Old comedy for new audience: The Servant of Two Masters is a hilarious farce that promises laughter at every twist as the wily, and chronically hungry servant Truffaldino hatches a zany scheme to double his wages (and his meals) by serving two masters at once. Fairfield House Courtyard, January 9-13 and 15-17, 6.30pm. Tickets $25 from events.humanitix.com/the-servant-of-two-masters
L.A.B.: L.A.B are returning to Nelson for their only South Island headline show this summer. Playing alongside Kiwi legends Sir Dave Dobbyn & Troy Kingi, Trafalgar Centre, Friday, January 5.
Newtown Rocksteady: The Wellington band with its roots firmly embedded in the traditions of Jamaican rocksteady, ska and reggae music, Golden Bear Brewing Company, Māpua, Friday, January 5, 4pm-7pm.
Tāhunanui Beach market: Richmond Park Market’s Free Marketeers will be found at Tahunanui Beach Reserve, Friday, January 5, 10am-3pm.
Cabaret night: Get ready to foxtrot, swing, bossa nova, and Latin dance the night away with six-piece band Paradise, the Boathouse, Friday, January 5, 8pm, $25.
Funked Up: Serpico, DJ Distortion, Nil Trace and DJ King B bring their talents and beats to East St, Saturday, January 6, 9pm-late, $10 on door.
Book-a-rama Motueka: Get some holiday reading or stock-up for the year. A huge selection of fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, reference books, cooking, gardening, hardbacks, and more. Motueka Memorial Hall, January 6-7, 10am-4pm.
Queen and BeeGees tribute: Paul Madsen plays all the favorites, BeeGees, Queens, The Eagles, and more, Playhouse Cafe and Theatre, Māpua, $30 show, $45 2-course buffet, doors/dinner 6pm, show 8pm, Saturday, January 6.
The Bubble Show: The Bubble Show is a unique blend of magic, storytelling, science and bubble art. Enjoy bouncy bubbles, bubbles inside bubbles, smoke bubbles, square bubbles, giant bubbles, and even fire bubbles, Suter Art Gallery, 2pm-3pm, adults $25, children $20.
Jags in the Park: A biennial display of Jaguar cars old and new at Broadgreen House, Nayland Road, Stoke, Sunday, January 7, 10am-3pm.
Golden Bay Rodders: Motueka display day, set amongst mature trees at Marchwood Park. Free entry if displaying a car. $2 per person if coming to view, Sunday, January 7, 10am-2pm.
Colette Jansen Trio: Colette, Alan and Baz are professional musicians who combine the roots of jazz, blues and pop music genres into smooth and stylized performances. River Kitchen, Sunday, January 7, 3pm-5pm.
Tata Beach Swim: Dive into the refreshing waters of Tata Beach for a thrilling swimming event on Sunday, January 7. Both long course (1200m) and short course (600m) options, check-in opens 9.15am, swim 10am, over 16 $20, under-16 $10. Book online at https://www.webscorer.com/register?pid=1&raceid=334706
Higgins Heritage Park: Steam up and open day, with traction engine, school bus, honey barrel and jigger rides plus museum sheds open day, or enjoy a picnic on the Village Green or in the pavilion. Sunday, January 7, 10am-3pm, adults $5.
Summer movies al fresco: Outdoor cinema events are happening all over the region. On Friday, January 5, The Italian Job will screen at Washbourn Gardens in Richmond. Movies start at 8.30pm. $2 adult, $1 child. Upcoming films include Brother John, at Isel Park on 4 January, Shrek at Fairfield Park on 6 January, Frozen Reo Māori at Pioneer Park on 12 January, and The Italian Job at Victory Square on 19 January.
Nelson Mail
Lucinda Blackley-Jimson, Nelson Provincial Museum chief executive and Stephen Broad-Paul, chair, with some of the comical display at the Animal Antics exhibition.
Animal Antics: A hilarious exhibition curated from the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards Collection. Immerse yourself in a world of mischievous monkeys, clumsy cats, and photobombing fish, captured in their most comical moments, Nelson Provinicial Museum, until May 5.
