What's going on in Gisborne?

Merry Christmas text on a sheet of music.

Saturday, December 8

Gisborne Wainui Lions: Christmas Tree Sales. A multi-generational event providing trees for over 20 years to Gizzy families. Proceeds to a variety of local charities. Salvation Army complex, 289 Gladstone Rd, 7-11am, $30/tree, $10 home delivery, $5 tree collections after Christmas. Details: gisbornewainui@lionsclubs.org.nz

Tauawhi No Violence Long Board Classic. Family-friendly surfing competition with various divisions. All profits to prevent domestic violence. Makorori Beach, 7.30am-5.30pm, $40 adult, $20 u/16s, pay at event, register at Charcoal Chicken, 208 Gladstone Rd between 6-9pm on Dec 7, or ph Tim 027 558 6362.

Gisborne Parkrun. Timed, weekly 5km run or walk, for all abilities. Meet at Waikanae Beach Playground for 8am start. Kid, dog and pram-friendly. See http://www.parkrun.co.nz/gisborne/

St Andrew’s Car Boot Sale. A variety of realistically-priced bargains. In the carpark behind St Andrew’s Church (access off Childers Rd), 8am-midday, $5/car, ph 868 5513.

Gisborne Alzheimer’s Society Spud-in-a-Bucket judging and prize-giving. Bring in your bucket of spuds to be weighed and attend the prize-giving. Bunnings carpark, Kahutia St, 9–11am.

Huringa Pai Whanau Celebration Day. Bring your whanau and celebrate with a sausage sizzle at the pool. Gisborne Olympic Pool, 45 Centennial Marine Dr, 9.30am-1pm, free. Registration required for catering: Huringa Pai Facebook page.

Gisborne Card-Making & Scrapbooking. Meet like-minded people and get crafting. Emerald Hotel, 13 Gladstone Rd, 9.30am-3pm. Register, phone/text Karen 027 664 8010.

The Little Big Project. Hands-on workshop for ages 7-12 years exploring energy and electronic engineering. Electric Village, 37 Gladstone Rd, 10-11am & 11.30am-12.30pm, free. Register by emailing contact number, child’s name, age and preferred session to hello@electricvillage.nz

He Tirohanga ki Tai: Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery (to Mar 10, 2019). Provides an indigenous perspective looking out from our place in the world. Tairawhiti Museum, Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 1.30-4pm, locals free, visitors $5, ph 867 3832.

Learn to Sail Day. For adults with an interest in learning to sail. Gisborne Yacht Club, Kaiti Beach, 11.30am-2.30pm, weather permitting, free. See GYC’s Facebook page for updates.

Patutahi Tavern Beer and Food Festival. Listen to the live music while chilling out. Patutahi Tavern, 150 Seddon St, midday-late, $30 entry, incl a grazing box.

Tennis for beginners to experienced players. Ormond Tennis Club, Hill Rd, Ormond, 2-4pm, ph 862 5741 or 862 5856.

Wrightson Wairoa Christmas Parade and Free Family Concert. Bring your whanau for a fun-filled Christmas parade, Marine Parade from 2pm. Then afterwards, come along to The Lighthouse green, Marine Pde, from 3.30-5.30pm, free and watch the best local singers, dancers and musicians.

Carols on the Beach. Be entertained by The Wiz and singalong to Christmas songs and carols. Waikanae Surf Club, beach-end of Grey St, 5.30-8.30pm, free.

Marlex Zumba Masterclass. An epic class with ZIN Jammer Magic Marlex. Freedom Health & Fitness, 16 Fitzherbert St, $10 from the office, email freedomgisborne@gmail.com or $15 door sales.

Mayhem and Murder. Final night, mystery with music and bad-taste clothes. Musical Theatre Gisborne Clubrooms, 99 Innes St, 7.30pm. Tickets: $30 each incl supper, from Stephen Jones.

A Christmas Carol. A unique and timeless ghost story which will transport you back to Victorian England. Evolution Theatre, 75 Disraeli St, 7.30-9.30pm, $32 adult, $29 senior, $24 17yrs/u, from http://www.evolutiontheatre.org.nz/a-christmas-carol? or i-Site.

AZ One1. Live reggae cover band. Smash Palace, 24 Banks St, 9pm, $5 cash-only door sales, R18.

Subset BC. An evening of unique, creative and danceable sounds. Garden Bar, Dome, PBC, 38 Childers Rd, 8.30pm, $10 cash-only door sales.

Sunday, December 9

Gisborne Runners and Walkers Club. Weekly 1.5 hour walks with a cuppa and chat afterwards. 8am start. For meeting place: gisbornerunnersandwalkers@gmail.com

Queen Bee & B Bumble duo. Classic hits and a Christmas singalong. The White House, 69 Peel St, 1-3pm, free entry. For lunch bookings ph 867 1112.

