The Sin Bin: an art exhibition by Tiffany Gray
Nov
14
to Nov 22

The Sin Bin: an art exhibition by Tiffany Gray

The Sin Bin - where art misbehaves. This exhibition dives into the unapologetic side of desire. Think bodies and boundaries undone, tongue-in-cheek rituals, and the kind of imagery that would make your nana clutch her pearls (or secretly lean in for a closer look!)

Tiffany Gray is a visual and performing artist based in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand. Her usual body of work explores the erotic, surreal, and occult — weaving together dreamlike portraits, symbolic bodies, and sensual figures that sit somewhere between myth and memory.

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Brave Buskers
Nov
20
5:00 PM17:00

Brave Buskers

Local musicians sing their hearts out at the best brewery in the Bay - Brave - in a series of FREE whānau friendly shows. Let these talented singer songwriters serenade you while you swill the best of Brave beers in their sunny courtyard.

Kick off the festival proper after work on Thursday with a pair of Heretaunga wāhine songstresses.

Mon Shelford is a proudly multicultural woman - a spokesperson of spirit who possesses the ability to speak fluently and directly to the soul via song. Not only gifted with a voice that transcends the need for lyrical content, Mon skillfully crafts her songs eloquently, with messages - stories that are worth listening to.

Nakita Turner Low is the young veteran of a bunch of the Bay's great bands. Armed with her guitar and a taste in music that's as patchwork as her pants, she's got a punk rock attitude and with a folk artist soul. A fan favourite, she's back at Brave on the other side of the bar, pouring her heart and her smarts into her songs.

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Baked not Burnt
Nov
20
6:30 PM18:30

Baked not Burnt

Last year at FitS '24, our educational event "Highly Regarded" showed medical cannabis patients how going smokefree can transform your routine - less harm, more control and better flavour. This year, Baked Not Burnt takes it to the next level: join us for a live smokefree cooking demonstration where we make use of our favourite culinary ingredient: AVB.

We'll break down the decarboxylation process and basic preparation techniques, step by step, so you can confidently explore less harmful alternatives to medicate at home. It's all about harm reduction and empowering informed choices - because knowledge isn't just power, it's the key to ditching bad habits for good.

Hamish "Christ" Coker (@HempStarChrist) is back from Whakamana @CannabisMuseumNZ, ready to share industry insights, bust myths, and answer your burning questions. No gatekeeping - just honest, judgment-free education tailored to your journey.

What to Expect:
Hands-On Learning: Step-by-step guidance on safe, smokefree prep methods you can try yourself.
Harm Reduction Insights: Explore why non-combustion options can offer better results.
Q&A Time: Ask away and get practical tips for your own routine.
Relaxed Vibe: Enjoy complimentary refreshments in a welcoming Fringe setting.

Demo will run for 45 minutes to an hour. Coffee, tea and snacks provided.

This is a free event but places are limited to 42. Koha to Fringe in the Stings is appreciated.

Register at Eventfinda to secure your place.

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Sexy Golf Boy
Nov
20
8:00 PM20:00

Sexy Golf Boy

Imagine if Wolf of Wall Street fellated Madmen in a golf cart, driven into a yacht wrecked on a sandbar. The enigmatic Sexy Ghost Boy returns with this satirical, supernatural sequel lampooning the lifestyles of the rich and famous.

The show grinds together Clown and Burlesque to create a decadent 50’s inspired wet dream all without uttering a word aloud.

George Fenn (he/she/they) is a genre bending comedy theatre maker based in Aotearoa who specialises in audience interaction. Their passion is inspired in opposition to the coercive trends of Comedic Interaction, and prioritises negotiating audience’s boundaries and building experiences where power is exchanged and humor is shared. A FitS favourite, George's Sexy Ghost Boy won him the inaugural Bizarre and Charming Award at last year's Fringe in the 'Stings.

Tickets on sale now from Eventfinda.

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Brave Buskers
Nov
21
5:00 PM17:00

Brave Buskers

Local musicians sing their hearts out at the best brewery in the Bay - Brave - in a series of free whānau friendly shows. Let these talented singer songwriters serenade you while you swill the best of Brave beers in their sunny courtyard.

Get the weekend started right on Friday with a pair of folk artists who get you right in the guts.

