Businesses and tenants along Masterton’s Queen St are doing their part to make this Weekend’s Block Party a hit, with something for everyone to enjoy.
This Saturday October 20, northern Queen St between King and Park Streets will be off-limits to vehicles, as revellers take in live music and explore the best the block has to offer, between 10am and 2pm.
This will be the second Block Party, a free community event initiated by Aratoi Museum of Art and History and Urban Dream Brokerage in 2017.
With loads of things to find and do, coordinator Madeleine Slavick said the event was a celebration of talent, knowledge and diversity on and around the block.
Aratoi Director Susanna Shadbolt said the Block Party event was a way to tell the stories of the community, “which is what a museum is all about”.
“We celebrate the diversity of our immediate neighbourhood, with its exciting arts quarter, not one but two museums, a library and archive, several textile arts-related groups, and an amazing range of shops and services.”
Mats will be laid outside of Te Patukituki o Wairarapa where anyone can learn to weave a Putiputi, or flax rose, and help create a giant “community hoop” celebrating Koanga — the season of Spring.
Jade Waetford said the Block Party was a great opportunity to celebrate cooperation at Te Pa.
“We’re all about celebrating and any reason to celebrate is a good one.”
In conjunction with the name “Block Party,” Waetford said the Eastside community in Masterton, who many residents identified as “The Block,” would be showcased through artists’ work at Te Pa.
“They’re only just over the park — they’re very close to this area.”
Waetford said there was a variety of things happening on Te Pa’s block, which was still establishing itself as part of the main street.
“We really want to promote inclusivity.”
Historian and archivist, Gareth Winter, will be taking people on a tour behind the scenes at the Wairarapa Archive on the day.
“It’s a chance to see what we do and how we do it, and how it relates to the community.”
Bookings are essential, but three separate tours will each begin on the hour from 11am.
“There will be old records dating back to the very first days of Masterton’s establishment.”
A taste of what’s on
BRUCE ST
Sausage Sizzle by Friends of Aratoi at New World
Live music and painting relay at ConArt
Free Tours for Kids of the Aratoi collection store, 11am & 1pm, book at Aratoi
Live music by all-female group Novella 11am and 1pm at Entice
DIXON ST
Free Bouncy Castle at Trust House Recreation Centre
Shearing demonstrations & Open Day at The Wool Shed (free entry)
Art sale by Masterton Art Club at Trust House REAP Education Centre
Wairarapa Roller Derby car wash at Parkview Challenge
PARK ST
Come Sew With Me open day in the Rose Cottage of Queen Elizabeth Park
Park St Health Centre Open Day — podiatry, chiropractic, physiotherapy, midwives & Foot pong
Masterton & Me photo-stories by Anna Rutherford at WBS
QUEEN ST
Play instruments with Jonas Koukl & Earth Rhythm Wairarapa
Book sale by the Library at Masterton Library Square
Masterton Art Club street-printing of manhole covers onto tote bags made by Come Sew With Me
Wairarapa Spinners & Weavers display at Yvonne’s
Food stalls beside Masterton District Library
Wai Art arts sale
Confucius Institute Mandarin Tutors: calligraphy, music, garments at MACs Fish’n Chips 11am-1pm
Chase from Paw Patrol giving out free balloons from 11am-noon
Art and Vintage sale & a Giant Crossword with NZ Pacific Studio at Masterbowl
Steampunk workshop at King Street Artworks – book your place [email protected] or phone 378 9777
Carving with Wayne Pitau and pottery and project WAI with Sam Ludden at Te Pa
KING ST
Free fitness session at The Hubb 10.15am
