Readers and Writers - Words of Worth

An exciting lineup with something for everyone. Relax with a glass of wine for an evening with author Nicky Pellegrino and food writer Christelle LeRu. Poet, Apirana Taylor will captivate his audience with a multi-media performance and storyteller, Tanya Batt returns with the new Storytelling for Adults - this is a sell-out in other centres.

Sun 17 Feb 2008 - Sat 23 Feb 2008
Cost: Various, Kids storytelling is FREE
Time: Refer to programme
Where: Hamilton Gardens, Cobham Drive, Hamilton
Further details: Hamilton Community Arts Council 07 838 6424 info@hcac.org.nz www.hcac.org.nz

Tainui Festival

Waikato Tainui attempt to set a new world record for World's Biggest Haka, with entertainment from Che Fu, Ben Lummis, Kapa Haka and more. Heaps of activities, arts and cultural events with stalls and a kids corner. More information from the website.

Fri 15 Feb 2008 - Sun 17 Feb 2008
Cost: FREE
Time: All day
Where: Hopuhopu - Ngaruawahia
Further details: Tainui www.tainui.co.nz

Multiples Fundraising Exhibition at New Freinds

This fundraising exhibition will consist of 15 artists. Each artist will make a set of four 'art multiples' which will be for sale as a set or individually. The artists will be exploring methods of reproduction, and will be working in a range of mediums. Please come along and support New Freinds as well as these artists.

Fri 08 Feb 2008 - Thu 28 Feb 2008
Cost: FREE
Time: 5.30pm
Where: New Friends Contemporary Art Space, 186 Victoria Street
Further details: Georgina Watson newfriendsgallery@gmail.com www.newfriendsgallery.co.nz

Batrider

Ex-NZ favourites Batrider are back in the country playing a small string of live shows. After mastering the NZ B-net market Batrider moved to Australia to pursue further musical domination. Catch their Hamilton leg at Yellow Submarine.

Fri 08 Feb 2008
Cost: TBD
Time: 9pm
Where: Yellow Submarine, 12 Ward St, Hamilton
Further details: Mole Music molemusicltd@gmail.com www.molemusicltd.com

Soundsplash

Raglan's eco-reggae music festival. Soundsplash 08 has the best line-up of local and international artists yet. Adding to the already stellar line-up is two of Jamaica's most influential reggae artists that emerged in the late 1990s. Check the website for line-up details.

Fri 15 Feb 2008 - Sun 17 Feb 2008
Cost: $145-$165 + booking fee
Time: All weekend
Where: Wainui Reserve, Map details on website
Further details: Motherland Collective info@motherland.co.nz soundsplash.motherland.co.nz/faq.htm

Arts Waikato Scholarship

Scholarships of up to $5000 for tertiary study or continuing education in any art field. Must be resident or educated in the Waikato region. See website for further criteria.

Fri 01 Feb 2008 - Fri 28 Mar 2008
Cost: FREE
Time: Annual
Further details: Arts Waikato 07 856 9731 awinfo@artswaikato.org.nz www.artswaikato.org.nz

Arts.Biz Workshop Series

A year-long programme of eight management workshops designed for those in the creative industries, covering the basics of what you need to know to start or improve your own arts business: planning, accounting, legal, marketing, media, pricing. Translating the jargon into common sense. Workshops are friendly and relaxed, facilitated by experts.

Sat 01 Mar 2008 - Sat 01 Nov 2008
Cost: $40 per workshop, $260 for the series
Time: 9.30am-3.00pm
Further details: Arts Waikato 07 8569731 awinfo@artswaikato.org.nz www.artswaikato.org.nz

Hamilton Gardens Summer Festival

Enjoy a varied programme of arts events in this summertime festival which includes a fantastic array of performances within the visual arts, music, family entertainment, comedy, theatre, film, opera, readers and writers, classical and dance categories. Set amidst the serenity and magic of the Hamilton Gardens.

Thu 14 Feb 2008 - Sun 24 Feb 2008
Cost: Various
Time: Refer to programme
Where: Hamilton Gardens, Cobham Drive, Hamilton
Further details: Hamilton Gardens 07 838 6782 hamilton.gardens@hcc.govt.nz www.hamiltongardens.co.nz

Art Wanted

Pirongia Arts and Craft Gallery is seeking artists interested in exhibiting. New artists will be exhibiting monthly. Vacancies are currently available from June onwards. Call for more information.

Sun 01 Jun 2008 - Mon 30 Jun 2008
Cost: FREE
Further details: Kathy Boggis 021 154 2157

NZ Painting and Printmaking Award 2008

Gala champagne award announcement.

Fri 15 Feb 2008
Cost: $10
Time: 6pm
Where: Hamilton Gardens Pavillion, Cobham Drive, Hamilton
Further details: WSA wsa@wsa.org.nz www.wsa.org.nz