Christina Gunson won last year's Hometown Heroine award at FitS for her gutsy original songs that evoke the CHB heartland from where she hails. Raw and authentic, she gives voice to her experience in a way that gives goosebumps to all those with the privilege to witness her performance.

Alec Withers is a regular fixture on the local and national music scene. From turn of the century eclectic punk band, Big Blue Blanket; to alt. country-flavoured, electric-folk, garage rock ‘n roll outfit, Devil’s Elbow; to hard edge headbangers Tempo 38; to Machine Wreckers’ instrumental and experiential prog rock, Withers wades waist deep in a range of genres and projects, across instruments and modalities, from hard hitting drums to melodious vocals to harmonious guitar. Here he plays plugged in and stripped back, solo and soulful.

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FitS in a Glass
Nov
21
6:00 PM18:00

FitS in a Glass

A taste of the festival. Six short acts from - music to poetry to comedy to drag - paired with a generous splash of fine local wine from the cellar of our hosts. Sample the variety of delights Fringe in the 'Stings and Decibel have to offer.

Missy Coulée aka FitS MVP Wild and Rising Star, Eru Heke, is a lip synching, high kicking drag diva who oozes sass and attitude. Raw talent combines with effervescent energy to create a fierce and fabulous feast for the eyes!

Finding life after fifty has taken a turn for the surreal, Karen Leslie - self styled Queen of Uncool, has discovered that the best way to juggle the weirdness of reality is put it on stage and poke it with a sharp wit. And she might even dance, which is always worth a laugh!

Sorceress of Sound and Soul, Mon Shelford is a spokesperson of spirit who possesses the ability to speak fluently and directly to the soul via song. She skillfully crafts her songs eloquently, to tell stories worth listening to.

Bizarre and Charming, George Fenn is a genre bending comedy theatre maker, specialising in audience interaction. He plays with expectations, pushing the joke as far as it will go…then a little further - all without saying a word.

Hometown Heroine, Christina Gunson's gutsy original songs evoke the CHB heartland. Raw and authentic, she gives voice to her experience in a way that gives goosebumps to all those with the privilege to witness her performance.

Our artistic director and former regional Slam Poetry Champion, Rosheen FitzGerald lives art, weaves words and makes magic. Her spoken word poetry chinks splinters in the brains of devotees opening hearts, minds and legs!

Tickets on sale now from Eventfinda.

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Set in Stone
Nov
21
7:30 PM19:30

Set in Stone

Inspired by the life of a local trans woman whose courage has shaped her journey against the odds, this piece of verbatim theatre explores truth, memory, and transformation.

What does it mean to carve out an identity in a place that does not always see you? What is carried in the body, the voice, and the heart when the world says no and you choose to say yes?

Through moments of joy, survival, and defiance, Set in Stone asks how do we become who we already are? It is an intimate performance of resilience and tenderness, told with honesty, humour, and an unshakable spirit.

Created by Wild and Rising Star, Eru Heke in collaboration with Sarah's Productions and Fringe in the 'Stings, this unique work shines a light on one local Heretaunga life story, amplifying it to the world.

Tickets on sale now from Eventfinda.

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Nov
21
9:00 PM21:00

Diamonds After Dark: a Fringe Burlesque Variety Show

Welcome to Diamonds after Dark, a spectacular burlesque and variety show featuring ALL local performers! We've got drag, belly dance, burlesque and more!

Produced by the award winning team at Pegasus Productions:
Billie Jean - Best Burlesque BRAG 2025, Crowd Favorite Burlesque Rumble 2024
Penny Noir - Winner Open Call 2024
Madam Magenta - Burleskiwi Outstanding Newbie 2025
Johnny Raven - winner Drag on Vic round 1, winner Rising Stars Round 2 2025
Freyja Rising - Best Dressed Deity Hoop Comp 2025
Tiffany Hex - 3rd Place Open Call 2024

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Carnival in the Park
Nov
22
to Jan 21

Carnival in the Park

Bring the whānau out to Albert Square for Carnival in the Park, a day of FREE fun in the sunshine, featuring the bass heavy stylings of Heretaunga Dub Club and Machine Wreckers’ ambient post-psychedelic instrumentals.

