What’s On Waikato
Easter just hopped past us, but the school holidays are still going, so Hamilton City Council visitor destinations have lots of special events on to entertain the little ones - check out the Find Your Fun activity guide online.
Highlights for the bigger ones include the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, which is in its final weeks, the Ten Tenors coming to Hamilton, and the Fijian Drua making their first visit to FMG Stadium Waikato to face the Gallagher Chiefs.
Other events set to brighten up the region include:
● Kita Mean - Delightfully Camp, drag performance, April 14 from 8pm at Skycity Hamilton
Join the winner of season 1 of Rupaul’s Drag Race Down Under for a spectacular 90-minute whirlwind of pop parodies, stand-up hilarities and mental clarities as she gives you a giddy glimpse into the mind of a strange lady. Tickets are available online via Eventfinda.
● National Floral Art Society of NZ Conference, now until April 15 at Southwell School, Hamilton
The society expects over 100 entries in an exhibition and competitions, including a children’s section, while 14 top floral artists will be vying for the very prestigious title of National Designer of the Year. The event includes workshops, demonstrations and other activities related to floral art.
● Wildlife Photographer of the Year, photo exhibition, now until April 23 at Waikato Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato, Hamilton Only a few weeks remain to see Wildlife Photographer of the Year in Hamilton, an exhibition on tour from the Natural History Museum in London which features 100 images and has resulted in record-breaking visitor numbers at Waikato Museum. It is the first time Hamilton has been home to the exhibition, which will not be touring anywhere else in New Zealand.
● Doggie Drive, pet re-homing event, April 15 from 9.30am to 2pm at Animates Te Rapa, Hamilton Raglan-based Paws Awhile Animal Sanctuary is inundated with rescued dogs that are in need of a new home after being impounded or rescued. Since the independently run sanctuary is operating at a continual unsustainable loss, the event will also include a fundraiser for Paws Awhile.
● Grand Kyiv Ballet of Ukraine,
performance, April 16, 2pm at Globox Arena, Claudelands, Hamilton From the trauma and heartbreak of war in their country, the Grand Kyiv Ballet of Ukraine is touring the world. For the first act, they will perform Forest Song, a ballet by Ukrainian composer Mykhailo Skorulsky created in 1936. The second act will be the Spanish piece Don Quixote. Tickets via Ticketek.
● 50 Golden Years of Musicals,
concert, April 17 at 7.30pm at Clarence Street Theatre
This event will allow audiences to relive Stewart and Trisha Macpherson’s musical journey, through songs from productions including The Rocky Horror Show, Evita, Starlight Express, Flashdance,
Chicago and The Phantom of the Opera. Tickets are available online via Ticketek.
● The Bold Experiment, theatre
show, April 21 and 22 at 7.30pm at The Meteor Theatre
Kirikiriroa’s finest young talent takes the reins for two nights only, presenting a night of experimental and obscure
musical theatre. Produced and directed by Ella Veitch and Briar Simpson, the event will donate $5 from every ticket sale to Hawkes Bay District Council’s Disaster Relief Fund. Tickets are available online.
● Gallagher Chiefs vs Fijian Drua, Super Rugby game, April 21 at 7.05pm at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
The Fijian Drua will be making their first visit to FMG Stadium Waikato. After a massive battle in Fiji last season, the Gallagher Chiefs can’t wait to defend their home turf in front of a packed crowd. Tickets are available online.
● The Harmonic Resonators, concert, April 22, 7pm at Clarence St Theatre, Hamilton
The Harmonic Resonators embarked on their Rongo ki te Oro tour performing classic country songs and beloved waiata Māori. The line-up includes new songs from the album, and, of course, all the classics. Tickets are available via Ticketek.
● The Ten Tenors, concert, April 26, 8pm at the Globox Arena, Claudelands, Hamilton
The Ten Tenors are celebrating the act’s 20th anniversary by touring New Zealand. The programme will be centred on the show’s greatest hits. Formed in 1995, The Ten Tenors are the world’s longest-running classical crossover act. Tickets are available via Ticketek.
● Cyclone Gabrielle Market, fundraiser, April 29, from 9am at St Andrew’s Church, Cambridge St Andrew’s Church presents a special Cyclone Gabrielle Market. All stall fees are being donated to Hawke’s Bay Relief Fund.
● Gallagher Chiefs vs Crusaders, Super Rugby game, April 29, 7.05pm at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton The Gallagher Chiefs face fierce rivals the Crusaders for the second time. After putting the Canterbury team to the sword with a 31-10 victory, the Waikato-based team will be hoping for a second win. Tickets are available online.