Aussie play premieres in Tauranga

An Australian play’s New Zealand premiere in Tauranga this month offers a high quality, wellwritten, humorous take on country life across the Tasman via five local lady actors in a black box set.

Yes, ‘The Appleton Ladies Potato Race’ premieres at 16th Ave Theatre on Saturday, June 10, and runs for two weeks via 12 performances – so grab tickets now and get ready for a cracker! Inspired by true events, Melanie Tait’s affectionate Australian play is an effervescent, amusing and big-hearted tale about women taking action and showing the world there’s more than one way to win a race!

Funny

Tauranga director Dennis Fenwick first read the play two years ago. “One thing for me is when you read a play the first time and can already visualise it on-stage – that’s a good play. This one I could!

“It’s extremely well-written, it’s funny without playing the gag...it’s very quintessentially Australian in its humour and has some really interesting back stories – but none of those interfere with the story. Instead, they give it colour and make it real.

“And we, in Tauranga, get to do the first performance of it in New Zealand!”

The cast has been rehearsing for five weeks, with a support team wrapped around them.

Visual

“They’re doing an amazing job – the actresses were scripts down on week two. This means we’ve been able to evolve the play to the extent where we’re beginning to own it as a performance piece.”

Dennis says the set is very, very simple. “It’s what theatres calls ‘black box’. I like directing this style because the actors work hard to give visual cues about location – such as a bar, hair salon, doctor’s surgery etc – which allows the audience to create their own image around it, kind of like reading a book. And it’s great theatre – it really is!” As such, Dennis encourages Tauranga to book tickets early – as they’re sure to sell out! ‘The Appleton Ladies Potato Race’ is on show at 16th Avenue Theatre from June 10-24. Purchase tickets at: https://www.iticket.co.nz Merle Cave

Dancers travel from across the nation to take part. There are crews from Kaikohe in the north, to Christchurch in the south, and a strong contingent from Auckland.

Different

“PROJECT is different from other competitions because dance is the main thing,” says Sarah. “It is not a qualifier, so people come to celebrate their love of dance, to support each other, and appreciate the creativity that people bring.”

The audience also brings plenty of noise, encouraged by emcee Hadz Pouesi, who has a long history in the street dance scene himself, having won a gold medal at the world champs in 2008.

This year at PROJECT, the open crews – junior, varsity, adult, mega crews – will battle it out for more than $5000 in prize money.

Saturday 3rd June

Art in the Park Original art for sale. Weather permitting. 9am - 4pm. Coronation Park, Mt Maunganui. Tauranga Society of Artists Bay Singles Social Group

Join a bunch of over 50’s young singles. Weekend dinners, pot-lucks, occasional outings. Have a go! Ph Delia 027 284 8762, Andrea 021 133 0313

Boules - Pétanque

Tauranga BOP Club, Tawa St, Mt Maunganui. Social and competitive play. Boules available. Every Saturday 1pm, Tuesday 1pm Thursday 11am. New players welcome. Ph Ray 027 756 3565

Dance Dance Te Puke Memorial Hall. Every 3rd Sat of the month. Sequence, ballroom varieties 7-10.30pm. Supper and band. Come and enjoy $7 entry.

Valerie 573 7093

Free Weekly Community Meals

Every Thursday 11:30am to 1pm. Every Saturday 4:30pm to 6pm. 45 Cliff Rd, Tauranga Provided by Under the Stars, a registered charity. Showers/toiletries/clothing also available. Buzzycuts Barber onsite Thursday fortnightly.

Katikati Bowling Club 8 Park Rd

1.45pm

Katikati Toy Library Familyfocused facility offering 600+ toys to loan to children zero-

10. Tues 6.30-8pm Weds

2.30-4pm Sat 9am-10am.

Located behind the Christian Centre, Henry Rd, Katikati East Quarter Open Day Explore this brand-new community in Papamoa East, family fun activities, music, coffee, food, and a chance to learn about the new The Sands town centre. Saturday, June 3rd, 10am2pm, Bill Miller Drive St Stephen’s Jigsaw Library Every Saturday 10am-12noon. Hire for 2 weeks a variety of 600 puzzles. Please wear masks. Cnr Brookfield & Highmore Trc.