Taste the flavour of sound system culture with Heretaunga Dub Club - a vinyl only Roots, Reggae, Dub session on the full Bada Bing Sound System rig! The legendary Akina Vinyl Appreciation Society come together with select friends and whānau for a laid back afternoon's entertainment.

Let Machine Wreckers take you on a unique journey through the sounds of nature. Original instrumental compositions with mesmerising rhythms feel organic, creating a sonic palette that is at once familiar and utterly new. It’s a conversation. A cacophony. A meditation. A communion. A catharsis.

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Nov
23
1:30 PM13:30

Son et Lumière: an experience of Art and Baroque Music

  • St Matthew's Church Lady's Chapel (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Experience a rare slice of Hastings' history in the Lady's Chapel at St Matthew's. This hidden gem boasts some of the finest examples of Art Deco stained glass in the Southern Hemisphere.

Learn some of the lost arts of Art History with a short talk on the pieces by our artistic director and not-so-secret art nerd, Rosheen FitzGerald, before being transported from the early 20th to the 18th century by Inégal, the Baroque sextet who play on a gale of wind and strings - recorders, baroque oboe, baroque chalumeau, viola, spinet and cello. They take their name from the French Baroque style of playing where runs of notes are played inégal or unequal in length.

Let the music wash over you as you are bathed in beautiful coloured light in this unique experience of sound, light and learning, a perfect Sunday afternoon's diversion.

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Brave Buskers
Nov
23
3:00 PM15:00

Brave Buskers

Local musicians sing their hearts out at the best brewery in the Bay - Brave - in a series of free whānau friendly shows. Let these talented singer songwriters serenade you while you swill the best of Brave beers in their sunny courtyard.

Kick back and wind down the weekend on Sunday afternoon with the soulful stylings of Smalltalk frontman, Greg Conrad. Hailing from the great windy city of Chicago, Greg has sung and played guitar all over America and on cruise ships before landing here on Heretaunga's shores. He quickly became a regular fixture on the local scene, both solo and in bands, with a repertoire of laid back classics to see out your week.

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Quiet Rituals
Nov
23
3:30 PM15:30

Quiet Rituals

Following a sold-out premiere in Wellington, Stella Grace Seawright, Jake Starrs, and Grace Ella Lewis bring their triptych of solo performances, Quiet Rituals, to Hastings. The works explore generational ties and the rituals we inherit, reshape, and carry. Through movement, we navigate self-reckoning, grief, dreaming, and the quiet ways communities remember and heal.

Giving Over, by Stella Grace Seawright
Giving Over is a sombre solo pilgrimage towards relinquishing the breath hoarded after losing a loved one. As this solitary procession takes place, a gentle shroud is offered as an invitation. Meet me in my despair, my anguish, my tears and my great love. Lamentations slither forward, vibrating bones burned to powder captured by a breeze of exhalation. Through this piece, I present an opportunity of exchange, between the brutality of loss and vulnerable surrender.

Give up,

Give way,

Give in,

Give over.


At 3 am I am here with the Red Dream, by Jake Starrs
At 3 am I am here with the Red Dream is a brazen solo offering that imagines queer futures from the ashes of buried dreams and forgotten selves. It reflects on the abandoned promises, ended relationships, and shedded exoskeletons expelled from moments of self-reckoning. Navigating the radical and sometimes violent potential for transformation, this work asks who is reborn after heartbreak, love, and personal history is flattened into dust.

Dissolving the Apricot Corridor, by Grace Ella Lewis
Dissolving the Apricot Corridor depicts the closing waking moments as you fall into sleep, the architecture of the mind that disintegrates as consciousness fades. This place is a universal and deeply personal experience. Unpicking the people, places and objects which scatter through the mind and turn an invitation into an archaeological experience.

An uncanny self wanders the Apricot Corridor, pauses at the 18 step staircase and falls between the gap. A recurrent pathway which cycles over and over. The sensation of falling sitting in its belly.

An undulating soft apricot wall cascades from the pearly ceiling.

Swaddled ribs shaken of their sugary innocence

fall

delicately onto a counter.

Whilst holding the dimpled preposition of puddled rain.

Come sit at the table of oneiric oddities.

Tickets on sale now from Eventfinda.

