripe suits!"
Event coordinator Jersey Rhein said watching the mall activation come together was rewarding after months of behind-the-scenes work.
"Seeing the costumes and characters come to life in the mall was incredibly exciting for me," Rhein said. "I've spent countless hours designing, styling, rhinestoning, and curating all of these visual elements behind the scenes, so seeing them finally out in the world — even just for a small glimpse of what's to come — was really special."
Rhein said mall-goers responded exactly as hoped. "People stopped, smiled, took photos, interacted with the performers, and really leaned into the atmosphere we were creating. That's exactly the feeling I want guests to have when they walk into the event itself on June 6."
"This photoshoot was only a tiny taste of the scale, glamour, and spectacle we're building for the full evening, and it's been incredibly rewarding to start seeing that vision come to life for such an important cause. I'm also incredibly proud to be working alongside the Alzheimer's Society Southland team and board on this event. Their support, trust, and enthusiasm for the vision has made it possible to create something truly special for the Southland community."
The June 6 event will feature internationally recognised circus and cabaret artists Paul Klaass, Oblivion Westwood, Verona Vega, and Abigail Rose. Matt Adair of IIII Photography captured Saturday's promotional shoot.
Tickets are available now, with organisers encouraging early bookings.