Taijiquan and Qigong Sat & Wed

9am. Free Taiji and Qigong group. Kulim Park on beach by big rock.

All welcome. Ph Petro 021 751 665

Tauranga Farmers Market

7.45am-12noon at Tauranga

Primary School cnr Cameron Rd & 5th Avenue. Rain, hail or shine. Direct from the Producers. Support local Tauranga Organ Keyboard Society Meets 1.30pm at Carmel Country Estate Social Centre, 11 Hollister Lane, Ohauiti, Tauranga. Play or listen to Organ, Clavinova, Piano. Contact Maureen 544 5013

Tauranga Senior Citizens Club Indoor Bowls. Tauranga Senior Citizens Hall 14 Norris St Tauranga. (behind Pac’n’sav).12.45pm Start.

First time free. Ph Carol

022 639 2411

Tauranga Scottish Society Sequence Dance 4th Sat monthly Wesley Church Hall 100 13th Ave

7pm $7 incl raffles and supper. Come join us. All welcome.

Ph Nola 5765076

Tauranga Social Dance Club

Sequence Dance Sat 3rd June

7-10pm Wesley Church Hall 100 13th Ave Good music, supper & raffles All welcome

Enq Ph Jan 576 3455

Te Puke Scottish Society

Sequence/Ballroom Dance, Saturday, 17 June, Te Puke War Memorial Hall, 7.00-10.30pm. Live band, light supper, raffles. Entry $7. Contact Valerie 573 7093

Village Radio Museum Community

Radio broadcasting nostalgic music & Community Notices seven days on 1368 KHz AM Band. Radio Museum open from 10am. Request line 571 3710

Sunday 4th June

Boules - Pétanque Omanu

PÃtanque keep active with a low impact sport play Wednesday and Sunday at 1.30pm Bayfair Reserve Russley Dr Omanu PÃtanque 027 425 6072

Car Boot Sale Otumoetai College Carpark Windsor Rd 7.30am sellers, 8.00am buyers. $10 a space.

Proceeds for Otumoetai Rotary projects. Details txt Bevan 027 461 2127

Enjoy Travel? Travel to Canada this September and be home-hosted! Friendship Force is world-wide with a Club in Tauranga. Ph Jonathan 572 2091, Dianne 027 249 9859. Farmers Market - Mount Mainstreet Every Sunday 9am-1pm rain or shine! Te Papa o Nga Manu Porotakataka (Phoenix Park). www.mountmainstreet.nz

Falun Dafa Exercises Move from chaos to calm on Sunday mornings, using this free to learn, mind/ body practice. For locations call/ Text Judy 021 0425 398 https://en.falundafa.org

Maketu Markets Every 3rd and 5th Sunday of the month by Rotary Maketu. Maketu Rd Park Reserve

7am-12pm. Friendly Market By the Sea. Enquiries Maureen 021 267 1685

Miniatures Club Tauranga

“Making it Small” Meetings 2nd Sunday each month [Feb-Nov]

10am-4pm. Arts and Crafts Centre, 177 Elizabeth St, Tauranga. Contact Jan 07 542 0998

Otumoetai Car Boot Sale

Otumoetai College Carpark. Sellers

7.30am. Buyers 8.00am. Sellers $10 a space. Contact Brian 0211 1228735 or Bevan 027 4612127

Papamoa Lions Club Market 2nd & 4th Sunday. Gordon Spratt Reserve, Parton Rd, Papamoa. Gates open 7am for stall holder entry. Wayne 027 974 5699

Psychic Cafe Spiritual Centre

Greerton Community Hall -

First and Third Sunday every month. Doors open 6.30pm, starts 7.00pm. $20 then everything FREE: Over 20 practitioners! Psychics, Healers, Refrehments

