A magical medieval extravaganza is the the prefect way to see out January, the Taupo Medieval Festival will be here from the 31st of January to the 1st of February.
Be in Taupo to see Black Beauty take on the world in a ‘must see’ weekend at the third A1GP Taupo from Friday 23 – Sunday 25 January 2009. This is set to be the fastest ever race in New Zealand thanks to the new generation of A1GP Powered by Ferrari cars.
06 Dec 2008 - 07 Jan 2009
Taupo Museum. Paintings by Kay Palmer, clay work by Ross Palmer and Anne Powell. Kay’s work is a celebration of the many facets of everyday life: a journey through light and colour which often departs into the realm of imagination and vision. The concept of the vessel or boat has guided Ross’s work experience. The boats refer to journeys, history, spirituality and life experience in general. Anne’s work with porcelain has increasingly focused on the inherent strength of the clay which belies the look of fragility. These latest works are translucent, screen-printed, impressed and some have glass shards embedded.
31 Dec 2008 - 01 Jan 2009
Riverside Park. Celebrate New Year's Eve with your family in an alcohol free environment. Great music and fantastic fireworks will herald in the start of 2009. The entertainment is chosen with care to appeal to the whole family so come and join us, bring a blanket and a picnic and enjoy a great night's entertainment. The best part about it is it's all free!
05 Jan 2009
12.30pm – 1.30pm at the Great Lake Centre Outdoor Stage. The sound of Anika Moa is the sound of one of New Zealand’s best loved troubadours, and one who speaks from the truth of her experiences. There isn’t a voice like hers anywhere. Honest and heart wrenching with an underlying soul and energy that complements the songs she writes. You may have seen the cheeky grin. It gives a small insight into the persona behind it, and the music she has made for the best part of the last decade. In Swings The Tide is her latest offering. It takes one listen through to realise it is an album that she has poured all of her creative energies into. Featuring the new single Dreams In My Head.
06 Jan 2009
12.30pm – 1.30pm at the Great Lake Centre Outdoor Stage. Elaine Abras and Beto Lopes. Taupo is fortunate to capture acclaimed Brazilian musicians Elaine Abrias and Beto Lopes as they travel through New Zealand. Beto and Elaine are united in a wonderful brazillian and fusion sound, playing international jazz and their own compositions. Beto has already recorded five solo CDs and has played with Andy Summers (the police), Hermeto Pascoal, and other musicians from around the world. He has played in Free Jazz Festivals in Rio de Janeiro and also the European Jazz Festival in 2006.
07 Jan 2009
12.30pm – 1.30pm at the Great Lake Centre Outdoor Stage. Regular performers Westumbria are in constant demand, and released their first CD in 2006 entitled Stepping Stones. An Auckland group who perform in the English, Celtic and North American musical traditions and include New Zealand and self-penned items in their public appearances. The name "Westumbria" reflects a merging of the band's West Auckland roots and Northumbria (England) which inspired some of the tunes. The blending of other unusual instruments such as the American mountain lap dulcimer produce this distinctive sound.
08 Jan 2009
12.30pm – 1.30pm at the Great Lake Centre Outdoor Stage. Award winning songwriter, Lynn Walters has enjoyed a glittering career, during which she has amassed an impressive list of songwriting and performance credits. Her voice has been likened to k.d.Laing, Sarah Vaughn and Diana Krall, and in the field of nostalgic music, Vera Lynn.
09 Jan 2009
12.30pm – 1.30pm at the Great Lake Centre Outdoor Stage. Sometimes you come across an artist that is so completely the REAL DEAL. Their songwriting and stage presence comes so naturally to them you wonder how long they have been perfecting their craft. The truth is, it can’t be learned, it comes naturally to some. Pete Fountain is such an artist. His songs seem to roll effortlessly from his soul and connect with people in a way that is almost supernatural. You think to yourself, I know this song, but you don’t, it’s just the way Pete’s songs are. Pete is a singer/songwriter of the highest order, his songs are influenced by his daily life and his sound is likened to early classic songwriters such as Tim Buckley, David Gates and Bill Withers and modern songsmiths David Gray, Sting and John Mayer. Pete has played alongside NZ’s best artists including BIC RUNGA, OPSHOP and DON McGLASHAN and was also the support act for the 10cc tour through NZ in 2007.
10 Jan 2009 - 04 Feb 2009
Taupo Museum. Paintings, sculpture, ceramics, metal and woodwork and glass engraving by Isobel McBeth, Lynda Mapplebeck, Marie Eiram, Mayme Chanwai, Narina McBeath, Mathew Whittaker, Bob Gibbs, Pamella Annesouth, Jan Waterfield, Robert Franken. This is an exciting and diverse collection of work by The Circle of Friends from the Kapiti Coast. Many of them are well established artists who have exhibited widely both in New Zealand and overseas. Their work has developed over the years with support and encouragement from the group. The boundaries are always challenged and without exception the aim is to show high quality art.
