Bay festooned with festivals and a beaut's coming up

Laura Vodanovich

There are lots of fabulous festivals that happen in Hawke's Bay.

One of my very favourites is the New Zealand International Film Festival, where I just love to get my fill of a wide variety of film styles, subjects and messages.

This year's festival was the most successful to date and I can't wait until next year.

But I love all the festivals in Hawke's Bay and one of the largest festivals, the Napier Art Deco Festival, launched its programme for 2019 just last week, with tickets now on sale.

Before you buy your deco tickets however, don't forget it's only a week until the Hawke's Bay Arts Festival kicks off.

Starting on October 15, the festival launches with its first event in the Spiegeltent at Havelock North.

As always there's something for all tastes so, if you haven't already, make sure you pick up a programme and get some tickets.

This festival spreads across Napier, Hastings and Havelock North, making it one of the most regional festivals on the calendar.

There are a number of events at MTG Hawke's Bay in the visually and acoustically beautiful Century Theatre.

Starting with Emily Sun & Gamal Khamis performing a programme of romantic and virtuosic music on violin and piano on October 17 at 7.30pm.

Following this, there's opera, comedy, inspiration, challenges and more on offer through the events at MTG.

One of my favourite events is "White Night", when the city of Napier comes alive for just one evening to celebrate arts and culture in a multitude of spaces throughout the CBD.

Last year about 2000 people came through the building and the place was humming.

We'll have plenty of staff on hand to guide you through the galleries and, with a bar in the main foyer and food on the forecourt, MTG is a great place to enjoy the atmosphere on the night.

The library is joining in on the action and staying open late, with storytelling from 7pm-9pm and maybe a surprise activity as well.

Right now, however, it's still school holidays and the museum has been buzzing with children and families throughout the building.

People young and old are absolutely loving Bottled Ocean 2118, enjoying the experience of feeling immersed in the ocean, marvelling at the clever transformation of plastic bottles into an underwater scene and, hopefully, engaging in the conservation messages.

There are many children and groups going through the museum, partaking in the treasure hunt and enjoying the two dress-up spots around the building.

It's not too late to book into our last holiday programmes – Stop Motion Animation & Virtual Reality or Plastic Fantastic. Whatever you choose to do for the school holidays, we hope you include a visit to the museum as part of your activities.

• Chamber Music New Zealand presents Piers Lane, Hiroshi Ikematsu and NZSQ, Sunday, October 7, 5pm. Tickets are available from Ticketek

• Stop Motion Animation & Virtual Reality, holiday programme. Tuesday, October 9, 10am-12pm. $20 – please register to secure a place.

• Plastic fantastic, holiday programme upcyling bottles into artwork. Thursday, October 11, 10am-12pm. $10 – please register to secure a place.

• Lace Tour, join our collections team to explore lace in the collection. Thursday, October 11, 11am. Please register to secure your place and receive venue location details. Spaces are limited. Free event

• To register for any event please contact MTG Hawke's Bay, phone: 835 7781, email: info@mtghawkesbay.com or visit MTG reception.

• Laura Vodanovich is the director of the Museum Theatre Gallery (MTG) Hawke's Bay.