Learning from Nature: Te Hītori Aotūroa: Learning from Nature is a thought-provoking exhibition which delves into the world of birds, bones and bugs, showcasing natural history highlights from the Nelson Provincial Museum’s collection. Precious specimens on display range from majestic toroa (Southern Royal Albatross) and snowy owls to New Zealand’s newest celebrity, the pūteketeke. Until May 5.
Mouse in the House: At Broadgreen House, we have a task for you, it’s called “Find the Mouse”! Over, under, next to and even in between. After careful inspection, how many have you seen? Children’s treasure hunt at Broadgreen House, Stoke, January 3-31, 10.30am-4.30pm.
Winter Wonderland: Step inside our theatre, which has been transformed into a Winter Wonderland. Soft fairy lights cast a gentle glow, guiding your way to magical lanes of beautifully decorated trees, each one a holiday masterpiece. Pop-up cafe, candy bar and songs by Joanna Millett, The Loft, Collingwood St, December 27-31, January 3-7, 9-14, tickets $12.50.
The Bubble Show: Actor, storyteller, and Guinness World Record holder, The Highland Joker, is one of the top bubble artists in the world. At the Suter Gallery, watch Mr Bubbles blend magic, storytelling, science and bubble art. Saturday 6 January 2024 2:00pm – 3:00pm. Adults $25, children $20. Tickets from Eventfinda.
MARTIN DE RUYTER
The Nelson Cathedral Christmas Tree Festival is on until January 14.
Nelson Cathedral Christmas Tree Festival: Lunchtime concerts at 1pm weekdays from December 4 to 20. Late night closing at 9.30pm on Friday 29 December. Switch-off service is at 10am on January 14.
Call of the Clay: Former professional potter Peter Gibbs returns to the craft after 30 years, and has a new exhibition at Refinery ArtSpace. December 4-January 13.
Sue Heydon – Return Delivery: Could a percentage of the English garden bird descendants, now thriving in my garden, be returned to their country of origin, much as they had been transported to New Zealand. I constructed fifteen bird cages, using native Tī Kōuka leaves and rampant English weeds to consider this possibility. Refinery ArtSpace, December 4-January 13.
Fire & Earth: Nelson is a region rich in ceramic art, with a long history and a vibrant community of clay artists. Fire & Earth is a biennial exhibition that showcases the best of this creative scene, featuring works by selected and curated ceramicists from across the region. Suter Art Gallery, November 18-March 10.
Trees of Remembrance: These trees offer an opportunity to support Nelson Tasman Hospice and remember those who can’t be with us during Christmas. Trees of Remembrance will be on display at Nelson Airport from December 1 to January 11, and at other businesses in the region.
Katoitoi – Response: Golden Bay/Mohua artists were asked to respond to an artist that they have a strong preference, or akin to and who has created an “iconic/famous/well known” work that represents or references Golden Bay/Mohua. Golden Bay Museum, December 1-April 30.
Disruptive Order: A showcase of abstraction from The Suter’s permanent collection, the fourth in a series of exhibitions looking at different themes and approaches to abstraction. November 4-March 24.
BRADEN FASTIER / STUFF
The Wairoa Bike Park in the Wairoa Gorge is one of the best in the country.
The Wairoa Bike Park: ‘The Gorge’ is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The Gorge is owned and operated by the Nelson Mountain Bike Club. Bookings are preferred via www.thegorge.nz
Motueka Sunday Market: In Decks Reserve Carpark, by the library – weekly, from 8am. Supporting Local businesses for over 35 years. Fresh produce, small goods, artisan creations, arts and crafts. Every Sunday, https://motuekasundaymarket.co.nz
The Nelson Market: On every Saturday, Montgomery Square, in the heart of Nelson city. So grab your friends and family and head on down to this local institution.
The Nelson Farmers Market: Halifax St beside Elma Turner Library between 8am and 1.30pm every Wednesday, rain or shine. Fresh, local and seasonal produce, food stalls and gourmet food items from all over the top of the south can be purchased.
Tākaka’s Village Market: Each Saturday at the Tākaka Library Carpark, 9am and 1.30pm.
