Velvet Rebels, Māori Sidesteps and Queenstown Writers Festival: The Spinoff event guide
The Velvet Rebels are performing in Whakatū this week as part of the final days of Nelson Arts Festival.
The Spinoff’s top pick of events from around the motu. Here’s the best for the week October 30–November 6.
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
Festivity: FREAKOUT: Halloween on Karangahape Rd
Karangahape Rd
6pm till late Fri, October 31
Free
“A carnival of chaos, packed with tricks, treats, chills, thrills and plenty of surprises.”
Tauranga
Literature: Descending Fire – Remembering Sherryl Jordan
Carrus Crystal Place
10am Sunday, November 2
$27.12
An event to celebrate the late, great Tauranga writer Sherryl Jordan – author of Winter of Fire, Tanith, The Juniper Game, and The Raging Quiet to name a few – whose posthumous memoir, Descending Fire, was released this year.
Te Whanganui-a-Tara
Music/Theatre: The Māori Sidesteps
Circa Theatre
6.30pm Fri, October 28 (until November 1)
$15 – $49
“The Sidesteps flip comedic nostalgia on its head and weave stunning harmonies with theatrical play, skewering social idioms and shining a cheeky light on what it means to be Māori in 2025.” I’d say take the whole family but just note the PG recommendation.
Whakatū
Music: The Velvet Rebels
NCMA
6pm Sat, November 1
$29–$39
Celebrate the sound of Rat Pack era with a night of smooth croons from Rutene Spooner (Ngāti Porou, Ngāruahine, Ngāti Kahungunu) and Shea Kokaua.
Ōhinehou
Music: C.W. Stoneking
The Loons, Lyttelton
8pm Sun, November 2
$65
The final date of the tour for this Australian musician who Tom Waits said sounds like he’s 600 years old and who is often compared to Tom Waits.
Tāhuna
Literature: Queenstown Writers Festival
Te Atamira and other venues
October 30 – November 3
$0 – $49
Queenstown Writers Festival is an annual celebration of books and includes workshops and talks with writers from all over Aotearoa. This year’s line-up includes Grant Robertson, Duncan Sarkies, Sonia Wilson, Damien Wilkins, Diana Wichtel, Owen Marshall and many more.
Claire Mabey
Claire Mabey is a children's author of The Raven's Eye Runaways, The Raven's Eye Rebellion, and a picture book Cass and the Beast illustrated by Jill Calder. For a long time Claire worked on literary festivals and is the founder of Verb Wellington. She lives in Te Whanganui-a-Tara with her partner and son.
