All July, August & September 2010 Northland events

Waipu Winter Festival
While Northland is known as the 'winterless north', we do have a winter, albeit a mild one and Waipu and Bream Bay is continuing its tradition of not letting winter pass us by in a daze, by putting on a community festival - Winter@Waipu. Over the winter months of June, July and August we are once again building a calendar of events.
The cornerstone of Winter@Waipu has become Tartan Week and this small Northland community of Waipu has decided that, with its Scottish roots, it is perfectly placed to become a centre of celebration of all things Scottish. So Tartan week, beginning on International Tartan Day and covering the two weeks following, Waipu hopes to grow as a local and regional festival. More on that in the coming weeks, but watch out for Tartan Wearable arts, rugby and netball challenges, daily stage events, and more.
The calendar will include the usual markets, poetry day, winter racing at Ruakaka, but there is room for more and organisers are now looking for local events in the Bream Bay area to add to our calendar over June, July and August. If you have an event you want to the calendar contact Rick Stolwerk on 09 4320741 stolwerk@clear.net.nz or Local Website www.breambay.co.nz will be the place to see what's on for Winter@Waipu.

July Events

Celebrate Tartan day in Waipu
Waipu on Thursday 1 July 2010
Pipers and dancers and you in your kilt!
Wear your tartan and be rewarded with a piece of shortbread at some local stores, after seeing the Waipu Pipe Band parade mid-morning.
www.waipu.co.nz/winter/

Art n Tartan - Waipu Museum Wearable Art Awards
Waipu Coronation Hall, Waipu on Saturday 3 July 2010
Waipu Museum is hosting this year’s Art n Tartan wearable art awards, A fantastic evening of light and sound, showcasing creative endeavour from around New Zealand. So come on…let your fancy take flight and step into a world where tradition meets fantasy! Doors open at 7pm for complimentary nibbles. Show starts at 8.00pm. Cash bar available. This is for one night only…
A fantastic beginning to Waipu’s ‘Tartan Week’ events.
http://www.waipumuseum.com/html/attractions.htm

Kerikeri National Piano Competition
The Centre at Kerikeri - 1, 2, 3 & 4 July 2010
The Kerikeri National Piano Competition is New Zealand’s oldest and most prestigious piano competition, offering aspiring concert pianists a chance to showcase and test their skills over 3 days of extremely rigorous live performances.
The competition is international and open to pianists under the age of 30. Competition 2010 will be adjudicated by Albert Tiu, Associate Professor (piano) at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, Singapore.
The prize-giving takes place on-stage immediately after the adjudicator has made his decision, followed by a celebratory reception for all.
1st Prize NZ $12,000 (Total Prize Purse NZ $25,000)
For details email info@knpc.org.nz

International Rally of Whangarei
Quayside Town Basin, Whangarei - 2, 3 & 4 July 2010
Expect top-class rally action during the International Rally of Whangarei which commences with an opening ceremony from 5pm on Friday 2 July, followed by two days of ultra-competitive rallying over 280 km of world-famous gravel stages in the Whangarei and Kaipara districts.
The International Rally of Whangarei 2010 is the third round of the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship, one of the premier regional championships in world rallying contested by teams from New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Malaysia, India, and New Caledonia running primarily Group N, or production, rally cars.
The event also incorporates the second round of the MotorSport New Zealand-sanctioned Vantage Aluminium Joinery New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC) where local teams who use Group N cars compete internally for NZRC points and against international competitors for the overall event title.
A subsidiary event for NZRC Open and Kiwi 2 competitors and Clubmans competitors runs in conjunction with the main international event. Kiwi 2 is a New Zealand-only class allowing development competitors to compete in the full NZRC without the cost of the top class. The Clubmans event gives competitors with lower specification or older cars a way to compete in their own overall and class battles and be part of an international event without the cost of full international competition.
The International Rally of Whangarei is run by Rally New Zealand. www.rallywhangarei.co.nz

Carters Mangawhai Heads 2 Harbour Run/Walk
Mangawhai on Sunday 4 July 2010
Take part in a 9km run, fast walk, casual walk or pram walk. Starting at Mangawhai Heads Ocean Beach car park and finishing at the Mangawhai Tavern.
www.runwalkseries.co.nz

Waipu “Clachan A Choin Ball”
Coronation Hall - Saturday 10th July 2010, 7.00pm.
A touch of tradition and some Hot Celtic Rock!
• Delicious supper, Cash Bar, Haggis Ceremony, Band - The Celtic Flyers Featuring Ex Split Enz Drummer - Paul Crowther
• Tickets $40 Each - on sale from 9th June. www.waipu-tartan.co.nz

Russell Birdman Festival
Russell - 9, 10 & 11 July 2010
Russell Birdman all started over a couple of beers between a few locals. The idea was for us to have some fun in the winter time and in doing so generate some business during the quietest time of the year. Now into our 4th year we are proud to announce that we are a registered Trust, with a Scholarship Fund in place to benefit some year eight pupils of the Russell Primary School. Last year we extended the Festival over two days adding the fabulous Friday 'Drag Race', this year will see the introduction of the Sunday morning 'Champagne breakfast waiters/ waitresses race' extending the event over three days, giving people the opportunity to make a real weekend of it! Once again this year we are privileged to have the continued support and enthusiasm from the local community - thank you for letting us bring it all to life!
For a program and more information go to www.russellbirdman.co.nz

Ruakaka Races
Ruakaka Racecourse, Whangarei on Saturday 17 July 2010
Feature race day with the running of the thrid leg of the Westbury Stud Triple Crown series for 2 year-olds (the listed Westbury Stud Northland Breeders Stakes) and the Oceanz Seafood Whangarei Cup.
Free entry, parking and buses from Kamo, Kensington and Whangarei.