Quakers in Tauranga Invite you to explore your spiritual journey. Silent contemplation, companionship. Refreshments served. 10am-12 corner Cameron Road/Elizabeth Street. Behind Brain Watkins historical house. All welcome. Ph 022 409 1419 www.quakers.nz

Radio Controlled Model Yachts

Sundays & Thursdays 1:00-3:30pm, at Pond behind 22 Montego Drive Papamoa, sailing Electron Radio Controlled Yachts for fun. Adult beginners welcome. Graham 572 5419

Tauranga Senior Citizens Club 500(cards). Senior Citizens Hall 14 Norris St Tauranga. (Behind Pac’n’Sav) 12.45pm Start. Come and join us. First time free. Phone Carol 022 639 241

The Day Out Markets Held every Sunday at Bethlehem Town Centre. 9am-1pm. Market Stalls, Food Trucks, Lawn Games, Entertainment and More!

Monday 5th June

Alcoholics Anonymous Open Meeting every Monday /Friday 10am,Tauranga Central Baptist Church.Corner Cameron Rd/ 13 Avenue. All Welcome Beginner Social Dance Group Commencing Monday, 8 May, 7-8pm, Welcome Bay School Hall, 309 Welcome Bay Rd. Ballroom/ Latin/Rock&Roll. Just come along on the night. Ph: Sonia 027 322 1786

Chess at Mount Maunganui Mount RSA Chess Club 544 Maunganui Rd, Mondays (excl public holidays). Early program 6.30-7pm Late program 7pm onwards. Casual Chess allowed. Search “Western BoP Chess”

Creative Bre Tauranga Every Mon 9.30am and the 2nd & 4th Thurs 7pm. Learn new skills, knitting, crochet, spinning, dyeing, weaving and felting. 177 Elizabeth St, Tauranga. Ph Rosanne 07 562 3969 Free Public Advocacy Service Need help with an agency?

Let us advocate for you! Free clinics held weekly: Mondays: Merivale Community Ctr 1-2pm Tuesdays: Greerton Library 1:303pm Thursdays: Welcome Bay Community Ctr 1-2:30pm

Greerton Garden Club Greerton Garden Club meets 2nd Monday each month at St. James Church Hall, Pooles Road, at 1pm. Visitors Welcome. Phone 562 8855 Indoor Bowls Matua

Primary School Hall at 7.15pm. New members welcome. Come and join us for a evening of fun and bowls. Phone Karen 576 0443

Katikati Bowling Club Mixed 2 x 4 x2. Reporting time 9.15am letslearn.nz or ph 07 578 9416

Let’s Learn Something New An A-Z of Clubs, Courses & Classes happening now. Find an activity, join & do it ! All ages. www.

Mahjong Every Monday 12-304.00pm. Visitors and beginners welcome (Free teaching available).

Tauranga South Mahjong. Ph Jill 027 4769 440 / 5430390

Pickleball Mt Maunganui Mount Pickleball Club meets Monday and Wednesday mornings at Mount Sports Centre or Baypark. Paddles and balls provided. Calendar on Facebook. Bob 027 478 6282

Senior Net Technology Classes

Get the most from you phone, tablet, i pad, laptop, & more. Classes held at Historic Village. Call 07 577 1912

Soul Station, Spiritual Hub

Papamoa Community Centre, Toroha rm regularly the 8th of each month. Week days 6.308.30pm. Weekend mini expo days 9.30am-2.30pm. $20 entry fee

Tauranga Stamp Club Wesley Methodist Church, 100 Thirteenth Ave. 10am on the 2nd and 7.30pm on the 4th Monday of the month. All welcome. Ph Tony 07 549 5015 or Brian 07 576 5210

Tauranga Vision Friendship Club

4th Monday of each month. 10am

Tauranga Citz Club

13th Ave. Visitors very welcome. Ph Sue 021 543 544

Tuesday 6th June

Boules - Petanque Tauranga BOP Club, Tawa St, Mt Maunganui. Social and competitive play. Boules available. Every Saturday 1pm, Tuesday 1pm Thursday 11am. New players welcome. Ph Ray 027 756 3565

Cards 500 Mount Community Hall. 345 Maunganui Rd. Join a friendly group every Tuesday and Thursday 12.30-4pm. Afternoon tea provided. Inquiries to Margaret 027 658 6848

Free Public Advocacy Service

Need help with an agency?