11 Jan 2009
5 - 7pm Unison Amphitheatre, Riverside Park. Remedy - Formed in 2002 to perform Latin, Jazz & Blues based material. From the beginning of January through to the end of February we will be bringing you a series of entertainment packages designed to round off your weekend with sunshine, picnic's, wine, music and movies. In 2009 we are moving the start time to 5pm to allow you time to get off the Lake, get that picnic sorted and come join us on the grass. We have lifted the liquor ban because wine goes with picnic's right? As with the NYE concert it's all family, all safe, all fun and all on us, yes the whole two month series is free!
17 Jan 2009 - 18 Jan 2009
The classic NZ 2 day trail ride on Mount Ruapehu. Featuring 160km of trail, camping, catering and evening entertainment. This is the biggest epic event and attracts around 1000 riders per day.
18 Jan 2009
5 - 7pm Unison Amphitheatre, Riverside Park. The Mighty Ramble - The roots of the band go back to the beginning of the century when guitarist and front man Al Campbell met up with Drummer Andy Hoy at the Massey Jazz school. From the beginning of January through to the end of February we will be bringing you a series of entertainment packages designed to round off your weekend with sunshine, picnic's, wine, music and movies. In 2009 we are moving the start time to 5pm to allow you time to get off the Lake, get that picnic sorted and come join us on the grass. We have lifted the liquor ban because wine goes with picnic's right? As with the NYE concert it's all family, all safe, all fun and all on us, yes the whole two month series is free!
23 Jan 2009 - 25 Jan 2009
Be in Taupo to see Black Beauty take on the world in a ‘must see’ weekend at the third A1GP Taupo, 23-25 January 2009. Pitting nation against nation in the World Cup of Motorsport, A1GP unites countries in a competition where human bravery, skill and excellence determine victory. Racing identical single-seat cars, the deliberately equalised technology allows countries to compete on a level playing field. A packed three day schedule includes the ENZED V8 Ute series, the Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup, iconic Muscle Cars and the Toyota Racing Series. Entry on Friday is free to anyone buying tickets for Saturday and/or Sunday and parking is FREE - right across the road from your seat. Picnics welcome in the Embankment Area, however no alcohol or carbonated drinks to be brought into venue, and no food or beverage to be brought into the Grandstand Areas.
24 Jan 2009
MotoTT holds regular motorcycle track days at Taupo Motorsport Park. These track days are designed to be a fun, non competitive environment in which to test your bike and your riding skills. Go as fast or as slow as you like with no cars (or police) to worry about. Riders are given sessions of 25 minutes (10-12 laps on the full 3.5km track). You may select 3 groups to ride in (1=fast, 2=medium and 3=slower). Spaces are limited so booking is essential to secure a place. To pre-register for a track day email Peter, please include your name, bike make/model, preferred riding group and track day date you wish to pre-register for.
24 Jan 2009
The Land Rover Tussock Traverse is a unique 27km run or walk through the World Heritage Tongariro National Park. This route covers amazing scenery from the Rangipo Desert to Whakapapa Village, traversing between Mt Ruapehu and Mt Ngaruahoe, past the historic Waihohonu Hut, and covering part of the beautiful Round the Mountain track. There aren’t many events that traverse such a change in terrain – desert, scrubland, volcanic, tussock and bushline. All of this to be done in the company of like minded people and enthusiastic volunteer event support around you. And by entering the event, you can do your bit to help this World Heritage area, as all proceeds from the event go to the Tongariro Natural History Society, a non-profit organization for conservation projects in the park.
24 Jan 2009
2 - 4:30pm in Riverside Park. Enjoy an afternoon listening to music, being treated to delectable savoury and sweet treats while sipping on world class blended tea. Proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Foundation. Tickets for the Tea Party are $45 and available from Yum Food Company and ZeaYou Gallery Taupo.
25 Jan 2009
7pm in Riverside Park. Ratatouille followed by High School Musical 1. From the beginning of January through to the end of February we will be bringing you a series of entertainment packages designed to round off your weekend with sunshine, picnic's, wine, music and movies. In 2009 we are moving the start time to 5pm to allow you time to get off the Lake, get that picnic sorted and come join us on the grass. We have lifted the liquor ban because wine goes with picnic's right? As with the NYE concert it's all family, all safe, all fun and all on us, yes the whole two month series is free!
31 Jan 2009 - 01 Feb 2009
The 2009 tournament will showcase some of the finest historical recreations in Australasia, culminating in the inaugural Trans-Tasman Jousting Cup. The tournament provides an up close and personal look at history, with a unique appeal for the whole family. Now in its fourth year, the Tournament and its associated festival attracts competitors and spectators from all over the world. Jousting and Foot Combat teams from New Zealand, Australia, France, Belgium, the United Kingdom and Poland have all visited Taupo, helping to create a quality international event, elevating the profile of both Taupo and New Zealand on the world stage.