Opononi Hotel 2010 Pig Hunt
Opononi Hotel, Hokianga -23, 24 & 25 July 2010
Feed your knives and sharpen your dogs, the Great Opononi Hotel Pig Hunt is back!
Hunters gather for a briefing on Friday morning and the weigh-in is Sunday afternoon.
There will be a kid’s eel section as well. Prizes and entry fee will be posted here when known.

Please go to http://www.northlandnz.com/things_to_see_and_do/events/ for a full list of Northland events.

August Events

Auntie & Me
Forum North, Whangarei - 6 August 2010, 7:30pm
Dame Kate Harcourt and David McPhail star in ‘Auntie & Me’, a deliciously dark comedy.
When an embittered, self-involved bachelor arrives to care for the dying aunt he hasn’t seen since childhood, his brief visit stretches to interminable lengths. As her health improves against all odds - and against his hopes - their relationship evolves in unexpected ways. This tour de force offers a wonderful and very funny look at family, growing old and the human condition. To bring this very funny play to the stage producer Ben McDonald has engaged two of New Zealand’s greatest theatrical veterans; making the 2010 tour of Auntie and Me a very special evening of New Zealand theatrical history.
“Deliciously mischievous” —Time Out New York
“Wickedly dark . . . hilarious, quirky, and heartfelt” —Variety

NZ Blues Brothers Tribute Show
Pub 'round the Corner, Russell - 7 August 2010, 9:00pm
The NZ Blues Brothers Tribute Show with all the songs and gimmicks from the hit cult movie, performed by Top band the Lazyboyz. Dean Heazlewood as Elwood; Ivan Glucina as Jake; with Tony Baird - bass; Andrew Dixon - saxophone and keyboards; and Steve Tree - drums.
A great evening’s entertainment. This show has just appeared on TV1’s Good Morning show, and has been receiving rave reviews from all over the country and overseas, don’t miss out, in conjunction with Northland Bay Of islands Classic car and hot rod show.

Jazz & Blues Festival
Bay of Islands - 13, 14, 15th August 2010
40 bands for $40.00. Top acts from New Zealand and Australia. Be in the Bay of Islands as it comes alive with the sounds of smooth jazz and sultry blues. Three days of music, over 150 hours of quality jazz and blues. Five fantastic venues in Paihia, Haruru Falls and Russell
Plus loads of free street music Saturday and Sunday. Plus Jazz on the Steam Train in Kawakawa.
A badge gets you discounted ferries between Paihia and Russell, and a free shuttle bus around the venues between Haruru Falls and Paihia. Go to www.jazz-blues.co.nz for more information.

Northland Performing Arts Competitions
Forum North, Whangarei
Northland Performing Arts will hold variousl competitions in August & September 2010. The competitions will include the nomination class for Mazda Foundation Young Performer of the Year.
Vocal – 27,28 & 29 August at Forum North
Ballet and Modern: 3-5 September at Forum North
Pianoforte: 10 – 12 September at Forum North
Tap Dance: 10 – 12 September at Forum North
Contact northlandperformingart@gmail.com

Please go to http://www.northlandnz.com/things_to_see_and_do/events/ for a full list of Northland events.

September Events

Northland Seafood Festival
Marsden Cove Marina
18th September
The Northland Seafood Festival showcasing the best of Northlands Wine and Kaimoana is held overlooking the beautiful Marsden Cove marina. Live music plays throughout the day as ticket holders enjoy great wine and food in a secure and enjoyable location.

Hokianga Country Music Festival
24,25,26th September (NB details will be on Eventfinder soon)
A country music filled weekend set in beautiful Hokianga Harbour from Friday night to Sunday night, fans can expect to hear nothing but country folk, rock, blues, old time, gospel, honky tonk, boogie, just as long as its country.

Whangarei Fun/Run Walk
12th September
Details not available yet

The Northland Lunch
Karikari Estate Winery, Kaitaia
Sunday 19 September 2010
The Northland Lunch is a nine-wine, eight-course degustation menu held annually at a Northland location.
This year the Lunch is being held on Sunday Sept 19th at Karikari Estate, Doubtless Bay from 10.30-3.30.
Nine Northland wines were selected by the planning committee and eight Northland chefs will create their course dish to match the wine.

Please go to http://www.northlandnz.com/things_to_see_and_do/events/ for a full list of Northland events.

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