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Quiet Rituals
Nov
23
6:30 PM18:30

Quiet Rituals

Following a sold-out premiere in Wellington, Stella Grace Seawright, Jake Starrs, and Grace Ella Lewis bring their triptych of solo performances, Quiet Rituals, to Hastings. The works explore generational ties and the rituals we inherit, reshape, and carry. Through movement, we navigate self-reckoning, grief, dreaming, and the quiet ways communities remember and heal.

Giving Over, by Stella Grace Seawright
Giving Over is a sombre solo pilgrimage towards relinquishing the breath hoarded after losing a loved one. As this solitary procession takes place, a gentle shroud is offered as an invitation. Meet me in my despair, my anguish, my tears and my great love. Lamentations slither forward, vibrating bones burned to powder captured by a breeze of exhalation. Through this piece, I present an opportunity of exchange, between the brutality of loss and vulnerable surrender.

Give up,

Give way,

Give in,

Give over.


At 3 am I am here with the Red Dream, by Jake Starrs
At 3 am I am here with the Red Dream is a brazen solo offering that imagines queer futures from the ashes of buried dreams and forgotten selves. It reflects on the abandoned promises, ended relationships, and shedded exoskeletons expelled from moments of self-reckoning. Navigating the radical and sometimes violent potential for transformation, this work asks who is reborn after heartbreak, love, and personal history is flattened into dust.

Dissolving the Apricot Corridor, by Grace Ella Lewis
Dissolving the Apricot Corridor depicts the closing waking moments as you fall into sleep, the architecture of the mind that disintegrates as consciousness fades. This place is a universal and deeply personal experience. Unpicking the people, places and objects which scatter through the mind and turn an invitation into an archaeological experience.

An uncanny self wanders the Apricot Corridor, pauses at the 18 step staircase and falls between the gap. A recurrent pathway which cycles over and over. The sensation of falling sitting in its belly.

An undulating soft apricot wall cascades from the pearly ceiling.

Swaddled ribs shaken of their sugary innocence

fall

delicately onto a counter.

Whilst holding the dimpled preposition of puddled rain.

Come sit at the table of oneiric oddities.

Tickets on sale now from Eventfinda.

View Event →
Quiet Rituals
Nov
24
6:30 PM18:30

Quiet Rituals

Following a sold-out premiere in Wellington, Stella Grace Seawright, Jake Starrs, and Grace Ella Lewis bring their triptych of solo performances, Quiet Rituals, to Hastings. The works explore generational ties and the rituals we inherit, reshape, and carry. Through movement, we navigate self-reckoning, grief, dreaming, and the quiet ways communities remember and heal.

Giving Over, by Stella Grace Seawright
Giving Over is a sombre solo pilgrimage towards relinquishing the breath hoarded after losing a loved one. As this solitary procession takes place, a gentle shroud is offered as an invitation. Meet me in my despair, my anguish, my tears and my great love. Lamentations slither forward, vibrating bones burned to powder captured by a breeze of exhalation. Through this piece, I present an opportunity of exchange, between the brutality of loss and vulnerable surrender.

Give up,

Give way,

Give in,

Give over.


At 3 am I am here with the Red Dream, by Jake Starrs
At 3 am I am here with the Red Dream is a brazen solo offering that imagines queer futures from the ashes of buried dreams and forgotten selves. It reflects on the abandoned promises, ended relationships, and shedded exoskeletons expelled from moments of self-reckoning. Navigating the radical and sometimes violent potential for transformation, this work asks who is reborn after heartbreak, love, and personal history is flattened into dust.

Dissolving the Apricot Corridor, by Grace Ella Lewis
Dissolving the Apricot Corridor depicts the closing waking moments as you fall into sleep, the architecture of the mind that disintegrates as consciousness fades. This place is a universal and deeply personal experience. Unpicking the people, places and objects which scatter through the mind and turn an invitation into an archaeological experience.

An uncanny self wanders the Apricot Corridor, pauses at the 18 step staircase and falls between the gap. A recurrent pathway which cycles over and over. The sensation of falling sitting in its belly.

An undulating soft apricot wall cascades from the pearly ceiling.

Swaddled ribs shaken of their sugary innocence

fall

delicately onto a counter.

Whilst holding the dimpled preposition of puddled rain.

