Wellington Spring Events

Dance
Exhibitions
Film
Music
Special Events
Sport
Theatre and Comedy

Dance
26 September, End-of-Term Studio Showing
Bold new work and traditional classics from classical and contemporary students of the New Zealand School of Dance.
Venue: Studio 1, Te Whaea: National Dance & Drama Centre, 11 Hutchison Road, Newtown, phone 381 9253.

31 October – 8 November, The Meridian Season of Don Quixote
One of the great comedic ballets of all time. To mark his 50th year with the Royal New Zealand Ballet, Sir Jon Trimmer will star as The Don. Accompanied by the Vector Wellington Orchestra.
Venue: St James Theatre, Courtenay Place, phone Ticketek 0800 842 5383, visit www.ticketek.co.nz

19-29 November, New Zealand School of Dance Graduation Season
Our freshest dance talents perform classics from the world and premiere new work.
Venue: Studio 1, Te Whaea: National Dance & Drama Centre, 11 Hutchison Road, Newtown, phone 381 9253

Exhibitions
To 12 October, TREATY 2 U
Discover the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand’s founding document. A touring exhibition created by Te Papa, Archives New Zealand and the National Library.
Venue: Museum of Wellington, Queens Wharf, phone 472 8904, visit www.museumofwellington.co.nz

To November: Celebrating Bill Phillips
Showcasing prominent New Zealand economist Bill Phillips, inventor of the Moniac hydraulic computer and the Phillips curve.
Venue: Reserve Bank Museum, 2 The Terrace, phone 471 3682, email museum@rbnz.govt.nz

To 8 November, Cautionary Tales
The satirical engravings of William Hogarth, from the Drawings, Paintings and Print Collection of the Alexander Turnbull Library.
Venue: National Library, Corner Aitken and Molesworth Streets, visit www.natlib.govt.nz

To 8 November, Grimm Stuff: Folk Tales and Fairy Stories
Gathered from the Dorothy Neal White and National Children’s Collections.
Venue: National Library, corner Aitken and Molesworth Streets, visit www.natlib.govt.nz

To 2009, A Friend in Need
Stories of the US Marines based in New Zealand in World War II. Many of them found safe have at St Paul’s.
Venue: Old St Paul’s, Mulgrave Street, Thorndon, phone 473 6722 or visit www.oldstpauls.co.nz

From 28 September, Colours: Moments in Fashion
A fabulous array of clothes and accessories from Te Papa’s collections.
Venue: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Cable Street, phone 382 7000, visit www.tepapa.govt.nz

From 11 November, Coming Home
An exhibition commemorating Armistice Day, 90 years after the end of World War I, and telling the stories of the grief and loss faced across the nation.
Venue: Archives New Zealand, 10 Mulgrave Street, phone 499 5595, visit: www.archives.govt.nz

Film
1-29 October, The Wellingtonista Season
Local favourites and an opportunity to see the capital city in all its cinematic glory.
Venue: The Film Archive, 84 Taranaki Street, phone 386 7647, visit www.filmarchive.org.nz

Music
6-9 October, The Big Beat
Musical discovery with internationally acclaimed Strike Percussion. Master classes and interactive performances.
Venue: Capital E, Civic Square, phone 913 3720, visit www.capitale.org.nz

7 October, Jerusalem Quartet
One of the world’s most dynamic quartets perform in Wellington as part of Chamber Music New Zealand’s 2008 concert season.
Venue: Wellington Town Hall, Wakefield Street, phone Ticketek 0800 842 5383, visit www.ticketek.co.nz

9-11 October, The Woolshed Sessions
Lashings of lap-steel guitar, vocal harmony sing-a-longs and banjo punctuations with Age Pryor, Jess Chambers, Justin Firefly and friends.
Venue: Bats Theatre, 1 Kent Terrace, phone 802 4175, email book@bats.co.nz

11 October, Abbamania
The ‘best Abba show since Abba’ recreates the last ever live concert by the Swedish disco sensation.
Venue: TSB Arena, Queens Wharf, phone Ticketek 0800 842 5383, visit www.ticketek.co.nz

24 October & 8 November, The Pacific Blue Tour
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra with bass-baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes and conductor Pietari Inkinen.
Venue: Michael Fowler Centre, Wakefield Street, phone Ticketek 0800 842 5383, visit www.ticketek.co.nz

4 November, Paul Young & Tony Hadley NZ Tour
Dust down your ‘Frankie Says…’tee and get the gang together for a fun night of 80s nostalgia. Legendary 80s singer Paul Young is laying his hat in New Zealand this November and will be joined on stage by former Spandau Ballet lead singer, Tony Hadley.
Venue: Opera House, phone 0800 TICKETEK, visit www.ticketek.co.nz

9 November, Concert of Remembrance
Vector Wellington Orchestra and the Orpheus Choir perform Brahms’ A German Requiem and Pigovat’s The Holocaust Requiem to mark the 70th anniversary of the Kristallnacht massacres.
Venue: Michael Fowler Centre, phone Ticketek 0800 842 5383, visit www.ticketek.co.nz

10 November, Hespèrion XXI
Mediaeval, renaissance and baroque music from the world’s leading early music ensemble.
Venue: Ilott Theatre, Wellington Town Hall, Wakefield Street, phone Ticketek 0800 842 5383, visit www.ticketek.co.nz

