Tuesday 21st May 2024, in Workshops & Retreats

Students will be encouraged to bring their own textiles - something that they would like to 'stretch' professionally. This textile will be stretched over a frame, much as a painting is on stretched canvas. The stretched textile can be the finished work itself. Alternatively this stretched 'textile', much as a canvas is stretched for painting, can then be used as the base in unlimited applications. For example - paint added, beads or embroidery / further embellishment added, patchworked and / or - multiple stretched pieces could be combined to create forms / shapes from your original 'soft' textiles.

This one day workshop will involve the stretching of your 'textile' upon which, experimentation will be encouraged. Larisse will offer 'cheat' solutions to 'problems' as they arise. It is envisioned as a fun learning environment, with like minded people and unpredictable yet exciting outcomes resulting!

Secure your space now. Please phone Larisse 027 358 2006 or email larissehallartist@gmail.com
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Also offered on Saturday May 25th at Te Pukenga / NMIT Room G102
(Choose the day / venue that works best for you)

Wednesday 22nd May 2024, in Visual Arts & Crafts

Join members of this group of dedicated master weavers from around Aotearoa New Zealand who came together in 1991 to promote excellence in the art of weaving and art textiles.

Their origin story: how, when, where and, why they formed, who they are and what motivates the group to continue to produce works of excellence.

Wednesday 22nd-Saturday 25th May 2024, in Music & Performing Arts

When Caryl Churchill wrote Vinegar Tom in 1976, she said, "I wanted to write a play about witches with no witches in it; a play not about evil, hysteria and possession by the devil, but about poverty, humiliation and prejudice, and how the women accused of witchcraft saw themselves."

The play examines gender and power relationships through the lens of 17th-century witchcraft trials in England.

The play's title comes from the name of one character's pet cat, supposed to be her familiar spirit, likely inspired by the supposed imp of a woman tried and executed for witchcraft in Essex in 1645.

Esteemed and award-winning local director Anton Bentley says, "While it's set in the 17th century, the themes are as relevant today as they were then. It highlights female struggles in the past and modern day, in an engaging and accessible way, juxtaposed with modern songs."

Contains adult themes. R15

Thursday 23rd May 2024, in Music & Performing Arts

JS Bach – Sonata for Violin and Harpsichord in B minor – Adagio (performed on violin and piano)
Khachaturian – Song-Poem (1929)
Prokofiev- Violin and Piano Sonata no.1 in F minor
Messiaen – Quartet for the End of Time – Praise to the Immortality of Jesus

Juliet Ayre and Zeb Wulff both grew up in Nelson studying at NCMA, they now teach and perform in Nelson.
In this programme they will be playing Prokofiev’s magical Violin sonata no.1

Sponsored by Nelson Pine Industries, GoldenEdge MDF

Thursday 23rd May 2024, in Workshops & Retreats

Using 'found' or created fabrics, eg crocheted shawls, embroidered tablecloths, vintage fabrics or something you have uniquely screen printed / embroidered yourself, etc to create a dress for you or a friend.

Students will leave with a finished creation that they can wear. They will use production patterns to create from, learning a few cheat sewing and fit techniques along the way. This class endorses the slow fashion approach.

Suitable for beginners through to the more advanced sewer. An easy to use 'production' pattern will be supplied and 'cheat' fit solutions / pattern alterations will be offered to those requiring fit alterations (the patterns provided are multi fit - trialled by myself and my daughter who have opposite body shapes!). Fabrics will be available for purchase (for those who arrive without fabric).

​Secure your space now. Please phone Larisse 027 358 2006 or email larissehallartist@gmail.com

Also offered on Sunday 26th May at NMIT.
(Choose the day/venue that works best for you)

Saturday 25th May 2024, in Music & Performing Arts

Tessa’s voice has been described as having a “milky sparkle” who “scats and purrs” her own unique flavour.

While still in her 20s Tessa released her debut album ‘Whisper Not’ (2010).

She is currently vocal coach at the Nelson Centre for Musical Arts and performs regularly.

Sunday 26th May 2024, in Music & Performing Arts

Wilson Dixon is known to many as the greatest country singer Cripple Creek has ever produced - as well as the only country singer Cripple Creek has ever produced. Whichever way you look at it, it’s a pretty good achievement.