Come sit at the table of oneiric oddities.

Tickets on sale now from Eventfinda.

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Invisible Plain {07-09-24}
Oct
13
8:30 PM20:30

Invisible Plain {07-09-24}

Close your eyes. Give us your hand, darlings. Do you feel our hearts beating? Do you understand? Is that important?

Diana Prince has relocated five (or six) of her best semi-professional musicians from Themyscira to Hastings for one special night only!

If you're an apophenic creature who enjoys long (48kms plus) walks on the beach and collects shower curtains for an elderly aunt who optimistically distributes them to the great unwashed - this is the unmissable musical experience for you!

Drums, saxophones, bass, guitar, something and something else - we have all your aural wants covered. Join us as we re-imagine Tom Jones as a drug addled stripper accidentally stumbling into an orchestral Scelsi festival in front of our new masters, the Xychlotyls.. you will/might/won't be disappointed!
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Ish: All Folked Up
Oct
13
7:00 PM19:00

Ish: All Folked Up

The Ish whānau pools its talent from classical, jazz and folk pathways and includes Dana Parkhill, Louise Ward, Phill Jones, Johnny Goodhind, Joe Dobson and Chris Beernink.

FiTS 2020 was the launch pad for Ish and this year marks the 4th time these vibrant musicians have been part of Fringe in the 'Stings. Put your dancing trousers on and join them in full party mode for exotic tunes and crazy rhythms.

Accents. Bass and Bazouki. Cool-as-a-cucumber Chris. Dana Dancing Dangerously. Exotic Energy. Funky Flute. Get on up! Hot Harmonies. Indefinable-Ish. John & Joe Jamming. Kick-arse Klezmer. Lively Literary Louise. Magic Music. Nordic Notes. Oro. Phantastic Phill. Quality. Riotous Rhythms. Songs and Stories. Tunes. Upbeat. Vibrant Violin. WOW! Xuberant. Yes! Zebras (not really)

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Only the Stars Know Where I've Been
Oct
13
5:30 PM17:30

Only the Stars Know Where I've Been

Only the Stars Know Where I’ve Been is a full-length contemporary dance work that traverses nebulous happenings in a surreal yet meditative coming-of-age. A dream-like vista of prickly pathways, departures, and self-repatriation. Time darts where it pleases, entangling utopias into a tapestry of sentiment, before the seasons of doubt arrive. With its tender performance, sculpted choreography, and uncanny world, the work conjures an opportunity to introspect and converse with your quiet contemplations.

Get your tickets!

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CRUNCH
Oct
13
4:00 PM16:00

CRUNCH

*opens chippie packet*
CRUNCH

Winner of the Grand Design Award at NZ Fringe 2024 and Nominated for Best in Fringe, CRUNCH is travelling to Hastings to share its whimsy, joy, and crunchiness with audiences up north.

Come along and enjoy the "playful energy" and "glittery graphics" of CRUNCH, created by Laura Gaudin and Izzi Lao and produced by Angela Pelham.

Proudly supported by the National Association of Fringe Festivals Fund and Proper Crisps.

Get your tickets!

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Only the Stars Know Where I've Been
Oct
13
2:00 PM14:00

Only the Stars Know Where I've Been

Only the Stars Know Where I’ve Been is a full-length contemporary dance work that traverses nebulous happenings in a surreal yet meditative coming-of-age. A dream-like vista of prickly pathways, departures, and self-repatriation. Time darts where it pleases, entangling utopias into a tapestry of sentiment, before the seasons of doubt arrive. With its tender performance, sculpted choreography, and uncanny world, the work conjures an opportunity to introspect and converse with your quiet contemplations.

Get your tickets!

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For My Family, and Yours
Oct
12
9:30 PM21:30

For My Family, and Yours

Dedicated to the loved ones who help us become the people we are.

'For My Family, And Yours' is an exploration into the family relationships that shape us. Told through the lens of music, poetry and his family, Ravi the Poet interweaves a narrative of how we can’t help but be influenced by the loved ones around us.

Filled to the brim with love and gratitude, mixed in with a couple doses of difficult truths, come along to reflect on your relationships and leave the evening appreciating the loved ones shaping your journey.

Bring tissues.

