March events calendar full in the Bay
From Tauranga to Rotorua, discover upcoming events in the Bay of Plenty region this month.
March
March: Classes for beginners in Scottish Country Dancing. Learn the basics every Monday evening during March (4,11,18,25) at 7pm. Suits all ages from teenagers upwards. No partner required — come by yourself or with a friend. Wear soft shoes and light comfortable clothing. $10 covers the four-week course. We meet at the Lynmore Scout Hall, Lewis Rd, Lynmore (behind the tennis court). Phone Claire for further information 0211542473 or rotorua@dancescottish.org.nz Saturday, March 9:
● Tauranga Fringe Festival 2024 10am to 5pm. Presented by the Incubator Creative Hub. Are you ready for the extravaganza of fringe? Tauranga’s inclusive smorgasbord of creative talents and participation. Bring your talents, dress up like crazy, and become part of the act. A one-day programme of poetry, street performances, busking, fashion, The Risque, market stalls, street food, art exhibitions and the Beer Garden of Earthly delights. Tickets, $10 via The Incubator.
● Art for Kids: Gala Auction 6pm, Presented by: Tauranga Art Gallery Toi Tauranga. Join us for a fabulous evening of cocktails, entertainment and the opportunity to purchase artworks and experiences, many created by artists that have shown over the years at Tauranga Art Gallery Toi Tauranga. If you are unable to make the event but would still like to support Art for Kids you can register to bid online via the live stream on the night or make a donation. Tickets from $150 to $900, via Tauranga Art Gallery Toi Tauranga.
● Take a Walk On the Wild Side! Tarawhai Track, Lake O¯ kataina, Rotorua, 10am to 12pm. To celebrate Sustainable Backyards 2024, join DOC Rangers on a guided family-friendly walk, and learn about the forest and its inhabitants. Wear sensible walking shoes / hiking boots, outdoor clothing appropriate to the weather conditions. Bring a raincoat. Preregistration is essential. Limited spaces available. To register and for more information please email cnoble@doc.govt.nz
● Little Big Markets — Coronation Park in Mount Maunganui. A huge range of gourmet street food and food truck vendors, as well as a curated selection of stallholders for you to peruse . . . you won’t be short of things to do. There’ll be live music and lots of free activities to entertain the little ones. Markets are held every every Saturday.
● Rotary Charity Market at Kuirau Park, has been operating for 37 years, every Saturday morning, wet or fine, 7am to 2pm. Stalls selling vegetables, wide range of takeaway food, popcorn, coffee, meat, jewellery, clothing, gift cards, and more. Proceeds are used for various community undertakings. Sites for stalls cost $30.
Saturday, March 9 and Sunday, March 10: Ashton Family Circus, Memorial Park, Tauranga, 9am to 5pm. The Ashton Family Circus are bringing back a fast-paced, humorous family show with a message to Aotearoa. Grassroots entertainment for everyone of all ages to enjoy.
Sunday, March 10: Music at the Rotunda, Government Gardens, Rotorua. Blues Club at 1pm — BOP Blues Club Inc’s very own band. Krissie Knapp at 2pm — Also of 8 Scott Ave and Lakeside fame, Krissie is a dynamic performer with more than 30 years of experience entertaining audiences around the Pacific. Don’t forget to bring your picnic, rug or chair to make your afternoon more enjoyable — an alcohol ban is in force.
Thursday, March 14: Kaylee Bell with special guests Navvy. Baycourt Addison Theatre, 7pm. Fresh from her Global Country Music Artist CMA Award win in Nashville, Waimate-born country pop artist Kaylee Bell is thrilled to announce she is hitting the road on a massive 12-date national tour in March and April. Tickets from $53.15 to $73.65 via eventfinda.
Saturday March 16 and Sunday March 17:
● Rotorua Walking Festival. Saturday: Scenic bush / forest 10km, 21km and 42km, marathon forest routes. Parent Centre Family Walk. Sunday — Inspirational 10km, 20km, 30km and 42km, thermal, parks and streetscape walks, SPCA Dog Walk.
● Crankworx Rotorua — Taniwha Downhill, Redwoods (Whakarewarewa Forest), all ages, Free, Tickets via Flicket. 9am to 4.30pm. The Taniwha Downhill track is a steep technical DH with optional big jumps and drops, a fast and technical international-level downhill race track.
Sunday, March 17:
● Organ Concert, Christopher Hainsworth, St. Luke’s Church, Rotorua, 2.30pm. Selection of works from: J.S. Bach, D. Buxtehude, J.B. Lully, F. Couperin, J-PH. Rameau, D. Scarlatti, F. Mendelssohn, W.A. Mozart, M. Albeniz, C.F. Pagani, C. Bodro, P. Fumagalli, V. Monti, A. Templeton. Entry by programme: Adults $30, children free.
● Holi Festival, Rotorua Village Green, all ages, free, 11.30am to 3pm. Join Rotorua’s Indian Community in celebrating the Indian Spring festival Holi with an afternoon of colour, culture and kai. Organic coloured powder can be purchased on the day.
Saturday, March 23:
● Hei Matau Paddlers — corporate waka ama event at Lake Tikitapu. There will be training sessions to teach/coach teams before the event. It’s a fun, team-building event for local businesses or groups. Teams will be coached by world-qualifying paddlers. Funds raised go to the club’s teams who have qualified for the World Sprint Championships in Hilo, Hawaii in August. Register at heimataupaddlers05@gmail.com.
● Pasifika Rotorua, Rotorua Village Green, all ages, free 10am to 3pm. This event gives opportunities to our Pacific communities to take part in showing off the beauty of their island, sharing their culture and its evolution.
March 27 to April 6: Rotorua Musical Theatre presents Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera, Sir Howard Morrison Centre. Tickets available from Ticketmaster.
● To include your event, email details to whatson@dailypost.co. nz at least a week before the event.