Koanga Institute Guide Tour. Includes a look at the Bio-intensive seed and food gardens, emerging forest gardens, compost and seed processing. Koanga Institute, 96 Kotare Rd, Wairoa, 1-4pm. See Facebook page for details.

Historic MV Takitimu Cruise. Enjoy the sights of Poverty Bay from a fully-restored historic tug. Sailing from Pier 1 Inner Harbour, weather permitting, 2pm. Tickets, pay at the gate: $20 adult, $10 child u12. Details: Brian 027 474 9360.

A Christmas Carol, 2-4pm. See Sat Dec 8 listing.

The Band School: End of year Concert. Join 80 students and staff jamming to 35 songs. War Memorial Theatre, 159 Bright St, 2-6pm, $12 adult, $6 u/18s. Tickets: Raglan Roast or on Facebook Messenger.

Heart of Gisborne Christmas Parade. Theme: Children of the World, celebrating culture and diversity through the eyes of children. Gladstone Rd CBD, 4-4.30pm.

Monday, December 10

Tony Ogle Art Exhibition. View original screen-prints. Ormond Road Cafe, 78 Ormond Rd, Mon-Sat: 6am-2pm, free entry.

Gisborne Contract Bridge Club. Supervised play, new players welcome. 572 Gladstone Rd, 9.15-11.30am, $4, ph Jean 867 2383.

Badminton Centre, 134 Roebuck Rd. New players welcome, rackets available. Social Morning Badminton. 9.15-11.30am, $4, ph 867 2584. Junior Summer Badminton Club, 4.30-5.30pm, Year 3-9 $5/night, $40 subs, ph 027 350 9482. Summer Badminton Club, 7-9pm, Seniors $8, Year 11-13 $6, subs $80, ph 021 216 6700.

Posing, Not Posing Exhibition (to Mar 28, 2019). Take a look back in time before selfie sticks and smartphones. Tairawhiti Museum, Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 1.30-4pm, locals free, visitors $5, ph 867 3832.

Eastland Toastmasters. For confidence in public speaking. Arohaina Centre, 396 Aberdeen Rd (opposite Botanical Gardens), 5.45-7pm. See our Facebook page or ph Fiona 027 275 4846.

Fun Dancing Gisborne. Beginners classes for modern, sequence and social ballroom dancing. St Andrew’s Hall, 176 Cobden St, 7.30-10pm, $5 including supper, ph Kev/Isabel 867 0074.

Tuesday, December 11

Treble Court Cruise Market. Check out the stalls, kapa haka performance and kid-friendly entertainment. Treble Court, 9am-2pm, market will be cancelled if ship can’t dock. Stallholder inquires: tcmarkets@hotmail.com

Baby Time: for ages 0-2. Interactive play and rhymes to springboard your baby into early learning. HB Williams Memorial Library, 34 Bright St, 10am, free.

Waiapu Land and River-care Workshop. Visit some key sites in the catchment area and take part in plant identification and trapping. EIT Ruatoria Learning Centre, Hekiera Rd, 10am-3pm, lunch provided. For details ph Ngaire Keelan 06 864 8060, nkeelan@eit.ac.nz

Sustainable Christmas Workshop. Learn about alternative ways to wrap Christmas presents and discover new gift ideas. Tairawhiti Environment Centre, 386 Palmerston Rd, 12.15-1pm, gold coin entry, bring your lunch. Register: 867 4708 or at tairawhitienvcentre@gmail.com

Surfing for Farmers and their families. Get off-farm, have some quality downtime, learn to surf if you don’t already, have a BBQ and catch up. Midway Beach (dependent upon waves), 5.30-7pm. Boards, wetsuits and lessons provided free.

Wednesday, December 12

Social Tennis. For beginners to experienced players. Gisborne Tennis Club, 418 Childers Rd, 9.30-11.30am, $5 including a cuppa, ph Dusk 863 0218.

Riverdale Primary School 60th Jubilee. Past, present and future whanau welcome, includes a wearable art fashion show from 5pm, memorabilia in the hall, cake and kai. Riverdale Primary School, 324 Stout St, 4pm-12.30am Dec 13, free.

Thursday, December 13

A Christmas Carol, 7.30-9.30pm. See Sat Dec 8 listing.

Santa’s Grotto. A magical festive experience for children, with free photo with Santa, face painting, stories, craft activities and bouncy castles. Treble Court, 10am-2pm. Or drop-off a gift for less fortunate kids.

Sustainable Christmas Workshop, 12.15-1pm. See Tuesday listing.

Circle Dances of Europe. Final week of a six-week course learning common circle dances. Partners are not necessary. St Andrew’s Church Hall, 176 Cobden St, 7-9pm, $10 at the door.

Gisborne Caledonian Society Dance. Modern, sequence and social dancing for beginners. St Mark's Hall, 776 Childers Rd, 7.30-9.30pm, $4. All welcome.

