Winter Decodence: New group creates Hawke's Bay art deco weekend

Anne Condon, Lynne Molineax, Sue Smith and Lesley Standring will be performing in the Art Deco Winter Decodence event. Photo / Warren Buckland

A new Art Deco group has launched its own 'Winter Decodence' weekend.

Set up by a group of self-proclaimed "decophiles", the new organisation will run a range of Art Deco events across the weekend of July 18 and 19.

Winter Decodence 2020 organiser Linda Malone encouraged everyone to venture into Napier for a family-friendly weekend.

"It's all going at lightning speed, as the word gets out and people want to be involved," she said.

Malone said residents should "dust off Granny's bike and tuck your trousers into your socks", as festivities begin with the Winter Tweed Ride, which leaves from the Napier Soundshell at 9.30 am next Saturday.It will be followed by Cary Grant and Constance Bennett in Topper at the Globe in Ahuriri at 11.30am and the Encore dancers in Market St at 1.30pm.

The Art Deco Trust welcomed the new event as "good news" after the cancellation of their winter weekend. Photo / File

The Art Deco Trust cancelled its Winter Deco Weekend events due to uncertainty over the Covid-19 restrictions.

An Art Deco Trust spokeswoman said they welcome the new organisation as "good news".

"The decision to cancel Winter Deco Weekend was definitely not made lightly, knowing how much of a highlight this is for many during the winter calendar," she said.

"With plenty of uncertainty around the duration and severity of our lockdown levels, we knew we could not commit to suppliers and venues when required.

"The good news is that we have a number of passionate business owners and people outside of the trust who are committed to bringing you a winter event."

Malone also encouraged people to test their powers of observation and detection at Archies Bunker, on Herschell St, as they launch their new Murder on the Orient Express escape rooms.

A full programme of events at Winter Decodence is available from the Napier i-SITE Visitor Information Centre on Marine Parade. Photo / Warren Buckland

This will be followed by a best-dressed competition at 2pm, with prizes for the best ladies, men, couples, children, men's facial hair and vintage furs.

A Vintage Fair, at Asher Hall on Tennyson St, will offer a range of art deco silver, leather luggage, bar tools, vintage dolls, jewellery and more.

Sunday will see history enthusiast Denise Gore give a guided tour of notable graves, a Hawke's Bay Vintage Car Club rally and more.

The Silken Soiree event has already sold out, with only a few tickets remaining for Saturday night's Party at Jay Gatsby's.

The weekend's festivities will close with the Hawke's Bay Jazz Club Art Deco night with Roger Fox and Erna Ferry.

A full programme of events is available from the Napier i-SITE Visitor Information Centre on Marine Parade.

The traditional Napier Art Deco Festival is scheduled for a start date of February 17, 2021.