Let us advocate for you! Free clinics held weekly: Mondays: Merivale Community Ctr 1-2pm

Tuesdays: Greerton Library 1:303pm Thursdays: Welcome Bay Community Ctr 1-2:30pm

Israeli Dancing Beginners class 6:30 -7:30pm, Gate Pa primary school hall, Cameron Rd. Circle & line dances, all ages welcome. Ph Maria 022 165 2114

Line Dancing Tauranga RSA Tues 5.30-7pm. All levels $5. All welcome 07 578 9654

Olympic Style Shooting 7pm at the Tauranga Target Rifle Club range next to Legion hall in lower Elizabeth St. Gear and coaching provided

Otumoetai Walking Group Meet at 9am at Kulim Park. Ph Danny 576 6480

Recycled Teenagers Gentle Exercise St Mary’s church cnr Girven & Marlin. 9-10.30am Suitable for joint replacements,art hritics,recovery from accidents and illness. Strength, coordination & balance. Jennifer 027 206 0776, or 571 1411

Scrabble Love of words and crosswords rock our boats. Meet 9:15am Tauranga Citz Club 13th Ave and Cameron. 3 games. Finish 12-30. All welcome. Ph 5783 606

Social Beginner Dance Group

Commencing Tues, 20 June, 8-9pm, Welcome Bay Primary School Hall, 309 Welcome Bay Road. Ballroom/ Latin/Rock&Roll. Just come along on the night Ph Sonia 027 322 1786

Table Tennis Papamoa Club night 7-9pm Tuesdays, Papamoa College Gym. $5 adult $4 student. All abilities welcome. John 021 038 6025

Tauranga Acoustic Music Club Greerton RSA 7pm. Friendly gettogether, all instruments, all levels of ability. Come in & enjoy some live music. Grant 578 6448

Tauranga Model Railway Club Club meets Tuesday 9.30am & Thursday 7.30pm. On the corner of Mirrielees & Cross Rds, Sulphur Point. Ph Mike 021 939 233

Tauranga Senior Citizens Club Indoor Bowls. Tauranga Senior Citizens Hall 14 Norris St Tauranga. (behind Pac’n’sav).12.45pm Start. First time free. Ph Carol 022 639 2411

U3A Beachside Meeting Public meeting Tuesday 6th June at Gordon Spratt Reserve starting at

10am. Joanna Oh and Skye Colonna from Tauranga city Libraries are guest speakers.

Yoga for All Welcome Bay Community Centre, 6-7:30pm. Traditional, relaxing Yoga class. Beginners welcome. $130 for eleven weeks or $15 one class. Bring a mat. Info Bhajan 07 929 7484

Wednesday 7th June

10 Pin Bowling 1pm at 10 Pin

Tauranga,135 13th Ave. Mixed group play for fun but keep the score. Very occasionally competitive. Ph Glenda 021 257 8678

A Course in Miracles A teaching to experience inner peace and transform your thinking from fear to Love. Stuck in the past? Free Internet forgiveness workshop at https://jenniferhadley.com/ how-get-over-it Text 021 0274 2502

Age Concern Walking Group Meet at 10am 7th Sulphur Point off Merrilies Rd. 14th Chester St, off Cambridge Rd. 21st Kulim Park, Bureta. 28th Papamoa Plaza, Gravatt Rd bus stop. Ph Renee 07 576 6699

Avenues Friendship Club 1st

Wednesday each month at 9.30am. Tauranga Citizens Club 170/13th Ave.