Life of late has been fun* for Wilson navigating his way through the pandemic denying QAnon believing alt right leaning members of his own family.

*Use of the word “fun" in the previous sentence is heavily nuanced.

Join Wilson for an intimate hour as he performs his brand-new show with brand new songs about his unfortunately not brand new extended family.

(p.s. expect a few new stories about his binge eating angry horse Andrew).

Sunday 26th May 2024, in Music & Performing Arts

Meet Imani-J, the versatile and accomplished songwriter, also known as Alyahna Sanson-Rejouis. Her acoustic-pop style, infused with soulful lyrics, reflects a passion for music and dance cultivated since childhood. Imani-J, proficient in English, Te Reo Maori, and French, draws inspiration from everyday moments, delivering deeply emotive performances influenced by artists like Jorja Smith, Kali Uchis, Billie Eilish, and Sade.

At just twelve, she was the youngest solo winner of the National Smokefree Tangata Beats competition in 2020 with her Te Reo Maori song "Manawa Ora." A three-time National finalist for Play It Strange, Imani-J has become a regular performer in the region, from busking to opening for soul singer Hollie Smith. Now aged 16 and with five released singles, she continues to evolve her artistry, promising a bright future in the world of music.

Sunday 26th May 2024, in Visual Arts & Crafts

Hamuera Manihera (Ngāti Kuia) who is also Kaitiaki Taonga at Nelson Provisional Museum, will be sharing his practice of weaving.

This kākahu (Māori cloak) is made in the kaitaka paepaeroa style using muka fibre – which comes from harakeke (phormium tenax) – coloured with a natural dye from native trees and iron rich mud (paru).

All welcome at Āwhio | Refinery ArtSpace

Sunday 26th May 2024, in Visual Arts & Crafts

Creative play to loosen to your textile practice and/or scratch that itch to stitch.
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A playful textiles-based session touching on sources of inspiration, mark making, and repurposed materials - textile or otherwise. Beginners welcome.

Materials and tools provided.

Sunday 26th May 2024, in Visual Arts & Crafts

Installation Artist Sue Heydon examines the practice of fossicking for natural materials from mystical locations, to use in her work.

Free Talk at the Refinery ArtSpace - All welcome.

Wednesday 29th May 2024, in Visual Arts & Crafts

Following on from the successful 'Beyond Borders' exhibition at The Refinery in 2023, we have 'Bonds beyond borders' - an evening connecting the threads.

​The Global Stitch up is a creative hub and newly formed social enterprise for migrant and former refugee women. You are invited to join the circle of women to weave stories, memories and find those common threads that give us a fabric of unity / kotahitanga.

We believe that everyone deserves to be welcomed and included, and that nobody should be isolated or lonely. We recognise that people coming together around the arts can be transformational for our communities.

Thank you to our divine cousins at Cultural Conversations.

Free at the Refinery ArtSpace - All welcome.

Thursday 30th May 2024, in Sports

SAL’S NBL LAUNCHES RAPID LEAGUE FOR 2024

Strap yourself in, there’s even more Kiwi basketball coming your way next year.

The Rapid League, an innovative concept initially proposed by Sky Sport commentator Justin Nelson, hit the court earlier this year and immediately delivered positives to the Tauihi competition, including increased player development, more television coverage, and additional commercial revenue opportunities for the league and teams across the competition.
Sky Broadband Rapid League games will be played immediately prior to Sal’s NBL games, tipping off exactly one hour prior to the later games, with the four-by-four-minute-quarter Rapid League featuring up to seven players named on the bench for each team in the long version of the games that day. As with the G.J. Gardner Homes Tauihi, starters are not eligible to take part in Sky Broadband Rapid League games.

Thursday 30th May 2024, in Music & Performing Arts

Expressions is a performance showcase presented by F.A. Dance Centre Company dancers.

Join us for a night of unforgettable entertainment as the company presents Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Musical Theatre and Contemporary pieces. Be impressed and mesmerised by these talented young dancers as they prepare for a National Dance Competition in Australia in January 2025.

With something for everyone, come along for this special one night only performance.

