Wanaka and surrounding towns host a feast of performances and exhibitions during the Southern Lakes Festival of Colour, April 28 to May 3. Music, theatre, dance, film, visual arts, workshops and seminars are complemented by garden and art trails, street theatre and more.
On the web:festivalofcolour.co.nz Creative Coromandel More than 25 artists living around Coromandel town will open their studios for the Great Coromandel Art Tour, which starts on Friday, April 24 and runs for three weekends until Sunday May 10. The tour route includes artists working with pottery, sculpture, clothing, wood carving, doll-making, textiles, ironwork, painting, print-making and jewellery.
Jazz in the gardens Every Sunday until May 3 - except Easter Sunday - some of Dunedin's finest brass and jazz bands will give free concerts at the Botanic Garden Band Rotunda. Concerts run 1-2.30pm. Short, informative train tours of the Lower Garden are also available at weekends, 1-4pm.
Get some traction Tractors of all vintages will be on show during the Hahei Tractor Bash on May 2. The event includes a street parade, and plenty of family-friendly activities and entertainment.
Email: pkharrison@xtra.co.nz
On the web:hahei.co.nz
Young at art The Children's Art Festival in Napier offers workshops in visual and performance arts. An art marquee featuring working artists will be open daily, and the programme includes performances at the Century Theatre and Sound Shell, and a children's market. It runs April 14-24.
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