Visitors very welcome Ph 027 406 1846

Boules - Pétanque Omanu Pétanque keep active with a low impact sport play Wednesday and Sunday at 1.30pm Bayfair Reserve Russley Dr Omanu

PÃtanque 027 425 6072

Cards 500 Our friendly group plays 500 from 1pm at St Thomas More Church, 17 Gloucester Rd Mt Maunganui. $4. Includes refreshments. Barbara 027 216 9066 or Bob 027 478 6282

Cards Cribbage Our friendly Cribbage group meet every Wednesday 12.30pm for 1pm start at Greerton RSA, Cameron Rd. New members very welcome. Contact Jill 021 160 6143

Coffee/Conversation GroupBrookfield Age Concern Tauranga holds a friendly Coffee and Conversation Group at St Stephens Church, 9 Brookfield Terrace, 10.30am - 12noon, cost $5pp. All Welcome

Community Bible Study Join us for CBS bible study The Books of Romans. Wed 7-9pm C3, 252 Otumoetai Rd. Ph 021 225 5981

English Conversation Class

Language Brew - Alternate Wednesdays starting 10th

May 2. Conversation

Thursdays VenueMulticultural Tauranga at the Historic Village - 10 am to noon

Fernland Spa Gentle Exercise

Gentle exercise in warm mineral water, no chlorine. Suitable for joint replacements, arthritics & recovery from accident or injury. Good for strength, coordination & balance. 027 206 0776 Jennifer 571 1411

Healing Rooms Prayer Experience

Gods healing touch, whether physical, emotional, spiritual. 1-3pm Every Wednesday. All welcome. No charge. Central Baptist Lounge. 640 Cameron Rd. www.healingrooms.co.nz

027 640 1263

Indoor Bowls Gate Pa Greerton

Community Hall. Carousel Triples 7pm

Names in book. (Ecclesfield Trophy)

Kevin 543 4044

Katikati Bowling Club 8 Park Rd.

Mixed Roll-ups 12.45-3pm

Marching for Leisure A noncompetitive activity for mature ladies. Fun, fitness and friendship. For Tauranga team’s practice and contact details please call Glenice Dando 027 489 8841

Pickleball at Night Pickleball is fun and it’s at Tauranga Boys College 7-9pm

Wednesday and Friday nights. Paddles and balls provided. $5.

Bob 027 478 6282

Quiz Night Tauranga RSA Wednesday

Evenings 7pm $3 per person. All welcome 07 578 9654

Scottish Country Dancing Mt

Maunganui Club, Club nights every Wednesday, 7pm, Mt Citizen’sCommunity Hall, 345 Mt M Rd.

Beginner’s welcome, no partners needed. Lynne 021 140 7912

Geoffrey 544 0839

Taijiquan and Qigong Sat & Wed

9am. Free Taiji and Qigong group. Kulim Park on beach by big rock. All welcome. Ph Petro 021 751 665

Tauranga Embroiderers’ Guild Meets every Wednesday at Tauranga Rowing Club, Devonport Road 10am-2.30pm and 7-9pm. Beginners very welcome. Contact Yvonne Horsfall

Ph 07 572 0927 / 027 478 4519

Tauranga Midweek Tramping Group Franklin Road-Dalyâs Clearing Track -Mangakino -Deams track loop. Grade moderate. Contact Jane 021 766 232

Tauranga Senior Citizens Club Indoor Bowls. Tauranga Senior Citizens Hall 14 Norris St Tauranga. (behind Pac’n’sav).12.45pm Start.

First time free. Ph Carol 022 639 2411

Tauranga South Garden Club First Wed of the month. Central Baptist Church hall cnr Cameron road and 13th Ave at 1pm. Visitors welcome.

Ph Carmen 027 378 2248

Tennis Gate Pa Come and join in Midweek Social Tennis 9am -12pm Wed & Fri mornings. coaching available. Great active activity. Ph Geoff 021 474 807 or just turn up

Thursday 8th June

Adult Social Ballroom/Latin Dance

Join us in June. Free Beginner Dance Lessons. Every Thursday 7:30pm at Club Mt. Maunganui. Dean Smith

Ph 021 230 3187 www.udance2.co.nz

Just come along

Boules - Pétanque Tauranga BOP Club, Tawa St, Mt Maunganui. Social and competitive play. Boules available.