Ravi the Poet has been devouring the works of countless poets, songwriters, and rappers since his first heartbreak, to remind him that we’re never alone in our struggles. After teaching himself how to write songs and play music, he began performing his unique blend of spoken-word, acoustic songs and message-driven raps at open mics across Auckland before producing and performing his own.

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Metal Mass
Oct
12
9:30 PM21:30

Metal Mass

The fourth annual festival of Metal, Rock and Opera from Hastings' favourite stompers, ragers and screamers. Raige Productions presents the brutal metallic sound of GUNT, the relentless yelling of Simone and the tortured roar of Fringe in the 'Stings veterans Realthentic. Get your head banging and journey with us to the dark side.

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Morgan and Justin Get Ambitious
Oct
12
8:30 PM20:30

Morgan and Justin Get Ambitious

After succeeding in obscurity across the country, Justin Ngai and Morgan Hunter-Bell are merging their brands of bizarre into one wild show. Get ready for an explosion of creativity as they explore road stories, dating woes, racial/societal expectations, and more in their own genre-bending style.

With great ambition comes great comedy from Hunter-Bell and Ngai.

“Comedy Gold” – Theatreview

Awards
Morgan Hunter-Bell - Winner Best Joke, Comedy Hub Awards (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022)
Justin Ngai - Winner Best New NZ Short Play, Manawatu Regional Theatre Awards 2019
Justin Ngai - Winner Best MC, Comedy Hub Awards 2023

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Twisted Tales from the Sacrum
Oct
12
7:30 PM19:30

Twisted Tales from the Sacrum

Our dear leader Rob reads stories from The Twisted Tales from the Sacrum, a relic of old. Spooky Skeletons shall provide further context to the listenings by performing songs from that very same book. The first 10 ticket holders shall receive a picture and song book and we shall have another few available for purchase. Wow! Take what you’ve learned home and serenade your friends and family through song and speech.

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Toothless
Oct
12
7:30 PM19:30

Toothless

Rhian is a man who does shows, some of which win awards, that generally speaking are just him doing talking about something that has been a large influence in his life. Previous Fringe in the 'Stings shows have seen Rhian walking long distances and gambling excessively. This time I've lost my teeth. Hear the hilarious tale of one man's war against the New Zealand dental industry.

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The Most Haunted Comedian in New Zealand
Oct
12
6:30 PM18:30

The Most Haunted Comedian in New Zealand

From the Tim Burton of Taranaki comes a show for the weird kids, the black sheep, and the grown-up gifted and talented failures.

Join Comedy Hub's reigning "Best Comedian", Callum Wagstaff, in a colourful nightmare land of everyday horrors and see the world through his glassy, lash-ridden eyeballs. Covering everything from eating spiderwebs to talking to dead people to his time growing up in starship hospital, this is the hot ticket show this festival!

"A popular act on the local scene with House of Laughs, thanks to his manic stage presence" - Stuff

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Piper Blaster: Dairy Queen
Oct
12
6:30 PM18:30

Piper Blaster: Dairy Queen

Piper Blaster, the Dairy Queen from the Waikato is an all Singing, all Cooking, Drag Diva. Presenting a tale of the country boy from rural Waikato, and his discovery of all things fabulous. Featuring songs from The Sound of Music, Funny Girl, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and more, you're in for a treat, .... Or maybe some cake if you're lucky!

Piper Blaster is the live singing drag diva, straight out of The Awamutu. She has performed around the North Island, performing at the New Zealand Fringe Festival, Hamilton Arts Festival and Tauranga Fringe. She is known for her campy show tunes, fabulous original costumes, and a just enough sass, that you'd want to go home and tell your Mother. She's a One of Kind, that you just don't want to miss.

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The Off Broadway Drag Show
Oct
12
5:30 PM17:30

The Off Broadway Drag Show

The Off Broadway Rangatahi Drag Show is a dazzling blend of glitz and glam, and good old fashioned fun. With a sprinkle of banter and a tough of laughter, this performance is a captivating escape from the ordinary. From the stunning costumes and electrifying performances to the witty remarks and audience interaction, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this vibrant and entertaining spectacle.

This is a FREE event!