Friday, December 14

The Scrabblers. A drop-in adults Scrabble morning. HB Williams Memorial Library upstairs Flexi-Space, 34 Bright St, 9am, free.

Toddler Time: for ages 2-5. Bring your children and their friends along for songs and stories. HB Williams Memorial Library, 34 Bright St, 10-10.30am, free.

Santa’s Grotto, 10am-2pm. See Thursday listing.

Hawaiiki Hou: New Horizons Exhibition (to Feb 10, 2019). Recent works by students and staff from the Toihoukura School of Maori Arts. Tairawhiti Museum, opening today: 5.30-7pm, and thereafter: Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 1.30-4pm, locals free, visitors $5, ph 867 3832.

Lola Sola Concert. Sydney-based Kiwi soul-bird, featuring Missing Link and Subsekretary for some mad tunes. Smash Palace, 24 Banks St, 6.30-11.30pm, music starts 7pm, $10 cash-only door sales, R18.

A Christmas Carol, 7.30-9.30pm. See Sat Dec 8 listing.

Troy Kingi Live. A versatile artist in both Te Ao Maori and soulful R&B, featuring Tyna Keelan, The Pines and Rose Campbell. Dome Room, PBC, 38 Childers Rd, 8pm. Tickets: $30 from The Aviary (cash-only), $30+Bfee at http://www.tickets.ticketspace.co.nz/event/troy-kingi-gisborne

Saturday, December 15

Gisborne Wainui Lions: Christmas Tree Sales. Pick up a tree and get decorating. Proceeds to local charities. Salvation Army complex, 289 Gladstone Rd, 7-11am, $30/tree, plus delivery/collection fees if required. Details: gisbornewainui@lionsclubs.org.nz

Gisborne Wainui Lions: Christmas Tree Sales, 7-11am. See Saturday Dec 8 listing.

Gisborne Parkrun, 8am start. See Saturday Dec 8 listing.

Makauri Kindy’s Mini Gala. Join the fun: bouncy castle, pony rides 10am-midday, sausage sizzle, burgers, bake sale, garage sale and raffles. Gisborne Riding for the Disabled, Showgrounds Park, 34 Main Rd, Makaraka, 9am-1pm.

Treble Court Christmas Market. Check out the stalls and kid-friendly entertainment. Treble Court, 9am-2pm. Stallholder inquires: tcmarkets@hotmail.com

Santa’s Grotto, 10am-2pm. See Thursday listing.

Lean On Me Concert: Suicide prevention/intervention. Local and national artists perform, food/info stalls and more. Hinerupe Marae, Paikea St, Te Araroa, 10am-6pm, free entry.

Hokohoko Youth Markets. Support local young entrepreneurs, their products and services. Alfred Cox Skatepark, 204 Grey St, 11am-2pm, free entry. Refreshments also available.

The Voice Gisborne: Karaoke Special. Sing your heart out and have some karaoke fun. Wrights Vineyard & Winery, 1093 Wharerata Rd, 11am-4pm, free entry. Pizza and organic wines available.

Learn to Sail Day, 11.30am-2.30pm. See Saturday Dec 8 listing.

Ormond Tennis Club, 2-4pm. See Saturday Dec 8 listing.

A Christmas Carol, 7.30-9.30pm. See Sat Dec 8 listing.

Sunday, December 16

Gisborne Runners and Walkers Club, 8am start. See Sunday Dec 9 listing.

Santa’s Grotto, 10am-2pm. See Thursday listing.

Gisborne Sceptic Group, 11am. Information on topics and venue ph 867 3715 or 867 7122.

Jolly Lifestyle Market. Live music, stalls, parking in the paddock. Jolly Stockman carpark, 3 Saleyards Rd, 11am-2pm, weather permitting. Stall holder inquiries; pirihirahall@gmail.com

Gisborne Country Music Club. Singers and musicians welcome. Blind Foundation Rooms, 39 Grey St, 1-4pm, members $2, non-members $3, incl afternoon tea, ph Flo 867 7637 or flo.ross@xtra.co.nz

Teia Kennedy: 2nd Wave Tour. Wairoa-born singer-songwriter shares her cool swagger-style music. Wrights Vineyard & Winery, 1093 Wharerata Rd, 1-4pm, free entry.

Historic MV Takitimu Cruise. Enjoy the sights of Poverty Bay from a fully-restored historic tug. Sailing from Pier 1 Inner Harbour, weather permitting, 2pm. Tickets, pay at the gate: $20 adult, $10 child u12. Details: Brian 027 474 9360.

A Christmas Carol, 2-4pm. See Sat Dec 8 listing.

Summer Concert Series: Lorelle McNaughton. Based in Barcelona, the Auckland-born pianist specialises in Spanish repertoire. Tiromoana, 41 Winifred St, Okitu, 2.30pm. Tickets: door sales, adult $25, student/child free.