This weekend the Wellington region is celebrating a range of events, from Matariki to Christmas in July.
Festival of Christmas in Greytown
Greytown, July 1 to 31, 3pm, free and ticketed events
Greytown will again be glowing with an incredible month-long programme of lights, night markets, workshops, parties, and family fun, as part of the month-long Festival of Christmas. From gingerbread lattes and mulled gin cocktails to gingerbread hunts, there’s plenty to sink your teeth into. The programme has also been spiced up with some new events and workshops alongside the return of some favourites.
Tickets: greytownvillage.com/festival-of-christmas-2022-events
Jericho Rock-Archer/Stuff
The St James Theatre will have an open day on Saturday July 2.
Open day at the St James
July 2, 10am-8pm, St James Theatre, free
Celebrate the opening of the St James with tours, performances, a street party, and more. Plus, BATS Theatre, Circa Theatre, Hannah Playhouse and Te Auaha will also be opening their doors for behind-the-scenes tours. Visit wellington.govt.nz/st-james for programme.
Performing arts
Laser Kiwi – Rise of the Olive
Te Auaha, 65 Dixon St, July 1-2, 8pm, $27.76 – $34.04
Featuring world-record upside down juggling and Jenga stunts as seen on TVNZ’s 60 seconds – catch this powerhouse trio before they hit the international touring circuit. Expect bizarre ideas, high level circus and a bloody good night out.
Tickets: Eventbrite.co.nz
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Laser Kiwi – Rise of the Olive will feature Jenga stunts.
Krishnan’s Dairy
Te Raukura Ki Kāpiti, July 1-2, 7pm, $25-$55
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see one of New Zealand’s most loved plays. Krishnan’s Dairy is a cultural phenomenon that sells out every time. Take a look behind the counter of the corner dairy and discover a love story as wondrous as the Taj Mahal.
Tickets: Eventfinda.co.nz
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Krishna’s Dairy is on in Kāpiti this weekend.
Arts & Tarts: A live drawing variety burlesque show
Fringe Bar, July 3, 4pm, tickets from $10
Bring your pads, pens, pencils, paints, or your favourite art medium along and draw some of Wellington’s finest cabaret performers at the Fringe bar, hosted every month by Viola Nightshade.
Tickets: kiwiticket.co.nz/events/arts-tarts-july-03-07-2022
Dope As Sunday Comedy
Fringe Bar, July 3, 7pm, $20
Wellington’s dopest monthly Sunday comedy show invites you to the Fringe Bar to finish your weekend the right way, with your regular hosts Anya Rzhevitskaya and Daniel John Smith.
Tickets: kiwiticket.co.nz/events/dope-as-sunday-comedy-03-07-2022
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Comedian Katie Boyle dressed in character as Pat Goldsack.
Katie Boyle in Pat Goldsack’s Swingers Club and Brothel
July 2, 7.30pm, Whirinaki Whare Taonga in Upper Hutt, $20
87-year-old Patricia Goldsack, known as Pat to her friends and lovers has toured New Zealand for the last six decades with her touring swingers club and brothel. Looking to make a dollar in her old age, and lots of new and naked friends, she explores how close two degrees is and whether we can make that separation smaller.
Tickets: whirinakiarts.org.nz
Exhibitions
Capital Photographer of the Year: The Exhibition
Courtenay Creative, 49 Courtenay Place, July 1-2, 9-5pm, free
Handpicked from 2500 submissions, Capital Photographer of the Year: The Exhibition will showcase the best images from the 2022 competition, across six diverse categories. It’s the second time the competition has been held, in conjunction with Mazz Scannell, and has become the region’s biggest photography competition. On July 2 from 9am, enjoy a dog-friendly session and browse finalists with your pooch, plus pick up a free bag of doggy treats.
Interactive Matariki night sky experience
Te Rauparaha Arena, July 2-3, various daytime session, free
Experience the indoor night sky, interactive digital displays or send your Matariki wishes to the sky in our spectacular starlit setting at Te Rauparaha Arena.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks at Te Papa to mark Matariki, a historic moment that ‘unites us under the stars of Aotearoa’
Pleiades: A Woven Narrative
Pātaka: Art+Museum, Porirua, until July 19
In this exhibition, you will find hints of experimentation, Greek mythology, the influence of the Pre-Raphaelites, and Patricia Armour’s love of weaving.
Music
Songwriters’ Showcase #47
Moon 1, July 3, 6pm, $10
Each Songwriters’ Showcase features three local songwriters performing their own songs. Headliner for the 3 July show is well known local musician Carol Bean. Carol’s music is heavily influenced by the music she heard growing up in LA in the 60s. Also, on the bill for this show are Kāpiti songwriter Steph Casey and Newtown local Billy Lyrical.
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Wellington Chamber Orchestra is playing at St Andrew’s on the Terrace on July 3.
Wellington Chamber Orchestra
July 3, 3pm, St Andrew’s on Terrace, $15-$20
Great tunes from the golden age of the movies – Gershwin, Shostakovich and more. Thomas Nikora piano, Michael Vinten conductor.
Tickets: Eventfinda and door