Every Saturday 1pm, Tuesday 1pm Thursday 11am. New players welcome. Ph Ray 027 756 3565

Cards 500 Mount Community Hall. 345 Maunganui Rd. Join a friendly group every Tuesday and Thursday 12.30-4pm. Afternoon tea provided.

Inquiries to Margaret 027 658 6848

Coffee/Conversation GroupGreerton Age Concern Tauranga holds a friendly Coffee and Conversation Group, Greerton Senior Citizens Hall, 33 Maitland Street, 10.30am - 12noon, cost $3pp. All Welcome

English Conversation Class Language

Brew - Alternate Wednesdays starting 10th May 2. Conversation Thursdays

Venue - Multicultural Tauranga at the Historic Village - 10 am to noon

Free Public Advocacy Service Need help with an agency? Let us advocate for you! Free clinics held weekly:

Mondays: Merivale Community Ctr 1-2pm

Tuesdays: Greerton Library 1:30-3pm

Thursdays: Welcome Bay Community Ctr 1-2:30pm

Free Weekly Community Meals Every Thursday 11:30am to 1pm. Every Saturday 4:30pm to 6pm. 45 Cliff Rd, Tauranga Provided by Under the Stars, a registered charity. Showers/toiletries/ clothing also available. Buzzycuts Barber onsite Thursday fortnightly.

Katikati Bowling Club 8 Park Rd

Rummikub 1-4pm, $3 entry

Keynotes Women’s Barbershop

Chorus Meet 7pm Wesley Hall, 100 13thAvenue. New singers welcome, age no barrier. Enjoy 4-part harmony, friendship and laughter. Ph Bernice 576 4848, Facebook Keynotes Inc.

Radio Controlled Model Yachts

Sundays & Thursdays 1:00-3:30pm, at Pond behind 22 Montego Drive Papamoa, sailing Electron Radio Controlled Yachts for fun. Adult beginners welcome. Graham 572 5419

Tauranga Model Railway Club Club meets Tuesday 9.30am & Thursday

7.30pm. On the corner of Mirrielees & Cross Rds, Sulphur Point.

Ph Mike 021 939 233

Tauranga Senior Citizens Club 500(cards). Senior Citizens Hall 14 Norris St Tauranga. (Behind Pac’n’Sav)

12.45pm Start. Come and join us. First time free. Ph Carol 022 639 2411

Friday 9th June

Alcoholics Anonymous Open Meeting every Monday /Friday 10am,Tauranga Central Baptist Church.Corner Cameron Rd/ 13 Avenue. All Welcome Family History / Genealogy Interested in Family History, but need help? Volunteers at Papamoa Library 10am till noon last Friday of each month can help.

Contact jenny 542 5243

Housie Housie at the Tauranga RSA Fridays from 12.30pm All welcome

07 578 9654

Katikati Bowling Club Mixed roll up. Reporting time 1.45pm. Visitors welcome. Coaching available. Social activities commence at 4pm.

Papamoa Seniors Indoor Bowls

Enjoyable afternoon with other Seniors whilst playing Indoor Bowls at Papamoa Sports Centre. Names in by 11.45, prizes $5 entrance Pickleball at Night Pickleball is fun and it’s at Tauranga Boys College

7-9pm Wednesday and Friday nights. Paddles and balls provided. $5.

Bob 027 478 6282

Pickleball in the Morning Pickleball is fun. Join us at Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre 9am-midday. Paddles, balls and morning tea provided. $5.

Bob 027 478 6282

Tauranga Vision Club Coffee Group 2nd Friday of each month (unless public holiday).

10-12pm. Visitors and member very welcome.

Ph Sue 021 543 544 for venue Tennis Gate Pa Come and join in Midweek Social Tennis 9am -12pm Wed & Fri mornings. coaching available. Great active activity.

Ph Geoff 021 474 807 or just turn up.

Featuring: Matty B, Wheriko, Nick Newman, Wildlanes, Asher McMahon, Twenty2, Double A, Dj Ayesha, Omega B hip party with twenty2 and omega B