Special Events
5 September-24 November, Botanic Garden Guided Walks
Easy to moderate walks explore international plants, heritage and modern roses, strange trees and water features.
Venue: Wellington Botanic Garden, Treehouse Visitor Centre, phone 499 1400, visit www.Wellington.govt.nz

26 September-21 December, Otari-Wilton’s Bush Guided Walks
Featuring birds, the new Otari Skyline Loop walk (for the fit), and much more.
Venue: Otari-Wilton’s Bush, Wilton Road, phone the Treehouse Visitor Centre 499 1400, visit www.Wellington.govt.nz

27 September-11 October, School Holidays at Capital E
Make a video that the whole of New Zealand can see, devise your own theatrical masterpiece and learn the artistic skills of Digital Illustration.
Venue: Capital E, Civic Square, phone 913 3720, visit www.capitale.org.nz

28 September-12 October, Wellington Botanic Garden Spring Festival
See 25,000 flowering tulips and other spring delights. A fortnight of daily events for young and old.
Venue: Wellington Botanic Garden, phone the Treehouse Visitor Centre 499 1400, visit www.Wellington.govt.nz

25-26 October, Diwali Festival of Lights
Celebrate this ancient Indian festival with the Bollywood Dance Competition, Garba Dandiya Night, Festival of Lights, a photographic exhibition and the exhibition ‘Masala – The Story of Spices in Indian Cuisine’.
Venue: TSB Bank Arena, visit www.asianz.org.nz/diwali

1 November, Fireworks Fantastic
Live entertainment, food stalls and children’s rides followed by Upper Hutt’s annual Fireworks Fantastic – a family friendly event not to be missed.
Venue: Trentham Memorial Park, Fergusson Drive, Trentham, Upper Hutt, phone 527 2141, visit www.upperhuttcity.com

5 November, Pelorus Trust Sky Show Fireworks
Sheer spectacle: see the harbour light up with giant star bursts, shooting rockets and other pyrotechnic wonders.
Venue: Wellington Harbour, visit www.wellington.govt.nz

Sport
28 October-16 November FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup
Watch 16 of the world’s best footballing nations in action.
Venue: Westpac Stadium, phone 0800 224 224,visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

8 November, Wild Wellington 6/12hr Mountain Bike Relay
Hours of mountain biking, fun and entertainment, combined with great down hills and views.
Venue: Hataitai Park and Mount Victoria, visit www.wildwellington.co.nz

Theatre and Comedy
25 September-11 October, Sound of Music
A dazzling new production of the world’s best-loved musical, with the Vector Wellington Orchestra.
Venue: The Opera House, Manners Street, phone Ticketek 0800 842 5383, visit www.ticketek.co.nz

27 September-11 October, Kiwi Moon
A heartwarming tale of a little kiwi’s journey of self-discovery, with shadow puppetry, music and performance.
Venue: Capital E, Civic Square, phone 913 3720, visit www.capitale.org.nz

3-4 October, HI-5 Circus Stage Show
Juggling, tumbling, a flying trapeze - and you’re invited to join in each astounding act.
Venue: Michael Fowler Centre, Wakefield Street, phone Ticketek 0800 842 5383, visit www.ticketek.co.nz

15-16 October, One Man
British theatre legend Steven Berkoff performs in Wellington for the first time with his theatrical masterpiece One Man.
Venue: The Opera House, Manners Street, phone Ticketek 0800 842 5383, visit www.ticketek.co.nz

18 October-1 November, Apollo 13: Mission Control
From STAB 2008, live film on stage, placing the audience in charge of Mission Control with retro computers, video screens and the tiny spaceship where three astronauts fight for their lives.
Venue: Bats Theatre, 1 Kent Terrace, phone 802 4175, email book@bats.co.nz

31 October-8 November, The Pillowman
Exploring the thin edge between comedy and cruelty and crackling with the tension of a who-done-it.
Venue: Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki Street, phone 801 7992.

5-15 November, Cold Comfort Farm
Eccentric and off-beat comedy by Paul Doust, presented by Stagecraft.
Venue: Gryphon on Ghuznee, 22 Ghuznee Street, phone 385 0532, visit www.stagecraft.co.nz

7-22 November, Heat
Take a rare glimpse into the extraordinary experience, searing beauty and isolation of a winter in the Antarctic. From STAB 2008.
Venue: Bats Theatre, 1 Kent Terrace, phone 802 4175, email book@bats.co.nz

11 October-8 November, Wait Until Dark
A classic, masterfully constructed play for fans of thrillers.
Venue: Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki Street, phone 801 7992.

15 November-20 December, Roger Hall’s Red Riding Hood – The Pantomime
Enjoy the hilarious jokes and musical goodies in Roger Hall’s Christmas pantomime. What a big smile you’ll have!
Venue: Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki Street, phone 801 7992.

27-29 November, The Real Hot Bitches Present… Rockin’ Round the Bitchmas Tree
In a bar on the wrong side of town, your favourite community dance troupe present the best Christmas show in the whole darn city.
Venue: Bats Theatre, 1 Kent Terrace, phone 802 4175, email book@bats.co.nz

9-13 December, I’d Love to Have a Beer with Duncan
Duncan Sarkies spins colourful yarns from his book Two Little Boys. Warning, the characters are extremely poor role models. A talking books fundraiser show.
Venue: Bats Theatre, 1 Kent Terrace, phone 802 4175, email book@bats.co.nz