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Punsing Up
Oct
12
5:30 PM17:30

Punsing Up

Wellington pun-master, Nathan Bond is back in the bay with his signature brand of dry one-liners. In the five and a half years he's been plying his trade he's been nominated for five awards including the Lower North Island breakthrough artist of the year in 2020. He won the 2022 Wellington Roast Battle and the Palmerston North Too Punny award 2023. If you like wordplay this is the show for you.

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The Rugs, Love + Loss
Oct
12
5:30 PM17:30

The Rugs, Love + Loss

Love+Loss is a collection of music written by Hawke's Bay native, Aslan, as a creative release in response to the rigidity of his technical training at NZSM. Here they allow inspiration to flow from emotion, resulting in simple, meaningful, sensitive pieces that honour and celebrate his own deeply personal experiences.

To complement this new approach, they brought together a group of musicians, the Rugs, who embody the caring, sensitive, joyful, and empathetic ideals emphasised in the music. Rather than merely playing, they embrace it, and help it grow by pouring their own emotions and experiences into it.

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Christina Gunson
Oct
12
4:30 PM16:30

Christina Gunson

Christina Gunson is a farmers wife and a mother of three who's making her dream of performance a reality. Armed with only her guitar, she gives voice to her experience through a mix of indie, country, rock and folk. All the way from rural Hawke's Bay, Christina's authentic sound will warm your heart.

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Mercy Mercy Me! Hawke's Bay Soul Choir
Oct
12
3:00 PM15:00

Mercy Mercy Me! Hawke's Bay Soul Choir

Take me to Church! - No, it's not a Sunday service; it's a Saturday Soulful celebration of songs with the Hawke's Bay Soul Choir! St Matthew's church is the charming backdrop for 50 voices showcasing your favourite Motown, disco and contemporary hits in unplugged style, with subtle instrumental accompaniment. The church's acoustics will beautifully amplify the rich harmonies and emotional depth of these timeless classics. Come and experience this Fringe Fest favourite!

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The Phenomenal
Oct
12
3:00 PM15:00

The Phenomenal

Get down to the deep resonating sound of the Phenomenal. DJ Unz lays down an ambient beat as a base for drums and didgeridoo to create a transcendental musical experience for everyone to enjoy. Drummers Dali and Davide keep the beat. Feel the grass between your toes and shake it off in the sunshine. Bring all your friends and make some new ones at this FREE show!

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CRUNCH
Oct
12
1:00 PM13:00

CRUNCH

*opens chippie packet*
CRUNCH

Winner of the Grand Design Award at NZ Fringe 2024 and Nominated for Best in Fringe, CRUNCH is travelling to Hastings to share its whimsy, joy, and crunchiness with audiences up north.

Come along and enjoy the "playful energy" and "glittery graphics" of CRUNCH, created by Laura Gaudin and Izzi Lao and produced by Angela Pelham.

Proudly supported by the National Association of Fringe Festivals Fund and Proper Crisps.

Get your tickets!

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Badabing Sound System presents Bass Heavy in the 'Stings
Oct
12
12:00 PM12:00

Badabing Sound System presents Bass Heavy in the 'Stings

Bada Bing Sound System presents Bass Heavy in the ‘Stings, a celebration of sound system culture with a uniquely international flavour.

Your selectors for this journey are:
Goldyknox, the man who always brings a diverse selection of funk and hip hop to get the party started. Expect the unexpected as Goldyknox mixes his way through some classics as well as the tracks you didn’t know you needed on your playlist.

Nat Lover, known for his diverse collection of genres from across the globe, vinyl aficionado Nat Lover is truly a portal for international music. His selections for the session will showcase the rhythmic styles stemming from the Afrobeat and Afrotech genres and are guaranteed to get your body moving!

Freddy – one half of the Akina Vinyl Appreciation Society, Freddy will be flying solo and digging deep into his crates to select an eclectic vinyl-only mix. His crates are brim full of a mix of funk, hip-hop, and deep pockets of Roots, Reggae/Dub and Jungle for a bass heavy journey.

Bass Heavy in the Stings is a rare opportunity to experience a hand built sound system in the urban outdoors, where it all began over 70 years ago in the streets of Jamaica. With A-on and Forty Hertz operating the rig, this will be one not to miss!

This is a free event!

