The Spinoff’s top pick of events from around the motu. Here’s the best for the week December 11–18.
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
Music: International Tango Day
Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell
7pm Sat, December 13
$0 – $45
“Join AOTANGO Quintet and the Auckland Chamber Choir for a captivating evening of tango, world music, and dance.”
Kirikiriroa
Comedy: Tim Batt Tests Himself
Nivara Lounge, 266 Victoria St
7.30pm Thurs, December 11
$16.58
“See Tim as he builds a new hour of comedy for the Aus/NZ comedy festival circuit taking on fatherhood, fascism and being F’ed off at the scam-ifacation of everyday life. Join him in this Work In Progress performance as Tim showcases an equal amount of brilliant and borderline jokes.”
Te Whanganui-a-Tara
Film/spectacle: Avatar: Fire & Ash Premiere Weekend
Courtenay Place / Embassy Theatre
Sat, December 13 (crowd warm-up starts at 4pm)
Free for the crowd
Roads are closing! People are adding the final flourishes to their blue creature cossies! James Cameron is working on his speech! The Embassy Theatre is sweeping up the stray popcorn! It’s your time to shine, or at least glow a luminous blue, Wellington.
Theatre: The Man Whose Mother Was A Pirate – The Musical
Hannah Playhouse, Courtenay Place
Various times, December 11 – 14
$17.38–$43
“The Man Whose Mother was a Pirate – The Musical is a brand-new musical theatre voyage, with songs and sea-shanties crafted by Te Whanganui-a-tara’s own Nino Raphael. Inspired by Margaret Mahy’s much-loved children’s tale and authorised by the author’s estate, this rollicking production breathes new wind and adventure into one of Aotearoa’s favourite stories.”
Ōtautahi
Fundraiser: Ōtautahi 4 Palestine
A rolling stone
8pm Sat, 13 December
$25
An art auction, kōrero and music fundraiser for the people of Gaza featuring Ariana Tikao, Juanita Hepi, Sara Qasem, Simurgh Music School, Lara Sheehi, Stephen Sheehi, Ayaluna, Heavy Liftah, Vallé, Big Sima & Nazarite, Ron Guevara,DVS, Niva-Jean and Benjamin Canute.
Fundraiser: Ride On Super Sound Ruins Christmas
Space Academy
8pm Sat, 13 December
$10–$20
“Ride On Super Sound (Otautahi’s favourite struggling volunteer-run record, comic and zine store) is throwing a Christmas benefit gig for itself, featuring an all-star line up of local heroes – unhinged prog-punk hooligans Adrenochrome Babies, ennui-soaked divorce-core janglers Avon Dads, bombastic hip-hop megaforce Martian Law, unstoppable sadgrrl rave juggernaut Mr Meaty Boy, lo-fi six-string legends Salad Boys, fuzzed-out garage psychsters S.E.I.S.M.I.C., analog techno scientists Toyota, some surprise synth and DJ sets, and visuals from VJ Gary.
Purchase tickets to what will surely be St Asaph Street’s musical event of the decade and witness some fine local music, consume delicious Space Academy beverages, buy some local band merch and help Christchurch’s least-eligible-for-arts-funding non-profit community organisation defeat capitalism and survive for another year.”
Ōtepoti
Artist talk: Q & A with Ruby Jones
Tūhura Otago Museum, 419 Great King Street
6.30pm Fri, December 12
Free (but bookings essential)
“Celebrate the opening of the exhibition Soft Lines: Illustrating Empathy with Ruby Jones, Damian Newell will host a special Q & A with artist Ruby Jones.
Ruby is a New Zealand gem known for her emotionally resonant illustrations that explore human connection and spark conversations around some of the most pressing social and environmental issues of our time. Her simple, heartfelt images and messages have become gentle yet powerful calls for awareness and collective action, earning her recognition around the world.”
