Wellington Events - What's on and happening in Wellington, New Zealand from restaurants and cafes to events and services. http://www.wotzon.com http://www.wotzon.com/eventlisting.php?event_id=5026923 http://www.wotzon.com/eventlisting.php?event_id=5026923 Want to grow your own vegetables and fruit in the city? Find out what grows best here and how to plant and propagate your own food, even if you don’t have a garden. This is a hands-on workshop with some of the best vege growers in town. Generously supported by the Wadestown-Wilton Horticultural Society, Kings Seeds, Bunnings Lyall Bay and Capital Compost. Sun, 19 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.wotzon.com/eventlisting.php?event_id=5026922 http://www.wotzon.com/eventlisting.php?event_id=5026922 Spring Festival is spreading into downtown – listen out for lunchtime entertainment in Lambton Quay and Kirkcaldie & Stains then catch the Cable Car up to the Botanic Garden. There’ll be music and poetry. See the programme of events below. Tunefully supported by the New Zealand School of Music. Spring Festival Downtown Events Monday 20 September Poetry in Lambton Quay Urban poetry never sounded better. Check out some of Wellington’s top poets or have a go yourself. Place: corner Grey Street and Lambton Quay – if wet, inside Kirkcaldie & Stains Time: starts 12.30pm Cost: free Tuesday 21 September Poetry in Lambton Quay Urban poetry never sounded better. Check out some of Wellington’s top poets or have a go yourself. Place: corner Grey Street and Lambton Quay – if wet, inside Kirkcaldie & Stains Time: starts 12.30pm Cost: free Wednesday 22 September Kirks’ music department Love those ukes – Wellington Ukulele Collective will get your toes tapping. Place: Kirkcaldie & Stains, Lambton Quay Time: 12.30–1.30pm Cost: free Thursday 23 September Poetry in Lambton Quay Urban poetry never sounded better. Check out some of Wellington’s top poets or have a go yourself. Place: corner Grey Street and Lambton Quay – if wet, inside Kirkcaldie & Stains Time: starts 12.30pm Cost: free Friday 24 September Pop over Lambton Quay Pop from above – the catchy, happy sounds of Wellington pop band Poppy Dust will spill over Kirkcaldie & Stains’ verandah. Place: Kirkcaldie & Stains, Lambton Quay (weather-dependent) Time: 12.30–1.30pm Cost: free Monday 27 September Poetry in Lambton Quay Urban poetry never sounded better. Check out some of Wellington’s top poets or have a go yourself. Place: corner Grey Street and Lambton Quay – if wet, inside Kirkcaldie & Stains Time: starts 12.30pm Cost: free Tuesday 28 September Kirks’ music department Enjoy smooth sounds from the New Zealand School of Music’s Jazz Vocal Ensemble, singing from the jazz jukebox. Place: Kirkcaldie & Stains, Lambton Quay Time: starts 12.30pm Cost: free Wednesday 29 September Fairy Trina in Kirks Experience the special magic of Fairy Trina – suits preschoolers and up. Venue: Children’s department, first floor, Kirkcaldie & Stains Time: 10 –11am Cost: free Kirks’ music department Love those ukes – Wellington Ukulele Collective will get your toes tapping. Place: Kirkcaldie & Stains, Lambton Quay Time: 12.30–1.30pm Cost: free Thursday 30 September Pop over Lambton Quay Pop from above – the catchy, happy sounds of Wellington pop band Poppy Dust will spill over Kirkcaldie & Stains’ verandah. Place: Kirkcaldie & Stains, Lambton Quay (weather-dependent) Time: 12.30–1.30pm Cost: free Mon, 20 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.wotzon.com/eventlisting.php?event_id=5026921 http://www.wotzon.com/eventlisting.php?event_id=5026921 Do the Buggy Walk! Bring your toddlers and buggies to join Sport Wellington’s renowned Buggy Walk. Stroll round the tulips and other floral delights at the Botanic Garden on Thursday 7 October. Meet in the Dell, behind the Lady Norwood Rose Garden. Thu, 07 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.wotzon.com/eventlisting.php?event_id=5026920 http://www.wotzon.com/eventlisting.php?event_id=5026920 From Alaska to New Zealand, orchids can be found all over the world. Have a look at their variety and beauty in the Capital City Orchid Society’s annual show. The Orchid Show is on at the Begonia House in the Botanic Garden on 2-3 October 2010 as part of the Spring Festival. There will also be orchids for sale and free advice. Sat, 02 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.wotzon.com/eventlisting.php?event_id=5026919 http://www.wotzon.com/eventlisting.php?event_id=5026919 Come along to the Ukulele Workshop and Concert on 3 October, the final day of the Spring Festival 2010 in the Botanic Garden. Below is the programme of events. Ukulele workshop 1–3pm Open to all ages, no experience necessary, just