The Spinoff’s top pick of events from around the motu. Here’s the best for the week October 16-23.
Welcome to The Spinoff event guide, your weekly, curated selection of gigs, events and exhibitions happening across Aotearoa. If you want to pitch your event for future guides then please use this handy form.
Tāmaki Makaurau
Immersive experience: The Public Stand: An Ode to the Avondale Racecourse
Avondale Jockey Club, 22 Elm St
6pm Fri, October 17; 3pm, Sat, October 18
Free
Encounter the Avondale Racecourse in a new way with an immersive experience celebrating its rich history, created by artists Molly Mullen and Becca Wood. Audiences either walk around the course listening to audio recordings; or gather in the stands to listen over the tannoy. Live performers included.
Theatre: Captain Morrow and the Sands of Time
Q Theatre
7.30pm Tues, October 21 (and runs until November 8)
$32.50–$42.50
Two actors, one musician, 40+ characters and 60 minutes. “Think The Mighty Boosh meets Treasure Island: Directed by local legend Barnie Duncan.”
Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts
7.30pm Friday, October 17
$10.35 – $35.88
In the first half of the concert, Brent Stewart (guest conductor), and the orchestra will “unwrap” the music — bringing out key themes, rhythms, and harmonies, and sharing insights into Beethoven’s ideas and emotions through the music itself. This is not a lecture, but an invitation: an open, playful, and informal way to get closer to Beethoven’s genius. After a short break the orchestra returns to perform the entire symphony in full. With new understanding and familiarity, the second half becomes an unforgettable listening experience.
Te Whanganui-a-Tara
Music: Wellington Jazz Festival
Multiple venues
15–19 October (various times)
The capital’s annual jazz explosion.
Whakatū
Arts Festival: Nelson Arts Festival
Multiple venues
Thursday, 23 October – Sunday, 2 November
A glorious pick’n’mix of theatre, writers, workshops, circus, music and the ever-delightful mask carnivale, pictured above.
Ōhinetahi
Festivity: Governors Bay Fête
Allandale Domain
11am – 3pm Sunday, October 19
Free
“Live music and games for the kids as well as plant and garden clubs stalls, locally made crafts and pottery, coffee and food (of course!).”
Ōtepoti
Literature: Dunedin Writers & Readers Festival
Multiple venues
17, 18 & 19 October
$0–$55
Dunedin comes alive with the sound of writers talking and readers asking questions. A superb line-up of authors from across Aotearoa are set to take part in a series of inventive, thoughtfully curated events.
