BLOCK PARTY IN MASTERTON
The Masterton Arts Quarter is holding a free community party on Labour Day Saturday, October 26th, around the CBD block and into nearby Queen Elizabeth Park.
An extraordinary range of over 25 fun things to do, from 10am to 2pm, all events at BLOCK PARTY are free of charge, and for all ages.
Everyone is invited to enjoy entertainment at 4 stages, Printing from Queen Street manhole covers onto tote bags with Masterton Art Club, Art in the Park (artists will paint at their easels), Behind-the-scenes museum collection tour at Aratoi, kids art at ConArt, Koauau flute-making at King Street Artworks, Pottery workshop at Te Pātukituki, Devonshire tea and scones at Come Sew With Me, Inflatables and games at Trust House Recreation Centre, free entry and shearing demonstrations at The Wool Shed – New Zealand’s Museum of Sheep and Shearing, with Wairarapa Spinners and Weavers creating out front – this is a party that pools together the community.
“Keep It Green” is the theme for BLOCK PARTY 2019. Enjoy a guided tree tour of Queen Elizabeth Park, one of Aotearoa’s oldest inland parks. Watch two short environmental films at the MTLT Education Centre, 22 Dixon St (from 11am): ‘Fools and Dreamers’ and ‘Conservation in the Wairarapa’ produced by two students: Edward Rice and Carys Gibbs. "Space Art" at Aratoi - Galaxy Play-doh and Create a star constellation in the courtyard of Aratoi. Breadcraft, which supports Aratoi’s annual student art exhibition on show during the Party, will introduce their new line of cricket, hemp seed, purple corn, and spinach wraps. Live character Manukura will arrive from Pūkaha. Activities that encourage re-use: Photo-swap in front of King Street Artworks (bring one to the party, take one home) and second-hand book sale, fun and games with NZ Pacific Studio. Recycling bins will be available.
Most activities are drop-in, running throughout the party; a few need planning or booking:
-Tia Tuuta, Kaitakawaenga Māori Liaison Advisor, opens the Party at ConArt (9.30am)
-Behind-the-scenes collection tour for kids at Aratoi (11am) book: [email protected]
-Tree Tour, led by Alan Feilding, meet at Hosking Fountain, Queen Elizabeth Park (11am, and 1pm),
-Shearing demonstrations at The Wool Shed, Dixon St (11am -1pm)
-Environmental Films at Education Centre, 22 Dixon St (from 11am)
-Outdoor Poems Tour (12 Noon) Meet at Trust House Recreation Centre, 2 Dixon St.
-Beauty of Simplicity Pottery Workshop (1pm) with Sam Ludden at Te Pātukituki (Te Pā), 15 Queen St.
-Tia Tuuta, Kaitakawaenga Māori Liaison Advisor, closes the Party, at ConArt (2.30pm)
Live entertainment: a DJ stage in QE Park near the Skate Park (led by Sean Trueman, DJ Mawley), Singer-songwriter stage at ConArt (led by Nick Brandon), Live Poetry in Library Square (led by Nathan Crombie and Erin Kavanagh-Hall, Newsnet.live), and Czech musician Jonáš Koukl will bring instruments for the public to play under the trees of QE Park.
Food: Stalls in QE Park and Masterton Arts Quarter, Bright Green Smoothies Special at Entice Café, the Wairarapa Farmers’ Market is open, and Thai Aroy Maak are offering amazing Thai treats for the third year in a row.
Masterton Arts Quarter is comprised of Aratoi Wairarapa Museum of Art and History, ConArt Gallery and Studios, King Street Artworks, and Te Pātukituki o Wairarapa – their motto: “Our togetherness keeps us well. Mā tātou ka ora ai tātou.” The Masterton Art Club and Wairarapa Archive are co-organisers of BLOCK PARTY 2019, and Masterton Creative Communities Scheme have supplied core funding.
This is Masterton’s third BLOCK PARTY. The first event, in 2017, was initiated by Aratoi Wairarapa Museum of Art and History, co-presented with Our Future Masterton and Urban Dream Brokerage, financially supported by Masterton District Council, and carried out by the entire CBD block.
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FULL PROGRAMME
OPENING
-- Tia Tuuta, Kaitakawaenga Māori Liaison Advisor, opens the Party at 9.30am at ConArt
MASTERTON ARTS QUARTER (Bruce & Queen Streets)
-- Koauau flute-making at King Street Artworks
-- Photo-swap in front of King Street Artworks (bring one to the party, take one home)
-- Space Art – Galaxy Play-doh & Create constellations in the courtyard of Aratoi
-- Behind-the-scenes collection tour for kids at Aratoi (11am) book: [email protected]
-- Breadcraft will introduce cricket, hemp seed, purple corn, and spinach wraps at Aratoi
-- Kids art at ConArt
-- Singer-songwriter stage at ConArt
-- pottery workshop with Sam Ludden at Te Pātukituki (Te Pā), 15 Queen St. (1pm)
-- Live character Manukura will arrive from Pūkaha and greet visitors
QUEEN STREET - NEAR MASTERTON LIBRARY
-- Street printing from manhole covers onto tote bags with Masterton Art Club - near Library
-- Live Poetry in Library Square
-- Second-hand book sale near Library with NZ Pacific Studio
QUEEN ELIZABETH PARK
-- Play 100+ instruments with Jonáš Koukl under the trees of QE Park
-- DJ stage near Skate Park. led by Sean Trueman, DJ Mawley
-- Art in the Park - 10-20 artists will paint at their easels around Band Rotunda
-- Sewing, Devonshire tea and scones at Come Sew With Me, Rose Cottage, QE Park
-- Tree Tour, led by Alan Feilding, meet at Hosking Fountain (11am, and 1pm)
DIXON ST
-- Free inflatables and games at Trust House Recreation Centre
-- Outdoor Poems Tour by Chris Daniell, Meet at Trust House Recreation Centre (12 Noon)
-- Wool Shed - free entry (10-2) and free shearing demos (11-1)
-- Wairarapa Spinners and Weavers creating out front of The Wool Shed
-- Green films at MTLT Education Centre, 1/ Fools & Dreamers (30min) 2/ Conservation in Wairarapa (15min) produced by students: Edward Rice & Carys Gibbs, 22 Dixon St, 11am
-- Meet Green Groups at Education Centre (from 11am)
CLOSING
-- Tia Tuuta, Kaitakawaenga Māori Liaison Advisor closes the event at 2.30pm, at ConArt