bring your own uke and enthusiasm Ukulele open mic session 3–4pm For anyone who’d like to perform a number on their uke. Ukulele spectacular concert 4.30–5.30pm Featuring the Wellington Ukulele Collective plus special guests. Venue: Soundshell Cost: free Cancelled if wet. Sun, 03 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.wotzon.com/eventlisting.php?event_id=5026916 http://www.wotzon.com/eventlisting.php?event_id=5026916 Join our expert guide on a half-hour look at some of New Zealand's special plants. These guided walks are free and are part of the Wellington Spring Festival 2010. Walks take place on the following days at 2pm: Tuesday 21 September Thursday 23 September Tuesday 28 September Thursday 30 September Otari-Wilton's Bush is New Zealand's most significant native botanic gardens and Wellington's largest area of original native forest. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is free to enter. Only 5 kilometres from downtown Wellington lies a unique treasure; 5 hectares of botanic gardens created for the collection and preservation of New Zealand's native plants nestled against the largest block of natural forest on the Wellington peninsula to survive initial settlement. Otari-Wilton's Bush is celebrated nationally and internationally as the only botanic garden dedicated to the cultivation of New Zealand's unique flora.  Learn about the fascinating flora that makes New Zealand unique with an easy stroll through the collections areas, or spend an afternoon exploring the 14 kilometres of track weaving through 100 hectares of ancient and regenerating native forest. You'll find no more beautiful place in Wellington to enjoy the wonders of New Zealand's natural environment than Otari-Wilton's Bush. Tue, 21 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.wotzon.com/eventlisting.php?event_id=5026914 http://www.wotzon.com/eventlisting.php?event_id=5026914 Newsflash! District 9 returns to the Embassy for an Event screening. The Embassy and Weta are delighted to announce that the Embassy will be hosting an extraordinary event on Friday the 8th of October at 6pm to celebrate the launch of the book, The Art of District 9. Tickets are on sale now. Each ticket comes with admission to the film of DISTRICT 9, a presentation from Weta Conceptual Designers who worked on the film, a complimentary drink and the opportunity to pose with DISTRICT 9 weapons. Aliens Pay $99 and get a copy of the book, The Art of District 9 (value of $70) Humans Pay $49 and get an Embroidered badge and keyring. Book now, seats will sell fast. Fri, 08 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.wotzon.com/eventlisting.php?event_id=5026911 http://www.wotzon.com/eventlisting.php?event_id=5026911 Has there ever been a moment in New Zealand's popular music history like this one?   Every now and again a truly great New Zealand band comes along, but two at once? Never!  Solid Entertainment is thrilled to announce that New Zealand's two hottest and most exciting bands are hitting the road together in September/October for their nationwide album release tour. Two very special bands, one very special moment in time.  In Wellington at the San Francisco Bathouse they will be playing two gigs on 2 October - an all ages gig at 5pm, followed by an R18 gig at 8pm. KIDS OF 88 and THE NAKED AND FAMOUS will be playing Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland to celebrate the release of their debut albums Sugarpills (Kids Of 88) and Passive Me - Aggressive You (The Naked And Famous).  These two young Auckland bands have achieved huge early success topping the NZ singles and airplay charts and turning heads globally.  Here are two bands burning fiercely and set to trailblaze internationally. They've got quality running deep through their veins and top tunes bursting out their brains. More ideas, more exciting, relevant, daring, vital and fresher than the rest. Best of all they come with a sense of occasion and a palpable thrilling frisson that something brilliant is about to happen.  Kids of 88 are the brainchild of Jordan Arts and Sam McCarthy, whose first single My House stormed the Top 10 scoring Gold status and a nomination for NZ Music Awards Single Of The Year. The duo's irreverent take on teenaged sexual politics was suddenly on the global pop radar from Sydney to New York, Los Angeles to London.  Another Gold selling single Just A Little Bit followed quickly and the Kids were flown around the world landing themselves a worldwide recording deal via their NZ Label Dryden Street with Sony Music. The anthemic groove of new single Downtown has just been launched and the band have been having fun on the road touring with the likes of The Scissor Sisters in Australia and Passion Pit in Auckland.  