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The Hawke's Bay Jazz Club Big Band
Oct
12
12:00 PM12:00

The Hawke's Bay Jazz Club Big Band

While the Hawke’s Bay Jazz Club has had several Big Bands over the years, the current Band is the longest-serving of them all having started in 1991 driven by well known Napier musician, the late Ernie Rouse.

The Band is a voluntary group and provides a comfortable, supportive and friendly environment in which to make music. The Musical Directors are James Lowe and Alex Walker.

The band rehearses weekly and members come from all over Hawke’s Bay – including Central HB – to attend both practices and performances. Currently the Band’s members range in age from 15 to 75 – proving that Jazz is something for all ages.

The Hawke’s Bay Jazz Club big band was reformed in 1991 and since then has become a major contributor not only to the annual Art Deco Celebrations, but also the dance and jazz communities in the region. The band regularly travels overseas to perform.

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The Bounce
Oct
12
9:00 AM09:00

The Bounce

Sound Selectors are kick starting Fringe in the 'Stings' Saturday morning in style with The Bounce. This very special edition of the popular all ages morning dance party will be held at our artists hub, the 118, catering to your caffeine needs while you get down to the funky beats. Dress comfy and get your morning groove on!

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Stretch and the Sinners
Oct
11
9:00 PM21:00

Stretch and the Sinners

Stretch and the Sinners are a soul-stirring indie folk-rock band, that blend heartfelt emotion with an uplifting abandonment in the joy of music. It’s a beautifully raw and emotive sound, set to a depth of lyricism
earned from lives truly lived.

At the heart of the band is Stretch, a compelling frontman with a voice that swings from smoky whisper to soaring soul searching, embodying both vulnerability and defiance. Their live performances are intimate yet electrifying, with moments of hushed intensity followed by explosive crescendos, creating a dynamic
experience that pulls the audience into the emotional core of each song.

300 Years of Playing

The Sinners bring rich, textured soundscapes to life with acoustic and electric guitars, brooding bass lines, echoing drums, and soaring cello. The incredibly emotive playing of cellist Paula Sugden with her 300-year old instrument, creates melodic lines that weave between Stretch’s soulful voice. Andrew Gladstone brings an atmospheric approach to his vintage drum-kits, a true master of taste and timing. Cam Burns is a musicians musician, fully realising the arrangements and expanding the music to wide screen aspects. Together there is a chemistry and passion that sets their shows alight. Their combined sound combusts with a grace and power unlike anything else in the New Zealand music scene.

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Sexy Ghost Boy
Oct
11
7:00 PM19:00

Sexy Ghost Boy

An interactive comedy from the mind of George Fenn (NZ Spirit of the Fringe), Sexy Ghost Boy is about a ghost, who is too sexy for heaven and too sexy for hell.

Channeling the unusual through the audience, Sexy Ghost Boy channels the hilariously parody's the sexy parts of ourselves. Bring your mates, dates and cabalistic minions to the summoning of the spookiest thot at the most sexy location in all of Hastings - St Matthew's Hall.

R18. Contains sexual themes and theatrically relevant nudity.

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Ritual Lullabies for the Void
Oct
11
6:00 PM18:00

Ritual Lullabies for the Void

Ritual Lullabies for the Void presents work by the Wellington-based duo Serpent Dream. This show is a captivating audio ritual performance using acoustic guitar, violin, voice, synthesis and sticks, stones and bones to create atmospheric and rhythmic soundscapes.

Using the full spectrum of live, and prerecorded sound, and traditional and contemporary instruments, Serpent Dream expands beyond conventional genres to present an all-encompassing experience.

Come feast your senses and sink into a familiar yet timeless sonic journey that opens up a world of light and darkness.

Get your tickets now!

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CRUNCH
Oct
11
3:30 PM15:30

CRUNCH

*opens chippie packet*
CRUNCH

Winner of the Grand Design Award at NZ Fringe 2024 and Nominated for Best in Fringe, CRUNCH is travelling to Hastings to share its whimsy, joy, and crunchiness with audiences up north.

Come along and enjoy the "playful energy" and "glittery graphics" of CRUNCH, created by Laura Gaudin and Izzi Lao and produced by Angela Pelham.

Proudly supported by the National Association of Fringe Festivals Fund and Proper Crisps.

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