Thursday 30th May 2024, in Music & Performing Arts

Bach, Schubert, Villa-Lobos

Sponsored by Nelson Pine Industries, GoldenEdge MDF

Friday 31st May-Monday 3rd June 2024, in Education, Heritage & Culture, Music & Performing Arts

Ceol Aneas (Music From the South) is New Zealand's largest gathering of Irish traditional music and has been running for the past 24 years. Musicians from all over New Zealand and Australia gather annually in Nelson over King's Birthday weekend for a weekend of classes and music. The event provides tuition in Irish flute, tin whistle, fiddle, banjo and mandolin, accordion and concertina, guitar, traditional singing, set dancing and uilleann pipes.

FRIDAY - The Friday night informal live lounge concert will be held at the Nelson Centre of Musical Arts.

SATURDAY - Bring the whole family to have fun at our community céilí at Trafalgar Hall on Saturday night. Come and listen to a traditional music session in bars and cafés around town, from 8 pm till late at The Free House, the Prince Albert and other venues. Please see our website for more detailed venue information. A family-friendly singing session will be held on Saturday and Sunday from 3.30pm - 5.30pm (venue TBC).

SUNDAY - The Sunday evening Festival Highlight Concert will be at The Nelson Centre of Musical Arts at 7pm on Sunday, and will feature an exciting lineup of festival guests.

We hope you'll join us for a weekend of great music and 'craic' (Irish for a good time!)

Friday 31st May 2024, in Music & Performing Arts, Youth

Rock the City is back! Nelson’s long-running youth music concert is returning to the Theatre Royal Nelson.

Rock the City is a non-competitive band showcase that is all about supporting our talented young musicians and giving them the opportunity to play in a professional environment to an audience of their peers. This year we are beyond excited to present a phenomenal line up of: KC, Lobotomy Stare, Solace, Finesse, Tizzy, Shed Heads and Imperfect Circles. With this talented mix of artists there is sure to be something for everyone, from indie rock to acoustic ballads and everything in between.

So, bring your friends, bring your family and get ready to be blown away by the talent on display. This is a night you won't want to miss!

Saturday 1st-Monday 3rd June 2024, in Conservation & Environment

We aim to continue the fine work of previous conferences in making this the premier event for the communication of new research findings about birds in New Zealand, and for providing opportunities for discussion, networking and field trips for professional and amateur ornithologists, students and others who are interested in birds and their habitats.

We will be presenting talks on a wide range of topics, and look forward to bringing together researchers and all who are interested to share their knowledge and findings to make this conference a dynamic, informative and memorable event.

We look forward to hosting you in Nelson for a fantastic weekend of birds and birding!

Earlybird registration and abstract submission close 31 March.

Saturday 1st June 2024, in Community Events

The Ngaio Marsh Awards, in association with Nelson Public Libraries, invites Top of the South booklovers to a criminally good afternoon with four talented and terrific Kiwi storytellers.

New Zealand's modern-day Queen of Crime Vanda Symon, aka 'Darth Vanda' from Traitors NZ, is joined by Ngaio Marsh Award-winning Nelson author Chris Stuart and Motueka cop and crime writer Stef Harris for a discussion on how they craft page-whirring tales full of memorable characters, and incorporate real-life themes into their novels. Local filmmaker, writer and actor Douglas Brooks will keep the peace and prosecute the offenders.

Saturday 1st-Monday 3rd June 2024, in Education, Heritage & Culture, Music & Performing Arts

Come along and learn four songs from the wonderful traditional singer Aoife Ni Mhurchu from Ireland.

Proudly hailing from Dublin, Aoife was steeped in a rich musical tradition from a very young age. A fluent Irish speaker, she shares the same passion for music and the arts as her grandparents, who lived and breathed traditional Irish music and culture. Aoife studied music and German at Maynooth University, taking a particular interest in the traditional Irish music and popular culture modules presented by Adrian Scahill. In 2019, Aoife completed a Master’s degree in Primary Education and is passionate about bringing music and song into her classroom every day. It was here in Maynooth where her love of singing truly took flight as she immersed herself in the university’s dynamic choral music scene. In 2014 she performed as part of a live screening production of Gladiator in the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin, and sang at the annual Maynooth Christmas Carol Service from 2014-2017.

Aoife moved to New Zealand in 2022 and has been enjoying the flourishing Irish music scene in Christchurch and elsewhere around the country.

All keen singers welcome, but register quickly! Class size is limited.