Debut album SUGARPILLS was released last week and immediately hit #1 on the iTunes albums chart and #2 nationally.  Operating as a four-piece band, KIDS OF 88 are known for their high octane live shows propelling a riotous dancefloor through their insanely catchy and wildly eclectic journey of 21st century dance pop discovery!  It's been a stellar year for the Auckland five-piece The Naked And Famous.  Young Blood, has stamped itself across a national conscience and is already a kiwi classic. The epic electro generational anthem entered the NZ singles chart at #1 - a feat that Radioscope noted has not been achieved by any bona fide local artist in the last 15 years! The band are short listed into the Top 5 of the prestigious APRA Silver Scroll Awards.     An impending release of Young Blood as a limited edition seven inch by the influential New York based music blog slash label Neon Gold has already gained THE NAKED AND FAMOUS some heavyweight international radio play.   Since making their debut in 2008 and becoming instant bNet favourites with two attention-grabbing EPs This Machine and No Light, its been a fast upwards trajectory for the five piece. Within NZ music fan circles and the wider world it's obvious THE NAKED AND FAMOUS are a band with an undeniable stamp of quality who just keep getting better and better!   Having shared the stage with bands such as Nine Inch Nails, Florence & The Machine, The Temper Trap and graced festivals like The Big Day Out, Laneways and CMJ Music Marathon in New York THE NAKED AND FAMOUS have rubbed shoulders with rock's royalty and are now themselves standing on the edge of greatness.  New single Punching In A Dream is an infectious fusion of electronica and industrial groove and their much anticipated first long-player Passive Me, Aggressive You is released on September 6.  The tour takes in the four main centres and all towns except Dunedin have an all-ages option for entry. Prices have been pegged as low as possible.  Bands of the year, tour of the year, party of the year, come and witness some New Zealand musical history as it's happening! Sat, 02 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.wotzon.com/eventlisting.php?event_id=5026910 http://www.wotzon.com/eventlisting.php?event_id=5026910 Monkey Business and Absolut Vodka proudly presents an exclusive night with one of electronic music’s most esteemed duos – Layo & Bushwacka! for the first time ever in New Zealand. When it comes to dance music icons, they just don’t get any bigger than Layo & Bushwacka. The duo helped shape the face of club culture with their ‘All Night Long’ residency at The End in London which has become the stuff of legend. The End club was opened back in the mid 90’s by Layo & Mr C and enjoyed 13 amazing years as one of the most renowned night clubs in the world. If you were into clubbing and in London anytime from the mid 90’s until 2009 you probably went to the End. If you had the best night of your life it was probably Layo & Bushwacka! on the decks! Layo & Bushwacka!’s reputation as two of the world’s foremost DJ duos is rock solid. Three artist albums have proven them remarkably talented producers, capable of mixing styles, tempos and genres to create enduring and engaging electronic music. Their trio of mix albums and international club residencies have shown they are masters of the turntables, sonic connoisseurs who can guide a dance floor on an epic journey through the many facets of their sound. The duo travel the globe with residencies in Ibiza, Brazil, and all across Europe.... but they have never made it to New Zealand... until now. Sat, 09 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.wotzon.com/eventlisting.php?event_id=5026909 http://www.wotzon.com/eventlisting.php?event_id=5026909 The Jack Beats sound is here! Fresh, cutting edge rave music mixed and cut up by 2 of the most exciting dj's in the game. Jack Beats plays a midnight set, with support from with Fried Chicken Sound System, Dunsta and Kev Fresh. Widely considered as one of the freshest and most blazing production/dj duos in the world right now! Jack Beats are a multiple DMC Award winning DJ team made up of Niall Dailly AKA DJ Plus One of Scratch Perverts fame and Ben Geffin AKA Beni G of The Mixologists. They have had an immediate and profound effect on the club scene since teaming up in 2007; producing transcendent remixes for La Roux and Florence & The Machine amongst others and releasing their genre bending ‘U.F.O’ EP on Herve’s Cheap Thrills Records. Citing influences as diverse as Timbaland, Rage Against the Machine, A Guy Called Gerald and Sebastian, the two began to hone a style fusing