The Spinoff’s top picks of events from around the motu.

Wayyy down below, I’ve featured an exhibition in Wellington titled Plus 1. Artists were invited to be part of a show, as long as they invited another artist to create or exhibit with them. In the gallery’s text, it says there’s an “inherent challenge” in bringing a plus one to events.  The challenge is, apparently, about how that plus one will fit (or not) into the crowd at the event. Will they be super awkward and clingy? Or will they be so charming everyone will forget all about you? I can see how this is a delicate balancing act, but for me, this isn’t the challenge. My challenge, surely shared by many others who have a ball and chain, is to not take the same plus one absolutely everywhere, even to events they have no interest in yet someone else might love.

A partner is a very easy plus one. They’re basically obligated to follow you around, they don’t flake out and your budgets are almost always aligned. While convenience and reliability are very, very seductive qualities, wouldn’t it be nice to see a friend you haven’t seen in a while? There will be more to talk about than what’s in the fridge and when should we vacuum the car. This week, make a friend your plus one.

Visual art: He Aa I Uta, He Aa I Tai: Weaving the Elements

Te Whare Taonga o Waikato, 1 Grantham Street, Kirikiriroa Hamilton
10am-5pm, daily until August 10
Free

He Aa I Uta, He Aa I Tai is a large-scale exhibition with new works, both traditional and contemporary, by members of Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa. The roopu’s origins start in 1983, when the Māori and Pacific Island Arts Council invited a group of 10 women to look at the needs of weavers and to come up with ideas for supporting them. Three years later the women formed a weavers committee called Aotearoa Moana Nui A Kiwa Weavers. They wanted to nurture, foster and preserve the techniques and the love of weaving. In 1994, changes to government structures and funding led to the Māori and Pacific weavers separating and Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa emerged as the first Māori weavers’ national collective.

Today, members of Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa are scattered throughout the country and represented by an elected committee of six members. They host a biennial Weavers National Hui, put together exhibitions, publications, workshops, wānanga and art exchanges and publish a quarterly newsletter.

This particular exhibition is notable for the sheer number of pieces by master weavers. There’s work by Maureen Lander, Edna Pahewa, Dale Cousens, Ereni Putere, Gina Coatsworth, Margaret Rose Ngawaka  and more. It’s worth a trip to Hamilton, especially because in the very same gallery there’s also a Robyn Kahukiwa exhibition touring from the New Zealand Portrait Gallery.

Northland

Music: Sunday Roast Sessions

Charlotte’s Kitchen, Paihia Wharf, Marsden Road, Paihia
3pm Sunday, May 25
$20 – $30 per person for a meal (bookings recommended)

Enjoy your music with some gravy! This week, Paul Lafotanoa will be on the drums, with Cookie Monster trio Rawhiti and Jane on guitars and Henry on bass and vocals.

Music: KARMA Retro Party

Ngunguru Sports & Recreation Club, Kopipi Crescent, Ngunguru 0173
7.30pm Saturday, May 24
Free

Auckland covers legends KARMA will be playing hits from the 70s, 80s, 90s and 00s and they’re requesting you come dance in your finest retro threads.

Tāmaki Makaurau

Visual Art: PUPURITIA, Storytelling and Contemporary Textiles

Objectspace, 13 Rose Road, Grey Lynn
10am-5pm on weekdays and 10am-4pm on the weekend until June 1
Free

Veils of muka hang from the ceiling, kororā pelts are stitched to a cloak and there’s intricate quilting, embroidery and weaving.

Visual art: Stamp The Streets, Henderson Art Quest

Start at Corban Estate Arts Centre or Waitākere Central Library
9am-5pm daily until June 20
Free

Inspired by Japan’s Eki stamp tradition, this quest begins with picking up a special passport which guides you around the neighbourhood. On the way you collect bespoke stamps by Sur Collective.

Tokoroa

The Yard Music Cafe, 9a Bow Street, Volcom Lane, Raglan
7.30pm Friday, May 23
$15

Waikato’s Mondogreen promise “Latin-inspired rhythms, reggae-injected grooves, chill melodic lines and guitar-heavy notes of slinky indie rock riffs and psychedelic shoegaze”.

Te Whanganui-a-Tara

Visual art: Plus 1

Jhana Millers Gallery, Level 1, 85 Victoria Street, Te Aro
11am-5pm Wednesday – Friday, 11am-4pm Saturday, until June 7
Free

Seventeen artists were invited to bring along someone else — an artist they admire, want to work with or feel a connection to. The result is a mix of harmony and playful dissonance.

Book launch: Slowing the Sun by Nadine Hura

Unity Books, 57 Willis Street, Wellington
6pm Monday, May 26 
Free

Speeches, readings and kai to celebrate a new collection of essays on climate change, grief, indigenous reclamation and more. Fun fact: some of the essays first appeared on this very website.

Marlborough

Theatre: Footloose the Musical

ASB Theatre Marlborough, 2 Hutcheson St, Blenheim
7.30pm Thursday – Saturday May 24
$35 – $77

Blenheim Musical Theatre is performing the iconic 80s classic.

Ōtautahi

Music: Key, Alison Moyet

Isaac Theatre Royal, 145 Gloucester Street, Christchurch Central City
8pm Tuesday, May 27
$162

“I hope this collection will be the key to those unopened doors. Let yourself in.” OK Alison.

Ōtepoti

Music: Mim Jensen, Shadow of the Gift release show

Pearl Diver, 73 Saint Andrew Street, Central Dunedin
8pm Saturday, May 24
$29

Mim Jensen fearlessly and honestly shares emotional deep-dives through her songwriting and performing.

Southland

Dance: Line Dancing For Beginners

Esplin Room, Gore Town & Country Club, Bury Street
10.45am Wednesday, May 28
$10

No experience, no partner and no boots needed for this fun one-hour workshop.