What's on in Whanganui this week? April 18-24

Cousins Danica Woods and Kayla Stanborough making fire-breathing dragons at the Whanganui Regional Museum's holiday programme in 2017. Photo/Zaryd Wilson

The first school holidays for 2019 began on Monday and will end on April 28. Whanganui has plenty of activities and holiday programmes on offer and many of them are free. The Whanganui Regional Museum, Sarjeant Gallery and public libraries all have plenty of creative activities on offer and there are holiday programmes at Wanganui Boys and Girls Gym, YMCA and daily activities at Country cafe and Playlands.

THURSDAY

Women's Wisdom Circle
When: 10am to 12pm
Where: Ladies' Rest Building, 75 St Hill St
Details: Please bring a treat to share, a gold coin donation for the Women's Network. No dogma or preaching only unity and sisterhood.

Build a Bony Beast
Museum school holiday programme.
When: 10.30am to 11.30am
Where: Whanganui Regional Museum, Watt St
Details: Use real bones to build a zany beast and learn how they work. Ages 5-plus meet in atrium, bookings essential Ph: 06 349 1110

Autumn Scenes
Sarjeant Gallery school holiday programme
When: 10:45am to 12:15pm
Where: 38 Taupo Quay
Details: Create a beautiful autumnal scene using metallic paints. Cost $7, booking essential. Ph 06 349 0506

River City Artists
From beginners to established artists
When: 9.30am-4pm
Where: Christ Church Community Hall, 243 Wicksteed St
Details: Val 343 6316 or 027 459 9448.

Meditation
When: 6pm-7.30pm
Where: Whanganui Community Arts Centre, 19 Taupo Quay
Details: Drop-in classes from Gen Demo from Amitabha Buddhist Centre. Suggested donation $12.

Thoughtful Thursday
When: 6.30pm
Where: Confluence, 15 Watt St
Details: Free Solo - Academy Award winner of Best Documentary Feature for 2019. Follow Alex Honnold as he becomes the first person to ever free solo climb Yosemite's El Capitan Wall. Entry $10 at the door or book at confluence.kiwi or call (06) 281 3474. Booking strongly advised.

FRIDAY

The Easter Eggstravaganza
When: 11am to 1pm
Where: Rutherford Junior High School, Toi St
Details: Free egg hunt, sausage sizzle, bouncy castle and more. Coffee for sale onsite.

Skaman Selecta & Nat Lover
When: 9pm
Where: Lucky Bar + Kitchen, 53 Wilson St
Details: Come and enjoy a night of bass culture with two Vinyl DJs, mashing it up for the party people. $5 entry.

SATURDAY

River Traders' Market
When: 8.30am-1pm
Where: Downtown Whanganui riverbank
Details: Goods, produce, food.

Walking Tours
When: Tours leave 10am and 2pm each Saturday, Sunday
Where: Whanganui i-Site
Details: Learn about Whanganui's history, buildings and people. $10 per person. Other times possible - call i-Site in good time.

Firefighter Sky Tower Stair Challenge Fundraiser Whanganui
When: 7pm
Where: Lucky Bar + Kitchen, 53 Wilson St
Details: Six bands coming together for a worthy cause, from reggae to metal to rock and everything in between. Support Jay in quest to raise funds for leukaemia research.

SUNDAY

Easter Bunny Cruise
Waimarie Paddle Steamer
When: Boarding at 12.30pm
Details: Two-hour cruise. Details and booking options available at waimarie.co.nz

Castlecliff Market
When: 11am-3pm.
Where: 5 Bryce St, Castlecliff
Details: Goods, produce, food.

Whanganui Jazz Club
When: 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Where: Lucky Bar + Kitchen, 53 Wilson St
Details: Benebig, Manins, Sansom & Watson. Soul Jazz at its best. Music 6.30pm to
8.30pm. General admission $20, members $10.

MONDAY

Kapa Haka
Museum school holiday programme
When: 1pm to 2pm
Where: Whanganui Regional Museum, Watt St
Details: With Whaea Lisa—all ages, meet in the atrium. No booking required.

TUESDAY

Taonga Puoro Musical Instruments
Museum school holiday programme
When: 10.30am to12pm
Where: Whanganui Regional Museum, Watt St
Details: Make your own putangitangi with clay. Bookings essential, Ph 06 349 1110

Slimmers Support Group
What: Lose weight and keep it off
When: 5pm.
Cost: $10 joining fee with $2 weekly. Inquiries: Ngaire 06 347 1613.

WEDNESDAY
Waimarie Paddle Steamer
What: River cruise
When: 11am
Details: Sailing at 11am on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday throughout April. Book at i-Site or online at waimarie.co.nz

Harakeke Putiputi
Museum school holiday programme
When: 10.30am to 12pm
Where: Whanganui Regional Museum, Watt St
Details: Make your own Make your own harakeke (NZ flax) flowers. Bookings essential, Ph 06 349 1110.

If you have an item for this free column, email news@ whanganuichronicle.co.nz with the details. The deadline for information about events from, and including, Thursday, April 25, to Wednesday, May 1, is noon on Tuesday, April 30.