House, Hip Hop, Drum & Bass and Dubstep with Electro and Baltimore Club, and what emerged was a cutting edge sound. The duo demanded immediate attention after their gob-smacking take on Boy 8-Bit’s anthem ‘Fogbank’ dropped in early 2008 followed by refixes of Trip’s guitar-driven ‘Who’s That?’ and the now classic AC Slater 'Jack Got Jacked' remix. Support from major industry players Zane Lowe, Annie Mac (who has played almost everything they have produced|) and the Crookers plus setting the whole of blog-land on fire with mad hype took them to the the next level in 2009. This year has been non-stop performances for the duo at major festivals throughout the USA and Europe. They released 'Revolution / Out of Body' on Cheap Thrills and their debut album almost completed. Thu, 30 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.wotzon.com/eventlisting.php?event_id=5026908 http://www.wotzon.com/eventlisting.php?event_id=5026908 Sydney-born DJ and producer Hook N Sling, aka Anthony Maniscalco is recognised as one of the most exciting genre-blending house producers to come on the scene in recent years, a title which has lead him to places most only dream about. 2007 was the defining year for Anthony. He pumped up the opening party for We Love Sundays at Space at the dancefloor mecca that is Ibiza. He also took his energetic sound to North America, the UK and China. A favourite among both industry types and the public, Anthony also raked in a coveted ARIA nomination for his track The Bump and was placed amongst the top 5 producers for inthemix - Australia's biggest and most well-regarded dance music awards as voted by the public. 'The Bump' was the track that well and truly placed Anthony on the international music scene, following the instant success in late 2006 of the chart-topping remix for Renaissance Recordings, Sarah McLeod¹s He Doesn¹t Love You. As soon as The Bump was released worldwide, it quickly became a Buzz Chart number one and received numerous Radio 1 plays. It was also signed to Cr2 Records and James Zabiela called it "absolutely retarded" when using it as his encore record. The immediate knock-on effect from this kind of hype and high-profile props resulted in his first compilation mix for respected London-based label, Chew The Fat. DJ Mag said they¹re "hooked on this DJ/producer¹s house and breaks collision". And iDJ proclaimed, "my my, what a mighty fine mix!" It was a highly acclaimed and well-deserved 4 out of 5 from both. The Bump hasn¹t been the only tune that¹s made people stand up, dance and take notice. More recently, Anthony has applied his remix skills to such tracks as Martijn Ten Velden¹s Ibiza anthem I Wish U Would, Bass Kleph¹s Coup D¹etat and Stanton Warriors¹ Shake It Up. When the Warriors were asked which tune gets the biggest reaction in their sets, they answered, "Shake It Up (Hook N Sling remix). Booty House - works every time." In 2008, Anthony mixed and compiled and the gold selling Ministry Of Sound compilation 'Clubber's Guide to 2008'. Alongside this, the Hook N Sling production schedule became increasingly busy, completing new originals and remixes for the likes of Lid Lickers on Cr2, The Potbelleez and The Cobra Dukes. On the touring side of things, Anthony played extensively throughout the UK and Europe, We Love Sundays at Space (second year running) and 2 tours of Nth America whilst still remaining a local hero back in Australia. 2009 saw Anthony continue his rise towards global domination with his single "The Best Thing 2008" (which spent 9 weeks at the top of the Australian club charts and peaked at No 26 on the national charts) getting an international release by Cr2 for UK/Europe, We Play for Germany and Ministry of Sound America. More recently Anthony has mixed Volume 2 of the Ministry of Sound Progression series, has remixed Style of Eye for Pickadoll Recordings and has just finished a remix for Roger Sanchez's Stealth label. All of this along with his hectic international touring schedule shows that Hook N Sling is the one to watch again in 2010! Support from: Dunsta Rumble MC Roux Tane Greg B Fri, 17 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.wotzon.com/eventlisting.php?event_id=5026907 http://www.wotzon.com/eventlisting.php?event_id=5026907 Truth, undoubtedly New Zealand’s greatest Dubstep export; have been making a huge impact around the world with their heavy bassline riddims. Truth have a style that defies categorization; encompassing an array of melodies, vocals and spacious beats that range from half-step stompers to the deeper profound realms of sound; all with one Common element which underpins every track; a heavy bassline riddim that lays sheer force on any system heavy enough to handle it. Taking the dubstep world by storm with releases on seminal label Deep Medi Musik, Skreamz Disfigured Dubs plus widely respected labels Boka and Aquatic Lab as well as vinyl out on local powerhouse Optimus Gryme Recordings. It is clear Truth has had a massive impact right from their outset. Now 2010 is set to be the biggest year yet for Truth as they get set to unveil the much anticipated Truth album 'Puppets'. The truth is out there. Now go seek. WITH LOCAL SUPPORT FROM DIRTY NEEDLEZ, OLIE BASSWEIGHT, FRIED CHICKEN SOUND SYSTEM, MIDIAN & MUFASA Truth 'Puppets' available from Samurai Store, 11 Tory St or all good music stores early September. Fri, 10 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.wotzon.com/eventlisting.php?event_id=5026906 http://www.wotzon.com/eventlisting.php?event_id=5026906 From those who gave you real hype like Flying Lotus and Gaslamp Killer.... Ol'Dip present another of Brainfeeder's leading acts direct from Los Angeles - SAMIYAM. Ann Arbor’s latest prodigal son and lover of sprinkles on doughnuts, takes the legacy of all Detroit’s talented musical sons and daughters and makes Hip Hop beats filled with snippets of Soul, Funk, 70’s Italian horror flick soundtracks, Nintendo bonus level music, and 90’s Hip Hop. Somehow, with this much content, the beats still manage to sound gloriously minimal and disjointed. Fans like Benji B, Andrew Meza and XLR8R have been eagerly snapping up his tracks, as Sam freeze frames Electro energy and spits it back out as twisted future Jazz. Dabrye is a fan, Daedelus describes him as “a thrilling sound to break the sameness,” and Flying Lotus is his brother in arms (they collaborate on the project FLYamSAM). Support from: Alphabethead (turntable freek)  Sons Of Puha (Dj/vocal)  Zacinfact + Amuse (slambox kids) Angus (cool kids club)  The Audiowhore (ol'dip) Thu, 09 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.wotzon.com/eventlisting.php?event_id=5026901 http://www.wotzon.com/eventlisting.php?event_id=5026901 It'll be colourful... It'll be loud... It'll be spicy... It'll be nothing short of a Blingin' Bollywood Fling Baby! Don your best blingin' Bollywood getup and join the Young Lawyers' Committee for this year's Young Professionals' Ball. A night of star-crossed lovers, costumes, colour, courtesans, dancing, drama, and convenient coincidences. Your ticket entitles you to three free drinks, a selection of delectable Indian delicacies, a chance to waggle your hips and flick your wrists to the incredible rhythmic beats of Afternoon Raj and DJ Takas and, in true Bollywood style, of course there will be some other exhilarating surprises along the way. Two $500 Nicholas Jermyn vouchers to be won by the best dressed hero and heroine. Tickets are only $48 each and on sale from www.younglawyers.co.nz (or email info@younglawyers.co.nz if you have trouble purchasing tickets from the website). Sat, 11 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.wotzon.com/eventlisting.php?event_id=5026900 http://www.wotzon.com/eventlisting.php?event_id=5026900 stellar* are to play three shows in their final farewell, 'Best Of' tour. Sony NZ's highest selling Kiwi band, stellar*, will tour in October for one last time to celebrate the release of their 17-track Best Of album and say a final thank you to their fans. Tickets on sale now from Ticketmaster for the gig on 16 October at Bodega. The tour came about after the band - Boh Runga, Chris van de Geer, Andrew Maclaren and Kurt Shanks - had a ball together in July recording infectious new single "So Alive" (which also features on the Best Of stellar* album). The stellar* stats speak for themselves: seven Top 20 singles, three top 10 albums (including two at No. 1), more than 100,000 units sold, tours across New Zealand, Australia, Germany and the UK, and their four mantelpiece's full of NZ Music Awards. At a time when New Zealand music struggled for airplay, stellar* burst on the scene with five radio hits in 18 months - Violent, What You Do, Undone, Every Girl, and Part of Me - their blend of rock and electronica on 1999's Mix album capturing the imagination of young musicians and concert-goers. Their reputation as innovative hit makers was embedded with All It Takes, Taken and Star off 2001's Magic Line album, and For A While and Whiplash off 2006's Something Like Strangers. New projects and directions are now attracting the band's enthusiasm, with Runga's successful solo career and jewellery range releasing internationally, van de Geer and Maclaren's expanding production and songwriting interests, and Shanks' own album being recorded at Roundhead studios. See you there! Sat, 16 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +1300